backpack question for 5d

I think the Kata 3n1-20 would be too small for your gear. When I was trying to buy a backpack I ordered the Kata, but found it too small and returned it. My 40d with the 70-200mm f/4 attached would fit, but it was very tight. There is a larger Kata bag in the series, but I didn't try that and ended up going with a Lowpro fastpack instead. If you haven't see it already, there is a website where people post reviews of camera bags with photos of the bags filled with gear.
http://www.cambags.com/

I believe you would need the kata 3n1 30 especially if you plan to attach the 70-200.

shayne,

With something like a pack, I don’t think one could overemphasize the importance of hauling all your gear to a store and trying out several. Some time ago took all my stuff to the local REI. I picked out a few packs that I thought might do the job and loaded them up. The one I was originally sure would be my pick was obviously unsuitable when I loaded it up, and I fell in love with the one I first was sure would be a dud (but grabbed anyway because it was at least about the right size).

That leads to my second point. Don’t limit yourself to bags sold specifically as camera gear. With a bunch of Domke wraps, anything can become a camera bag. And something that looks like a cheap student knapsack is much less likely to gather undesirable attention than a “steal me” camera bag. For bonus points, drag the bag through the mud a couple times.

Cheers,

b&

"My wife is going to be the one carrying the bag"

My wife occasionally volunteers to carry my photo backpack (with less gear then you have), and is very happy to return it to me after about a half hour!

FWIW, I recently bought a Think Tank Streetwalker Pro. First test was three weeks in Asia. Load was 1Ds3, 50D, 24-70/2.8, 70-200/4, 35/1.4, 17-40/4, 580EXII, spare batteries for 1Ds3/50D, battery chargers for 1Ds3/50D, CF card wallet, cleaning kit, and assorted cables. The bag seems much bigger inside than it's external dimensions suggest. It was much more comfortable to carry than the LowePro Vertex 200 I previously used for similar loads. Build quality and attention to detail are very good.
That said, I agree with Ben. Take your anticipated load to the store and load the bag.

I can sometimes get my wife to carry a tripod. But your wife must be amazingly buff if able to tote a 5dII, 70-200LIS, 16-35 2.8, canon 24-70 2.8, 1002,8 macro and 580 flash. Hopefully she won't tip over backwards...

Thanks guys for the great suggestions, i forgot to mention i live in alaska. So needless to say i cant go try out the bags. We have one store here that carrys that stuff and i did go try out what they had. They had the streetwalker and the tamrac bags and a couple lowepro. I am much more interested in a bag that does not look like a camera bag, that said i dont care who makes it i just want a god sturdy compact bag.
I did not see the bag review area, thanks for that i will check it out. I was already leaning towards the streetwalker because i did see it in person and put the showroom lenses in there and they did fit, i just would not have the luxury of side access.

My wife will hold a camera if I need to zip a bag up, but getting her to carry that lot? - respect.

FWIW #2... The Think Tank bags are all black and pretty non-desrcript. They don't look like camera bags and seem pretty bullet proof. IMHO, luxury is load carrying comfort, not extra zippers... 8~)