Alta Sky 51D

The individual or team that designed this camera backpack should get an award, if they havent already. The first thing you notice is its durability. Nothing was held back in materials, padding, stitching and overall tank-like construction. The straps are super padded and very comfortable. I'm an avid hiker and this pack is built to, and even surpasses in some cases, the specifications of the best hiking packs you might find at your local outdoor recreation retailers. Even the bottom is especially reinforced with tough material, and its very flat so the pack stands UPRIGHT and doesnt tip over, which is an exceptional feature for a backpack every time you set it down. Perfect!The second thing you notice is the number of pockets. Wherever there is real estate on this bag it has a pocket, and its definitely making the best use of space for its moderately smaller, much easily-manageable 45L size.The next thing that stood out was how well it looked. The designers put in the effort and attention to making it look nice, with the angles and layering of the materials and overall appearance. It's stylish and less box-square, bulky shaped than your typical camera bag. Yet even this is an illusion, because it maintains its reinforced inner shape to keep your lenses and gear stacked and padded in that compartment shape but it just doesnt look like it on the outside --which lends itself to the added brilliance in the design.Now nothing is perfect ... so here are the few (and there are only a few) features I wish were different: When you open the main compartment via the back of the bag (which is the best method by the way, than from the front face on camera bags), the flap does not stay open and lay back, but always falls closed. When you're reaching for something or putting it away quickly that's fine, but when you're packing and organizing it would be nice that it stayed open. (I lay my jacket on it to keep the flap back). But its annoying.You also have to turn the should straps so they flip backward and out of the way while accessing this back compartment, but they do so just fine, and that doesnt count as a problem of this pack ---as all packs of this style would require that.Really the only other thing I wish were better was the selection in sizes. It may appear that many sizes are offered but they alternate in style/design as you go up in size.. So I cant get this same type of pack in a slightly larger size (which I would prefer a slightly larger 49L would be perfect) without jumping from 45 to 51 to keep the same style. But the 51 is too big for what I want. The one(s) in between are a style that doesnt have the compartments in the locations I prefer that are found on this one, the 45, and 51. But oh well.. I just have to get a little creative with the (slightly too small for my needs) 45, and just hang a few more things off its side, or strap it over the top or something.Overall, VERY pleased with this purchase.Good job Vanguard engineers/designers.

Thought I would share my thoughts on a backpack I just received for my camera setup. It is a vanguard Alta sky 68 bought on Amazon for $298 usd. First it appears to be made of good quality materials. The padding on the back is excellent and the hip belt and chest band fit. I am large 6’4” 270# with a 42” waist and 46” chest plus size LOL this is the first backpack that actually fits my body. It will work as a carry on for airlines but is too large for an under seat bag. They make a couple slightly smaller bags as well that would work for the Sony 200-600 lens. With my Sony a7r4 with the 200-600, my Sony a7r3 with a 24-240mm my Sony a6700 with 18-105 I can access all of these cameras from the top of the bag as well as access to a large laptop pocket. several outside pockets for extra batteries filters and cleaning supplies. The back opening is large and has lots more room plenty for a drone and accessories or more lenses. On the outside is a crane gimbal and a tripod.

(REVIEW OF VANGUARD ALTA SKY 45D -- *and the 51D in passing*) I was looking for a new backpack to replace my Lowepro Fastpack 250 (version 1). I use this style of backpack when I am traveling and thus it must follow TSA and airline guidelines for a carry on (better yet a personal item). Preferably I want the backpack to serve as my personal item versus my carry on. That way I can bring a roller bag with clothes (and maybe some gear) that will go in the overhead bin. The backpack then needs to be small enough to fit under the seat in front of me.I am happy to report the Alta Sky 45D fits perfectly under the seat in front (at least on two Delta flights with the newer cram you in like sardines cabin layout). I also really like that this has a strap on the back section where I can attach the bag to my roller suitcase's handle. My Lowepro does not have this option. The build quality on this bag is top notch and well worth the money from that standpoint. Padding, zippers, clasps, materials, etc. are all top notch.However, the reason I have to take off one star is that I want just a bit more storage out of the bag. I also bought the Vanguard Alta Sky 51D (the next size up from the 45D) to see which one would work best for me. I really like the 51D--I actually like it more than the 45D. The 51D is the perfect size to easily store all my camera gear (Canon APS-C body, 70-200mm f2.8 lens, 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 lens, sigma 12-24 lens, 50 1.8 lens, charger, extra batter, filters, card carrier, and monopod) and have room for a book, single change of clothes, headphones, 15" Macbook Pro, and more. BUT the 51D is essentially the same size as the TSA max size carry on luggage bag (i.e. my Travel Pro Magna 2 21" roller bag). So for trips where I do not want to check a bag (which for me is 80-90% of my travel), the 51D is just too large.For me, the 45D is just a hair too small. I can fit most of my camera gear in it, but it takes some work to get it all to fit. I am definitely stressing parts of the bag, but as I said, the quality is superb and I'm not worried. Most the gear above goes in the bottom flip out compartment, while the 70-200 lens has to go into the main compartment. That leaves room for a large 500-600 page book in the main compartment and that's it. The top part of the 45D fits my Sony WH-1000XM3 case and iPad mini retina tablet, but nothing else. My 15" Apple Macbook Pro Retina BARELY fits in the back laptop compartment, with the zippers touching the corners of the laptop. For the bag to be perfect, it needs just a little more height to it, at least to accommodate my laptop ,and a bit more volume. I also cannot store my very compact Sirui P306 monopod on the side of the bag without loosing all the side pocket storage. On my most recent 4-5 day trip, I found myself storing more gear than I would like in my 21" carry on roller suitcase.That said, the 45D is such a solid and comfortable bag that it has earned itself a place in my permanent rotation. BUT, I will be buying the 51D to use for any trip lasting more than 5 days where I intend to check a bag. For example, I will be going to Hawaii this summer for a week and plan to use the 51D for this trip and check a bag. Ultimately, the search for one bag to rule them all continues, but the 45D (and the 51D) do an amazing job for now.

This camera bag is a beast. It holds all my lenses, batteries and accessories. There are pouches for additional memory cards. I have been able to carry 3 cameras within the main area. The section at the bottom will hold additional lenses or camera bodies. The Velcro partitions can be moved around to accommodate any setup you like. The zippers are sturdy and seem like they will not wear out any time soon. The padding is great and I have no concerns that my gear is well protected. The straps are padded and comfortable. They are also very durable. Overall this is a great camera bagis large and will suit your needs just fine.