Bag manufacturer Case Logic has launched a new backpack that features a hammock system, suspending a DSLR with lens attached within the space in the middle of the bag. The company claims this adds extra protection as less of the camera body is in direct contact with the structure of the bag. Read more
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The small tab is for f-stop’s Gate Keeper add on straps
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I thought the whole Rotation180 thing was a gimmick, and avoided the packs by Mindshift Gear because who needs a new gimmick, right? I wanted a useful pack and had it in the f-stop Gear Satori EXP that joined me trekking in Nepal more than once. That pack is amazing and fits all kinds of stuff for my longer trips in the backcountry.
The best way I can describe the Mindshift rotation180° Professional pack is that it’s more amazinger. The Satori EXP is an amazing pack and can take a beating, but I found the rotation180° Pro better suited to my style and shooting needs. But, it’s not for everyone. Instead of a boring, exhaustive review, let me point out the highlights that sealed the deal for me.
One of the biggest obstacles I find when I am out hiking with my camera is stopping to get it out my pack each time I want to use it. Not only that, but living in Washington half the time means hiking in inclement weather, which means leaving my camera on the outside is not much of an option. The same goes for trekking in the Himalayas; having a heavy camera around my neck or shoulder just doesn’t work for me.
The r180° Pro attempts to solve this problem by making the lower part of the bag into a huge waist pack that swings around when needed. It works quite well.
The rotation feature requires that your hip belt is attached first, otherwise it won’t really work. The belt is nicely padded all the way around, and is as comfortable as I’d expect in a long distance pack. The clips in front are normal size, I found the adjustment straps a little more complex than they need to be, but they work.
On the right side of the pack is a quick release buckle.
The more I study it, the more I am impressed because the buckle can only be removed by sliding it down, yet it can be attached by simply placing both pieces close together and letting the magnetic, one-way buckle attach. This makes it remarkably easy to attach by sense of feel but still secure enough to keep things in place. It is very well thought out.
With the buckle detached, the entire waist pack section is free to rotate. There is a handle loop on the right side of the pack, as well as huge loops on the front of the belt to aid in rotation.
You can see in the image above that a full size DSLR (Canon 7D with battery grip, in this case) will fit, even with a 28-300mm or 70-200mm lens attached. The compartment comes standard with those dividers you find in all the packs these days, and can easily accommodate a smaller DSLR or mirrorless camera, an extra lens and a flash.
Inside the compartment there is ample storage for the small things. Filters and cards have side and top pockets including one with a zipper and mesh to make finding articles easy.
The waist belt also comes with its own rain cover and pockets for spare batteries and cards on the belt, interior pockets for filters, and other items.
At its core, the rotation180° is all about the quick action of slipping the waist belt around to access your gear. So how well does it work? I tested the pack over the course of two months, on ten different hikes, covering over 52 miles, as well as seven airline flights.
To those ends, the pack works very well for the right audience. It’s not as easy to take through airports as a smaller bag, or a roller bag as I am accustomed to using. But on the trail, it is hands down the best pack for mixed use.
By that I mean, when your goal is to cover some ground and also take some photos, especially in inclement weather. I found this pack extremely useful for taking photos while keeping up with other non-photographers in the group. Because the action of sliding the belt around, extracting my big old camera, taking a shot and returning it all in place is so easy, I take more pictures and fall behind less than when I have to remove my whole pack.
This action alone is what has made the rotation180° Pro my replacement pack for the f-stop Satori EXP.
Beyond the waist belt, the pack is a technical pack, meaning those who love options and comfort in their pack will be happy. There are dozens of attachment points for hiking, skiing, and photography gear. It comes with a rain cover and tripod attachment straps.
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The shoulder straps allow for a full range of adjustment for someone up to about 6’6″. Ice axe/trekking pole loops on the bottom match up with daisy chain loops on the back for the most adventurous. An outside stuff flap allows wet or oversized gear to remain away from precious camera gear.
There are daisy chain loops on the bottom for affixing things like sleeping bags or pads. Compressions straps are also available to help hold the pack to your back.
The space in this pack! Inside the main compartment is a removable organizing bag. This is accessed from the part of the pack that goes against your back, which helps increase security while traveling. With this bag removed, as I often used the pack, there is ample room for a full day hike worth of food, clothes, first aid, etc.
While knocking around town I carry a few books, iPad, chocolate and other odds and ends in this space. There is also a large pouch on the back of the pack that fits flipflops or a larger map (pictured below on the right). Along the sides are large tube sleeves, one of which typically holds the raincover. On the left side the tube can hold a large water bottle or bladder (there is also a hydration hole to allow a bladder to remain inside the main compartment).
This pack is not the best for carrying a home office, as I am often apt to do. There are zippered pockets on the outer top flap, inner top compartment, and inside the opening against your back. There are five pockets in all, that are perfect for filters, remote controls, card wallets and recharging cords. But it doesn’t have anything for pens or business cards or protection for a laptop/tablet.
That being said, the rotation180° Pro Is not designed for the mobile worker. It does an excellent job of keeping your photo gear separated (the waist belt has pockets for cards, filters, and other small items as well). I’m quite happy with its ability in that case. It’s not the bag for you if you need a mobile office bag.
It’s the little things I keep finding, and appreciating on this bag, even two months later:
All the zipper pulls have decent sized loops, and there are two zippers to make opening the main compartment easy. Inside there is enough room for a full size DSLR and longer lens (pictured is a Canon 7D with battery pack and 28-300mm lens, equivalent in size to a 70-200mm lens). The unit also comes with dividers for those with smaller cameras and multiple accessories.
No pack is worth its weight if it is not comfortable to lug around. While the pack is not super light because of its substantial build quality, materials and stitching, the weight is carried well thanks to extra padding against your back and shoulders.
I would estimate that the pack has ridden on my back for about 60 hours. This includes city walks, forest hikes, snowshoeing, airports and just standing around waiting for transit. I have tested other packs for much shorter periods and that is because they didn’t feel right. I would not hesitate to take this pack on multi-week treks in the Himalayas, as I have done with the f-stop Satroi EXP.
The pack is not perfect, but it’s close. It really is not the right size pack to be schlepping through airports. While I have been doing it (so I can use the bag at my regular locations) I prefer the f-stop Guru instead, or the ThinkTank Aviator rollerbag.
Removing your camera when the pack is not on your back is not that hard but can make things dirtier than normal when on the trail, because you now have two pieces in the elements.
This may seems like a small thing, but I found that dog hair loves this pack and sticks quite easily. I know this is not normal review criteria, but this bag is more magnetic to dog hair (and probably llama, cat and zebra hair as well) than any pack I’ve used.
The Mindshift Gear rotation180° Pro is one heck of a great bag. It is also not cheap and retails for $ 389.99 USD. Thankfully that cost translates into care in design and a solid build (nothing on this bag feels cheap). A month after using the bag I was still finding helpful attachment loops and straps.
This bag is designed for the active photographer with any size camera, while noting it works well for large lenses. Mindshift also has smaller versions of this bag if you don’t need to carry so much gear.
Finally, if you have a family who has a mind of their own and tends to walk away even after you have muttered, “Hold on a sec, I need to get a photo of that!” for the 60th time during a trip, this bag is for you. I love the ability to quickly get my shot and return my camera to both a comfortable carrying position, and a safe spot out of the elements.
Disclaimer: Mindshift Gear furnished the author with a pack in order to review this product.
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The post Review of the Mindshift Gear Rotation180° Professional Backpack by Peter West Carey appeared first on Digital Photography School.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
[ By Steph in Technology & Vehicles & Mods. ]
Dubbed ‘Impossible’ for its ability to pull off the seemingly unreachable goal of folding down so tiny it can fit inside a backpack, this electric bicycle can be carried virtually anywhere. The design is based around circles instead of a single horizontal girder to spread weight equally across the frame. While there are plenty of folding bike designs, few of them are quite as small and lightweight as the Impossible, which weighs in at less than 11 pounds.
The seat and handlebars are set at similar heights so the front and rear wheels do equal work to bear the weight of the rider. Nearly the entire bike is made of carbon fiber to keep the weight as low as it can be, with a steel connecting box in the center of the frame ensuring that it’s strong enough to withstand everyday use and carry a rider weighing up to 180 pounds.
The riding saddle doubles as the carrying case, keeping the electric charger clean, dry and ready for use. The bike will ultimately be up to 60% customizable with options like colored removable covers. Folding and unfolding the Impossible is achieved in four simple steps. The bike features ten 3.6V batteries and a DC motor enabling it to travel up to 12.4 mph for 45 minutes, or at normal speed for up to 15.6 miles per charge. No pedaling necessary – the bike does all the work.
Beijing-based Impossible Technology is currently raising funds for the project on Kickstarter, with backers pledging $ 430 CAD or more receiving an all-white Impossible bike from the first production run. Additional designs and accessories will be available in the future.
Few folding bikes can boast such compact proportions (even when fully collapsed) as this umbrella-sized wonder you can sling at your side or slide into your …
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Bikes are more than just a way to get around – there is a whole culture surrounding them. These futuristic ideas would take cyclists into the future in style.
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Portaging in the wild is one thing, but try walking your canoe or kayak down the street and you may smack some unsuspecting pedestrian in the head.
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[ By Steph in Technology & Vehicles & Mods. ]
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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.
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.
An integrated hydration system (bladder not included) will be a plus for outdoor photographers.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Vanguard Heralder 51T combines the conveniences of a backpack with the travel-friendliness of a rolling case. At almost ten pounds it’s no day bag, but it is equipped with loads of compartments and pockets, a large removable interior tray, tripod sling, laptop storage and a rain cover. Is it the best of both worlds, or would you be better off with a dedicated backpack or roller? Read our review
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
It’s not that uncommon for a photographer to create a new photographic backpack. But it’s unusual for a photographer to put a high-tech photo streaming studio into one, creating a mobile photo transmission solution that shaves precious time off of submitting images to editors. But that’s just what New York Times staff photographer Josh Haner did. Learn more
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
[ By WebUrbanist in Technology & Vintage & Retro. ]
Few folding bikes can boast such compact proportions (even when fully collapsed) as this umbrella-sized wonder you can sling at your side or slide into your shoulder bag.
The Sada Bike bends the basic assumptions of bicycle design, but not in the same fashion as small-bike solutions. Instead of reducing the size of essential elements, which creates an awkward riding experience, Sada trades a rigid chassis and support-providing spokes for a jointed lightweight frame and reinforced rims that require less material.
Experienced engineers will note their solution is not without its own unsolved questions, including the impact of putting weight along the edges of empty (even if rigid) wheel frames.
Still, it is a start – while their may be balance and durability issues yet to address, the concept calls into question the premises behind existing standard, miniature and foldable bikes and pushes the potential limits of urban portability.
In critique of other existing approaches, Sada’s creators note: “They have a small frame and wheels at the expense of stability, for the sake of compactness and portability during transport. The minimum size of the frame, in fact, penalizes the rider position while driving and the small size of the wheels significantly are affected by variations in terrain. On the other hand, the traditional bicycles, avoid these problems, but the rigid chassis makes them inflexible during transport on public transport.”
Rough around the edges, we rarely notice the unique landscape that evolves from regular wear and tear on our bicycle tire – even our ordinary ones.
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Soon, you’ll be able to charge your iPhone at strategic locations around New York City – but you’ll have to put in a little leg work.
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This highly unusual bicycle has no pedals or seat; it straps over you like a harness to help you run faster than you ever could on your own.
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[ By WebUrbanist in Technology & Vintage & Retro. ]
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A good photography backpack is capable of stowing essential elements like a full-size camera body, small family of lenses, laptop, tripod, and all necessary accessories. A truly great backpack can carry all of that while being carry-on friendly and providing a high level of comfort and adjustability. The minds at ThinkTank strove to bring that full package with the StreetWalker HardDrive photo backpack. But does it provide enough bang to justify its $ 229.75 price tag? Find out in our review
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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