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Review of the F-Stop Kashmir Backpack for Women

04 Sep

In my 10 years of photography I have owned three backpacks, one sling bag and several different strap options. None of these have provided the perfect bag for every situation but as a landscape photographer, the best option so far has been the F-stop Kashmir UL Backpack. One of the main reasons, for me, is that it is one of the few bags that has been specifically designed for a woman’s physique.

Review of the F-Stop Kashmir Backpack for Women

The F-stop Kashmir backpack showing external pocket on waist support

Most backpacks are designed for men who are around 6 feet tall. This means the bags are usually too long, the straps are set too wide on the shoulders, and the chest straps are not long enough. The waist straps are also not in the right place and generally they just don’t fit properly. If you are loading up several kilos of camera gear with the intention of hiking for 2-3 hours, then a properly fitting and comfortable bag is a must.

One of the main issues I have with other bags marketed to women, is the assumption that looks are important, and that less gear will be carried – in other words, it’s a glorified handbag. If you are a woman who carries a fair amount of gear (for example, one camera body and 2-3 lenses, a tripod and other accessories), who walks for several hours, and wants a proper bag to carry it in, then read on.

F-stop launched a Kickstarter campaign a couple of years ago which is how I got my bag but you can get yours via Amazon.

Review of the F-Stop Kashmir Backpack for Women

Design of the Kashmir Backpack

My main requirements in a backpack are fit and functionality. Does it fit comfortably, and does it carry everything I need it to easily. Let’s assess the design of the Kashmir backpack:

Exterior materials are ripstop nylon that’s been polyurethane coated with weatherproof YKK zippers.
Reinforced base for ground protection.
Top and side handles.
Lots of external pockets.
Lightweight – the bag itself is 1.1kg or 2.5lbs.
Takes an internal ICU which is mounted internally.
Supports external attachments for tripods, etc.
Rain cover is an optional extra.
Internal aluminum frame.
Padded back panel with breathability gaps.

The F-stop Kashmir backpack is black with cobalt blue straps. There is subtle branding on the back, front strap, and back support which cannot be obviously removed. Shoulder straps are slightly narrower than usual, cut in a curve for a better fit, and are well padded. An adjustable chest strap that has a lot of play sits comfortably quite high on the chest. The waist support features two large hip mounted panels that bend around the waist with a wide adjustable strap in front.

Back view showing the adjustable chest straps on slide mount on shoulder straps.

Features

An abundance of pockets is a key feature with the Kashmir. Pockets in the hip supports, large mesh side pockets, top flap pocket, back pocket, laptop, and a hydration bladder pocket internally all mean there are plenty of options for packing stuff away. There are also several loop attachments provided to allow tripod or other hardware to be attached with optional gatekeeper straps.

Zippers are good quality, slide easily and don’t catch. They have good long tags attached for easy grip.

Camera gear is stored in a separate ICU (Internal Camera Unit) which are available in several sizes. I got the Medium Shallow ICU which holds my 7D Mark II, 17-55mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/4 IS L, 10-22mm UWA and a Mind Shift Filter Hive full of Lee Filters.

Internal view of the F-stop Kashmir backpack showing the ICU loaded up.

Comfort and Fit

As someone who is five foot six inches tall (average height for a woman) and around a US size 12-14, I have struggled to find a backpack that would do two things, fit both me and all my gear. A bag that was small enough to fit me comfortably, was often too small to hold all my gear.

The Kashmir backpack manages both nicely. The shoulder straps are a good width and the narrower curved cut means they fit around my shoulders and body better and don’t chafe. When the bag is fully loaded it rides on the back of my hips, and the hip straps take up a lot of the load when they’re tightened. I can walk with this backpack for several hours and still feel pretty comfortable when all the straps are properly adjusted and tight.

Review of the F-Stop Kashmir Backpack for Women

My personal reason for using a backpack is due to a car accident that injured my neck several years ago. My neck and shoulders will not support the load of one strap. So a backpack is the best option to balance the heavy weight properly, and the Kashmir is quite comfortable for me to wear this way.

Closeup of chest strap, also showing D-ring mount.

Ease of Use

The Kashmir backpack is designed to be used while on the ground. The back flap zips open to give you access to the camera gear. While you can swing it around and access it while hanging onto the bag, its not particularly easy to do so.

Someone wanting a subtle, quickly accessible bag for street photography is not going to want the Kashmir. Landscape or wildlife photographers who need to carry a lot of gear, a variety of clothing options and a tripod should be interested in the Kashmir.

View of the front and the rather grubby waterproof base on mine. This bag gets taken everywhere!

The Shallow Medium ICU holds a lot of stuff, any more and it would be too heavy for me to carry around for too long. Plus the bag itself has loads of room for things like extra clothing layers, a hydration bladder, a laptop or tablet, hat, gloves, and accessories. With a 30L capacity, it is a good day pack option.

Top view of the main interior showing the top of the ICU and lots of space for extra stuff like clothes.

Additional Features

Not all backpacks come fully loaded with a range of features, so here are the highlights of the extra features on the Kashmir backpack:

Hydration bladder pocket with port for hydration tube.
Laptop pocket (also doubles as the hydration pocket).
Supports external attachments for tripods, lenses and other items.
Optional rain cover.
Top and side handle.

Side view of mesh net and supporting straps.

Is it the perfect bag?

No, but for my purposes it’s pretty close.

The chest strap doesn’t come up quite as high as I would like. I had some chafing from the shoulder straps, and if I could have pulled them in a bit with the chest strap, that would have solved that problem.
The top flap pocket is very loose and contents tend to come out of it easily. A couple of smaller pockets that zip closed would be a better option.
Internally within the greater backpack space it could do with some options to add pockets. There is a lot of dead space down the sides of the ICU that could be better utilized.
The ICU is very difficult to get in and out of the bag – haven’t taken mine out since it was put in there. It’s supposed to be easily removable for storage, but really isn’t.
The foam pads in the ICU are a bit limiting in the configuration options you can have, which was a bit frustrating. I made it work, but it isn’t quite how I want it.
Wearing a heavy jacket, it can be a tight fit to get the bag over the extra bulk on my shoulders to get the bag on and off. Loosening the straps helps but I prefer not to mess with those once I have them set correctly.

Top pocket with mesh net pocket inside.

Conclusion

If you are a woman looking for a backpack to load up and enjoy a day out shooting then I highly recommend the F-stop Kashmir Backpack. It isn’t perfect, but with the exception of the issue with the top pocket losing its contents all over the place, most of my issues are design tweaks. Nothing to seriously interfere with the comfort and wearability of the bag.

Yes it can be heavy when well loaded, but the better fit of the straps and the shorter design, coupled with the good hip/back support means its not too tiring to carry around a decent load. I regularly lug 5-8 kg depending on what I am shooting, and can easily carry it for a day out (probably 2-3 hours walking).

It is well made, of quality materials, and caters to the serious outdoor shooter with comfort, safety and style.

The post Review of the F-Stop Kashmir Backpack for Women by Stacey Hill appeared first on Digital Photography School.

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Gear of the Year: Chris’ choice – F-Stop Tilopa camera bag

09 Dec

F-Stop may not have had the best year when it comes to its public image, but I have to say that the gear they produce is absolutely fantastic. I received the F-Stop Tilopa and the Large Pro ICU as a gift from my now wife about a year ago (after waiting several weeks for it to actually ship; my wife was on the phone with them more than she would have liked) and since then I’ve taken it everywhere from the dense forests and goliath waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge that borders Washington and Oregon to the freshly formed lava fields on the Big Island of Hawai’i. To say that the bag has exceeded my expectations is an understatement.

The black rock that you see in the foreground is recently hardened lava comprised of silica glass and other types of rock. That rock tore up my ripstop North Face hiking pants and the heat from the lava flow actually melted the soles of my boots, but my F-Stop Tilopa bag surprisingly thrived out on the laval fields with really only minimal wear and tear considering the shooting conditions.

Photo by Chris Williams

The biggest test that I’ve put the Tilopa through came while I was on my honeymoon with my wife this past August. We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to shoot the G61 lava flow ocean entry point on the big island of Hawai’i thanks to Bruce and Tom from Extreme Exposures. The conditions were dangerous to say the least. The soles of my boots literally melted and my tripod got pretty beat up from the silica glass that was formed by the cooling lava. My F-stop bag on the other hand held up to the extreme conditions and sustained no lasting damage. I’ve owned several camera bags from a variety of companies over the years and I have to say that this is by far the most durable and comfortable camera backpack that I have ever owned.

Pictured here is the ICU that I currently use; this is the F-Stop Large Pro ICU. As you can see there’s plenty of room for lenses and extra gear. I currently have one telephoto, one wide-angle, a prime and midrange zoom along with my camera body and accessories stowed away in this ICU with room to spare.

One thing that makes this bag so useful is the ability to customize how you want to store your gear. There are several ICUs (Internal Camera Units) that you can choose from including one specifically designed for telephoto lenses, one designed for cine lenses and a full range of ‘Pro’ ICUs that are fully customizable to fit wide-angle and telephoto lenses along with filters, camera bodies and any accessories that you might need along the way. They also offer Slope Style ICUs that allow for more room in the top of the pack, Shallow ICUs for those with smaller lenses or the Micro ICUs for those with smaller camera kits.

One of the main selling points for me was durability and weather resistance. The bag is almost impenetrable to moisture and pretty much any other elements that mother nature decides to throw at you thanks to a combination of oxford-weave ripstop nylon and a proprietary thermoplastic polyurethane film that was developed by F-stop Gear. I’ve put the bag through the wringer in terms of terrible weather conditions; torrential rain, sleet, snow, intense tropical humidity and some pretty darn cold temperatures and I’ve never had a problem with any sort of moisture penetration.

This action shot of me wearing my Tilopa was taken by my good friend and fellow landscape photographer Max Foster. The spray was pretty intense at this waterfall, but my gear stayed dry.

Photo by Max Foster

The Tilopa also has a number of exterior straps that can come in handy for strapping a tent or a sleeping bag to the pack during multi-day backpacking trips. One of the biggest issues that I’ve had in the past with camera bags is that none of them really fit me well. I have extremely broad shoulders, so most bags just don’t fit right and I end up using up almost all of the excess strapping material to make them work (and they’re still pretty uncomfortable). The Tilopa’s design makes it extremely versatile for all body types; I’ve never had a bag that fits as well as this one and it’s super comfortable to wear for long periods of time to boot (even when it’s completely filled to the brim with gear).

Another added bonus is that the bag will fit in nearly every airplane overhead compartment that you will encounter, even with the tripod attached (I just remove my tripod ball head and stow it in the bag). I’ve flown with a handful of airlines over the past year in the US and I’ve had no issues. The same can be said for most international carriers across the world, as the majority of the photographers that I’ve interacted with have had no problems stowing their bags in the overhead compartments on flights to Iceland, Patagonia, New Zealand and the like.

In my opinion the F-Stop line of camera bags, including the Tilopa series, are by far the best on the market. Although the customer service can be fairly bad and the wait times can be disappointing; the bag is worth the wait and the frustrations.

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F-Stop abandons KitSentry Kickstarter, doesn’t offer backers refunds

09 Aug

F-Stop Gear has announced that KitSentry, the bag it sought (and successfully raised) funding for on Kickstarter, will not be brought to market. The notice, which was posted as the final update for Kickstarter backers on Sunday, details various production issues and expenses that ultimately made KitSentry less than ‘economically viable.’ The company’s explanation is at odds with a report published in a recent investigative article by Resource Magazine, however, where an insider claims the Kickstarter campaign ‘was a sham from the beginning.’

The Kickstarter campaign launched on February 23, 2015 and sought funds for KitSentry, a product F-Stop described as ‘the next generation smart bag.’ The campaign was reached its goal on March 3, 2015 and ultimately raised $ 27,039 by its end. The first sign of trouble arose with an August 2015 update in which F-Stop said it would be pushing back all of its deadlines by three or four months. By the time its April 2016 update was posted, backers were agitated and many were demanding refunds.

In the final update posted yesterday, F-Stop cited ‘two big problems’ it couldn’t overcome: trouble getting around existing patents and higher than anticipated production costs. ‘While we may have been able to overcome one of the obstacles,’ the post explains, ‘the two combined have proven to be too much at this time. Even after the additional investment of time and money, it has become obvious that KitSentry is not economically viable.’

It doesn’t appear backers will be refunded, with F-Stop instead offering ‘a goodwill credit toward any f-stop product, equal to the amount pledged on Kickstarter.’

Earlier this month, however, Resource Magazine published an article detailing the troubled campaign and a conversation the piece’s author Jaron Schneider had with a contact he said he ‘greatly’ trusts. That source claimed, in part, that F-Stop’s CEO has been hemorrhaging company money with a lavish personal lifestyle, unsustainable projects, premature promises and mismanagement.

Among other things, the source stated:

In regards to the KitSentry Kickstarter, it was a sham from the beginning. A former colleague of the CEO apparently ‘stole’ an idea the CEO had and was trying to execute KitSentry in some form or another. Once that former colleague started creating public info about that product, the CEO got spooked and forced his now-former marketing team to create a Kickstarter campaign to raise funding for a half-baked product. Once the funding was raised, he transferred all the funds to himself, leaving nothing to the actual development team to spend on creating KitSentry itself.

Via: Kickstarter

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Product Review: F-Stop Gear Lotus Backpack

14 Jul

PWC-Lotus2015-0622-0001 Rather than run down the long list of the Lotus Backpack’s features, I’m going to point you to f-stop’s webpage which has far more complete specs. To sum up this pack; it is built for the serious outdoor photographer who wants an all-weather backpack for their camera. They don’t want to spend all weekend out in nature (f-stop has larger packs for that) and they will be carrying a camera, maybe two, a few lenses and a flash, plus food and clothes.

Let’s dive right into what works and what doesn’t with this backpack.

The Good – F-Stop Gear Lotus Backpack

Weather and sand protected

The Mountain Series from f-stop is all about getting into the elements and keeping your photography gear safe. The water resistant fabric sheds downpours but also helps to keep other elements off your gear. It’s not entirely waterproof as the back access panel is foam and nylon, so I wouldn’t use this pack as a primary on rafting trips. But for trekking the backcountry and scaling peaks, it is nice to not have to deal with a separate pack cover.

The thicker hide of this pack gives it some heft, but a lot of protection as well.

Easy, big zippers and it holds a medium sloped ICU

I have a couple of other f-stop packs and I can say without a doubt that the large zippers for the back access panel, and top access are an improvement. They work well with one hand, which is important while handling gear, and they round the corners with ease.

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Behind one set of large zippers and the back panel is just enough room for the f-stop medium sized sloped ICU (Internal Camera Unit). F-stop uses interchangeable inserts to hold your camera gear, which I have found optimal for maximizing space inside the pack depending on how much gear I want to bring. Sometimes I travel light (camera and two lenses) and a small ICU works fine, leaving me more space inside the pack for food and hiking gear.

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The sloped medium ICU will hold two DSLR bodies and two lenses, including lenses equivalent to a 70-200mm f/2.8 (pictured here is the Canon 28-300mm L lens, which is the same size as a Canon or Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8) and battery grips, laid on their side. This makes me quite happy.

Canon 7D Mark II w/28-300mm L and Canon 7D w/10-22mm, both with power grips. Plus rooms for filters and batteries.

Super comfortable

Every pack manufacturer tries to make their bags comfortable; some resort to gimmicks and odd designs. I thought f-stop was doing this with their back support and its multiple channels leading away from the center. It turns out, that center channel is just deep enough to brace your spine and add support to the rest of your back. The hip belt, while not robust (a plus for travel and fitting in overhead bins) gets the job done with enough fabric to take 100% of the pack weight while remaining comfortable. When overstuffed, the hip belts can be lacking, but keep the load under 40lbs/18kg and you should be fine.

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Garbage pocket

I’m one of those hikers who likes to keep nature clean and the bottom zippered area of the pack is perfect for garbage. It’s not easy to get into with the pack on and it could have other uses, but as it will constantly get crushed when the pack is set on the ground, I have chosen to take a clue from f-stop’s other packs and keep this area reserved for trash.

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All the add-on space

F-stop makes sure you are not limited when their bags can’t contain all of your gear. The hipbelt has loops for an extra lens case or accessory pouch. On the back and sides are loops for f-stop’s Gate Keeper system. While company promo pictures show people strapping snowboards and skis in these location, they also work great for tripods, hiking poles and a wet raincoat.

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The small tab is for f-stop’s Gate Keeper add on straps

Ice axe loops

After I note you probably won’t strap a snowboard to the back of this pack, I do have a soft spot for adventure backpack companies who include ice axe loops. Seemingly eons ago I climbed mountains and used those loops regularly. Were I to scale another mountain, I would greatly appreciate their inclusion on this pack. You can kind of use them for trekking poles or a monopod as well.

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Just enough pockets, maybe one more though?

Inside and out, the Lotus has a fair number of pockets. I appreciate the divider in the top compartment and the pocket for either a tablet or a water bladder (complete with discrete opening in the top of the bag to route a drinking tube) on the inside of the pack. There is a small pocket on the inside of the main back panel that can hold just a filter or some cards. Under the top lid is another mesh pocket that holds a couple of filters at most.

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On the front of the bag is an ample, lengthy, zippered pocket great for maps or tablets or other long, thin items. It can hold a lightweight jacket as well. The sides have these odd little pockets. I see what I think they were trying to do here (economize space and streamline the sides so they don’t stick out) but it makes the pockets, well, odd. I can shove in a water bottle if the pack is not filled to capacity on the inside, so they work in that regard.

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Not easy access, but it works.

For my liking I’d like to see at least one more pocket for items larger than a filter. I’m not sure where it would go, but I have grown accustom to enough pockets on my Mindshift Gear Rotation180 Pro and my f-stop Satori EXP that this pack certainly feels like a downsize in terms of pockets. Given the real estate and target market, that is understandable though.

Good range on the sternum strap

I love the sternum strap on this pack. I’m weird that way, but I also have a long torso and most packs have a sternum strap that ranges from choking me to just about choking me. The Lotus understands a longer torso and the sternum straps extend down further than most packs. As is often the case, the clip for the strap contains a whistle for signaling in the backcountry.

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Fits under an airplane seat

Lastly, this pack fits under the seat of most average planes! Here it is pictured under a seat in a 737-800. Not much room for your feet (I could fit one foot on one side) but the nice part is being able to get to cameras, or other items, easily while flying. Even when fully packed it also fits comfortably in overhead bins.

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Loops, clips and sneaky pockets

The metal attachment loops on the shoulder straps are easy for clipping spare gear to, and there is a clip on the right shoulder strap to help with routing a hydration tube. There are also two mini-pockets on the hip belt for small items, like a pocket knife, spare memory card or chapstick.

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What about the bad?

Side zippers get covered by compression straps

Those side pockets with the funky velcro gussets? The zippers for those pocket start at the top of the pack and are usually covered by the side compression straps. It’s a little annoyance but sometimes requires using both hands to get to a water bottle, or other items stored within.

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A little loud (crinkly)

I kept trying to place the sound of this pack. It makes a crinkle noise, as the material for the pack is stiffer for waterproofness. I finally figured out the sound is the same as that for a SCUBA BCD, the jacket you see divers wearing that helps keep them neutrally buoyant. If you plan to use this pack for silent ninja work, you might want to think again.

No water bottle, quick pockets

Getting a water bottle in and out of this pack is not a quick affair (see above). I enjoy the side mesh pocket of other packs for this purpose, and the Lotus is missing them. Again, this is probably to keep the bag streamlined. I might get a pouch to keep a bottle up front on the hip belt as an alternative.

Small zippers are a little stiff, certainly need two hands

While the big zippers on the back panel are heaven, the smaller pocket zippers are tough, at least when the bag is new (ask me again in a year for an update). This is just the nature of the beast when wanting a zipper to keep out the elements, I suppose. I have to use two hands when opening the top most compartment, or jerk the zipper around multiple times. Same goes for the side zippers.

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Top pocket a little shallow

I don’t like the top pocket because of its shallowness, and tendency to allow items to spill out. There is a velcro patch and a net inside this pocket which does help keep valuables in place (sized perfectly for a Moleskine notebook or a passport) and there is a detachable clip for keys. But overall, I worry about things easily falling out of this pocket each time I open it.

Conclusion

F-stop knows what they are doing, and this bag fills the need for a smaller day pack that is protected against the elements. Some things aren’t as convenient as on other packs of this size (water bottle access, small zippers are stiff) but when compared to employing a pack cover and the trouble that brings, it is a fair tradeoff. I’m 6’1″ and I loved how well the bag is sized for my torso; how well it stuck with me as I climbed over rocks or dashed through the airport.

If you want a day pack where you don’t have to worry about the weather ahead, and you desire hours of comfort while traversing mountain ridges, the f-stop Lotus is worth a look. With its interchangeable, padded camera carriers and room for the 10 essentials, this bag ensures you and your gear will get out there to get the shot in comfort and style.

Disclaimer: f-stop furnished me with a test model for this review which I was allowed to keep. The opinions above are entirely my own and they know I will call them out if their gear stinks. I don’t want any of our readers to pick a bad camera bag.

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The post Product Review: F-Stop Gear Lotus Backpack by Peter West Carey appeared first on Digital Photography School.

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f-stop gear introduces four additions to its Mountain Series of tough terrain bags

28 May

f-stop gear, maker of rugged camera bags, has introduced three new models and a refreshed existing model to its Mountain Series. The Ajna, Sukha, Shinn and Tilopa offer increased durability and ripstop Nylon shells for weather-proofing. Read more

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F-Stop Gear’s Kashmir camera bag is designed for women

04 Dec

F-Stop Gear has introduced Kashmir, a camera backpack designed specifically for women. Kashmir is billed as an ultra-light camera pack with a harness system and torso height adjusted to complement a woman’s body, something accomplished through the use of an Ultra Lite EVA-padded hip belt and what the maker says are ‘female specific S-shoulder straps’. The bag is being funded through Kickstarter. Read more

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F-Stop Tilopa BC Backpack Review

24 Nov

I have to shamelessly admit that I, as are many other photographers, am a camera bag junkie. Maybe the reason behind it is that I was never able to find the perfect fit for my needs. Granted, different situations or travel circumstances may require different type of bags. It’s not the same to go out for a walk in your neighborhood as it is to go on an overseas trip. As I mentioned in one of my prior posts, I am a big believer in going light. During the years I have purchased, used, tested, abused and torn apart all kinds of bags. But only up until now, as I believe I have found my perfect travel companion, the bag that will perfectly suit almost any kind of adventure: the Tilopa BC by F-Stop.

Tilopa_BC_Front_Profile

I have used F-Stop products before, specifically the Kenti Backpack, and their quality was excellent. As I was about to travel for three weeks in Southeast Asia, including heavy trekking portions in northern Vietnam, I needed something bigger than the Kenti, a bag capable of transporting my gear, including computer, chargers, and essential clothing for two to threee days at a time. I needed something versatile.

I went back to F-Stop because I was satisfied with my other bag. They have a different approach when it comes to building their products, which are rigorously tested by their team of pro photographers. It’s a concept that allows the company to permanently have field feedback straight from working hardcore users. One of the key elements for me is the flexibility available to build a system. The backpacks consist of two components: the backpack itself, and the Internal Camera Unit, called the ICU. In a nutshell, once you pick the backpack that suits you best, then you can configure the interior in several different ways depending on your needs. This is a big plus, as one bag can be used for different situations.

The Tilopa BC

I chose this bag because at 48 liters, it was big enough to carry all my gear and yet be very carry-on friendly. The dimensions are generous and can be configured in several ways. I have also picked up the Small Pro and Medium Slope ICU with the idea that if I needed a full bag of gear I could throw both in, and if I only needed a regular or small kit I could use just one of the ICUs.

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The backpack is constructed with durable, water-resistant materials and features, double Ripstop Nylon with Polyurethane coating, YKK® heavy-gauge zippers, Duraflex® buckles, and Eva-padded shoulder straps and hip belts. There is also an internal aluminum frame support that helps to better distribute heavy loads.

Besides the internal ICU, there are several pockets and options to organize either accessories or essentials for a day out. The top lid features a separate pocket where you can store smart phones, extra batteries, headsets, travel documents, etc. There is also a mesh compartment in the interior side of the lid. A big front panel pocket can be used for extra layers or even a light jacket. The internal padded computer sleeve can fit a laptop up to 18”; there are also two smaller pockets (not padded) on the side that I’ve used to throw in hard drives.

If you carry a tripod, it can be mounted either on the front or the side of the bag using the multiple quick-release straps. These straps are very handy as the ones at the sides also allow for side compression, making it possible to adjust depth when the backpack is not full. Last, the pack also features the ability to attach multiple accessories as it is compatible with the MOLLE, an international standard used by other third-party add-ons companies and, of course, F-Stop itself. It also packs several bungee cords and two D-rings as additional mounting points for small accessories.

F-Stop Tilopa BC bag with tripod attached at the front and accessory attached to the side via the MOLLE system

Tilopa BC Detail

In Practical Use

I put the backpack through its paces during the three-week trip and it didn’t disappoint me. Despite being loaded, it was very easy to carry and the weight was well distributed. Over 10-mile treks in the mountains? No problem. Carry on in international or regional jets? Not a problem.

One of things that I particularly like about the bag is that the camera gear is accessed via the back panel, so the equipment is secure, but you can also access the main compartment via the top opening as well, making it very practical.

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As I was taking my Fuji X kit, I outfitted the pack with just the Medium Slope ICU, and as you can see there was plenty of room left in the main compartment to carry other personal stuff. I put my cleaning stuff, extra caps, regular batteries and cables on the interior mesh pocket of the lid. My laptop (not shown here) and paper model releases were in the computer sleeve.

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The gear goes into the ICU; depending on your liking, you can either carry the internal ICU with the lid closed or open. My choice was to have it closed as it felt more secure having an extra layer of protection. The zippers are easy to access anyway, and it takes no time to open it and close it once you are in the field.

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The Medium Slope ICU is roomy and can fit my kit very well. I have two camera bodies, six lenses, a flash, wireless triggers, grids, batteries, SD cards and a GPS tracker.

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This is a bag I’ll continue to use on my travels as it is versatile, can be configured in several ways, and it really looks great.
I have picked mine in Foliage Green, but you also have two more color options: Black and Malibu Blue. The price starts at $ 339 for the bag itself, a bit pricey, but when you consider the quality of the materials, construction, versatility, and the manufacturer’s 20-year warranty, the Tilopa BC becomes an excellent option for the hardcore photographer.

The post F-Stop Tilopa BC Backpack Review by Daniel Korzeniewski appeared first on Digital Photography School.

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Reviewing the Loka UL Adventure Backpack from F-Stop Gear

28 Jun

The new Loka UL backpack from F-Stop Gear combines rugged protection for your camera gear with the space you need for other outdoor essentials.

The new Loka UL backpack from F-Stop Gear combines lightweight rugged protection for your camera gear with the space you need for other outdoor essentials.

Among the many life lessons learned from my father was the one about always making sure you have the right tool for the job. I think we all do our best to apply this wisdom to the gear we pack inside our camera bags, but I’ve always felt that it’s just as important to apply it to the bags themselves. For starters, the bag that gets you to the gig isn’t always the best bag for getting you through the gig. I have a lot of bags. A lot. Until recently, though, I never had a bag that adequately combined protective storage for the gear with room for other essentials like a jacket, food, or other hiking gear for when an assignment– or life– takes me off the beaten path. The just-released Loka UL (Ultra Light) from F-Stop Gear not only combines those elements for me, but does so in one of the more innovative ways I’ve seen in a while.

First Impressions

Fresh out of the box, I was impressed with the high-quality construction and attention to detail. Modeled after F-Stop’s original Mountain Series Loka pack, the Loka UL has been stripped down to the essentials. More than a full 1/3 lighter than the original, this newer version has been simplified in the interests of weight reduction and better freedom of movement. Those goals have been achieved without any compromise whatsoever in the build quality. A ripstop nylon water-repellent shell, internal aluminum frame, and a new ergonomic harness provide the lighter weight, as well as a more even distribution of the load.

Specs and Features

Height: 22 inches (55.9 cm)
Width: 12.5″ (31.8 cm)
Depth: 11″ (27.9 cm)
Volume: 37 liters
Weight empty: 2.25 lbs. (1.02 kg)
Price: $ 249.00 (USD)
DWR (durable water repellant) treated, 210D Ripstop Nylon with PU2 (Urethane moisture curing) coating
EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate) padded hip belt, EVA-padded shoulder straps, and internal aluminum frame for easier handling of heavy loads
Jersey laminate EVA-padded back panel for ventilation and comfort control
YKK brand reversed zippers for extra weather protection
ITW brand buckles
Easy-to-reach side mesh pocket with ripstop nylon base and elastic cuff for water bottles
Drainage weep holes on sides and front pockets
Rain cover pocket in base of pack
Organizer pockets in top lid for batteries, memory cards, smart phones, etc.
Front panel pocket ideal for jackets, extra layers, ground tarp, etc.
Internal nylon sleeve fits up to a 13″ laptop, or doubles as a hydration bladder pocket
Quick-release side compression straps can secure tripods, ski poles, skis, etc.
Sternum strap includes integrated whistle for emergencies
Belt and shoulder suspension straps help adjust load for optimum weight distribution
Several exterior D-rings and attachment points for accessories

An integrated hydration system (bladder not included) will be a plus for outdoor photographers.

Internal Camera Unit (ICU)

The heart and soul of the F-Stop Mountain Series is the Internal Camera Unit (ICU). Available in ten different sizes, the ICU lets you select the ideal-sized padded insert for your camera gear, while balancing available space between camera gear and other essentials like clothes, food, camping equipment, etc. Like other bags in the Mountain series, the Loka UL can accommodate one or more ICUs, depending on the size selected. Pictured here is the Shallow Medium ICU– one of the three recommended ICU sizes for this bag. Six of the 10 available ICUs will fit the Loka UL, but the other larger ones would seriously cut down on space available for non-camera essentials, defeating the entire purpose of the bag. The ICU rests securely in the bottom of the Loka UL and is kept in place with four Velcro tabs around the internal aluminum frame. Camera gear is accessed through the back panel of the pack.

Gear stored in the ICU is accessed through the back of the pack.

Every ICU is made with double ripstop nylon and a polyurethane coating. High-density cross link foam dividers and side walls keep gear secure and protected. The ICU also works well as a modular storage system for your gear. The foam lid protects your precious cargo when used for storage or transport, and can be folded back and out of the way for easier access to gear when it’s in the pack. The dimensions of the ICU shown here are:

External: 5″ (L) x 11.5″ (W) x 11″ (H) (12.7 cm x 29.2 cm x 27.9 cm)
Internal: 4.5″ x 10.5″ x 10″ (11.4 cm x 26.7 cm x 25.4 cm)
Weight Empty: 0.95 lbs (0.43 kg)

ICUs also work well as modular storage systems when the bag’s not in use.

It’s worth pointing out that the Loka UL makes for a great all-around backpack with the ICU completely removed, for those unheard of situations (GASP!) when you might actually leave the photo gear at home. Note: If this happens to you, seek help immediately.

Hitting the Trails

Stabilizing straps on the shoulders and at the waist help maintain a comfortable, even distribution of weight.

Summer has already hit here in Georgia (USA) with all the grace of a runaway freight train, so I’ll have to get back to you on how the Loka UL performs in cold, snowy conditions. But I can say that it did great in the heat, humidity and rain while hiking through paths, hills and riverbeds. Obviously, comfort is the #2 priority when choosing a camera backpack. I say #2 because let’s face it– protecting the gear is #1. But comfort is key and the Loka not only met my expectations, but vastly exceeded them. By biggest complaints in the past about camera backpacks has been the comfort issue. I’ve never doubted their ability to protect the gear. Sometimes, though, it’s their unfailing gear protection that makes them too heavy or unwieldy for actual hiking or camping. The fact that the Loka has been designed specifically for hiking, camping, skiing and other outdoor activities helps ensure that it strikes a great balance of form and function.

I was very impressed with the wide variety of pockets on this bag. Someone was obviously paying attention to the real-life needs and concerns of outdoor photographers. Features such as a pocket perfectly sized for a protein bar on the harness straps, as well as drainage “weep holes” at the bottom of some exterior pockets all add up to maintaining what you need and discarding what you don’t. There’s an old saying when it comes to hiking– “Take only pictures and leave only footprints.” This bag even has multiple pockets available for responsibly taking your trash with you.

With stabilizing straps at both shoulders and each side of the hip belt, adjusting and readjusting distribution of the load was extremely easy. Obviously, the bag alternates between getting lighter and heavier over the course of the day. The camera goes in and out of the bag. You stop to eat. Put on or take off a jacket. Being able to make those adjustments quickly and easily takes one more item off the list of things you need to worry about. The stabilizers and harness straps work well together to keep any potential back strain to a minimum.

We did encounter some light to moderate rain while testing the Loka. I opted to skip the rain cover, and was pleased to see that the water-repellent fabrics did exactly what they were supposed to do.

What I Packed in Mine

The image below breaks down the camera gear I packed in the ICU. Other items packed in the remaining areas of the bag included: Jacket, hat, towel, dry shirt, bug spray, two water bottles, lunch, and a few snacks.

fstop-loka-review-dps-008

Wrap-up and Recommendations

Variety is the spice of life and that same philosophy can (and should) apply to camera bags. I have bags that I only use for storage. I have one that’s been configured for nothing but lighting equipment. I have “everything but the kitchen sink” bags for commercial shoots, and small shoulder bags that won’t hold much more than a camera and two lenses. They all serve their specific purpose and the Loka UL is no different. It’s the first bag I’ve had that can carry not only the right amount of gear, but the other essentials needed for a day on the trails. Outdoor photography is both a challenge and an adventure. The Loka UL from F-Stop Gear helps you meet those challenges head-on and I highly recommend it for whenever adventure comes knocking on your door.

fstop-loka-review-dps-005

I try to steer you guys towards Amazon as much as I can, but the Loka UL backpack is currently available exclusively through F-Stop gear. That’s actually a good thing, insofar as configuring your bag and ICU combination is a lot easier when you have every possible combination in one place. Prices for the bag and ICU as shown in this review: Loka UL Backpack ($ 249.00 USD), Medium Shallow ICU ($ 79.00 USD). Click here for more information. As always, feel free to post any questions you have in the comments.

The post Reviewing the Loka UL Adventure Backpack from F-Stop Gear by Jeff Guyer appeared first on Digital Photography School.

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Canon T2i:How to change the ISO,Shutter,and F-Stop

17 Nov

In this How-To I show you how to Change the Iso,F-Stop and Shutter speed of the Canon T2i For more How-to’s check out www.117productions.com Or write me for one you want made. Please subscribe for more videos. Sean

A test of perceived resolution between the Canon 60d and Panasonic GH2. This is a non scientific test using gear in my own kit. I wish I could of used the same lens across the board, but the funds were not available to rent a common lens + adapters.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Photography Jobs : What Is an F-Stop?

06 Jun

The F-stop, also known as the aperture, refers to the amount of light that is let into the camera while taking a picture. Understand the science behind the different F-stops withtips from a professional photographer in this free video on camera settings. Expert: Rebecca Guenther Contact: www.m5a1photography.com/ Bio: Rebecca Guenther is a freelance photographer living in Austin, Texas. Filmmaker: Todd Green
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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