RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘Peak’

Review: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L and ‘Packing Tools’ are pricey but versatile

01 Jan

Introduction

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is the core item in the brand’s new travel line.

The Internet has been abuzz with excitement over Peak Design’s new travel-oriented bag line which revolves around a 45L carry-on-sized backpack and set of organizational ‘Packing Tools’. The system is for those who love Peak Design gear and want to travel with their camera gear and personal items packed into just one bag.

The system is for traveling with camera gear and personal items packed into just one bag

The Kickstarter for said line of bags launched in July and crossed the finish line with over 10 times its initial goal raised. In more direct numbers, that’s 5.2 million dollars raised, with an initial goal of $ 500,000. Wow.

The whole kit I tested: Travel Backpack 45L (right), Packing Cube (top-middle), Shoe Pouch (bottom-middle), Camera Cube (top-left), Tech Pouch (middle-left), Wash Pouch (bottom-left).

For the sake of this review I’ll be looking at the Travel Backpack 45L, on page one. On page two I’ll look at the rest of the system, including the Tech Pouch, Wash Pouch, Shoe Pouch, Rain Fly, Packing Cube (small), and Camera Cube (medium). Combined these items add up to $ 545.

It’s important to note this bag and its accessories should be viewed almost as a gear carrying ecosystem, not unlike owning a Macbook, iPhone, AirPods, etc. These products are designed to be used together, but I believe its important to remind both myself and anyone else interested in these bags you certainly can choose to use other brands alongside the different pieces of the Peak Design (PD) ecosystem. I’ll go in depth with the main bag, then share my notes on the each of the smaller items, and lastly return to how all of these things fit together.

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
$ 299.95| PeakDesign.com

The most important part of the Travel Line is the backpack itself. It’s big, sleek, and surprisingly boxy, though I’ll get to why that’s not such a bad thing later. As mentioned, this bag is oriented towards travelers, photographers, videographers and anyone in between. It blends some design principles of a traditional ‘backpacking’ bag with the sensibilities of a camera luggage bag, sans-wheels.

Specifications

  • Carrying Capacity: 30L – 45L
  • Height: 56 cm (22″)
  • Width: 33 cm (13″)
  • Depth: 23 – 29 cm (9″ -11″)
  • Weight: 2.05kg (4.52lb)
  • Back panel and dual side loading/access
  • 2 Expandable side pockets with drainage holes
  • Front access organization panel with 5 zippered compartments
  • Passport/travel document pocket in back panel
  • Laptop/Tablet sleeve in back panel interior, fits 15″ laptop
  • Storable hip and shoulder straps
  • 12 gear attachment loops across bag
  • 400D weatherproof, 100% recycled nylon canvas outer shell
  • 900D weatherproof bottom liner
  • Durable water repellent, polyurethane coated interior
  • Weatherproof zippers for back, front and side panels
  • Padded ultralight foam around entire bag

Compared to other bags

There aren’t a lot of direct competitors to the Travel Backpack, but two that comes to mind are Osprey’s Porter 46 Travel Pack and Mind Shift’s Firstlight 40L. These two bags represent the different focuses that Peak Design is trying to blend: a long distance travel backpack (Osprey) and a camera gear bag (Mind Shift).

The Porter is nearly identical in size, fits many of the same things and weighs only 1.5kg, or .5kg less than the Peak Design – it also costs $ 140, less than half of Peak Design’s $ 300 price tag. That being said, the Porter doesn’t have quite the gear readiness of Peak Design’s bag and is also missing the 900D bottom liner, though it does boast 420D weatherproof nylon, as opposed to PD’s 400D.

Peak Design’s Travel Backpack 45L packed with the Camera Cube (medium)

Meanwhile, the Firstlight has 5L less carrying capacity and an interior depth of 18.5cm compared to PD’s 23cm at the low end. The Firstlight also costs $ 330, $ 30 more than Peak Design but the key difference here is that the Firstlight comes readily equipped with padded dividers in the main compartment of the bag – not the case with the PD option. With the Firstlight you lose some of the flexibility and travel-focus of Peak Design’s bag, but you actually end up spending less in the long run if what you’re looking for is a gear-focused bag.

Design and construction

This bag really surprised me out of the gate. Design-wise, it boasts a simple facade that has all kinds of pockets, straps, and secret stash areas. The boxiness of the bag seems like a departure from Peak Design’s more angular, triangle-based design you see in the Messenger and Everyday Backpack. This bag doesn’t ask for attention in its appearance.

The Travel Backpack has a simple design with little flashiness.

In the Black version (tested here), everything blends together seamlessly. None of the straps, loops, or zippers call attention to themselves and everything has a James Bond-esque coolness to it. The Sage color also looks classy.

Nothing feels flimsy and all the zippers are smooth. Every strap feels like it belongs and helps the user carry the bag in whatever method is most convenient in the moment. I particularly appreciate the addition of the duffel-style strap in the center of the back panel. I’m a huge fan of Peak Design’s padded handles on both the tops and sides of their bags so to see another one in another place I didn’t realize I wanted it until I had it is a joy.

Back of the Travel Backpack 45L, note the duffel handle in the middle

I think the area that Peak Design seems to excel the most is producing bags that feel sturdy and warrant the trust we give them with our gear. Another stellar addition here is the 900D weatherproof bottom liner, something you rarely even see in more outdoor-oriented bags.

The only design flaw that really stands out to me is the hip straps’ locking mechanism feels particularly unfamiliar. I like that Peak Design chooses to use hard metal joiners, like for the sternum strap, but for me I would’ve been perfectly happy with a hard plastic buckle.

Hip Strap Sternum Strap

In Use

I actually found this bag to be much more comfortable on my shoulders than my backpacking bag from REI. The hip straps aren’t quite as load-bearing, though I still find they take some of the weight off my shoulders and I think part of this is to do with the fact that a) I’m skinny, and b) the metal hook used to secure the hip straps doesn’t have quite the same tension as a buckle.

That said, the magnetic latches that allow you to store the hip straps in the back panel are super helpful for keeping things streamlined without a bunch of straps flapping in the wind when you’re moving around. And yes, this bag weighs more than others, I didn’t find it to be excessively heavy but ultimately that’s going to depend on how you pack it.

Strap storage, brought to you by: magnets!

I first used this bag (along with the medium sized camera cube) like a gear suitcase traveling from Seattle to Portland to shoot a wedding and found it more than adequate for moving my equipment in a safe, comfortable manner.

I later used it without the camera cube as my main pack to travel around Europe for a few weeks and it was also pretty great. I opted to keep all my clothes and miscellaneous belongings in the main backpack and then carried Peak Design’s 10L Sling separately to keep my camera, extra lenses, journal, Kindle, etc. protected. Although it’s not really possible with the 10L Sling, Peak Design’s 5L sling can fit inside the Travel Backpack no problem, though you won’t have the same side panel access you could have with the camera cubes.

There are a lot of features packed into this bag and they take time to learn

The compression down to 30L is nice for those who want to use it, but I found the bag still felt too large for use as a ‘day pack’, even compressed down. The compression is achieved by folding two buttons on the top of the bag back onto their button counterparts, making the bag more angled down its face. There are a lot of features packed into this bag and honestly one of the biggest hindrances of enjoying them is they take time to learn. I’d highly recommend anyone interested in using using this pack for extended travel consider taking it out on a short weekend excursion first to learn some of the ins and outs. I didn’t initially realize that the front zipper panel with 4 zipper pockets could actually be rolled up and stowed for a more simple 1 compartment approach (see below).

My biggest usage gripe with the bag (which also extends to Peak Design’s Everyday Backpack) is that the side pockets really don’t expand much and can only fit some pretty small things. My 32oz Nalgene bottle for example, had to be attached on one of the gear loops because it didn’t fit in the side pockets. My guess is that this tightness is based around keeping things like tripods snug against the side of the bag. On the other hand one thing I like most about this bag is it stands upright on its own, unlike some of Peak Design’s other packs.

The pocketed divider can be stowed to create one big main pocket with immediate front access.

Conclusion: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

Overall, I really enjoy using this bag and think I’ll be relying on it more to come in the future. The build quality is stellar, it’s stylish but subdued and it offers a lot of possibilities in terms of approaching how you carry all your stuff with you.

On it’s own this backpack offers a really awesome option for traveling light. It can fit enough to live out of, but doesn’t make you feel like a turtle. The sturdy design of the bag gives buyers a chance to manipulate the space within it as effectively as possible, unlike other backpacking bags that require you to stuff things in from the top down.

What we like:

  • Stylish design
  • Lots of space and versatility
  • Comfortable fit
  • Packed with tons of features
  • Durable and naturally protective

What we don’t:

  • Too large for daypack use
  • Pricey
  • Features can be overwhelming at first
  • Small side pockets

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L rating:

Head to page 2 for a breakdown of the rest of Peak Design’s Packing Tools and our overall conclusion.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Review: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L and ‘Packing Tools’ are pricey but versatile

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Review: Peak Design Travel Backpack

03 Oct

Back in 2015, when my wife and I were looking for a bag she could carry her laptop and other work-related items in, we stumbled across a Kickstarter project for the Everyday Messenger from Peak Design. It wasn’t the cheapest option, but it looked like it would stand up to the wear and tear of daily use. And it looked like the company had put a lot of thought into making a solid bag that would meet her needs.

After a bit of research, and comparing it with other bags, we bought one. It was our first experience with Peak Design products. But it certainly wasn’t our last.

Photo of Peak Design's Travel Backpack

Photo courtesy of Peak Design

My wife, who is not a photographer, still uses it every day. In fact, we were so impressed with it that I bought their follow-up product – the Everyday Backpack – for myself.

I take it on my bicycle commute to work every day. I also use it to carry my camera gear when I shoot photos for clients. Its quality, usefulness, and thoughtful design touches are impressive, and illustrate how Peak Design made these products to suit photographers as well as everyday people.

When I found out Peak Design was expanding its offerings from everyday-style bags to a line of products that focus on travel, I was intrigued. The Messenger and Backpack bags have served my wife and I well over the years, and I was eager to see whether the Travel Backpack could live up to the legacy created by their other products.

Travel Backpack filled with camera gear.

The Travel Backpack isn’t specifically focused on photographers, but Peak Design has clearly kept photographers in mind with this bag.

Testing the Traveler

To thoroughly test the Travel Backpack I used it to carry everything I needed for a five-day, 1800-mile road trip up and down the midwest United States to see friends and family. I stuffed it to the brim with:

  • my camera
  • shorts, socks, shirts, and pants
  • my personal care items
  • a Nintendo 2DS XL
  • a host of chargers
  • an iPad for watching Netflix in hotel rooms.

It was tossed around in my car, loaded and unloaded multiple times, and hoisted up and down so many flights of stairs that I lost count.

It performed flawlessly.

I was immediately impressed at the level of design and consideration that went into the Travel Backpack. They’ve made dozens of tweaks and flourishes to every aspect of this bag that separate it from most run-of-the-mill carrying companions. It’s the attention to detail you’d expect with a bag of this caliber and price. The fabric is thick, the fasteners and clips are sturdy, and the zippers are easily accessible. It’s got pretty much everything I wanted in a travel container, as well as some things I didn’t even realize I was looking for.

Photo courtesy of Peak Design

When I returned my wife, who’d recently attended a work conference on the East Coast, said she wished she’d had the Travel Backpack instead of her usual carry-on suitcase. And I’d say the same would hold true for just about anyone. We have a nice set of luggage that works just fine, but having used the Travel Backpack I’d rather take it over our other travel gear.

Pockets, Pockets Everywhere

The Travel Backpack is big enough to hold everything from cameras and clothes to shoes and shower items, yet small enough to fit in an airplane carry-on cargo hold. Pockets abound in the Travel Backpack, with every nook, cranny, corner and flap having a cavity or pouch tucked away for all manner of trinkets, tchotchkes, memory cards and power cables.

The well-padded shoulder straps can be tucked away beneath thick flaps that snap shut with a satisfying magnetic click. When the bag is zipped up and read to be tossed into a trunk or overhead airplane bin, additional pockets on the sides let you get to your essentials at a moment’s notice.

Photo courtesy of Peak Design

Of course, all those extra are useless if you can’t get to them easily. Thankfully the Travel Backpack gives you plenty of ways to get to your cargo. The back of the unit (the part that you actually carry on your shoulders) unzips and folds back to reveal the entire contents of the pack, leaving nothing hidden or tucked away behind recessed side panels. In a nod to the Everyday Backpack, the sides unzip so can grab something quickly without having to open up the entire bag. And the front zipper lets you access a separate portion of the bag, which can be useful for stowing laptops, tablets, notebooks and other thin items.

One of the hallmarks of the Travel Backpack is how you can tweak and change it to suit your needs. Want more space? Gussets on the front unzip so you can stow significantly more cargo. Need less space? You can squeeze the bag down to a more manageable size by collapsing the top with two convenient snaps. Don’t need  the shoulder straps? Tuck them away behind the magnetic flaps to keep them out of your way.

A tall thin pocket runs from top to bottom on the inner back flap for stowing super thin items, with another pocket inside it. Or you can keep the pockets closed with the Velcro attachments and ignore them altogether.

Whatever you want to bring, there’s probably a pocket to hold it. Photo courtesy of Peak Design.

If you simply want a massive, cavernous, well-designed duffel bag, unzip the divider separating the small front portion from the spacious main portion to create a single massive chamber that can hold just about anything.

This illustrates the many ways the Travel Backpack would be great for just about anyone on the go.

Sweating the Details

Peak Design has incorporated a number of small details in this bag that make it ideal for travelers. Interlocking external zipper straps discourage unscrupulous tourists from swiping your gear. Attachment points on the inside give you convenient locations to strap down your items so they don’t move around. Handles on the top, bottom, sides and back let you carry the Travel Backpack in whatever way suits your needs. And the entire product is just the right size to fit neatly into an airplane overhead bin.

Photo courtesy of Peak Design

The all-round build quality is astounding, just as I’d expect after owning two other Peak Design bags for several years. And no, I’m not being paid to say this. I was a K-12 teacher for five years, and completely wore out several bags inthat time. Let’s just say I can tell a cheaply made bag when I see one, and the Travel Backpack is anything but.

The outer shell is made from thick Kodra fabric, which feels tough and sturdy while still having a degree of flexibility that lets the bag squish and stretch as needed. The main zipper is thick and chunky, and all zippers are hidden beneath long thin flaps that, presumably, providing a degree of weatherproofing and  a sense of security. A casual observer probably wouldn’t even see them.

Even though I wasn’t exactly gentle with the Travel Backpack on my road trip, five days isn’t nearly enough time to assess long-term durability. For that I look to my Everyday Backpack and Everyday Messenger which, after years of near-daily use, barely show any signs of wear and tear. I’d expect no less from the Travel Backpack. Admittedly some of the inner pouches and flaps don’t have the same degree of thickness, but it’s nothing I’m worried about. Peak Design products have a lifetime warranty, so if anything did fail it would be taken care of by the manufacturer. It’s nice to see a company willing to stand behind their products like this.

Photo courtesy of Peak Design

While the Travel Backpack itself is highly useful, customizable and durable, it really excels when paired with accessories such as the Tech Pouch, Wash Pouch, Camera Cube and Packing Cubes. These are optional, but highly recommended if you have specific use-case scenarios in mind, such as carrying cameras and lenses with your clothes and toothbrushes. These accessories are designed to fit inside the Travel Backpack and, in the case of the Camera Cube, include mounting points and special hardware to ensure minimal movement and shuffling around.

If you want to use the Travel Backpack for carrying camera gear, you will definitely want to get the optional Camera Cube. Photo courtesy of Peak Design

The Camera Cube is specifically designed to fit the needs of people who carry cameras and lenses. It comes in three sizes – small, medium and large – with each one using Velcro dividers to create spaces to hold your gear. While other bags use similar systems, the flex-fold dividers used by Peak Design can be folded and reconfigured to a greater degree than I’m used to seeing.

Apart from the Camera Cube, my favorite packing accessory was the Tech Pouch. It help every electronic item I brought with me (other than my iPad), and neatly stowed all my cables, chargers and game cartridges too. It stands upright when open, revealing the entire contents and giving you instant access to anything inside. The Wash Pouch is fine for holding toiletries for a single person, but if you’re traveling with a companion don’t expect everything to fit in a single pouch.

The Camera Cube is secured in place by sturdy anchors you can detach. But they’re a bit tricky to operate, and constantly inserting and removing the Camera Cube can be frustrating, especially if you have larger fingers.

More of a curiosity are the Packing Cubes, which hold clean and dirty clothes. They do a good job, but I’m not sure they’re worth the price when you can do essentially the same thing with a plastic bag. But to be fair, plastic bags aren’t made of lightweight breathable fabric, nor do they have zippers to close them up tight.

Travelers, Photographers, and Photographers Who Travel

At this point you might be asking what all of this has to do with photography. After all, Peak Design has been designing straps and clips and cases and bags for photographers since the company was founded.

But the Travel Backpack is unique in their lineup. While it’s certainly useful for photographers, particularly with the Camera Cube, it’s designed to fit the needs of anyone who finds themselves on the road and need a durable, versatile, customizable solution to carry their stuff.

The 45L Travel Backpack compared to my 35L Everyday Backpack, with a DSLR and 70-200 lens for scale.

If this sounds like you, and you regularly carry cameras, lenses, filters, spare batteries, small tripods and other items, you’ll be pleased with the Travel Backpack providing you also buy the Camera Cube. But if you need a bag specifically designed to carry camera gear to gigs, or just a versatile all-in-one carrying solution, the Travel Backpack may not be for you. For those situations you might want something smaller, such as the Everyday Backpack or another bag that isn’t quite so bulky.

And therein lies the rub. While the Travel Backpack is an outstanding product, it’s hard to unequivocally recommend this bag because its usefulness depends on your expectations and how you use its many features. If you’re frequently on the move and need to transport a lot of camera gear, clothes, electronics, or even everyday items then the Peak Design Travel Backpack will definitely suit your needs. It surpasses almost every other small suitcase, backpack and carry-on luggage – and then some. I can’t think of a scenario where the Travel Backpack wouldn’t be ideal if your goal  involves traveling.

Photo courtesy of Peak Design

As a daily multipurpose bag for schlepping cameras, lenses, lighting, clothes, documents, laptops or anything else of that nature, another product would more likely suit your needs. It’s sheer size precludes it from being a solid solution for students. And even though the top snaps to reduce its overall size, it’s still too big for photographers who need to transport a few cameras and lenses around town. But if you have a lot of camera gear the Travel Backpack, combined with a large-sized Camera Cube (which almost takes up the backpack’s entire available packing space), could be the solution you need.

Another issue is the price, and I’d be the first to admit the Travel Backpack isn’t the cheapest option on the market. The MSRP for the backpack alone is $ 300, and that doesn’t include any pouches, camera cubes or even a rain fly, all of which can drive up the cost significantly. If you’re used to carrying your clothes and camera items around in a $ 30 duffel bag, you might balk at the idea of spending ten times as much for something that, in some ways, isn’t much different.

Snaps at the top allow the bag to shrink in size, but it’s still pretty large and cumbersome for everyday usage.

But when you see how the Travel Backpack is so much more than a duffel bag, along with the quality of the materials, the care and attention to detail, and the way it’s designed specifically to meet the needs of busy people on the go, you might think twice. When I think about the ways my Everyday Backpack and my wife’s Everyday Messenger have come through for us over the years while showing hardly any signs of wear, and compare it to our many bags that have disintegrated, broken or fallen apart, the price of a Peak Design product starts to make more sense.

I’m a big fan of the Travel Backpack, and I hope you can see why. If you’re frequently on the road or in the air, this bag will suit your needs impeccably, especially when used in tandem with the Camera Cube, Tech Pouch, Wash Pouch and Packing Cubes. I have a closet full of duffels and suitcases to carry things on trips. But if I had to pick one bag for my travel needs, it would certainly be this one.

Durability: 5/5

Flexibility: 5/5

Cost: 4/5

Overall Rating: 5/5

 

The post Review: Peak Design Travel Backpack appeared first on Digital Photography School.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on Review: Peak Design Travel Backpack

Posted in Photography

 

Review: Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L

24 Sep

If you’re on the hunt for a stylish camera backpack, look no further than the Peak Design Everyday Backpack. Peak Design is well known for supplying photography accessories that not only look good but function extraordinarily well. The Everyday Backpack is no exception.

Despite being designed for photographers, the Everyday Backpack doesn’t look like a camera bag. This acts as both a deterrent to potential thieves, but also makes the backpack great for use even if you’re not intending to fill it with camera gear.

There are many reasons to use the Everyday Backpack, but unfortunately, it’s far from perfect. In fact, there are some quirks that could make an unideal bag for you. Read on for my take on what’s great about this bag, and what needs to be improved.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Camera Laptop Bag - woman with backpack on

Why the Everyday Backpack?

First off, here’s how this backpack ended up in my camera bag collection. I’ve spent 7 years carrying my camera gear in a Think Tank Retrospective Messenger Bag and hauling a separate laptop bag. It was a lot to carry, and I wanted to consolidate my gear into a single bag. A backpack was key to balance weight, but most backpacks are too bulky.

Until recently, the InCase DSLR Pro Backpack had been my camera and laptop backpack of choice. It’s incredibly comfortable and spacious and was great when I was shooting primarily with Canon DSLRs. But when I switched to Sony mirrorless cameras, I wanted a smaller backpack. Enter Peak Design!

Here’s a quick video overview.

?

Pros

Stylish Design

True to its name, this backpack is full of stylish design touches that truly stand out. Composed of several different materials including leather handles, anodized aluminum clips, and weather-resistant fabric, there is lots of visual appeal to the Everyday Backpack.

During my one month of traveling with this backpack from California to Florida, I’ve had multiple people stop me on the street just to inquire about the bag.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Camera Laptop Bag

Sturdy, weather-resistant material

The Everyday Backpack is composed mainly of a weatherproof nylon canvas shell. It’s a nicely textured fabric, and it’s available in four different colors (black, tan, ash and charcoal). The two zippered side pockets are also reinforced with weatherproofing material, preventing liquid from entering. As a result, this bag is reasonably weatherproof without having to put a protective coat on it.

Flexible dividers for safely stowing gear

Inside the backpack are three of Peak Design’s FlexFold Dividers. These unique dividers aren’t flimsy like the ones you find in most camera bags. Instead, the FlexFold dividers are quite rigid, giving you peace of mind that your gear is being protected and not rattling around when being transported. Best of all, these dividers can also fold down to secure your gear and give you an added layer of space for stowing extras such as a small monopod or tripod.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Camera Laptop Bag

Side zippers for easy access to gear

Unlike conventional backpacks that only give you access from the top, the Everyday Backpack gives you three points of entry. You can access your stuff from the top via the MagLatch flap, or from the two zippered side flaps.

This helps you better organize your gear and find it without having to rummage through the entire bag.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Camera Laptop Bag

Lots of pockets for stowing gear

Besides the main compartment, the Everyday Backpack has several extra internal spaces. Each side flap is lined with a spacious internal pocket for storing small accessories like batteries and memory cards. Within the MagLatch flap, there’s also a small magnetized pocket that’s the perfect size for sticking your keys or wallet (be careful you don’t demagnetize your bank cards though!) for quick access.

On the outside, there’s a separate laptop compartment and two expandable side pockets. Finally, the back panel slightly detaches to allow for the backpack to slide easily onto a luggage handle, but I like using this area to secure bulky items like a reflector.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Camera Laptop Bag

Discrete carrying straps

Thankfully, the Everyday Backpack comes with straps to help you carry heavy loads or bulky items. Specifically, there is a chest strap, waist strap, and tripod straps. All the straps are quite thin and easily tuck into the bag’s external pockets when not in use.

In practice, the chest strap does come in handy, but the waist straps are too thin and not padded, making them uncomfortable. The tripod straps are quite sturdy and reliable, but I find very few instances when I want to add the weight of a bulky tripod to this bag. More on that below.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Camera Laptop Bag

Zippered pocket inside the side panels, very handy for small items.

Cons

All in all, the Peak Design backpack looks great and functions really well. But there are some problems that arise mainly when the bag is packed to capacity.

No wiggle room for extra gear

If you’re like me, your camera bag is often stuffed to the seams with gear. Most camera bags are built with expandable sections so you can add a few extra items to your bag. This is not the case with the Peak Design bag. It’s designed to snugly hold a set amount of gear.

From then on, there’s really no room to throw in extras. This is due mainly to the fact that the bag’s material is really rigid, probably to add support and protection to your gear but at the expense of flexibility.

The backpack is really uncomfortable when too heavy

At the expense of looking pretty, the Everyday Backpack fails at one basic thing: making the back panel and backpack straps consistently comfortable. Both the back panel padding and straps are rigid and they cut into your back and shoulders when the bag is heavy.

This isn’t a problem if the bag isn’t weighed down with tons of gear. But it’s unwearable for long periods of time when filled with too much gear.

Compromise – use this backpack with a belt pack

Since the backpack is comfortable when not packed to the brim, my compromise has been to use the backpack in conjunction with the Think Tank waist pack. The belt pack is typically what I’ll wear during shoots anyway, so I stick my extra lenses and flash in the belt pack.

My camera body, laptop, and computer accessories go into the Peak Design bag. I simply carry them both to shoots. So far it’s been a much more comfortable way to carry my gear without feeling too bulky or weighed down.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Camera Laptop Bag

Zippers tend to slide open if not secured

Another problem that results from the backpack being too full is that the side zippers tend to slide open. Luckily, Peak Design did supply a solution. All zippers are equipped with little black loops that can connect to each other and prevent accidental spills.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Camera Laptop Bag

Not possible to lock or secure bag when not in use

One of the key points of the Everyday Backpack is the “revolutionary closure system” called the MagLatch. According to Peak Design, it is the only bag closure system that is “no-lock, one-handed, quiet, and secure.”

In practice, the MagLatch is a unique way to quickly access to the top section of the backpack. But the fact that the MagLatch doesn’t lock makes the bag questionably secure. I wouldn’t leave this bag unattended since there’s nothing to prevent a thief from reaching in.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack Camera Laptop Bag

Expensive

At $ 259.00 a pop, there’s no denying that this a pricey purchase. Compared to the myriad of comparable camera laptop backpacks out there, this backpack might seem too expensive. However, the Peak Design Everyday Backpack truly has a standout design and high-quality design touches that could justify the price.

In Conclusion

The Peak Design Everyday backpack is a truly stylish bag with some great features. I use the backpack often when carrying mirrorless camera gear around and absolutely love it. But if you plan to carry heavy camera gear or stuff this bag to capacity, consider another backpack such as the Incase DSLR Pro Pack for a more comfortable experience.

The post Review: Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L appeared first on Digital Photography School.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on Review: Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L

Posted in Photography

 

Review: Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L, a solid but pricey pack

13 Sep

Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L
$ 149.95 | PeakDesign.com

Peak Design’s Everyday Sling 10L.

It seems almost impossible to talk about camera carrying options without mentioning Peak Design. I use the brand’s Everyday Backpack to carry all my gear when shooting events like multi-day music festivals. But when carrying everything isn’t necessary, the Peak Design 10L Sling has become one of my favorite bags.

It combines the sensibilities of traditional camera shoulder bag with the stylish and sleek design elements that Peak Design has become known for. The 10L comes in at $ 149.95 and is available in three color options including Ash, Charcoal and Black (we reviewed Black). There’s also a $ 99.95 5L option which I’ll come back to later.

Specifications

  • Interior volume: 10L
  • Exterior dimensions: 16 x 9 x 5.5in / 40 x 23 x 14cm
  • Tablet/laptop sleeve size: 12.5 x 8.65 x 0.75in / 32 x 22 x 2cm
  • Weight: 1.5lbs / 680g

Compared to other bags

It’s worth noting that the price tag – as with other Peak Design products – is on the high side. Ruggard, for instance, sells a similarly-sized bag for about $ 55. In fact, before I got the sling, I was using an older model of this Ruggard bag and it served me extremely well for several years with few issues. That being said, comparatively, Peak Design’s bag offers a much more rugged construction and MUCH more weather resistance. It also looks a lot nicer in my opinion.

Compared to the similarly-priced MindShift Exposure bags, Peak Design’s sling looks distinctly less like a camera pack and more just like a cool bag. Options like ThinkTank’s Retrospective series feel a bit flimsier and less protective than the Peak Design Sling, while their style-focused Signature series cost quite a bit more for the same size. And both of those options weigh nearly twice as much as the Peak Design.

Design and construction

A look inside the Pea Design Sling.

Like every Peak Design product, this bag feels very sturdy. The weatherproof 400D nylon canvas exterior is protective and easy to clean. The two outer zippers have weather sealing and all the exterior hardware is made of anodized aluminum offering strength while maintaining a light weight. The interior ‘poly-spun mixed twill’ material is soft to the touch. And the high density EVA foam Flex-Fold dividers we’ve come to know and love continue to feel protective and secure, while offering versatility.

These Flex-Fold dividers are similar to those included in other Peak Design packs. The bag ships with 2 dividers which open up like origami, allowing for multilevel storage.

In use

When it comes to usability Peak Design has made their reputation around listening to the needs of those photographers buying and using their gear. This bag exemplifies the company’s approach. It can fit many varieties of camera and lens combinations comfortably and ultimately that’s what you’re buying here: a sling that you can mold and adapt to whatever system makes sense for you.

It can fit many varieties of camera and lens combinations comfortably… and can mold and adapt to whatever system makes sense for you

For me, I usually carry a full-frame DSLR body with 2-3 lenses. I can pack the Everyday Sling 10L with a Nikon D750, 28-70mm zoom, 35mm F2 prime and 50mm F1.4 prime and still have some room left over for additional pieces. The Peak Design website shows the bag with a full-frame body and 70-200mm zoom, but in my experience a lens that large on a body doesn’t fit very well.

The bag also includes two anchor points for Peak Design’s Capture Clip system, though that system makes a lot more sense attached to the shoulder strap of a backpack than it does on the side of a sling.

Here’s a look at one of my setups (Clockwise from top left): 20mm prime lens, Nikon D750 w/ 28-70 2.8 attached, Nikkormat FTN with 24mm Prime, memory card case, Moleskine notebook.

Accessory-space-wise, you’ve got an interior zipper pocket on the inside of the “lid” that can fit cards, hard drives, filters or spare batteries. While this pocket is spacious, it’s still limited mainly by the fact that you need to be able to zip close the lid, so you can’t really pack it with a ton of stuff.

…getting the zipper around the corners of the lid flap can be a little tough/awkward

Speaking of the zipper, one of my few complaints with this bag is that getting the zipper around the corners of the lid flap can be a little tough/awkward. This might be due to the way I’m wearing the pack at my side – it also might loosen up and be easier to close over time.

For more accessory space, there is a front zipper pocket (see below). According to Peak Design’s website this pocket “holds jackets, snacks, and other everyday carry.” I think jackets is a bit of a stretch but I’m sure if you had the right jacket and the elbow grease you could get it in there, but you’d suddenly have a much bulkier bag. Still, this pocket is really useful to separate your non-camera oriented things such as wallets, passports, pens, chapstick, snacks, etc.

One of my favorite parts of this bag is that it can fit very snugly on my back. I’m fairly skinny but tightening the strap allows me to wear it flush against my body regardless of how much weight I have in it. That being said I can also loosen the strap quite a bit and wear it more like a messenger bag at my side.

A ‘quick adjuster handle’ (see below) allows you to make the transition between these two modes – it works really well but does feel a bit flimsy. It doesn’t really “hard” lock the strap and though I haven’t had any issues with it yet, if there was something that was going to break on this bag, I’d expect it to be this piece. For more permanent strap adjustments you simply adjust the strap tail where it meets the bag.

The ‘quick adjuster handle’ makes it very easy to change the length of the strap, but we worry about its longevity.

There are also two adjustable straps on the front of the bag that can be loosened too to cradle a tripod/other items or cinched to compress the outer accessory pocket. I wouldn’t recommend using the straps to carry a tripod though as it really limits the comfort of the bag.

What’s the bottom line

The rugged exterior of this bag is durable and weather resistant.

This bag does have two things missing that I’d love to see in future iterations. First, a quick releasing option for the lid. Most Peak Design bags offer a MagLatch for easy and fast access to your gear, a nice alternative to constant unzipping and re-zipping. Secondly, I’d love to see some kind of metal carabiner attachment options on the sides of the bag (near the Capture Clip anchor points). The main reason for this is that there isn’t really a good place on this bag to carry any sort of water bottle and something as simple as a carabiner-ready loop would make solving that problem very easy.

This bag really does a great job at filling the needs of everyday shooters and travelers while maintaining style and comfort

This bag really does a great job at fulfilling the needs of everyday shooters and travelers while maintaining style and comfort. I find that when I’m going out with the intentions of shooting, this bag is my first choice. The only time I choose the Everyday Backpack instead is on days that I need to bring a wider range of options to a shoot (such as a full day wedding shoot requiring multiple lenses, flash, etc.).

If you shoot mirrorless the 5L Everyday Sling may be a good option as well though, I wouldn’t recommend it as a primary shooting bag if you’re using any full-frame DSLR or similar sized camera (My Hasselblad fits great in the 10L!)

What we like

  • Comfortable
  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Customizable and expandable
  • Stylish

What we don’t:

  • A little pricey
  • Zippers can be tough to close
  • Quick adjuster handle a little flimsy

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Review: Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L, a solid but pricey pack

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Peak Design announces 45L Travel Backpack and new system of ‘Packing Tools’

24 Jul

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_6187580265″,”galleryId”:”6187580265″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

Peak Design has announced a fresh travel-oriented product line that centers around a 45L carry on-sized Travel Backpack that can be yours for a reduced price through Kickstarter (starting today). Also in the line is a set of set of ‘Packing Tools’ to help keep your gear and personal items organized on the go.

The 45L Travel Backpack has all the bells and whistles of a high-end pack: a weatherproof nylon canvas shell, a rugged bottom liner, a luggage pass-through, full rear and side access, a laptop compartment, luggage handles and tons of organization pockets. It can also be expanded or contracted to fit 35L or 45L worth of stuff.

The 45L Travel Backpack officially hits stores this holiday season for $ 299.95 and will be available in either black or sage

The Packing Tools bring a nice level of versatility and modularity to the 45L Travel Backpack (though could easily be used in any pack). They come in a variety of forms including general packing ‘Cubes’ – useful for items like clothing (available in two sizes) – and ‘Camera Cubes’ for your precious gear (available in three sizes). There are also packing tools specifically for tech odds and ends, toiletries and shoes.

The 45L Travel Backpack is projected to officially hit stores this holiday season for $ 299.95 and will be available in either black or sage. The Packing Tools range in price from $ 24.95 – $ 89.95 and will also be available for the holidays.

Look for a full review of the 45L Travel Backpack on DPReview soon. In the meantime, read our review of the Peak Design Capture Clip V3.

Press Release

Peak Design’s Travel Line Reinvents One-Bag Travel

Travel Backpack 45L and Packing Tools Offer Infinite Customization

San Francisco, CA (July 23, 2018) – Peak Design, the leader in crowdfunding and best-in-class carry solutions, is proud to unveil the first products in their Travel Line: the Travel Backpack 45L and complete system of Packing Tools. With a focus on versatility, organization, and access, the Travel Line aims to satisfy a simple design directive: no two trips are the same, so the best luggage should adapt to them all.

Peak Design was founded during a trip and has grown into a team of prolific travelers who understand life on the road. The Travel Line combines Peak Design’s travel experience with their expertise, innovation, and design philosophies honed through their massively successful photography and everyday bag lines.

The hero of the Travel Line is the Travel Backpack 45L, a carry-on-sized backpack that boasts a collection of best-in- class travel functionality. In addition to full rear access for easy packing, the bag features dual side access, top access to laptop/tablet, and a dedicated front-access organization panel for smaller items. Beefy shoulder and waist straps stowe instantly beneath a magnetically sealed back pad. Expansion zips allow the bag to grow to 45L check-in size, while an innovative compression snap system shrinks the bag down to a 35L daypack. Thoughtful details include 360-degree grab handles, a duffle/luggage carry handle, theft-deterrent zips, hidden passport pockets, a soft- lined sunglasses pocket and tuck-away external carry compression straps. The Travel Backpack comes with a weatherproof 400D nylon canvas shell made from 100% recycled plastics and available in black or sage colorways.

Peak Design Founder and CEO, Peter Dering, rarely stays in any one place longer than two weeks: “From day one, travel has been a primary inspiration to us as photographers, designers, and adventurers. Living on the road is part of our DNA as a brand, and we couldn’t be more excited to have built a set of travel gear that truly adapts to the endless variety of trips we take.”

Accompanying the Travel Backpack is a feature-rich system of Packing Tools that provide endlessly customizable organization and protection of clothes, shoes, toiletries, tech items and photo/video gear. Designed to fit perfectly in Peak Design travel bags, each cube or pouch offers easy access, thoughtful organization, durable materials and a consistent aesthetic cleanliness.

Each Packing Tool was designed from the onset as a standalone product, intended to push their respective category forward with unique patterns, features and innovation. Art Viger, Lead Designer at Peak Design, commented on the system: “When you travel, the things you carry become your home on the road. Each and every one of the pouches and cubes are designed to work as a fluid ecosystem that can be easily re-configured for any type of trip.”

The new Travel Backpack (MSRP: $ 299.95) and Packing Cubes, will be available on Kickstarter (peakdesign.com/ks) for a pre-sale discount beginning July 23, 2018. The system will then be available for purchase online at peakdesign.com and through major retailers in time for the 2018 holiday season.

About Peak Design

Since 2010, Peak Design has been building innovative carry solutions with a simple overarching design directive: make the best things. The idea for our first product was born on a motorcycle trip through Southeast Asia and has since expanded to include a cross-functional ecosystem of bags, pouches, slings, straps, and clips. We’ve won applause along the way, but we’re most proud of the fact that we’re 100% crowdfunded and 100% employee-owned. We’ve raised $ 15.6 Million through 8 Kickstarter campaigns, allowing Peak Design to stay investor-free and focused on the things that matter most: designing great products, fostering happy employees, and taking care of our customers and the natural environment. Learn more at peakdesign.com.

45L Travel Backpack

MSRP: $ 299.95
Available on Kickstarter for a Limited Time: $ 235

Access

  • Full back panel-load access for packing
  • Dual zippered side hatches for instant camera access
  • Quick tablet & laptop access
  • Dedicated front organization panel
  • Soft-lined sunglasses pocket
  • Hidden passport/document pockets
  • Bag sits upright on floor when packed or empty

Expansion & Compression

  • Maximum international carry on size in normal 35L state
  • Expansion zip gives additional 10L of storage (45L max)
  • Compressible down to 30L day bag size
  • Expandable side pockets for water bottles, tripods
  • Tuck-away external carry compression straps

Organization

  • Rigidly supported sidewalls for easy packing
  • Zippered dividing panel separates bag into 2 compartments, or stows away for 1 large volume
  • Front organization panel contains 4 zippered mesh pockets for smaller items
  • Mount Camera Cubes (sold separately) internally for back or side access to photo, drone, or video gear
  • Protected luggage tag holder

Comfort & Portability

  • Magnetic strap storage system
  • 360-degree grab handles
  • Full-size padded hip belt with additional pockets and attachment points for Capture & Range Pouch (sold
    separately)
  • Axial strap attachments for shoulder & hip straps give constant comfort for all body types and carry loads
  • Proprietary sternum strap
  • Luggage pass-through and duffel grab handle
  • Back panel folds under for increased ventilation & comfort

Security

  • 400D weatherproof 100% recycled nylon canvas shell
  • DWR impregnated, PU-coated interior for water resistance
  • Oversized #8 (front, side) and #10 (back) main zips are weatherproof and lockable
  • Rugged 900D weatherproof bottom liner
  • Ultralight padded foam provides security, structure, and aesthetic cleanliness around entire bag

Packing Cubes (sold separately):

Packing Cubes (MSRP: Sm – $ 29.95, Md – $ 39.95) – Compressible, easy to access, and dividable, Peak Design Packing Cubes are available in 2 sizes. A tear-away main zip lets you access contents instantly, and an internal divider allows separation of clean and dirty clothes. An expansion/compression zip doubles available space or compresses clothes so you can fit more in your bag.

Wash Pouch (MSRP: $ 59.95) – Dedicated, easy-to-clean pockets for toothbrush and razor. Hangs or sits upright on sink for easy access in tight spaces. Unique folding pocket layout keeps toiletries neatly organized and easy to find.

Tech Pouch (MSRP: $ 59.95) – Designed to store small items like cables, cards, batteries, and travel essentials, Tech Pouch’s unique origami-style pockets create enormous spatial efficiency. Pack more into a smaller space, yet keep all items organized and easy to find.

Camera Cubes (MSRP: Sm – $ 49.95, Md – $ 69.95, Lg – $ 89.95) – Camera Cubes provide protection, organization, and instant access to camera, video, and drone gear. Securely mount Camera Cubes inside the Travel Backpack and access your gear via the rear or side zips. Tuck-away lids let you access camera gear from outside of the bag via a single zip, while a system of intelligently designed dividers allows for endless organization and customization.

Shoe Pouch (MSRP: $ 24.95) – An ultralight, durable, weatherproof pouch for shoes or additional clothing storage.

Rain Fly (MSRP: $ 29.95) – Provides complete waterproof protection to an already weatherproof bag. Rain Fly is made of durable, ultralight 200D rip-stop nylon, adjusts via cinch cord for snug form-fit, and stuffs into a convenient storage pocket.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Peak Design announces 45L Travel Backpack and new system of ‘Packing Tools’

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Review: Peak Design Anchor Links System for Camera Straps

02 Jul

I’ve had all sorts of camera straps and carrying implements over the years. From traditional neck straps that come with most cameras to sling-style attachments to simple wrist straps and even, on occasion, daring to go out into the world with no camera strap at all.

My main issue with most camera straps is that while a lot of them are designed for specific situations such as portraits, sports, travel, or hanging out with friends I haven’t yet found one that works for every occasion. That’s where the Peak Design Anchor Links system comes into the picture and solves this problem once and for all.

Mostly.

Review: Peak Design Anchor Links

The issue with camera straps

Choosing a camera strap feels more like a marriage than a dating relationship. Most aren’t easy to attach and remove without twisting some screws, threading some nylon through impossibly small holes, or making your fingernails bleed while wrestling with a key ring-style securement device.

As a result, when I buy a camera strap it usually stays on my camera permanently but often gets in the way when I want to take pictures in a scenario that the strap just wasn’t meant for.

Peak Design Anchor Links System – the solution?

The Peak Design Anchor Links system helps remedy this issue but in a bit of an odd way. Anchor Links don’t really do much on their own, and they’re not even camera straps at all.

What they are is a way for you to add a huge degree of flexibility to whatever you are currently using to help carry your cameras. They give you a great deal of choice and freedom when it comes to picking a strap that’s right for any given occasion.

Review: Peak Design Anchor Links - Fuji camera and a wrist strap

Sometimes I like to use wrist straps, and sometimes I prefer larger over-the-shoulder straps.

How it works

Using Peak’s Anchor Links is pretty simple and involves two basic parts: the strap loop and the connector. The strap loops are small red and black circular tabs with about an inch of cord sticking out. These are what you attach to things you want to carry. The most obvious items are cameras but you can use them on virtually anything that needs to be carted around from pouches to lens cases to accessory bags and more.

The anchors are small connectors that attach to your camera strap, wrist strap, shoulder handle, or anything that you use to actually carry around your gear. There is no special magic to these anchors. You just thread your existing camera strap through the slot on one end of an Anchor just like you would thread a strap through the attachment point on your camera.

It takes just about a minute to get up and running with the Anchor Link system and if you’re like me, you’ll soon wonder what you did without them.

Review: Peak Design Anchor Links - camera with a neck strap

It took less than 9 seconds for me to switch from a wrist strap to a neck strap thanks to the Peak Design Anchor Link system.

So what’s the big deal?

When I first got the Anchor Link system I didn’t really see what the big deal was. How could a set of anchors and connectors really help me with my photography?

What I realized over months of using this system, is that simply having the ability to attach and detach camera straps at a moment’s notice has freed me to focus on other things that really matter. These won’t help you get better photos, and won’t teach you about composition and lighting. But you might find yourself bringing your camera more places than usual simply because you have so much more flexibility with how you carry it.

When I’m out with my family I can clip a traditional neck strap on in about three seconds flat. If I need to go handheld I can attach a wrist strap in no time. Then when I want to move a strap from one camera to another, it’s done in mere moments.

On a recent maternity session, I was able to pack my cameras and lenses securely and put all my various straps in a separate bag. Way better than trying to wrestle everything into a single container while dealing with unwieldy lengths of padded nylon.

Review: Peak Design Anchor Links

Anchor Links can be attached to other items such as bags and pouches, or even key rings.

In the field

In terms of durability, I have had no issues whatsoever with the Anchor Link system and have trusted some very heavy camera/lens combinations to these tiny little cords without any problems. Peak Design claims each anchor link can support over 200lbs and while I don’t know if I would go that far personally, it is nice to know they’re rated for far more than my camera gear actually weighs.

It seems weird to trust a $ 20 attachment to hold a $ 4000 camera/lens combination, but it’s fair to say that the weakest link in the system would probably be whatever strap you are using and not these anchors.

Drawbacks

There are a few drawbacks to the system, namely that the more you use them the more you end up with button-sized anchor disks hanging from your camera gear. Also for some wrist straps, the attachment that secures to the anchor disk can seem a bit large. But I use the system daily with a wrist strap on my Fuji X100F and it has never been a major issue.

These are minor quibbles though, are almost not worth mentioning for something that is so immensely practical.

Review: Peak Design Anchor Links on a Fuji camera

The strap loops are small and don’t really get in the way, and Peak Design claims they are made out of a durable plastic that won’t scratch your cameras when hanging loose.

Conclusion

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that Peak Design has recently re-designed the system to be thinner and easier to use. I currently use the older system and they have never felt clunky or unwieldy, so I would imagine the revised version is just as good and probably even better.

Overall it’s hard not to recommend the Anchor Links to just about any photographer whether casual, professional or anywhere in between. A basic set with four anchor links and two attachments costs about $ 25 and can give you a huge amount of flexibility and freedom no matter what type of photography you do.

The post Review: Peak Design Anchor Links System for Camera Straps appeared first on Digital Photography School.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on Review: Peak Design Anchor Links System for Camera Straps

Posted in Photography

 

Peak Design acknowledges flaw with its Anchor connectors, is offering free replacements

06 Jun

For the fourth time since Peak Design launched its first camera strap system, the San Francisco-based camera bag and accessory manufacturer is changing its Anchor connectors—the little pieces that attach to your gear and snap into its camera straps.

The change comes after Peak Design realized its third version of the dyneema Anchor connectors, which were originally made to accommodate a larger variety of camera systems with smaller eyelets, are prematurely wearing out and failing.

According to Peak Design, there have only been seven reported failures of Anchor connectors of the more than one million sold since August 2017. That means only one in every 17,000 customers have been affected. But Peak Design said that’s still too high of a failure rate.

As seen in the above comparison image, Peak Design is fixing the issue by making the Anchor connector cord thicker once again.

Peak Design says it’s notified all customers who’ve purchased version three of its Anchor connectors, be it standalone or in a package with a camera strap. If you’re afraid you missed the email or otherwise want to double-check, Peak Design has created an Anchor update survey to help you see if you qualify. Also, as of May 22nd, 2018, all camera straps purchased through Peak Design’s website will come with a free Anchor Update Kit. According to a post on its support page, Peak Design said ‘eventually’ all Peak Design camera straps will contain version four Anchor connectors.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Peak Design acknowledges flaw with its Anchor connectors, is offering free replacements

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Review: Peak Design Capture Clip V3

01 Jun

Capture Clip V3
$ 70 | Peak Design.com

The original Capture Clip was a darling of Kickstarter, raising nearly $ 15 million back in 2011. V2 debuted in 2013 and was replaced by V3 at the beginning of 2018.

First released on Kickstarter in 2011, the Peak Design Capture Clip aimed to give photographers an easier way to carry their camera. Seven years later, we now have the Capture version V3, a much sleeker and more streamlined iteration of the original product.

Key Features

  • Arca-compatible plate
  • Aluminum construction
  • Anti-slip pad on mounting surface
  • Quick release button with security lock
  • Clip fits straps up to 6.4 cm wide and 1.6 cm thick
  • System can hold up to 90 kg (200 lb)
  • Available in silver and black

Design

$ 69.95 gets you the Capture Clip, an Arca-compatible plate, x2 hand-drive screws, x2 4mm hex screws (not shown), a hex wrench and a microfiber pouch for storage.

V3 boasts a ‘smaller, lighter and lower profile’ than V2 – more specifically it’s 57 g / 2 oz lighter (clip plus plate), 2.1 cm narrower, 1.2 cm shorter and 0.8 cm thinner. From a design perspective this means an accessory that looks less like a chunky piece of gear and more like an integrated piece of design affixed to your bag or strap. It is still made of all aluminum (minus some rubber bits for gripping your bag strap) and still has a smooth anodized finish like its predecessor. It is also now available in two colors; Silver and Black.

With V3, Peak Design has simplified the Capture lineup to just one product – V2 offered both the Capture Standard and CapturePro at different price points. The former had a glass-reinforced nylon back and was cheaper than the all-aluminum Pro.

Like the V2, you can still integrate a variety of add-ons to your Capture system such as the Manfrotto RC2 compatible Dual Plate or the Peak Design Lens Kit. This means you can use the Capture Clip for its base purpose but still have the option to expand its functionality well beyond just carrying a camera on your bag.

What’s also nice is V3 ships with two different sets of clamping bolts, hand-driven ones and a set that are driven in using a hex key (included).

In Use

The Capture Clip, in action.

The Capture system is extremely well designed and works exactly how you would expect it to: With the plate attached to your camera, simply slide it into the clip from above. When you want to retrieve your camera, press and hold the small button on the right side while sliding your camera back upward.

The first time I attached the system to my bag, I honestly didn’t expect to love it but quickly found myself enjoying the convenience it provides. In fact, all of the following gripes I have are admittedly nit-picky stuff because frankly the Capture Clip works well.

Even with a heavy camera attached, the Capture feels very secure

Attaching the clip portion to your bag for the first time can be a bit of a hassle but the key is just to loosen it more than you think you need to. Most folks will attach it to a backpack but it can easily be attached to a messenger bag, belt or something else entirely. Once attached to something it’s not hard to remove and replace. I tried it on both my Peak Design Everyday Backpack and my nearly decade old Camelbak backpack and it fit securely on both.

Even with a heavy camera attached, the Capture feels very secure. The only time I worried while using it was when pulling my backpack off my shoulders. I sometimes instinctively like to toss my bag around – not a good idea when your precious gear is connected to the front.

While writing this review, I used the Capture with 4 different cameras: a Nikon D750 w/ 50mm 1.8 (1 kg / 2.19 lb), Nikkormat FTN w/ 50mm 1.4 (1.1 kg / 2.43 lb), Bronica RF645 w/ 65mm f/4 (1.1 kg / 2.44 lb) and Hasselblad 501C w/ 80mm f/2.8 (1.47 kg / 3.25 lb). All of these felt confidently secure.

Peak Design says the Capture is rated for up to 90 kg / 200 lb so safety-wise almost anything you would put on there is a non-issue. For me personally, the Hasselblad was a bit too heavy to be comfortable. But it wasn’t just the weight; I also didn’t feel comfortable with the way large cameras or those with long lenses tend to pull down, potentially jabbing into your body.

Bottom line

The Capture system not only makes it simple to carry your camera, but it means you always have a plate attached for tripod mounting.

My biggest hangup with the Capture is just getting used to having your camera on your chest (that’s where I wore it at least), but it only took me about an hour of walking around in a park to get used to it. And by later that same day – while on a different shoot – I found I was using it instinctively.

My biggest hangup with the Capture is just getting used to having your camera on your chest

Overall for the price point of $ 69.95 the Capture Clip V3 isn’t cheap, but it’s worth the money if you’re looking for a new approach to the way you carry your camera. And if you’re looking to add another clip to your arsenal or upgrade from a previous version, you have the option of buying just the Clip alone for the lower price of $ 49.95.

Peak Design continues to bring a photographers-first approach to their design with a very strong sense for what works and what doesn’t. In this writer’s opinion, the new Capture Clip falls squarely in the “works” column.

What we like:

  • Very comfortable, lightweight and slim
  • Rated for up to 90 kg / 200 lbs, very secure and safe
  • Very quick learning curve and extremely easy to get used to
  • Feels great ergonomically
  • Lots of options for placement and expanding uses with other add-ons
  • Stylish, really

What we don’t:

  • Pricey
  • Gear hangs forward on chest
  • Hex screw requires you to keep the hex wrench with you

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Review: Peak Design Capture Clip V3

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Peak Design unveils limited edition Leica Backpack Capsule

23 Nov

Peak Design has teamed with Leica to launch the Peak Design Leica Backpack Capsule, a combination Peak Design Backpack, Cuff (wrist strap) and Leash (neck strap) designed specifically for lovers of that expensive Red Dot.

This limited edition version of the company’s backpack includes subtle Leica trim including the camera maker’s iconic red dot, as well as red stitching.

Peak Design’s Backpack is designed for everyday use by photographers who need to safely transport their gear while traveling or undergoing their daily commute. The bag sports a pair of expandable external side pockets, padded internal accessory pockets, a sleeve for laptops up to 15in, a pair of weatherproof side zips for dual side-loading, a MagLatch top access point, and customizable FlexFold dividers.

Here’s a closer look:

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_5433538420″,”galleryId”:”5433538420″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”standalone”:false,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”startInCommentsView”:false,”isMobile”:false}) });

The Leica Backpack Capsule is currently listed for preorder online at a price of $ 300, but visitors to Leica stores and Boutiques in North America can get one for free (while supplies last) if they purchase a Leica SL before December 31st.

The backpack’s specs are as follows:

  • Weight Empty: 1350g (2.9 lbs.)
  • Capacity: 12 L min to 20 L max
  • Max laptop dimensions: 15″x9.75″x1″ (38x25x2.5cm) – Designed to carry up to a 15 inch Macbook Pro Retina, 2009 or later.
  • Max Tablet Dimensions: 14″ X 8.5″ X 0.4″ (33X22X1CM)
  • Outer dimensions: 18” H x 12” W x 6.75” D (46 H x 30 W x 17 D cm) (These are unpacked dimensions. Actual size will expand/contract depending on load.)

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Peak Design unveils limited edition Leica Backpack Capsule

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Peak Design unveils redesigned ‘Greatest Hits’: All new Clip, Slide and Slide Lite

07 Nov

Peak Design—the makers of top rated and much loved camera accessories that have raised nearly $ 15 million on Kickstarter since their first got into crowdfunding—have just launched a special ‘greatest hits’ 5-day Kickstarter campaign to fund their latest products: a totally redesigned Capture Camera Clip and revamped Slide and Slide Lite camera straps.

The campaign launched this morning, and already Peak Design is racing towards its funding goal at record speed—which was, after all, the point.

“We wanted to bring these redesigned products back to Kickstarter because our backer community brought them to life in the first place,” says Adam Saraceno, Peak Design’s Marketing Director. “We also wanted to get gear into folks’ hands before the end of the year. These are busy times so we opted to keep our Kickstarter short and sweet.”

Here’s the company’s Kickstarter video, to give you an overview of the new products:

Capture Camera Clip

First up, the one that started it all: The Peak Design Capture Camera Clip. The first product Peak Design launched on Kickstarter, the Capture clip is a staple in many a photographers’ camera bag (or rather ON their camera bag), but the original design needed some love.

Enter former Apple design engineer Max Maloney, who took some time to show us the improvements they’ve made on the Clip at PhotoPlus this year.

The clip has been totally redesigned to be smaller, sleeker, and more functional all at the same time. It now features an all aluminum built (no plastic parts in sight), a lighter and smaller build that should still fit on almost any belt or backpack strap out there, an embeddable grip on the backplate so you don’t have to tighten the thing so much for it to stay in place, and a much sleeker profile that’s less likely to snag on clothing or gear.

Here’s a closer look at the new Clip, including a side-by-side with the old version:

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_6667050312″,”galleryId”:”6667050312″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”standalone”:false,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”startInCommentsView”:false,”isMobile”:false}) });

The new Capture v3 will cost you a $ 55 pledge (MSRP $ 70). Find out more on Kickstarter.

Slide and Slide Lite

The Capture v3 is probably the most exciting ‘Greatest Hits’ release, but for those of you who love Peak Design’s camera straps, the Slide and Slide Lite revamp is definitely worth looking into.

The Slide (meant for DSLRs) and Slide Lite (meant for mirrorless cameras) are some of Peak Design’s most popular camera straps, and now they’ve been upgraded with updated dual adjusters that keep a lower profile, a new anchor mount for ‘low-profile connection point to bottom of camera’, smooth and durable nylon webbing for easier adjustment, and updated anchor connectors for easier one-handed use.

Here’s a closer look:

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_4418407189″,”galleryId”:”4418407189″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”standalone”:false,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”startInCommentsView”:false,”isMobile”:false}) });

The Slide and Slide Lite will MSRP for $ 65 and $ 50, respectively, when they hit store shelves, but if you contribute to the Greatest Hits Kickstarter you’ll be able to get them for $ 50 and $ 35. Click here to learn more.

To see check out either of the new products for yourself or contribute to the campaign—which has already raised nearly $ 50,000 in funding in just a couple of hours!—click here. Estimated delivery for all of the new products is December of 2017.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Peak Design unveils redesigned ‘Greatest Hits’: All new Clip, Slide and Slide Lite

Posted in Uncategorized

 
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »