ClickElite??

[MinnieDiva]

Does anyone out there own a ClickElite bag? I've been researching new bags to travel with that will handle not only my camera gear, but an iPad as well, in addition to room for perhaps some small miscellaneous items, and I've landed on these bags. I have a Lowepro slingshot 100 that I really like as it fits my torso really well, but the reality is that my husband is the one who carries the bag while I have the camera on me, and I've outgrown its capacity for travel uses. He wants a back-pack style bag. I've been to REI to try and look at them, but the stuff they're carrying right now less than adequate and the zippers are tough to work. I'm looking for something that will carry a DSLR body, as well as up to 3 lenses. Maybe a flash, but I rarely use it.
Thanks!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

It's pricey, but check out the ThinkTank Airport TakeOff bag. It can be used as a backpack or a rolling airport bag. I don't have this specific bag, but I've been very happy with the ThinkTank brand. Plenty of room for camera gear, plus a laptop compartment.

 

[YesDear]

I own several Think Tank Bags. I just got a Streetwalker 10

I have been able to get a full size DSLR body, 14-24: 24-70; 70-200 and a SB-900 in the bag. It did take some reorganization to get it all in there. They may 2 larger ones as well. I just wanted as small as possible.

 

[pgowder]

I just ordered the Pro Sport. It should be here tomorrow. The bags look great. Really excited to have the hydration pack with the bag.

 

[MinnieDiva]

It's pricey, but check out the ThinkTank Airport TakeOff bag. It can be used as a backpack or a rolling airport bag. I don't have this specific bag, but I've been very happy with the ThinkTank brand. Plenty of room for camera gear, plus a laptop compartment.

I own several Think Tank Bags. I just got a Streetwalker 10



I have been able to get a full size DSLR body, 14-24: 24-70; 70-200 and a SB-900 in the bag. It did take some reorganization to get it all in there. They may 2 larger ones as well. I just wanted as small as possible.

I'll take a look at those, thanks.

I just ordered the Pro Sport. It should be here tomorrow. The bags look great. Really excited to have the hydration pack with the bag.

Please let me know what you think. I'm also interested in the hydration option, but it's unclear from the pictures where the bladder goes.

 

[pgowder]

It came in yesterday and I'm sending it back. It just isn't big enough for what I need. I really love the spot for the bladder.

I'm currently using the Tamrac Evolution 8. I think I'm going to try and rig a hydration pack into the laptop sleeve.

 

[MinnieDiva]

It came in yesterday and I'm sending it back. It just isn't big enough for what I need. I really love the spot for the bladder.

I'm currently using the Tamrac Evolution 8. I think I'm going to try and rig a hydration pack into the laptop sleeve.

I'm thinking the Pro Express. It's a little big......but gives me room to grow, right?

 

[pgowder]

I'm thinking the Pro Express. It's a little big......but gives me room to grow, right?

I want a bag that I can also put other things in like ponchos, snacks, etc.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

...the reality is that my husband is the one who carries the bag while I have the camera on me...

I'm still thinking about how nice this aspect of a camera bag would be.

 

[wbeem]

It's pricey, but check out the ThinkTank Airport TakeOff bag. It can be used as a backpack or a rolling airport bag. I don't have this specific bag, but I've been very happy with the ThinkTank brand. Plenty of room for camera gear, plus a laptop compartment.

I have this bag. Wonderful product. Very well made, the wheels are exceptionally smooth for rolling. I know Scott Bourne also has the same bag and he said he cut out the backpack straps to create another pocket to store things. I didn't try that, though.

The only thing that concerns me is the front flap for storing your laptop. There's no lock on it, so you need to keep an eye open while at an airport or other places with plenty of strangers around.

I bought the ThinkTank Artificial Intelligence laptop sleeve to use there. It doesn't have a lock, but it does have a sturdy handle. Then you can loop the cable lock in the flap pocket to secure the bag. That leaves you needing one more lock to secure the zipper pull that accesses your laptop from the sleeve.

Most of us have probably seen the video showing how easy it is to get into any zipper. The laptop security isn't absolute, but it will definitely slow down a potential thief - perhaps making them consider something else.

 

[ionz13]

After reading this thread, I went and bought the Clik Elite Probody sport from E-bay.

I was outgrowing my current Crumpler 5mil home (D90, 18-55mm, 12-24mm, 35mm, Sb400 and plans to pick up a 24-70mm.) I'll let you know what I think of the bag in a few days, once it arrives and I have some time to get some time to play with it.

 

[MinnieDiva]

I have this bag. Wonderful product. Very well made, the wheels are exceptionally smooth for rolling. I know Scott Bourne also has the same bag and he said he cut out the backpack straps to create another pocket to store things. I didn't try that, though.

The only thing that concerns me is the front flap for storing your laptop. There's no lock on it, so you need to keep an eye open while at an airport or other places with plenty of strangers around.

I bought the ThinkTank Artificial Intelligence laptop sleeve to use there. It doesn't have a lock, but it does have a sturdy handle. Then you can loop the cable lock in the flap pocket to secure the bag. That leaves you needing one more lock to secure the zipper pull that accesses your laptop from the sleeve.

Most of us have probably seen the video showing how easy it is to get into any zipper. The laptop security isn't absolute, but it will definitely slow down a potential thief - perhaps making them consider something else.

It seems a bit heavy to take on a hike?? If I were a pro photographer that had to frequently travel with my gear, I could see that this would be awesome, but I'm thinking that for family travel and hiking this would be a bit cumbersome.

After reading this thread, I went and bought the Clik Elite Probody sport from E-bay.

I was outgrowing my current Crumpler 5mil home (D90, 18-55mm, 12-24mm, 35mm, Sb400 and plans to pick up a 24-70mm.) I'll let you know what I think of the bag in a few days, once it arrives and I have some time to get some time to play with it.

Can't wait to hear how it all fits! Still probably not the model I'd want, as there's no iPad friendly space...

 

[ionz13]

I haven't had time to go out and test the backpack in the outdoors, just in my house. This is a large improvement over my previous sidebag (the crumplier 5million dollar home.)

I can say that for my build (5'7" 140lbs, medium build) the backpack fits very comfortably. The straps are very placed very well, and when adjusted correctly the weight is distributed evenly. The only Con I currently have with the bag is that there are toooo many excess straps hanging around. I had to come up with a way to secure the excess amount of straps; via buying extra retainers, cutting some off, etc. Additionally I find that the dividers that are provided for the camera section are a bit hard to arrange (at least for my setup.)

Overally I really like the bag. I think I heard some review state that the iPad would fit into the section of the bag meant for the water storage (camel bak.)

 

[MinnieDiva]

I haven't had time to go out and test the backpack in the outdoors, just in my house. This is a large improvement over my previous sidebag (the crumplier 5million dollar home.)

I can say that for my build (5'7" 140lbs, medium build) the backpack fits very comfortably. The straps are very placed very well, and when adjusted correctly the weight is distributed evenly. The only Con I currently have with the bag is that there are toooo many excess straps hanging around. I had to come up with a way to secure the excess amount of straps; via buying extra retainers, cutting some off, etc. Additionally I find that the dividers that are provided for the camera section are a bit hard to arrange (at least for my setup.)

Overally I really like the bag. I think I heard some review state that the iPad would fit into the section of the bag meant for the water storage (camel bak.)

GLAD to hear this!! Why? I sent the Pro Express back. It did everything it said it would, but it was huge! DH could carry it fairly comfortably, but it was way too long for me (5'4.5" 135#). I could get ALL the camera gear I owned into this bag, but I really couldn't repurpose any of the spaces for other stuff very well. And THEN...I saw the ProBody sport at a swim meet last weekend. So I went up to the guy and said "this is probably the strangest thing you've heard all weekend but would you please give me a tour of your camera bag?" . So he did! And the next day (it was a really long swim meet....) my husband got to have the tour and get a feel for it and ultimately we both agreed to exchange the Pro Express for the ProBody Sport. I really like that side access. Also, this guy said that while it's a tight fit, the iPad can fit in the top bag area.

So the return is on it's way back to NY....

 

[ionz13]

That's So FUNNY!

I had a short chance to play a bit with the backpack out in the field; and I must say that it is very nice, comfortable, and the side access is handy.

It does take some getting used to the zippers and pulling the camera out with what could be your left hand. B/c I am used to pulling the camera out with my right hand. The zippers are surrounded by a water resistant shield, so it makes it a bit stiff to get the zipper around the edges, but you kind of get used to it.

When I ordered the used bag from Ebay, the seller forgot to include one of the dividers; so I contacted Clik Elite. I asked for only one of the dividers, and Erik (the owner?) sent me all of them. So I have four extra dividers and at NO charge! What a great company.

I also picked up a platypus water reservoir system to put into the back section where your iPad could go. I did test out the small section with an iPad with a folio style case attached, and it does fit. It's tight, but it will fit. I got the platypus 3L big zip one. Haven't had time to test it yet, but I will be in a few days on the fourth.

For me and my amateur camera setup, it suits me well. I have some space to add another lens and a flash I think.

Did you order yours from B and H?

 

[photo_chick]

It seems a bit heavy to take on a hike?? If I were a pro photographer that had to frequently travel with my gear, I could see that this would be awesome, but I'm thinking that for family travel and hiking this would be a bit cumbersome.

Its all relative to how much you want to haul. When I hike I don't take everything, I take what I need for that trip. It took me a while to come to terms with the fact that I don't have to carry every lens I have all the time. I have a big bag (hard sided suitcase with foam I cut) for carrying everything and the kitchen sink on a trip or into the studio, then I have smaller bags for outings that are tailored to what I need for a specific type of shooting.

 

[MinnieDiva]

That's So FUNNY!

I had a short chance to play a bit with the backpack out in the field; and I must say that it is very nice, comfortable, and the side access is handy.

It does take some getting used to the zippers and pulling the camera out with what could be your left hand. B/c I am used to pulling the camera out with my right hand. The zippers are surrounded by a water resistant shield, so it makes it a bit stiff to get the zipper around the edges, but you kind of get used to it.

When I ordered the used bag from Ebay, the seller forgot to include one of the dividers; so I contacted Clik Elite. I asked for only one of the dividers, and Erik (the owner?) sent me all of them. So I have four extra dividers and at NO charge! What a great company.

I also picked up a platypus water reservoir system to put into the back section where your iPad could go. I did test out the small section with an iPad with a folio style case attached, and it does fit. It's tight, but it will fit. I got the platypus 3L big zip one. Haven't had time to test it yet, but I will be in a few days on the fourth.

For me and my amateur camera setup, it suits me well. I have some space to add another lens and a flash I think.

Did you order yours from B and H?

Glad to hear you like it! I have a 2L platypus in my running pack, but I can't imagine how big the 3L must be!

Its all relative to how much you want to haul. When I hike I don't take everything, I take what I need for that trip. It took me a while to come to terms with the fact that I don't have to carry every lens I have all the time. I have a big bag (hard sided suitcase with foam I cut) for carrying everything and the kitchen sink on a trip or into the studio, then I have smaller bags for outings that are tailored to what I need for a specific type of shooting.

No way I'd haul everything. What I could do versus what I'd actually do are 2 different things. But the way the pack is designed, even if I repurposed the space set for camera gear, everything would fall out as soon as you open the main compartment if it were on someone's back. It would have to be taken off and laid down prior to digging around in the bag. Just the design of the pack.