The Mini Trekker Classic has sailed through the test of time and terrain. A favorite of amateurs and pros alike, it stands up well to heavy use in the
The Mini Trekker Classic has sailed through the test of time and terrain. A favorite of amateurs and pros alike, it stands up well to heavy use in the field and still looks good. This go-everywhere, lightweight backpack has a flexible interior and comfortable, carry-all-day harness. Attachment loops take optional SlipLock™ add-ons.
I received this bag recently at a very good price on eBay. I had been searching this one out for a while, and got quite a deal! This bag holds just about everything an amateur can carry . . . here is a list of what I have packed in:
Two Konica SLRs
Nikon 300mm f/4.5 ED-IF
Hexanon 200mm f/3.5
Hexanon 100mm f/2.8
Hexanon 85mm f/2.8
Hexanon 40mm f/1.8
Hexanon 35mm f/2.8
Vivitar 24mm f/2.8
Kiron 2x Teleconverter
And this is just the main compartment. This holds everything from a moderately wide angle lens to a moderately long telephoto, none of which are cheaply built or very small. The weight of 8 lenses and two bodies in the bag, along with some filters, film, etc. is well supported on the heavy duty shoulder straps. I have still been carrying a Bogen 3021 tripod w/ 3047 head separately, but have had no problems when I clipped it in.
I think that from my limited experience this bag is very capable and worth at least twice of what I paid, and possibly three times!! Either way, it can be found for $100 or less anywhere you look (that isn't a retail shop ~ $139). Good purchase for me, hope you enjoy it as much!!
this is for the Mini Trekker AW
holy moly. alrighty... lowepro says that the bag holds a surprising amount of gear and they arent kidding. i had been looking on ebay for a week or so for a decent deal on a camera bag and i had read reviews that this bag was on the small side and all that, so in addition to looking for this bag, i was looking at photo trekkers and other larger bags too. i figured i would try to find a good deal on each of two bags, the mini trekker and a larger one, and decide which bag i preferred and then just put the other one back on ebay.
okay, enough with the prelude, all i needed was the mini trekker. in the main compartment i can fit everything i need for traveling, and more than i need for each time i get out of the car to wander around.
i suppose i will be kind of general with the cameras i have in there. i only have manual focus primes and the longest are normal lenses so thats probably part of the reason i feel like i have so much space. okay, my bag contains:
medium format slr with 50/4 lens attached
mf 80/2.8 lens
35mm slr with 17mm lens attached
50mm 1.4 lens
35mm slr with 50mm lens attached
a tiny, half frame camera
around ten rolls of film
room to spare!
and thats just the main compartment, i have a few accessories in the inside zippered pockets that dont get much use but are good to have just in case like a cable shutter release and lens cap and such. film could fit in there too though, although it might be a little tight. in the front zippered pocket i have a polaroid sx-70 with some film, and a small tripod, which extends to about three feet tall, so nothing too great. then, in the front velcro pocket, i have about fifteen rolls of film and thats about all that can fit in there.
so, i definitely did not need anything larger. this bag is perfect for me and after a month it still makes me smile to think about it.
oh, additionally, i had hesitations on getting this bag because of what other tall people had said, like its waist straps are like belly straps on tall people and such. the bag has well padded straps and a well padded back and i think its size will keep it from getting so heavy that waist straps would be necessary.
Strengths:
very well built, very rigid, fits a lot of equipment. the size is similar to typical bookbags so it doesnt attract a ton of attention as a photo bookbag or some enormous backpack, and isnt too huge for just carting around wherever youd like. feels very comfortable. well padded inside and out for comfort.
Weaknesses:
its been excellent so far
Similar Products Used:
over the shoulder bags not designed for carrying cameras, and bookbags not designed for carrying cameras... not that similar at all
Spend almost a month traveling with this backpack and came away loving it. Just the right size, easy to load & unload. Fits airline overheads...great equipment. Wore it in airports for those long marches between terminals and felt my gear was safe and protected. I uses a PackSafe (expandable wire cage) to secure the pack and equipment to when I was out of my hotel room. This pack is also easy to open for airport inspection.
Strengths:
Strong, comfortable, give you the feeling of having your equipment in a safe environment
Weaknesses:
They call it mini-...but you can really load it up. My first backpacking trip with it was a disaster...two camera bodies with lenses and a tripod is too much for this Texan
Rating Reviewed by: Mark Schwobel(Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date November 30, 2003
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Value Rating 4 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 3.40 of 5,
5 votes
Review 4 of 62
Price Paid:
$120.00
from Arlington Camera
Summary:
I bought this pack to use on family vacations and it works very well (especially when I get the kids to carry it). The padding and adjustability is great and the comfort is good. I easily pack two bodies, flash, four lenses (including 70-200) film, mini tripod, and other stuff.
Strengths:
quality, strength, comfort
Weaknesses:
elastic strap for tripod and zipper pulls (both easily fixed with utility cord)
Rating Reviewed by: Ken (Unregistered User)
(Professional)
Review Date May 29, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for Less than 1 month
Visitors rate this review 3.00 of 5,
8 votes
Review 5 of 62
Price Paid:
$150.00
from Photoline
Summary:
Great pack, extremely well constructed. Lots of space, and it comes with plenty of dividers. I carry a Canon EoS 1D 3 lens, filters, two extra batterys, charger, and fire wire cable, and I still have room for 3 or more len's.
Strengths:
Great workmanship. Roomy. Good protection.
Weaknesses:
I am about 6 feet tall, and I feel the pack is made for someone about 5'6" I can only really use the sholder straps, the lumbar strap is more of a rib strap for me.