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Gear review: 3 K&F Concept Camera Bags Put To The Test

16 Jan

The post Gear review: 3 K&F Concept Camera Bags Put To The Test appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kav Dadfar.

In this gear review, I have tested out 3 different types of K&F Concept camera bags so you can see their differences and whether they would suit your needs.

Regardless of which camera you have or whether you are a professional or amateur, a good camera bag is one of the essential purchases that you need to make. After all, it is what will carry your expensive equipment around and keep it safe and dry.

However, it is also essential that your camera bag is comfortable to wear. There’s nothing worse than carrying all that weight on your back for hours on end and being uncomfortable.

Over time as you buy more camera equipment, your camera bag will need to change. Or you may need different types of bags for different scenarios. But what should you buy first? With so many different types of bags out there, the choice is endless.

K&F-concept-camera-bags

The three K&F Concept camera bags

1. Travel Sling Bag

The first of the three K&F Concept camera bags is the K&F camera sling backpack. This pack is the perfect unassuming, easy-to-carry backpack for those who don’t own a lot of camera equipment.

The sling bag easily and securely holds a DSLR and two lenses in a padded and removable inner bag.

One of the great things about this sling bag is you can remove the inner bag to use the bag as a normal backpack. Or you can remove the bag whilst shooting to have quick and easy access to your lenses. That way, you don’t have to open and close the bag constantly.

The sling bag has enough additional space to hold a 13” laptop and any other little bits you may have, such as memory cards, lenses cleaners, and phone as well as a water bottle holder on the side.

Measuring at just 41 x 27 x 13cm, the bag is small and compact enough to have on your back in those busy situations like events and festivals where a big bag would be cumbersome. It is also made of waterproof and anti-wrinkle nylon with double stitching for added durability and shock/vibration absorbing inner padding. So this lightweight bag (just 0.8kg net weight) will keep your expensive equipment safe whatever you get up to.

Who’s this for?

This bag is ideal for a photographer with only a small amount of kit who wants to travel light, but safe in the knowledge their equipment will be protected and secure.

At the time of writing, this bag is priced at $ 39.99, making it an ideal bag for a first-time buyer who doesn’t want to spend a fortune on a camera bag. But it will also benefit those who may want an additional smaller bag to support their bigger day-to-day bag.

K&F-concept-camera-bags

2. Fashion Outdoor Backpack

The first thing I noticed about this K&F fashion camera backpack is that it doesn’t look like a camera bag. This is great for two reasons; firstly, it looks great and is useful in those situations where you may want to look a little smarter in your appearance – for example, at a wedding. But more importantly, because it doesn’t draw attention to the fact that you have thousands of dollars of camera equipment on your back.

Split into two main areas, the bottom of the bag has 10mm padded dividers with enough space to hold a large DSLR and 3 lenses – easily accessible from the back and side – while the top section of the bag has sufficient room to hold personal items such as a 13” laptop.

The exterior of the backpack has a side-mounted tripod strap and enough storage to hold all your extra bits and pieces.

Another great thing about this pack is the side access that allows you to take out your camera equipment without having to take the bag off.

The exterior is scratch, tear and water-resistant, but you also get a rain/dust cover for more severe weather conditions. The breathable air-mesh back and shoulder straps make this bag incredibly comfortable to carry all day even when you have it fully loaded.

Who’s this for?

This bag is great for the photographer who has a few lenses and sometimes carries a tripod with them. However, it is also for someone who doesn’t want to shout out to the world that they have camera equipment with them. Anyone traveling in some parts of the world could benefit from a bag such as this.

K&F-concept-camera-bags

3. Large DSLR Camera backpack

Number three of the K&F Concept camera bags is the K&F large DSLR backpack, which is the biggest bag in the range.

With sufficient room (25 liters) for two large DSLR bodies, five to six lenses, and flash, it will serve anyone from the serious hobbyist to professionals.

With enough pockets to hold your filters, batteries and memory cards and a back-mounted tripod holder, this pack has enough room for even those with lots of equipment. It can be opened fully from the back but also has easy access at the top of the bag for those times when you need more discreet and quick access to your camera.

The K&F Concept large DSLR backpack comes with a range of shock and vibration separators that, like the other bags, can be arranged perfectly to snuggly and safely fit all your gear. Made from quality splash and tear-resistant nylon with its unique stitching and tension technology, it ensures load-bearing areas won’t rip or become frayed.

One of the most important elements of a bag this size is that it has to be comfortable to wear for long periods. The back and straps of this bag are breathable and padded. When used with the chest and hip straps, it can help reduce the weight on your shoulders. This pack also comes with the rain/dust cover as well.

Who’s this for?

Whilst clearly designed with professionals in mind, this backpack would also make a great bag for any level photographer. It gives you plenty of room for when you expand your equipment.

K&F-concept-camera-bags

Conclusion

I have never been one to promote buying lots of equipment or accessories; however, camera bags are a vital part of my set up. I have a few different sized bags for various scenarios. Because sometimes it’s not feasible to carry a big backpack with me.

These 3 K&F Concept camera bags are a good example of a set that would serve a photographer well throughout their photography journey. The great thing is that you’ll probably end up re-using your bags for years to come.

Note: The author was given these K&F Concept camera bags free of charge to test and was offered no incentives. This review is an unbiased opinion of his experience in using the products provided.

What is your favorite camera bag/pack? Have you tried any of these packs? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section!

The post Gear review: 3 K&F Concept Camera Bags Put To The Test appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kav Dadfar.

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How Many Camera Bags Do You Need?

02 Jan

Camera bags. Who knew there would be so much choice? I certainly didn’t as I took my first steps into the world of photography. From small camera shaped bags which perfectly fit the contours of your camera to large wheeled suitcases designed to store and transport a whole range of photographic equipment the choice can be overwhelming. Then, after talking Continue Reading

The post How Many Camera Bags Do You Need? appeared first on Photodoto.

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Peak Design updates its Everyday line with new and improved bags, slings and totes

25 Nov

Peak Design’s Everyday line of camera bags has received a V2 update that includes new materials and features, inspired directly from customer feedback and improvements in material design.

The list of the overhauled bags includes the Everyday Backpack (20L + 30L), Everyday Messenger (15L), Everyday Sling (5L is now 6L + 10L) and the Everyday Tote 15L. In addition to the redesigned originals, Peak Design has also added a number of new bags: Everyday Totepack (15L), Everyday Backpack Zip (15L + 20L) and the Everyday Sling (3L).

All of the bags feature more robust ‘UltraZips,’ improved fabrics that are 100% recycled and Bluesign approved (except for black), improved MagLatch connections and new cord hook external carry straps. The Everyday lineup is also receiving new colorways: Midnight Navy (navy blue) and Bone (tan).

Everyday Backpack

The Everyday Backpack is Peak Design’s most popular design. Although the V2 update isn’t dramatic, the small improvements that have been made do make for an overall improved experience as our hands-on attests to.

The Everyday Backpack V2 features a slightly refined shape that should help it stand upright on its own when filled with gear and has redesigned straps that should better contour your body. It also receives the new UltraZip design, improved MagLatch connections, new internal zippered pockets and the expansion straps found on most of the other V2 bags.

The Everyday Backpack 20L and 30L are available today for $ 259.95 and $ 289.95, respectively.

Everyday Backpack Zip:

The Everyday Backpack Zip is what would happen if you took Peak Design’s Travel Backpack, shrunk it, and added a number of features found in its Everyday line. It comes in 15L and 20L versions and features dual-access zips on either side of the bag for easy gear access. It also has a dedicated top-zip for laptop and tablet access as well as side and top grab handles.

The Everyday Backpack Zip 15L and 20L are available today for $ 189.95 and $ 219.95, respectively.

Everyday Messenger

Similar to the Everyday Backpack, the Everyday Messenger features an almost identical design as its first-generation design but improves upon a number of key features. In addition to the new 100% recycled 400D weather-resistant fabric, the Everyday Messenger features an improved MagLatch design, the new UltraZips and a few small aesthetic changes throughout the bag’s design to clean up the seams found throughout.

Below is a feature rundown of the new Everyday Messenger V2:

The Everyday Messenger 15L is available today for $ 219.95.

Everyday Sling

The Everyday Sling lineup has a number of changes from its V1 iterations. First, the 5L sling has been redesigned to add an extra liter of internal storage, now making it a 6L bag. Peak Design has also added a smaller 3L model that takes the features of the large slings and packs it down into an even smaller form factor.

The 3L and 6L bags can convert to was it packs, while the 10L bag offers a luggage carry pass-through for times when you don’t want it wrapped around your shoulder in the airport.

The Everyday Sling 3L, 6L and 10L are available today for $ 79.95, $ 99.95 and $ 149.95, respectively.

Everyday Tote

Much like the Everyday Messenger, the Everyday Tote isn’t much of a change from the previous version. Aside from a cleaner external design, the more robust UltraZips, the 100% recycled fabric and the external cinch straps the Everyday Tote remains largely unchanged.

The Everyday Tote 15L is available today for $ 149.95.

Everyday Totepack

The Everyday Totepack is more or less an Everyday Tote that’s been made a little larger (20L instead of 15L) and adds a set of straps so it can be worn as a backpack.

The Everyday Totepack features dual zip access points on either side of the bag as well as internal FlexFold dividers and stretchy pockets for organizing your gear as you see fit. It features the 100% recycled 400D weatherproof shell and also has two storable carry cinch straps for those times when you need a little more gear.

The Everyday Totepack 20L is available today for $ 179.95.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Shimoda Designs launches its new ‘ultra-aggressive’ Action X Series camera bags

16 Oct

Camera bag manufacturer Shimoda has launched its Kickstarter campaign for the Action X Camera Bags, its latest camera bag series that builds upon Shimoda’s Adventure Series. The Action X series includes three backpacks, two updated roller bags and a number of add-on accessories.

Pitched as an ‘ultra-aggressive line of camera bags and accessories,’ the Action X Series is made to withstand nearly any environment you throw at them while offering plenty of flexibility to fit your needs thanks to the internal Core Units and modular accessories.

Action X Backpacks

The X50 backpack is the mid-sized model that offers 50 liters of internal capacity at its smallest and up to 58 liters when the roll-top section is completely filled.

Starting with the backpacks, Shimoda is offering three sizes: the X30, X50 and X70. These bags offer roughly the internal volume, in liters, of their respective names and offer a roll-top design that can be used to shrink or expand the internal volume as needed.

Rolling the top closed is a fairly straightforward process, but in the event you forget, don’t worry—Shimoda included instructions right on the bag.

Like their Adventure Series counterparts, the bags offer a number of features, including height-adjustable and swappable shoulder straps, a 15-inch laptop sleeve on the back panel, dual carrying handles, weatherproof designs and countless straps and attachment points for attaching almost anything to the bag, be it a water bottle, tripod, helmet, skis or even a sleeping bag.

Tucked inside the bag is a 50ºF down-alternative sleeping bag, a single-person hammock and an insulated sleeping pad with a windbreaker jacket underneath it all.

The most noticeable difference between the Adventure Series and Action X Series is the new roll-top design that compresses and expands to your needs. However, there’s also a new removable belt and a number of new shoulder strap options, including a trio of female-specific shoulder straps, to ensure the most comfortable fit possible.

This is what the bag looks like folded up with the gear from the previous picture inside.

We were sent a pre-production X50 review unit (with a DSLR Medium Core Unit) to take original photos with for this article and test out before launch. Having spent time with Shimoda’s Adventure Series bags in the past, it’s clear from our time with the X50 backpack that Shimoda has been hard at work fixing a number of sore spots within its inaugural camera bag lineup.

The Core Unit’s side flap now folds neatly into a little slot on the backpack’s side access point, which makes it much easier to access a camera kit quickly without removing the bag from your back.

The most notable improvement from our experience with the bag was the updated side access pockets. On the original Adventure Series camera bags, side access was possible, but it seemed like a bit of an afterthought. The Action X Series dramatically improves side access with the V2 Core Units and a clever little slot in the side access panel that now allows the Core Unit to open with the side access panel on the backpack, making it exponentially easier to access a camera or drone without the need to entirely remove the backpack.

The side access is nice, but when you need access to all of your gear, this is how you’ll get it.

The roll-top design of the Action X Series also proved to be a nice change of pace from the Adventure Series. Not only does it clear up clutter on the top of the bag compared to the Adventure Series, it was also beneficial when we needed to shrink or expand the internal storage depending on what gear we were carrying with us on a given day.

The shoulder straps attached to our X50 pre-production model were the standard straps. Also available is a padded strap and three different female-specific straps with thoughtful contours and padding location.

We didn’t get to test out any of the new female-specific shoulder strap designs or the padded ‘Plus’ shoulder straps, but just having the option to swap out shoulder straps is a welcomed feature that very few other camera backpacks offer.

Updated Roller Bags

In addition to new backpacks, Shimoda has also launched updated roller bags: the Carry On and a new DV (Digital Video) version. The Carry On is essentially the same as the previous roller Shimoda offered, but improves durability and adds new 100mm wheels, which provide more clearance from the ground and are both smoother and quieter than the first-generation roller bags. The new DV version is identical to its Carry On counterpart, but larger in each dimension to offer more real estate when carrying larger video equipment and/or super telephoto lenses.

Core Units

As with Shimoda’s adventure series, the new Action X Camera Bags work alongside Shimoda’s Core Units to protect camera gear inside the bag and make it easy to transfer gear from one bag to another or from a backpack to a roller bag. The updated Core Units come in five sizes: Mirrorless Medium, DSLR Medium, DSLR Large, DV Large and DV Extra Large. Shimoda has provided the below graphic to show what bags are compatible with the different Core Unit sizes.

Aside from the new side-access functionality, the V2 Core Units are essentially identical to the first generation units, aside from the addition of two larger sizes.

Accessories

The Top Loader accessory is large enough to carry a camera body and lens or a small drone kit.

In addition to new bags and updated Core Units, Shimoda has also added a few new accessories, including a new Top Loader bag for smaller kits, a 4 Panel Wrap for organizing cables and a Stuff Sack Kit for compressing clothes and other gear.

Wrapping up

Shimoda has already surpassed its $ 30K goal on Kickstarter. There are countless kit variations available through Kickstarter, but the basic X30 Starter Kit — which includes the backpack, a Medium Mirrorless Core Unit and a Rain Cover — starts at $ 250. Prices go up from there depending on the size of bag you want and the Core Units and accessories you want alongside the bags.

The first backpacks are expected to ship December 2019 to ‘Anywhere in the world.’

Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Moment launches new sling bags, wallet cases for mobile photographers

30 May

Moment has introduced a new range of sling-style bags and a series of wallet cases for photographers who like to travel light. Described as part fanny-pack, part sling the bags are intended to look good and be functional at the same time.

The bags are designed to hold a mobile phone as well as Moment’s accessory smartphone lenses and even a small compact camera, as well as the usual travel essentials like passports. The bags can be worn over the shoulder like a sling or around the waist like a fanny pack, and come in a range of materials and colors.

Smaller wallet cases are aimed at those who want to carry only daily essentials along with their phone, while a new line of phone cases come with pockets for credit cards for those who really want to travel light.

The Fanny Slings costs $ 69.99 and the Crossbody Wallets cost $ 74.99. To purchase either or for more information visit the Moment website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Think Tank Photo launches Vision shoulder bags for DSLR and mirrorless gear

14 Mar

Think Tank Photo has unveiled its new Vision series of shoulder bags, including the Vision 10, Vision 13 and Vision 15. The new line is designed to accommodate mirrorless and DSLR cameras alongside ‘pro-sized’ lenses and lens hoods, according to the company. The bags feature a padded divider system that can be customized to meet individual needs, as well as pockets for tablets and laptops.

The Vision 10 bag is the smallest of the series, offering enough interior space for a single standard-size camera body with either a short zoom or wide lens attached alongside another lens or two and a 10-inch tablet; there’s also space for a detached 24-70mm lens. Alternatively, this bag can hold a mirrorless camera kit that includes three or four lenses.

Vision 10 Insert

The Vision 13 offers a bit more space, including enough room for both a 10-inch tablet and a 13-inch laptop, as well as up to a 70-200mm detached lens. The Vision 15 offers the most space with room for a standard size camera body with an attached 24-70mm lens, up to four extra lenses, and a flash, as well as a 10-inch tablet and up to a 15-inch laptop. There’s also room for a 70-200mm detached lens.

All three bags feature exterior fabric with a water-repellent DWR coating and polyurethane underside coating, as well as YKK RC Fuse zippers, 420D velocity nylon, 350G 3D air mesh, 3-ply bonded nylon thread, 500D 2-tone polytech weave nylon tarpaulin, and antique-plated metal hardware. The bags’ interior includes a 200D liner and PU-backed Nylex liner, 3-ply bonded nylon thread, a rain cover, and removable foam dividers.

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Other features include padded non-slip shoulder straps, dedicated phone pocket, luggage handle pass-through, water bottle pocket, and a reinforced top handle.

The Vision bags are available through Think Tank Photo now at the following prices:

Vision 10: $ 109.75
Vision 13: $ 129.75
Vision 15: $ 139.75

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Manfrotto adds four new carry-on trolley bags to its Pro Light Reloader collection

11 Mar

Manfrotto has introduced four new carry-on trolleys to its Pro Light Reloader collection: the Pro Light Reloader Air-55, Air-50, Pro Light Reloader Switch-55 and Pro Light Reloader Spin-55. The Air-55 and Air-50 are fairly straightforward trolley cases, but both the Switch and Spin have a little more to offer, albeit with a higher price tag.

Pro Light Reloader Air-55

The Pro Light Reloader Air-55 can fit up to two pro-style DSLR, five lenses and a 17″ laptop. It features various zippered pockets on the front and side of the bags, as well as a handful of internal pockets for storing accessories. Gear organization is done with the help of large supportive dividers and 19 additional shock-absorbing dividers that can be maneuvered around to fit your needs.

The side of the bag has a dedicated strap system for holding tripods and there’s an integrated TSA combination zipper lock. Manfrotto notes the ripstop nylon fabric is water-repellent, but the bag also comes with a rain protector.

The Pro Light Reloader Air-55 is currently available at B&H for $ 379.99.

Pro Light Reloader Air-50

The Pro Light Reloader Air-50 is identical in design to its Air-55 contemporary, but slightly smaller with fewer zippered pockets and internal dividers. It can hold up to two pro-style DSLRs, four lenses and a 15″ laptop.

It too features various zippered pockets inside and out for organizing accessories and comes with two supportive dividers and 12 additional shock-absorbing dividers for making the most of the internal storage space. Manfrotto also includes the integrated TSA lock and accompanying rain protector with the Air-50.

The Pro Light Reloader Air-55 is currently available at B&H for $ 329.99.

Pro Light Reloader Switch-55

The Pro Light Reloader Switch-55 is similar to the Air-55, but has a little trick up its sleeve. In addition to working as a rolling carry-on case, it can also be turned into a backpack by taking a set of integrated shoulder straps out of its front pocket.

Like the Air-55, the Switch-55 can fit up to two pro-style DSLR, five lenses and a 17″ laptop. There are multiple internal and external zippered pockets as well as a side strap for attaching a tripod.

The Switch 55 comes with large supportive dividers and 14 additional shock-absorbing dividers for securing and structuring gear inside the bag. Manfrotto has included the TSA compliant three-digit lock and an accompanying rain cover.

The Pro Light Reloader Switch-55 is currently available at B&H for $ 389.99.

Pro Light Reloader Spin-55

Last up is the Pro Light Reloader Spin-55. As the name suggests, the Spin-55 features four wheels — instead of the two on the other Pro Light Reloader cases — that give it the ability to spin freely on the ground, whether you’re running through the airport or on-location at a shot.

The bag features a polycarbonate shell and a nylon insert that can be removed if needed. It features a front access compartment on the outside of the bag as well as multiple internal zippered pockets for additional accessories.

The Pro Light Reloader Spin-55 can hold two pro-style DSLRs, five lenses and a 15″ laptop. It features side and top handles as well as an attachment point for a tripod. An integrated TSA-approved lock is included as is a rain protector for those times when the weather gets a little rough.

The Pro Light Reloader Spin-55 is currently available at B&H for $ 399.99.

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Photokina 2018: hands-on with eight stylish new bags

29 Sep

Hands-on: New camera bags from Photokina 2018

Photokina 2018 was one heck of a year for new cameras and lens launches, but it also saw the launch of an impressive number of new camera backpacks and bags. We combed the tradeshow floor to get hands-on with some of the more stylish and technically sophisticated packs, from affordable to premium.

Shown above: the new Bristol DayPack 600+ from Cullman.

Hands-on: New camera bags from Photokina 2018

First up is Lowepro’s ProTactic AW II. As the name implies, this is the second iteration of the original ProTactic – version two adds more padding and better protection for your gear, plus more areas to attach stuff. The backpack comes in the larger 450-series, shown above and the smaller 350-series – the former fits a 15″ laptop, the later a 13″. The larger pack has room for two bodies and plenty of lenses, the smaller one should be able to also fit two bodies and a few lenses.

Both packs offer dual side access for gear, two quick straps on the front (with a ‘foot’ to carry a tripod), a waist strap with utility pouch, rain cover and a super comfortable back panel. The ProTactic line represents Lowepro’s most rugged, professional packs and as such, they don’t come at a cheap price. We’re told the 450-series will retail for about $ 270 and the 350-series $ 220.

Hands-on: New camera bags from Photokina 2018

Next up is ThinkTank’s new Retrospective V2.0 bags. Available in a total of six different sizes, these soft camera bags feature classic styling. They’re also coated in polyurethane to protect gear from the elements but ship with an additional rain cover just in case you find yourself in a torrential downpour.

But probably the coolest feature of these bags is the zippered opening under the main flap which offers protection from thieves and pickpockets. Prices vary by bag size, but the Retrospective 7 V2.0, shown above, retails for around $ 165. It fits a DSLR, several lenses and a 13″ laptop.

Hands-on: New camera bags from Photokina 2018

Cullman launched 4 new camera bag lines at Photokina including the stylish Bristol series shown here, which comes in both daypack and shoulder bag varieties. The daypack in particular caught our eye because of its classic look.

It features a side-zippered opening for quick access and an expandable top compartment. There’s also a padded laptop compartment and water bottle holder. This pack is obviously more geared to enthusiast and casual users rather than pros, but it seems as versatile for every day use as it is handsome. No word on pricing just yet.

Hands-on: New camera bags from Photokina 2018

Tamrac launched a new line of hip-looking shoulder packs in the Bushwhick series (yes, like in Brooklyn). They’re available in 3 sizes, with the Buswhick 6 – shown above – being the largest of them. It can hold an average sized DSLR/mirrorless camera with lens attached plus one additional lens and some accessories.

The exterior features metal buckles and weatherized coating to protect from the elements. There’s also a zippered compartment on front for other odds and ends. The Tamrac Bushwhick 6 retails for $ 150.

Hands-on: New camera bags from Photokina 2018

Compagnon is a relatively new bag brand. I hadn’t heard of them prior to Photokina because they are still working out US distribution, but you can find their packs sold by some US retailers. The Explorer pack, shown here, is a collaboration between Compagnon and backpack brand Deuter.

It offers an expandable roll-top section for personal items and a large lower section for camera gear with padded dividers. The bag features a side zipper for easy access, tripod straps, a water resistant construction and a padded back panel that looks extremely comfortable. It’s available in 16 L and 25 L – no word on pricing yet, but if other Compagnon packs are any indication, expect it to cost a pretty penny ($ 500+).

Hands-on: New camera bags from Photokina 2018

Peak Design just finished its Kickstarter campaign for the new 45L Travel backpack. We’ve previously seen a prototype of the bag, but this is the first time we’ve laid eyes on a retail-ready model and it looks very impressive.

The packs offer lots of features like a weatherproof nylon canvas shell, rugged bottom liner, luggage pass-through, rear and side access, laptop compartment, luggage handles and lots of organization pockets. It can also be expanded or contracted to fit 35L or 45L worth of stuff. The backpack is being sold alongside a line of smaller organizational ‘cubes,’ sold separately. The bag itself will be available sometime in November and retail for $ 300.

Hands-on: New camera bags from Photokina 2018

ONA makes some absolutely lovely shoulder bags. For Photokina, the company teamed up with Japan Camera Hunter to release a very limited addition bag called ONA x Japan Camera Hunter Bowery camera bag. Only 230 of which will be made, each with individual numbering on inside. The bag’s main feature is dedicated film pockets on the inside and elastic film holders on the bag strap.

You can read more about this collaborative bag here. And if you feel so inclined, you can pick one up for $ 200 on ONA’s Website.

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Cosyspeed launches Phoneslinger line of smartphone “camera” bags

11 Sep

Easy accessibility in your pocket and ultimate portability are a smartphone’s main advantages over dedicated digital cameras. However, if you’re the kind of mobile photographer who likes to use their device in combination with add-on lenses, powerbanks or other accessories, the pockets in your pants might not be roomy enough.

Help is at hand, though, in the shape of Cosyspeed’s new Phoneslinger line of smartphone “camera” bags which you can now pre-order on Indiegogo. There are three bags in the new line, the Phoneslinger Power, Prime and Outdoor, which are all designed for different use cases and, in conjunction with a few accessories, form part of a modular bag system.

The Phoneslinger Power is a phone pouch that comes with a built-in 8000mAh powerbank that can charge your device via the QI wireless standard or a USB-cable. The Phoneslinger Prime comes close to a “real” camera bag, offering space for even the largest smartphones and four accessory lenses. You can also leave a lens attached to your device. The Phoneslinger Outdoor is a rugged phone pouch that protects your expensive device while hiking, climbing or any other activity that might put your phone at risk.

Accessories include the Flowbelt which comes with attachment points for the Phoneslinger bags and other items. The Stuffbag is designed to hold items such as sunglasses, passport, keys, etc. and comes with an included wallet. The Prime Pouch is a dedicated lens pouch, holding up to five smartphone accessory lenses.

A full Power kit, which includes the Phoneslinger Power, Stuffbag, Prime Pouch and the Flowbelt will set you back $ 149. For more information and full pricing for all items have a look at the Phoneslinger Indiegogo page.

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Review: The Wandrd Prvke Backpack is one of the best multi-use camera bags you can buy

28 Jul

Wandrd Prvke 21L Backpack with Camera Cube
$ 264 | www.wandrd.com

The quest to find the perfect camera bag is never-ending. It’s not unusual for a photographer have a closet jammed full of various packs that work pretty well for most situations, but are not ideal for others. The classy looking packs often don’t hold enough gear while the ones with ample space often end up being too bulky for travel.

For my typical shooting needs the Prvke has proven to be nearly perfect, which is an incredible feat for a camera bag.

At first glance, I liked the design of the Prvke bag (pronounced Provoke) from Wandrd, but was concerned that it would be yet another backpack with understated urban looks that simply isn’t functional as a camera bag. But I can happily say that Wandrd won me over – for my typical shooting needs the Prvke has proven to be nearly perfect, which is an incredible feat for a camera bag.

Specifications

Exterior: 17 x 11 x 6.5in / 43 x 30 x 16.5cm
Interior Volume: 25L with roll-top expanded
Camera Cube Insert: 9 x 11 x 5in / 23 x 30 x 13cm
Laptop Sleeve: 14.5 x 9.5 x 1in / 37 x 24 x 2.5cm
Tablet Sleeve: 13 x 9 x 5 / 33 x 23 x 13cm
Weight: 2.8lbs / 1.3kg

Design & Construction

A look inside the Wandrd Prvke from the back entrance: The area where the camera gear is (called the Camera Cube) can be completely removed.

The Wandrd Prvke bag is designed to be multi-functional for carrying both camera gear and personal items – something lots of packs try to do, but ultimately fail. The design was conceived by three photography-minded brothers and their attention to detail makes me think they too were tired of the ‘almost there, but not quite right’ camera backpacks.

The Prvke has an understated roll-top design with a fairly slim profile – it’s constructed from water-resistant tarpaulin and woven nylon and has a rain-fly with a dedicated pocket at the bottom of the bag. The roll-top opens and closes with high quality Velcro and is secured with a large metal hook. The removable Camera Cube comes with the Photography Bundle for $ 264 (or can be purchased individually for $ 39) and fits nicely into the bag’s back compartment. Velcro is used to secure it into place.


You can access the Camera Cube from a zipped entryway on the side of the pack.	The roll-top is secured closed with Velcro and a big metal hook.

The Prvke has three points of entry: the roll-top, a left side pocket for camera access into the Cube while on the go (shown above) and a back entrance to completely open the pack. Above the Camera Cube there is a mesh zipper compartment that allows you to access anything that may have been stashed through the roll-top. On the left side of the bag you will find a small zipper pocket for memory cards and a separate Velcro pocket for other small camera accessories.

An internal laptop/tablet compartment keeps these devices flush against your back when wearing the pack. Two straps ensure the compartment doesn’t fly completely open when unzipped.

Once the bag is unzipped there are dedicated sleeves for both a laptop and a tablet (see above). And on the back of the Prvke there is a dedicated passport sleeve with a small mesh pocket (see below).

I was able to fit a 5D Mark IV body, a 70-200mm lens and a 24-70 lens in the cube without issue.

Although the removable Camera Cube was designed with a mirrorless system in mind (a body, plus a large and medium sized lens) the molded dividers make it possible to carry a full frame DSLR with lenses as well. I was able to fit a 5D Mark IV body, a 70-200mm F2.8 lens and a 24-70 F2.8 lens in the cube without any issues.


A small compartment on the back has space for a passport and other items, a nice touch for photographers on the fly.	Magnetically-connecting carrying straps (located on top) are just one of many handy features of this pack.

Behind the roll-top there is a fleece lined pocket for a phone and on the side of the bag a small pocket with a clip for your keys. A large flat pocket runs the length of the bag’s front side – a great place for a notebook, magazine or other paperwork. On the right side of the bag there is an expandable pocket for a water bottle or a small tripod.


The Prvke has lots of pockets and areas to store both personal items and camera gear. The side pocket can be used to carry a water bottle or small tripod. And a zippered area on front is perfect for storing magazines, notebooks or a book.	The other side of the pack offers a small storage pocket with a connector for keys. Camera gear can be accessed through the zippered area lower right.

The Prvke features a number of optional add ons too: a removable chest strap, a removable waist belt and an accessory strap system that can attach to six different points on the bag for carrying a larger tripod, lighting accessories, a jacket or even minimal camping gear.

The bag comes in three colors (classic black, wasatch green and aegean blue) and two sizes (21L and 31L). Our review bag is the 21L in wasatch green.


A removal waist belt adds another place to store small items.	And accessory straps allow one to easily connect even bulky items, like camping gear, to the bottom of the pack.

In Use

I’ve used this bag in a variety of different situations and I’ve yet to notice anything major that I didn’t like about it. While it may not be the ideal bag for traveling with multiple camera bodies (although it isn’t impossible), for a one body, two lens shoot that requires me to bring a laptop along, it’s the closest to a perfect bag that I’ve found.

The lay-flat design of the bag makes it ideal for traveling through airport security – the Camera Cube and the laptop sleeve are both checkpoint friendly, so in theory, you won’t need to unpack your gear bag when flying.

For a one body, two lens shoot that requires me to bring a laptop along, it’s the closest to a perfect bag that I’ve found.

And the three different access points make this bag particularly user friendly. You can grab a camera body from the left side without removing the bag fully from your back, lenses and accessories are quickly accessed by unzipping the back panel and you can even access items in the roll-top through the back. The expandable roll-top on the bag is great for stashing any odds and ends that you might pick up.

The zippers were easy to manipulate and none of the dedicated sleeves or pockets suffer from the stiffness that new camera bags sometimes have. Everything fits where it’s supposed to and does so with ease.

The straps are a comfortable amount of thickness and the bag distributes weight nicely – even when fully loaded with gear it didn’t hurt my shoulders. The waist belt and chest strap are nice touches, and might be appreciated if you were taking the Prvke on a long outdoor adventure.

The Prvke is the best camera bag I’ve used in a long time.

I found the various small pockets within the Prvk very useful: the fleece lined top pocket was a great place for storing my shades and that side key pocket gave me peace of mind as I traveled away from New York City with the bag.

We’re big fans of the removal Camera Cube.

My complaints about this bag are minor. The zippers around the Camera Cube can occasionally get tangled with the zippers within the back compartment that cover the cube – a minor annoyance, considering sometimes it just took a few additional seconds to zip everything together. Some might say that the second zippered flap might be unnecessary, but the additional layer of protection of my lenses gave me peace of mind while using the bag.

The bag was also a little snug when traveling with two bodies and two small lenses – although it should be noted that I was testing out the 21L version and I’m guessing these issues would be resolved if I’d been using the 31L model.

What’s the Bottom Line

The Prvke is the best camera bag I’ve used in a long time. It has a durable build, it is functional as both a camera backpack and an everyday backpack and it looks nice. It hits the trifecta of sought-after qualities in a camera bag. Also important, it feels like it will hold up over time. And for the quality that you are getting, the $ 264 price tag (which includes the Camera Cube, waist strap, accessory straps and rain-fly) it doesn’t feel excessive. We also like that the Camera Cube can be removed and used in a different bag allowing you to use The Prvke as a place to store clothing and personal items while you are on the road.

What We Like:

Durable build
Functional as a multi-use bag and a dedicated camera bag
Removable Camera Cube
Utilitarian design
Small organizational pockets
Back mesh pocket with entry to roll-top
Nice weight distribution, comfortable to carry
Holds the gear necessary for an average shoot

What We Don’t Like:

Zippers around the Camera Cube and the zippers within the back of the bag getting tangled together
The, at first glace, difficult to pronounce name of the bag

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Wandrd Prvke 21L Backpack with Camera Cube $ 264 | www.wandrd.com

Specifications

Design & Construction

In Use

What’s the Bottom Line

Wandrd Prvke 21L Backpack with Camera Cube
$ 264 | www.wandrd.com