A New Backpack

smr

smr

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Joel
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Hi all,

After a bit of advice.

I'm looking for a new backpack and one that will fit a fair few daypack bits in - food, lightweight jacket etc. and also house my Canon 300 2.8 with 1.4 Extender and gripped DSLR

The Mindshift 26L internal camera dimensions would fit just fine - the lens with dslr and extender and hood mounted forward and ready comes to 48cm and the length of the bag is 49. So it's just the right fit.

The thing is, I'm wondering whether it's actually a good idea to be hiking around with the lens hood mounted and ready as it would be taking all the weight of the lens and camera if the camera is at the top of the back. I suppose I could position it so that the camera is at the bottom of the bag but then the camera mount would be taking all of the weight ... so I'm wondering whether it's worth having the lens hood attached and ready at all or just keep the lens hood reversed all the time?
 
All I can say is that when lenses are in my backpack (or, indeed, any bag!), the hoods are reversed
 
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I generally have the lens hoods reversed in my bags, but that is more of a space thing.

I also try to keep the weight as low and central as possible, usually this means the body at the bottom of the bag.
 
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If you are wanting to pack camera gear and other bits then your back will thank you for having the weight at the bottom so its it worth looking at a bag that has side entry specific for camera so you don't have to pull out all your gear to get to it?

Not sure of all options but i know Shimoda have some of their range with this option.
 
I like the look of the Mindshift but I also like the look of the Shimoda Action X range.

Thinking about it I don't think it's that critical that my 300 be ready to lift and shoot with at a moment's notice, it'd be nice but I'm not too sure I'm that keen on having my lens attached with the hood facing forward and walking around for long periods anyway.

I tend to stay in one spot for quite a while and move slowly most of the time when shooting wildlife so it's not that important I don't think.

And in that case it brings me back to the Shimoda and F-Stop bags - the Tilopa looks a nice bag but I can't help feel that for similar money the Action X would make more sense with the plethora of additional pockets, the adjustable and removable shoulder straps and waist straps etc. and the bottle holders, in warmer weather I often reach for my water bottle on the side of the pack.

Another thing I like about the Shimoda is the roll top design. If I want to go on a hike in the mountains I could pack my lunch, a light rain jacket, spare pair of waterproof trousers - socks, gloves hat and even my down jacket if it gets cold. I love the versatility of the bag.
 
I'm a big fan of the FStop bags, I've had 4 over the years, but got rid of the bigger ones as my kit shrank when I moved to Fuji. I am surprised that the Tilopa doesn't have the water bottle pockets on the side, it seems like all the other models do. Personally I'm not a fan of roll top bags, I find a zip quicker, so tend to go for a bigger bag and have space, rather than an expanding one.

FStop have got 20% off at the moment, which isn't to be sniffed at given how much the cost. I've just had to talk myself out of buying another one...
 
@smr - I know what you mean re the Action X. I was looking at the “50” which I think is a good size for both camera and any clothing etc. on a trip.

They have 15% off through until the end of the month. Worth comparing the prices and functions to the Fstop bags mentioned by @Craikeybaby as both have similar discounts.
 
Buck said:
@smr - I know what you mean re the Action X. I was looking at the “50” which I think is a good size for both camera and any clothing etc. on a trip.

They have 15% off through until the end of the month. Worth comparing the prices and functions to the Fstop bags mentioned by @Craikeybaby as both have similar discounts.
Click to expand...

20 percent off on the US site, but not the UK one. There was for black friday when I was analysing which bag to get
 
Craikeybaby said:
I'm a big fan of the FStop bags, I've had 4 over the years, but got rid of the bigger ones as my kit shrank when I moved to Fuji. I am surprised that the Tilopa doesn't have the water bottle pockets on the side, it seems like all the other models do. Personally I'm not a fan of roll top bags, I find a zip quicker, so tend to go for a bigger bag and have space, rather than an expanding one.

FStop have got 20% off at the moment, which isn't to be sniffed at given how much the cost. I've just had to talk myself out of buying another one...
Click to expand...

The beauty of the Shimoda is that you can access the top with the zip as well as the roll top.

Yeah the Tilopa is almost as practical but unlike the Shimoda it doesn't have pouches for water bottles. It has side pockets but it's not that easy to fit bottles in them from what I can see. The Shimoda's can be tucked away and zipped into the pockets when you don't need them which is good.
 
It's a very good bag, I have the 26l and 36l versions. I have hiked with both, the 26 I tend to carry a Nikon 500mm PF, Z9 and a few other lens. The 36l I use when carrying both a wildlife and landscape set up. The front pockets have enough space to hold a few extra layers of clothes/waterproofs. Or they will take a laptop, battery chargers power supplies and all the electronic crap that goes with a couple of cameras and a laptop. The harness is comfortable, the bag seems well made, I am really happy with both of mine.
 
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let me throw my 5 cents in also ... I have a lot of bags but one is truly unique .. Ortlieb Atrack (you can find some video review as a photography bag here) .. it's not primarily intented to be used as a camera backpack but with insert (like fstop ICUs) it turns out to be a bit specialised but great camera backpack .. It's fully waterproof, it's indestructible, it's intended for harsh adventure .. You can throw it into a muddy puddle and don't care, drag it on the rope through wall, etc .. I have it for quite some time (I have both 25L and 45L sizes) and both are receiving a lot of punishment .. in the beginning I was using them for mountaineering and winter mountain adventures but they quickly turned out to be quite universal (even as citibag too :D) ..

pros - indestructible and incredibly well made (made in Germany), fully waterproof (no more annoying and semi-effective rain covers), great carrying system for heavy load, adjustable back for different heights
cons - tough zipper, especially while frozen and icy, require full camera isert, requires a bit inventiveness while loading it (but it's matter of get used on it)

sidenode - they are bigger, absolutely they are .. 45L version is 50L really, 25L is easily 30L - at least compared to other bags that I have
 
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Hi,

I will dare to use this thread for my own question ... I know that it's probably silly to hope that somebody would have experience with both backpacks but I am now deciding which buy one of

Mindshift Elite 45L
Vs
Shimoda Action X50 (it's v1, not v2)

I wanted to have a bigger pure photography backpack to my TT (which is btw as photography backpack very cool but ergonomically horrible) .. I can buy both mentioned backpacks second hand locally for a relatively good price - both around 200 euros each and in mint condition ..

My main concern is my height ... I have about 6'5 (196cm) and I am additionally rather big guy with 240 pounds (110kg - rather athletic not fat, with broad shoulders and large ribcage) and I have slightly longer torso than average with my height .. I know that Shimoda supports adjusting a back height but I've seen so many bags sold either in different sizes or \w adjustable back that didn't fit me ... I would rather go with Mindshift .. My question is - does by a chance somebody have an experience with mentioned backpacks regarding the carrying system and ergonomics on tall people and eventually while relatively heavy loaded ?

thanks much and cheers, ~d
 
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