Fstop backpacks.

nickjohnwatson

nickjohnwatson

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Hiya folks, wondering if someone might be able to offer some advice ....

I'm after a decent backpack that opens at the rear and the fstop bags are looking good.

I've read some threads on here and various other places that show the supply is a nightmare for them.

I'm wondering if anyone on here uses one - in particular the Tilopa with a L/XL ICU.

I need it to fit ....

Canon 6D with 17-40
Canon 7d2 with 70-200 f2.8L
100-400L
50mm 1.4
LEE grads & holder
LCD Loupe
2 x speedlights
triggers & flash brackets
batteries / memory cards / rocket blower bla bla bla

I don't know if the insert will be big enough for it all? It doesnt really matter about any other space in the bag as i rarely take anything else out with me, maybe a sarnie and a drink but thats about it, change of clothes stays in the car.

I also looked at the Lowepro flipside 500AW but im not convinced thats going to be big enough either....

Any help would be appreciated :)

Nick.
 
Faldrax said:
The best option for F-Stop is to visit the Paramo store in London http://www.paramo-clothing.com/blog/en-gb/brand-store-london/

(I assume they still stock f-Stop in their new store, they did in the previous one in Covent Garden).
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If only it was that easy! I live in Newcastle so visiting them is out of the question, I might give them a ring though so thanks for the heads up :) their gear does seem to be hard to get ahold of!
 
This is probably not a good suggestion as you mentioned you wanted rear opening, but have you looked at the Mindshift Backlight?

I thought I'd mention it as I was about to pull the trigger on a F-Stop before seeing this bag.

I don't have it yet, but will have by the end of this week.

EDIT - I'm an idiot. When I read rear opening I read it literally. The Mindshift is rear opening.
 
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I use a f stop with the large pro and xl pro ICUs. I would say you would get that all in the XL and maybe in the large pro if you had only one camera attached to a lens and the filter pouch inside the bag on top of the icu.

Last year on a trip to skomer I got the following in the xl pro:

Torch (externally mounted)
Head torch
Two cameras (one with grip)
Lenses- 2 small (17-40 and 50 f1.8), 70-200 f4 and 200-400
1.4 Teleconverter.
Remote triggers
SD card cases
Spare batteries x3
Lens cloths, blower, wipes.
Rain covers

Ealier this year on a landscape/wildlife trip I got in:

gripped camera attached to a 70-200 f2.8
gripped camera unattached
Two small wide angle lenses (plus spare area to take 70-200 if lenses swapped)
Teleconverter.
Remote triggers
SD card cases
Spare batteries x3
Rain covers
Small Binoculars, filter pouch, filter holder in the pouch.
700ml water bottle, gloves, hat, snacks in side pockets and front pocket free.

On skomer the tilopa bag was pretty heavy (not surprising considering the kit carried) but manageable on the short distances (about 1 mile stints). I currently have a tilopa bc and an Ajna. The tilopa has thicker padding so is more comfortable with the xl pro icu and lots of kit. The Ajna is a little bit more lightweight in the straps but fits the large pro ok ( fstop says it's compatible but not recommended), the xl pro does fit but fills it completely with no spare room. The icu system works well if you want different set ups in several ICUs that are easy to swap over. I've thought about letting the tilopa go but it's better if I ever need to carry a stupid amount of gear again, I rarely do but you never know.

The only problem with f stop bags is getting hold of them, there was delivery times of 3-4 months recently, I'm not sure if that's changed or not.
 
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F-stop backpacks are very good, but one of a kind and quite unlike your regular Lowepro or ThinkTank etc. Not everyone's cup of tea.

The USP is they're waterproof without a rain-cover. Hard-core all-weather hikers love them but aside from the rain protection they're not very convenient, and there's no padded protection except within the ICU. You should be able to work out what they'll hold from the ICU dimensions quoted. Contact Paramo for availability.
 
I use the Satori and rather than an f stop ICU I use the divider set for a Peli 1510. Perfect fit.

I had the Peli before I bought the f stop so tried the dividers and really like the combo.

Neil.
 
da_nige said:
I use the Satori and rather than an f stop ICU I use the divider set for a Peli 1510. Perfect fit.

I had the Peli before I bought the f stop so tried the dividers and really like the combo.

Neil.
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Ah cool, I'll have a look at that. Thanks for the advice it's a nightmare finding the fstop internals.

Do you fins the satori comfortable? :)
 
I love it. It's my go to bag and I'll happily take it on longer treks.

Easily holds my 1DIV with 500mm f4 mounted with space for 70-200, 24-70 and 17-40. Lunch and jackets etc fit easily in the front parts.
 
da_nige said:
I love it. It's my go to bag and I'll happily take it on longer treks.

Easily holds my 1DIV with 500mm f4 mounted with space for 70-200, 24-70 and 17-40. Lunch and jackets etc fit easily in the front parts.
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excellent news, just what I wanted to hear. Mine needs to hold a fair whack too.

Re the peli insert - is there any chance you could take a quick pic of it so I can see the difference of it in the bag compared to the XL ICU? :)
 
Finding an ICU is the hardest thing. Bags are in stock everywhere but not ICU's (and thats world and europe wide). I have used F-Stop on a variety of occasions and really like them. If you are carrying a decent amount of kit and you do a few miles I think they are the best option. I've just bought a Tilopa at a cracking price as thats the model I've used a bit when out with a pal when we've been testing a large variety of kit. Don't forget that Paramo have a shop in Keswick as well and they stock the full range of bags and can also back order an ICU for you.
 
Eljay said:
Finding an ICU is the hardest thing. Bags are in stock everywhere but not ICU's (and thats world and europe wide). I have used F-Stop on a variety of occasions and really like them. If you are carrying a decent amount of kit and you do a few miles I think they are the best option. I've just bought a Tilopa at a cracking price as thats the model I've used a bit when out with a pal when we've been testing a large variety of kit. Don't forget that Paramo have a shop in Keswick as well and they stock the full range of bags and can also back order an ICU for you.
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Fstop Ireland have got the Satori EXP in their clearance section, so last night I bought the bag plus a little Digi buddy on side bag for batteries and stuff plus an XL insert for £218 delivered.

Now just have to wait for it to turn up!

I was going to go into the Paramo store in Keswick as they have 5 Satoris in black but it's £260 excluding a ln ICU so the saving is hopefully gonna be worth the wait.

Fingers crossed it doesn't take too long :)
 
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Glad you went for it. You won't be disappointed.

Should probably have said earlier but I'd recommend some GateKeepers. Very handy for strapping things like tripod it jacket to the outside of the bag. I have a rain over too but have never had the need to use it. Previous owner of mine had bought it.
 
da_nige said:
Glad you went for it. You won't be disappointed.

Should probably have said earlier but I'd recommend some GateKeepers. Very handy for strapping things like tripod it jacket to the outside of the bag. I have a rain over too but have never had the need to use it. Previous owner of mine had bought it.
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I'm sure I read so ewhere it comes with a pair of gatekeepers? Not too much of an issue if not ill just make some out of paracord lol :)
 
I couldn't sell my Tilopa BC with either L or XL ICU's (I have both) on here. There was zero interest so it sits in my loft.
 
Bit late seeing this but I don't think you'll regret your decision. With your kit, the XL will work better than a L ICU and you should have space still on top of the ICU in a Satori. I've got a Loka which works well with either M slope or M Pro (I have no idea why they only briefly manufactured this version) and a recently acquired Tilopa & L ICU after I got the Canon 100-400 II and needed the extra space. (y)
 
sarahhj said:
Bit late seeing this but I don't think you'll regret your decision. With your kit, the XL will work better than a L ICU and you should have space still on top of the ICU in a Satori. I've got a Loka which works well with either M slope or M Pro (I have no idea why they only briefly manufactured this version) and a recently acquired Tilopa & L ICU after I got the Canon 100-400 II and needed the extra space. (y)
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I got it about a week ago now it's bloody great. The xl icu is perfect I can get all my gear in comfortably and the bag spreads the weight really well, it actually feels lighter than my old tamrac bag that held less. Very happy :)
 
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