for Nikon D70 / D100 / D200 / D300 / D700

The Burton Zoom is a backpack made by a firm primarily concerned about snowboarders and consequently the pack is also targeted for photographers on boards. When I was looking for a backpack I had not any snowboarding while/before shooting pictures in my mind. What I wanted was

• a backpack
• with enough space for my photography gear (at least for a day trip, ideally also for most of the things I want to take with me for a longer holiday)
• but also with some more space for other things I need when on a trip (even when taking pictures I do feel hunger and thirst, not to mention the need for maybe a map, cellphone and wallet)
• which will wear comfortably
• offer the possibility to connect a tripod
• and also is available in Europe (postal fee from US is sometimes more than the bag!)

After a lot of search and the usual suspects (LowePro, Tamrac) I (actually accidentally) stumbled upon the Burton and am now really happy with it. It wasn't the cheapest one (I paid 160 Euro for it at blue-tomato.at, but the usual US price is about $120), but a LowePro will cost about the same amount. And most of the usual suspects either had not enough space for some tidbits or only had space for a limited amount of photography gear, usually also only at the very bottom of the bag.

Well here it is: My Burton Zoom pack and that's what's in the bag's big camera compartement:

• Nikon D70s with mounted Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX
• Nikon  70-210mm f/4.5-5.6
• Nikon 50mm f/1.8
• Set of Kenko Extension Tubes (12/24/36)
• some lens hoods
• Nikon SB-600 flash
• some tidbits like UltraPod (will work great with camera+50/1.8), lens cleaners, spare dividers, batteries for flash
• filters, remote cable etc. will go in plastic sections on flap

This compartment opens to the back. This means that you will have to get your backpack down when you want to get to your camera. On the other hand this also means, that even when you put it down in some muddy place, you still won't get any mud on your back! In addition thieves cannot unzip it, because it's on your very back. I personally see this as an advantage. There is still some space left in the main compartment, but there are more sections. Most important is the one on top. It's not as spacious as I originally wanted it to be, but it works out fine. It's approximately (WxLxH) 10" x 6" x 5" or 26cm x 15cm x 13cm (with the corners rounded). This means enough space for

• a Sharp Zaurus PDA
• my wallet
• my mobile phone
• a map
• a Leatherman
• my Maglight
• my keys (there's a removable key clip and a small zipped section for passport etc, too)
• and something too eat (not shown in the picture)

Of course, you could also put your camera with a smallish lens in front in there, too. Additionally there are two compartments on the sides of the pack with enough space for a can of beverage or more food or a wallet etc. One of them has a zip, the other one a drawstring.

On the waistbelt you will find further small compartments big enough for some CF cards, batteries or similar things.

On the front you could carry your snowboard (vertically), but for my purpose this space is perfectly suited for some magazines (while travelling etc.). No problem to put two normal sized magazines and a book in there.

Even further in front you can mount your tripod and fasten it. On the picture there you can see my Gitzo G1410 (monster) strapped to it.

Generally the backpack is absolutely comfortable. I must admit, though, that the waistbelt on this backpack is perfect for people not too tall (I'd say 6ft) - however as I am slightly taller (6ft4" or 1,92m) I can still say that it wears comfortably.

I don't know about it's waterproofness. Being made for snowboarders I don't expect any problems in winter. For serious summer thunder and lightning I'd probably get some extra cover for it. However I don't intend on taking too many pictures out in the rain (yet).

As a (personal) conclusion I can truly recommend this backpack. Enough space for a day in the field or even as hand luggage on a plane, well cushioned without being too big, quality looks good to me (though I don't dare to promise anything yet - I got this backpack a few weeks ago) and versatile when it comes to storing all the different things I want with me.

If you're looking for alternatives you might try the LowePro OrionTrekker or Ranger, a Kata or the DaKine Sequence. I had a look at them, too, but still went for this one and am truly happy with it.