Camera/Laptop Briefcase?

[misterman8]

I don't know if this exists but I thought someone here might be able to help me.

I am going to be leaving in a couple of months for 3 months of dissertation research, I will be going to India, S. Africa, and a brief stint back to the States. After each leg I will be returning to London for a couple of days to turn in papers and meet with people. I will be traveling with the following electonics:

14" iBook (with power cord, outlet adapters, iPod, whatever else I need)
an SLR with one or two lenses and probably 10 rolls of film
A digital voice recorder, looking at the tiny ones made by sony

In addition to those things I am going to be toting around what amounts to about 3 reems of paper on each trip, a couple of boxes of pens and some random other stuff (think of something around the size of a large ziplock bag full).

I am looking for something that will hold/protect all of this stuff, is carry-on sized, doesn't scream "look! there are expensive things in here," has a shoulder strap (no wheels) and looks at least semi-professional; along the way I will be meeting with some political and government officials and I would at least like to look like I am a professional.

My budget is, say, less than $200 US, but obviously I am a grad student, and the lower the better. I am having a hard time finding something that fits all of my needs, but maybe it doesnt exist. If anyone can make any luggage suggestions that would be great!

 

[markc]

Hmm... I did find this: http://www.ebags.com/case_logic/slr...80&sourceid=COMJ0105&AID=10293324&PID=1726759
Don't know how good it is.

 

[gfoz]

I've got my eye on the Axio Hybrid - but I've yet to see if my toys will fit in - well worth a look though. Otherwise, your post got me searching for one myself, and found a Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW Camera + Laptop Backpack here: http://tinyurl.com/avsf7 or the Tamrac CyberPack range look good too.

Let us know what you decide on!

 

[kemplefan]

cant give oyu a spesific fix but look on the sites of all the companeys like case logic exetera
also how well do you want your things protected wil play a big role

 

[chancellor]

If you don't mind backpacks, I would strongly recommend looking into Kata R-103. Amazing build quality and looks. If you prefer shoulder: there are options with Tamrac and Tenba that I've used and know about. Tamrac Super Pro 19 perhaps will be a bit too big, but if you ever decide to add more glass to your collection, they will fit easily.

Hope this helps, Chancellor.

 

[danalec99]

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/notebook_camera/

 

[Big Mike]

I've got this one Computrekker AW
It was actually less expensive than a similar one without the laptop compartment.

I really like Lowepro bags and this one is no exception. It will hold a laptop, SLR with several lenses or accessories, and it has a separate compartment for general storage. I don't think you could put three reams of paper in there though. Check out other Lowepro bags..they are great. Tamrac is also a well respected brand.

The fabric is water resistant and all of the Lowepro 'AW' series bags have a water-proof rain cover built in. It came in very handy while I was in the rain forests of Costa Rica.

 

[jwkwd]

You have to carry around 3 reems of paper ?

 

[misterman8]

You have to carry around 3 reems of paper ?

Yeah, roughly. I am doing research and in order to collect enough data, satisfy various ethics boards, and account for the potential languages spoken I have to have between 100 and 200 copies of what will be a six page packet with me in each country. I may be able to pare that down on a day to day basis but not very far; better to have too many than too few.

I am now trying to decide if it would be a good idea to rethink taking the laptop. I think I am going to have adequate computer access, although it would be nice to be able to begin entering scores into the database as I go. So much stuff to haul around, so little money. I have also considered going with a "briefcase" style laptop bag and a "holster" camera bag carabinered to that. I guess my biggest goal with all of this is to be able to get my stuff around in country at the lowest possible profile I can.