Questionnaire: Current Available Photography Backpacks

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DP709

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This questionnaire has been created to help better understand how photography backpacks affects the experience of photographers. This will provide valuable data that will help to drive improvements to photography gear. Your participation in this questionnaire is greatly appreciated.
[link removed]
 
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Seems to be a form focused on photography backpacks - not sure how that is a generic questionnaire on how photography gear affects the experience of photographers?
 
Hi akirk, thank you for your reply. The questionnaire first seek to gain insight into the values which photographers place on equipment that supports their work more generally. You are correct to identify that it then narrows its focus on photography backpacks. This has been taken to assess the difference in photographers demands for photography backpacks compared to other equipment eg. tripods etc. This hopes to inform photography backpack development.

If you have any suggestions to improve this questionnaire this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Edit: I have decided to change the title of the questionnaire upon your observation.
 
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@DP709 You have not introduced yourself to the forum, not explained any photography interest you have, but keep posting questionnaires about equipment with no explanation of why you are asking ie what you will do with the answers. It is implied that you are a developer of photography related backpacks, but this is not stated clearly. If you are, what brand name is used so we can see what your skin in the game is?
We generally do not allow the forum to be used for market research without some useful contribution to discussion etc. We are especially suspicious of new accounts that post external links almost immediately.
 
lindsay said:
@DP709 You have not introduced yourself to the forum, not explained any photography interest you have, but keep posting questionnaires about equipment with no explanation of why you are asking ie what you will do with the answers. It is implied that you are a developer of photography related backpacks, but this is not stated clearly. If you are, what brand name is used so we can see what your skin in the game is?
We generally do not allow the forum to be used for market research without some useful contribution to discussion etc. We are especially suspicious of new accounts that post external links almost immediately.
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Hi lindsay, my apologies if I have not approached this correctly. I hope that I have not offended this community as it looks like an amazing place to be, and I have interacted with the posts that I found interesting, to get a feel for the site. It is my first time following the idea of providing useful development to the photography community, so perhaps I have not the approach down correctly. I am certainly not trying to sell anything or hurt this community. I just have a startup idea, in which I feel I could give back to photography what it has given to me.

I am a student and wildlife photographer from the UK, I mostly prefer bird photography, but am also introducing myself to other wildlife, such as otters and badgers. In doing so, I have found the range of backpacks to not satisfy my needs, and limited my work in the field. I therefore looked to ask this community how it feels about the range of backpacks, for I am not sure if I am the only one to feel this way. I chose this community for it appears to be a very trustworthy site. This is the early stage of a startup, and therefore it will not come to existence until I have collected sufficient research to refine my design. Therefore, I apologise that I do not have a name for you to search right now.

I am understanding that this research may be problematic to this community, and that was not my intent. In which case, I must halt the research and say thank you to all who have welcomed me here.
 
DP709 said:
...

I am a student and wildlife photographer from the UK, I mostly prefer bird photography, but am also introducing myself to other wildlife, such as otters and badgers. In doing so, I have found the range of backpacks to not satisfy my needs, and limited my work in the field. ....
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There are a lot of different backpacks available, from cheap Chinese models up to very expensive modular packs from companies like f-stop.

There is no 'one size fits all' pack - I've got 3 different packs (and 4 shoulder bags) that I use on different occasions, and all of them are compromises in one way or another.

The largest pack is an old Lowepro Nature Trekker II - which is great, but heavy when fully loaded, certainly not airline friendly, and as I get older is on the limits of what I want to carry any distance (despite it's excellent weight distribution).
 
Hi Faldrax, I am very grateful for your response. Your response provides a great deal of insight into what photography backpacks provide you, particularly in your use of multiple photography backpacks and an understanding that each presents a compromise / tradeoff.

If you would be willing to share more about your experience, might I ask if your range of backpacks were all purchased in roughly the same price bracket, or if your backpacks cover a large price range?
 
DP709 - are you sure you're a student? Because your answers and comments sound like you are an AI bot. Please confirm your humanity: perhaps link us to galleries of your bird photography or some of your other wildlife pictures.

Thanks
 
DP709 said:
Hi Faldrax, I am very grateful for your response. Your response provides a great deal of insight into what photography backpacks provide you, particularly in your use of multiple photography backpacks and an understanding that each presents a compromise / tradeoff.

If you would be willing to share more about your experience, might I ask if your range of backpacks were all purchased in roughly the same price bracket, or if your backpacks cover a large price range?
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All different prices, the one I use most was probably the cheapest (it's a Chinese no-name backpack) that happened to be the right size for most of my kit, excluding the big lens and spare body. They were also bought over a period of several years.
 
DP709 said:
Does that mean I write well? Or too robotic? Safe to say it made me chuckle because that's just my writing style.

Either way, I understand your concern for the community. For some clarity, I'll drop my instagram username, and two links to photography awards that I've won to provide a cross reference for you all :)

Instagram: @dec.pho
https://londonphotographyawards.com/winner-info.php?id=6683
https://musephotographyawards.com/winner-info.php?id=9106
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting those links Declan. There were certain phrases used, the careful politeness and the manner of conducting research before developing a relationship with the target market that were reminiscent of AI behaviour. It's been less of an issue with TP, but some other forums regularly get AI-generated threads, usually asking questions of the members.

TP is first a community, and while we're normally very welcoming, sometimes someone coming into our 'home' needs to learn how to take their shoes off and fit in. We'll look forward to seeing more of your work. :)
 
Hi Declan, Toni has expressed it very clearly. Given what you've explained, it's fine to continue this discussion a bit and then we might allow you to post a link to your survey when we know you a little better.
Which backpacks have you tried for your photography?
I've got quite a few as well, but my favourite is probably a Lowepro Flipside 300, although if I'm not using a big lens, I find the Olympus Messenger bag that fits around the waist is really handy, it holds my Olympus EM1ii with a 12-100 lens, but I also have a cheap Amazon Chinese one that holds my Nikon D500 and 150-600 lens compfortably plus a couple of shorter lenses and a strapped on tripod. Many possibilities.
 
My take on this won't be a typical one, but it may still be relevant.
I'm atypical because I'm primarily a studio shooter, I don't go hiking looking for wildlife, or do landscape photography. I have a large backpack, but I use it mainly just to keep all of my camera gear in the same place, the backpack is mainly used for housekeeping, not for backpacking. Having said that, I do transport my gear to other places (in my car:)) and so it's important to me that expensive and delicate gear doesn't attack each other, which calls for dividers.

And my cheap, no-name Chinese one simply doesn't have anywhere near enough dividers, due to poor design and reduced production cost. I have plenty of storage space but that space is a waste of time without protection. For me though, that's just about OK because an old towel does the job.

It seems to me that you're concentrating your attention on a market that's completely saturated - any clothing-type factory with a couple of sewing machines can make this type of product, and it all comes down to price for most buyers, and if you design a specific product it will need to be for a specific purpose and you'll struggle to get it made and then to achieve a reasonable level of sales - choose another type of product:)

It's the same with tripods. Not counting my studio stand, I have 5 tripods, ranging from tiny and flimsy to massive, excellent but too big and heavy to transport, each has its purpose but there's no such thing as an all-rounder that actually works.
 
I’ll stick my 2 pennorth in and begin by saying I can’t see the link.

But I’ll add there’s no such thing as a perfect camera bag or backpack because the needs of the user differs greatly.

Just look at a manufacturer like Lowepro and you’ll see they offer dozens of options, and they all sell.

I’m personally’down’ to the following camera bags:

Mindshift Photocross10
Used for travelling, fits under an airplane seat, doesn’t look ‘big’ but carries an R6 w 24-70, 85, 50 and 16mm lenses, an iPad, spare batteries and a water bottle. Technically can attach a tripod but makes it unwieldy.

Lowepro fast pack 250
Carries only a bit more than the mindshift, is as convenient to use, but is massive in comparison (used when I want to carry 2 bodies or some flash gear)

Lowepro Pro Runner 450
Ginormous, used for wildlife as it holds the Sigma 150-600, and for events where I need 2 cameras and telephotos.
Only carried short distances. Not something I enjoy using at all
 
Thanks all for your replies! I taken into consideration all of the bags you have mentioned, one or two of which seem to have gone under my radar.

I've tried many amazon cheap ones and their variations, but I seem to have some durability issues for a few of them. Durability been a big plus issue for my Manfrotto Advanced Gear Backpack M III, but over time I've found that style of packing to be quite cumbersome (for me at least). So I've tried the Peak Design Backpack for that matter, for the durability and ease of access to my gear. However, I haven't found it to be the most comfortable with its straps, as I have seen others say. I've tried many others, and feel a constant game of tradeoffs, for example I find the PRVKE being too inflexible for my liking.

It seems I'm trying to find a perfect all-rounder, which is maybe not so perfect of an idea? You make a valid point about the market saturation Gary, I'll keep exploring the idea a bit longer, but will keep that in mind. To what extent do you think people look at the brand of the backpack to guide their purchase decision?
 
I'm down to three bags as well, all of which are suitable for different occassions.

Thinktank Airport International v3.0 - roller case.
Lowepro Vertex AW300 - back pack
Lowepro Stealth Reporter 300 - shoulder bag.

The manufacturers name and reputation does count. Lowepro and Thinktank have gone above my expectations in fixing problems that couldn't be blamed upon them.
If I'm carrying say £5k of equipment on my back, I want the backpack to be up to the job.
 
I havent managed to find the perfect all rounder so far, but im still searching :) This will always be the case I believe unless you really only do one kind of photography all the time, and never change/upgrade, or add to your gear.

I primarily (for my paid photography) shoot events, festivals and gigs, and the backpack I use will generally depend on the venue. A lot of times it can be a very small venue where I wouldnt need multiple lenses/equipment. For the smallest venues I shoot in, I find that my 10l Tenba Fulton is more than sufficient. Mid-size venues I will more often than not use my Lowepro Protactic 350AW, and if im covering large open-air venues it would be the Protactic 450 AWii as it fits everything id need for that.

If im going out for the day for some 'personal' photography, it would usually be the Protactic 350 AW if im doing landscapes and a 9l Wandrd Rogue sling (not a backpack obviously) for some street photography.

Not sure if an of that helps :)
 
andrewc said:
I'm down to three bags as well, all of which are suitable for different occassions.

Thinktank Airport International v3.0 - roller case.
Lowepro Vertex AW300 - back pack
Lowepro Stealth Reporter 300 - shoulder bag.

The manufacturers name and reputation does count. Lowepro and Thinktank have gone above my expectations in fixing problems that couldn't be blamed upon them.
If I'm carrying say £5k of equipment on my back, I want the backpack to be up to the job.
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Thanks Andrew, your point about reputation makes a whole lot of sense, which I will keep in mind, and I’m very glad those companies were able to exceed your expectations.
 
Nikon_Nick said:
I havent managed to find the perfect all rounder so far, but im still searching :) This will always be the case I believe unless you really only do one kind of photography all the time, and never change/upgrade, or add to your gear.

I primarily (for my paid photography) shoot events, festivals and gigs, and the backpack I use will generally depend on the venue. A lot of times it can be a very small venue where I wouldnt need multiple lenses/equipment. For the smallest venues I shoot in, I find that my 10l Tenba Fulton is more than sufficient. Mid-size venues I will more often than not use my Lowepro Protactic 350AW, and if im covering large open-air venues it would be the Protactic 450 AWii as it fits everything id need for that.

If im going out for the day for some 'personal' photography, it would usually be the Protactic 350 AW if im doing landscapes and a 9l Wandrd Rogue sling (not a backpack obviously) for some street photography.

Not sure if an of that helps :)
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Thanks this is very helpful Nick! Interesting to hear from someone who continues to search for the perfect all rounder. I think you’re correct to factor in how changing your gear, and your focus of photography really affects this. I’m starting to narrow my ideas to perhaps looking to design the perfect bag for a particular field of photography. Although may not be able to get it exactly perfect, I think you’d get a whole lot closer to perfect than photography generally.

Also very insightful to hear from a paid events photographer!
 
FWIW

When used to use 35mm I had a shoulder bag that was lens bridge configuration and thought it was very good!

Possibly since around 1995 I have used various LowePro bags ~ IMO & for my purposes they are a good combination of cost & performance.

Over the years I have read of bags that have interchangeable pods IIRC they can be about twice the cost of Lowepro?
I think Shimoda is one maker and I wonder if any TPers use such bag designs?

They strike me as "trying to be all things to all photographers" but I surmise even they are not close to 'perfect'. In other words the Nirvana of bags simply does not exist!
 
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Box Brownie said:
In other words the Nirvana of bags simply does not exist!
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But how could it?
A ‘photographer’ might own an M4/3 camera with 2 zoom lenses,
Or be a full frame wildlife photographer with a 500mm f4 2 bodies and six other lenses.
They might work out of the back of a car? Or have to carry gear up a mountain.
And everything in between. That’s why most of us have ‘settled’ on at least 2 different bags we regularly use.
 
Phil V said:
But how could it?
A ‘photographer’ might own an M4/3 camera with 2 zoom lenses,
Or be a full frame wildlife photographer with a 500mm f4 2 bodies and six other lenses.
They might work out of the back of a car? Or have to carry gear up a mountain.
And everything in between. That’s why most of us have ‘settled’ on at least 2 different bags we regularly use.
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Exactly!

Though I applaud the OPs aims, IMO the bag camera bag market is quite crowded but and it is a big but there are always 'niche markets' where the production volume is low (possibly no more than artisan levels) and they could carry a premium price!
The cost alone of tooling and production costs of a start-up mass market maker would be prohibitive without significant skin in the game or perhaps a well funded 'Kickstarter' campaign :thinking:
 
Box Brownie said:
Exactly!

Though I applaud the OPs aims, IMO the bag camera bag market is quite crowded but and it is a big but there are always 'niche markets' where the production volume is low (possibly no more than artisan levels) and they could carry a premium price!
The cost alone of tooling and production costs of a start-up mass market maker would be prohibitive without significant skin in the game or perhaps a well funded 'Kickstarter' campaign :thinking:
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Yes. Provided that you can source the materials, which shouldn't be too hard, and provided that you can make the products yourself, with little more than 2 or 3 specialist industrial sewing machines, you should be fine. As it happens, I have a contact who may have some suitable second-hand machines for sale, and even if she doesn't, she can tell you what you need.

The major problems will occur if you get someone else to make them for you, in China or another country that's set up for contract manufacture, and I speak from experience . . .

Firstly, you make a prototype, you produce detailed drawings, you specify the exact materials and you ask for quotes.
The quotes come in, you pick your supplier.
You place an order which, to make it worth their while, will have to be for a large quantity.
They promise that the order will be ready to ship in a month.
You have to pay up front, which is fair enough.
6 months later the order is ready to leave the factory, it will cost quite a lot for transport.
It arrives, and you find that they've used much cheaper materials than you specified, the material is thinner and isn't waterproof, the zips are Chinese not Japanese and the stitching is hopelessly inadequate. But you're stuck.

I've had similar problems, or at least would have if I hadn't known how some manufacturers behave, and if I hadn't had the right contacts.

My worst single experience was with a mechanical product, which relied on a single bolt, which had to take the very considerable weight of a moving and swivelling part. We had specified a high-tensile bolt that would be absolutely right for the job.

An engineer friend of mine looked at the product once we'd received it, he looked closely at the markings on the bolt head, googled it and told me that it wasn't a high-tensile bolt, it was a shear bolt.
"What's a shear bolt?"
"It's a deliberate weak link in the system, designed to fail in an emergency, it's designed to fail under load"

Because we discovered the fault before the product was offered for sale, we were able to fix it without problem, we simply bought the right bolts. When we spoke to the manufacturers, they simply said that a bolt was a bolt was a bolt, and was the size we ordered, no problem. They either didn't or wouldn't understand the importance of safety.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Yes. Provided that you can source the materials, which shouldn't be too hard, and provided that you can make the products yourself, with little more than 2 or 3 specialist industrial sewing machines, you should be fine. As it happens, I have a contact who may have some suitable second-hand machines for sale.

The major problems will occur if you get someone else to make them for you, in China or another country that's set up for contract manufacture, and I speak from experience . . .

Firstly, you make a prototype, you produce detailed drawings, you specify the exact materials and you ask for quotes.
The quotes come in, you pick your supplier.
You place an order which, to make it worth their while, will have to be for a large quantity.
They promise that the order will be ready to ship in a month.
You have to pay up front, which is fair enough.
6 months later the order is ready to leave the factory, it will cost quite a lot for transport.
It arrives, and you find that they've used much cheaper materials than you specified, the material is thinner and isn't waterproof, the zips are Chinese not Japanese and the stitching is hopelessly inadequate. But you're stuck.

I've had similar problems, or at least would have if I hadn't known how some manufacturers behave, and if I hadn't had the right contacts.

My worst single experience was with a mechanical product, which relied on a single bolt, which had to take the very considerable weight of a moving and swivelling part. We had specified a high-tensile bolt that would be absolutely right for the job.

An engineer friend of mine looked at the product once we'd received it, he looked closely at the markings on the bolt head, googled it and told me that it wasn't a high-tensile bolt, it was a shear bolt.
"What's a shear bolt?"
"It's a deliberate weak link in the system, designed to fail in an emergency, it's designed to fail under load"

Because we discovered the fault before the product was offered for sale, we were able to fix it without problem, we simply bought the right bolts. When we spoke to the manufacturers, they simply said that a bolt was a bolt was a bolt, and was the size we ordered, no problem. They either didn't or wouldn't understand the importance of safety.
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Yes!

IIRC in the past (still?) it was not too uncommon for the factory to produce say an initial 500 off that were 100% perfect in every way but once that was 'signed off' and they ramped up production to the 40ft container volume they, undisclosed, made changes to the materials and/or quality of production = big headache for "you" the client.
 
The problem with camera bags of any sort is we're all different. My cameras and lens are probably different to say Andrew or Lindsay, choices, even if they use the same make and model they may use different lens.

Add in the various len combinations and all the other gadgets that we carry in a bag from flash to batteries, and goodness knows what else. Theres no bag in the world thats going to be perfect for us all.

I suspect in most cases we shop around for a bag that the kit we have at that point will fit, then if it changes we either addapt or buy a different bag.

The one I have now a Lowpro, is nearly ideal for my kit, yes I could do with more attachment points on the outside for lighting stands or whatever, but I can get those added myself easliy enough in house.

A new bag choice is always going to be welcom, and broaden the options. But a prefect bag for all? Maybe Mary Poppins bag.....
 
Garry Edwards said:
Yes. Provided that you can source the materials, which shouldn't be too hard, and provided that you can make the products yourself, with little more than 2 or 3 specialist industrial sewing machines, you should be fine. As it happens, I have a contact who may have some suitable second-hand machines for sale, and even if she doesn't, she can tell you what you need.

The major problems will occur if you get someone else to make them for you, in China or another country that's set up for contract manufacture, and I speak from experience . . .

Firstly, you make a prototype, you produce detailed drawings, you specify the exact materials and you ask for quotes.
The quotes come in, you pick your supplier.
You place an order which, to make it worth their while, will have to be for a large quantity.
They promise that the order will be ready to ship in a month.
You have to pay up front, which is fair enough.
6 months later the order is ready to leave the factory, it will cost quite a lot for transport.
It arrives, and you find that they've used much cheaper materials than you specified, the material is thinner and isn't waterproof, the zips are Chinese not Japanese and the stitching is hopelessly inadequate. But you're stuck.

I've had similar problems, or at least would have if I hadn't known how some manufacturers behave, and if I hadn't had the right contacts.

My worst single experience was with a mechanical product, which relied on a single bolt, which had to take the very considerable weight of a moving and swivelling part. We had specified a high-tensile bolt that would be absolutely right for the job.

An engineer friend of mine looked at the product once we'd received it, he looked closely at the markings on the bolt head, googled it and told me that it wasn't a high-tensile bolt, it was a shear bolt.
"What's a shear bolt?"
"It's a deliberate weak link in the system, designed to fail in an emergency, it's designed to fail under load"

Because we discovered the fault before the product was offered for sale, we were able to fix it without problem, we simply bought the right bolts. When we spoke to the manufacturers, they simply said that a bolt was a bolt was a bolt, and was the size we ordered, no problem. They either didn't or wouldn't understand the importance of safety.
Click to expand...

Thats certainly a problem with many if not most chinese manufacturers. A few top end ones might be ok like dji or xiaomi. Even godox uses scrap or downright crap metal in their brackets. I wonder where byd and the likes fall? A bolt here is much more than a risk to some camera gear
 
As above there's no one size fits all, however my requirements don't seem to have been met by any bag, although my Tenba is pretty close and is deeper than most too without adding extra bulk. The biggest issues for me when it comes to not find the perfect bag are:-

1) Most decent sized backpacks are quite heavy

2) Most aren't waterproof but come with a waterproof cover. This is great until you want to access a pocket on the bag or something which requires removeal of said cover.

3) Most aren't very stylish and scream camera bag. Stylish ones tend to be even heavier.

4) it would be great if the shoulder straps ahd some sort of quick release to make it easier to put on and off. When my backpack's full and heavy and I've put one arm in the strap it can be very awkward to get my other arm in, most of the time snagging on my watch making it even harder.
 
I use a Sony a7r2 with lenses from 15mm to 500mm - and that's the smallest format I use! I prefer large format photography, and a bag that can easily carry the Sony with 15mm, 21mm, 50mm and 85mm won't carry a 10x8 camera with 3 film holders, a light meter, loupe, focusing cloth etc. etc.. So I also need more than one bag.

10x8 is perhaps most demanding in terms of bag size for what I use. A small to medium Lowepro backpack that's years old holds my basic 5x4 kit and allows a tripod to be attached. It also serves well for my RZ67 camera outfit.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Yes. Provided that you can source the materials, which shouldn't be too hard, and provided that you can make the products yourself, with little more than 2 or 3 specialist industrial sewing machines, you should be fine. As it happens, I have a contact who may have some suitable second-hand machines for sale, and even if she doesn't, she can tell you what you need.

The major problems will occur if you get someone else to make them for you, in China or another country that's set up for contract manufacture, and I speak from experience . . .

Firstly, you make a prototype, you produce detailed drawings, you specify the exact materials and you ask for quotes.
The quotes come in, you pick your supplier.
You place an order which, to make it worth their while, will have to be for a large quantity.
They promise that the order will be ready to ship in a month.
You have to pay up front, which is fair enough.
6 months later the order is ready to leave the factory, it will cost quite a lot for transport.
It arrives, and you find that they've used much cheaper materials than you specified, the material is thinner and isn't waterproof, the zips are Chinese not Japanese and the stitching is hopelessly inadequate. But you're stuck.

I've had similar problems, or at least would have if I hadn't known how some manufacturers behave, and if I hadn't had the right contacts.

My worst single experience was with a mechanical product, which relied on a single bolt, which had to take the very considerable weight of a moving and swivelling part. We had specified a high-tensile bolt that would be absolutely right for the job.

An engineer friend of mine looked at the product once we'd received it, he looked closely at the markings on the bolt head, googled it and told me that it wasn't a high-tensile bolt, it was a shear bolt.
"What's a shear bolt?"
"It's a deliberate weak link in the system, designed to fail in an emergency, it's designed to fail under load"

Because we discovered the fault before the product was offered for sale, we were able to fix it without problem, we simply bought the right bolts. When we spoke to the manufacturers, they simply said that a bolt was a bolt was a bolt, and was the size we ordered, no problem. They either didn't or wouldn't understand the importance of safety.
Click to expand...
You make very well-informed and interesting points here Gary.

Since you made the point of making it yourself, and briefly how to go about it, and to be cautious having others make it for you, often in manufacturing countries - Might I ask whether looking to higher cost domestic producers would be viable, for a more premium bag, perhaps in a less saturated niche? I’m not sure if that quality assurance tradeoff would be worth it?

Also, to your earlier point, in this market being saturated, and to look to another product. Are there any other specific products in mind that you think would be good to approach, and in doing so improve photographer’s experiences more meaningfully?
 
snerkler said:
As above there's no one size fits all, however my requirements don't seem to have been met by any bag, although my Tenba is pretty close and is deeper than most too without adding extra bulk. The biggest issues for me when it comes to not find the perfect bag are:-

1) Most decent sized backpacks are quite heavy

2) Most aren't waterproof but come with a waterproof cover. This is great until you want to access a pocket on the bag or something which requires removeal of said cover.

3) Most aren't very stylish and scream camera bag. Stylish ones tend to be even heavier.

4) it would be great if the shoulder straps ahd some sort of quick release to make it easier to put on and off. When my backpack's full and heavy and I've put one arm in the strap it can be very awkward to get my other arm in, most of the time snagging on my watch making it even harder.
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These points reflect a lot of my feelings towards the camera bag market. I find your 4th point very interesting too, you are quite right about that awkwardness to get the other arm in! Might I ask what type of photography you do?
 
DP709 said:
These points reflect a lot of my feelings towards the camera bag market. I find your 4th point very interesting too, you are quite right about that awkwardness to get the other arm in! Might I ask what type of photography you do?
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I shoot pretty much everything but the main use of the backpack is motorsports, 2xcameras, 100-400mm, 70-200mm f2.8, 50mm prime and some filters.
 
DP709 said:
You make very well-informed and interesting points here Gary.

Since you made the point of making it yourself, and briefly how to go about it, and to be cautious having others make it for you, often in manufacturing countries - Might I ask whether looking to higher cost domestic producers would be viable, for a more premium bag, perhaps in a less saturated niche? I’m not sure if that quality assurance tradeoff would be worth it?

Also, to your earlier point, in this market being saturated, and to look to another product. Are there any other specific products in mind that you think would be good to approach, and in doing so improve photographer’s experiences more meaningfully?
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I'm Garry, named after a fellow Welshman, not an American actor. Attention to detail will be very important if you go into business:)
Yes, this market is very saturated, but then all markets that have a very low entry barrier (products made easily with very little capital investment) are, so either
1. Put a few million £ into a new hi-tech product that other people can't compete with (think iPhone or Tesla).
2. Give up
3. Or make a niche product that people are happy to pay extra for, niche markets are easier to enter and succeed in, but much more difficult to scale-up if things go really well.

I know nothing about backpacks but I do know a bit about manufacturing and I've spent time in China. Don't let the challenges deter you, but do identify and recognise them.

The person I mentioned earlier, who may be able to help (or at least advise) with machinery, makes niche products in a very saturated, junk market. She makes dog leads, collars and the like and horse stuff. The market is completely flooded with junk products, mainly from asia, made down to a price. None of her competitors actually design anything, they just copy everyone else and try to make it for a penny less, and even if those products fit the animal and work at all, they drop to bits very quickly. As someone who has a lifetime of experience with both horses and dogs, hers are properly designed, made from the right materials and superbly stitched, with each operation carried out on a separate, specialised machine. They look good, they last forever and people who buy from her become loyal repeat customers.

Since we're on the subjects, I believe (from memory) that Lowepro started life as a cottage industry, making everything by hand. The same with Chimera, who were the first to make softboxes from fabric instead of sheet steel, everything done well, and everything under their own control. Not cheap, but well worth their premium price. Because of my business connections and history, I've always had the best softboxes (free) but would happily pay for them if I had to, the cheap ones aren't worth having, and although there are a lot of people who are happy to buy cheap rubbish, there are also plenty of people like me who believe in buying once and buying for life.
 
Garry Edwards said:
I'm Garry, named after a fellow Welshman, not an American actor. Attention to detail will be very important if you go into business:)
Yes, this market is very saturated, but then all markets that have a very low entry barrier (products made easily with very little capital investment) are, so either
1. Put a few million £ into a new hi-tech product that other people can't compete with (think iPhone or Tesla).
2. Give up
3. Or make a niche product that people are happy to pay extra for, niche markets are easier to enter and succeed in, but much more difficult to scale-up if things go really well.

I know nothing about backpacks but I do know a bit about manufacturing and I've spent time in China. Don't let the challenges deter you, but do identify and recognise them.

The person I mentioned earlier, who may be able to help (or at least advise) with machinery, makes niche products in a very saturated, junk market. She makes dog leads, collars and the like and horse stuff. The market is completely flooded with junk products, mainly from asia, made down to a price. None of her competitors actually design anything, they just copy everyone else and try to make it for a penny less, and even if those products fit the animal and work at all, they drop to bits very quickly. As someone who has a lifetime of experience with both horses and dogs, hers are properly designed, made from the right materials and superbly stitched, with each operation carried out on a separate, specialised machine. They look good, they last forever and people who buy from her become loyal repeat customers.

Since we're on the subjects, I believe (from memory) that Lowepro started life as a cottage industry, making everything by hand. The same with Chimera, who were the first to make softboxes from fabric instead of sheet steel, everything done well, and everything under their own control. Not cheap, but well worth their premium price. Because of my business connections and history, I've always had the best softboxes (free) but would happily pay for them if I had to, the cheap ones aren't worth having, and although there are a lot of people who are happy to buy cheap rubbish, there are also plenty of people like me who believe in buying once and buying for life.
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Thank you Garry and apologies on the spelling mistake! Interesting to hear your insight from your time in China, and of the development of Lowepro and Chimera - I’ll look into that.
 
In light of this thread, I’m now wondering if any of you have any more niche needs in your photography bags (/equipment) that you might like to be addressed?

I have some ideas, but by the nature of ‘niche’, there might be needs I might have not yet considered.
 
DP709 said:
In light of this thread, I’m now wondering if any of you have any more niche needs in your photography bags (/equipment) that you might like to be addressed?

I have some ideas, but by the nature of ‘niche’, there might be needs I might have not yet considered.
Click to expand...
A drinks pouch with lining to keep the drink cool could be a good edition.
 
I'm about to take a Shimoda Urban Explore 30L on a trip to the Netherlands. Taking my RZ67 plus two back and a lens as well as my Olympus EM1 MkII with a 12-100 and an old 50mm manual lens. First trip out for this backpack so let's see how it does. If I feel I need a waiststrap I'll but the Shimoda one when I get back.

I did consider the Explore 30L which is a bit more aimed at hiking with a camera setup but I'm more urban/hill walker these days.

I'll let you know if I feel something is missing when I get back.
 
snerkler said:
A drinks pouch with lining to keep the drink cool could be a good edition.
Click to expand...
A similar request would for an internally waterproof section to hold a water bottle, flask, etc. secure in the knowledge that should the primary container leak (EG I fail to put the top back on properly) the waterproof section will mean my camera equipment doesn't get wet!
 
As has been said everyone's requirements are different. I'm currently using an Osprey Stratos with an ICU. My previous experience with specialist camera bags is they over protect with padding, dividers etc and this eats into space if you want to carry non photo items. Alternatively you end up with a larger and heavier bag to fit everything in.

Will my bag work for everyone? Of course not. You can't access via the back and it's not the quickest to get to your gear. However this is compensated by the trampoline mesh panel, which keeps the bag off your back and allows air flow in hot weather. Together with a good harness and waist belt that makes it feel lighter to carry over a distance. It also has the ability to carry non photo gear in a relatively small bag.

My recommendation is to consider using a hiking bag with an ICU if your priorities rest more on the carrying side rather than quick access
 
snerkler said:
A drinks pouch with lining to keep the drink cool could be a good edition.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this idea, to what extent would making this lining securely waterproof, as Faldrax suggested, be important to you?
 
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