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Peak Design announces 5L Everyday Sling camera/drone bag

31 Oct

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Peak Design announced the 5L Everyday Sling, a small light-weight bag that can be carried as either a sling or a fanny-pack. The smallest bag in the company’s Everyday line, it’s got room for a full frame DSLR with a moderate-size lens, a mirrorless system with a few lenses, or a DJI Mavic Pro/Spark + controller + accessories. There are two interior pockets, one of which can fit an 11″ tablet, as well as an additional exterior zipper pocket.

The exterior is made off weatherproof nylon canvas, like all bags in this line, and both zippers are also weatherproof. Colors include in ash with leather accents or black with black accents. Retail price is $ 100.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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New gear and impressions: Peak Design’s ‘Leash’ shoulder and ‘Cuff’ wrist strap

10 Aug

The new Peak Design Cuff in the ‘ash’ color (top) and new Peak Design Leash in the ‘black on black’ color (bottom). The addition of metal hardware to both these products is a major part of the update, though I personal prefer plastic hardware because it won’t scratch my camera.

I’ve long admired Peak Design products because they offer an elegant and simple solution to the chore that is removing and replacing one’s camera strap, something I do a lot of working at DPReview.

The ‘secret sauce’ of the Peak Design system is what the company calls ‘Anchor Links,’ which are small loops of incredibly strong cord connected to a circular plastic anchor. The cord threads through a camera’s eyelet and the anchor attaches to a Peak Design shoulder or wrist strap.

The company’s Leash (camera strap) and Cuff (wrist strap) have been available for a while, but this update should offer some nice improvements to two already well-thought-out products.

What’s new

Both products have been re-worked for a more low profile design, and feature machine anodized aluminum hardware. The strap portion is still made out of ultra strong seatbelt-style nylon.
The Anchor Links have also been redesigned: The cord portion has been reduced to half the thickness for easier threading through narrow eyelets, but still holds up to 200 lbs like the older anchors. The plastic portion of the anchor is now angled for easier connecting.
A new aluminum anchor mount (included with leash) can be connected to a tripod socket allowing you to wear your camera more comfortably as a sling.
The updated Leash gains a second length adjuster. The hardware for the adjuster is now made of aluminum instead of plastic, and the adjuster has a leather strip for easy access.
The Cuff gains a new aluminum adjustment mechanism. There’s also a built in magnet in the leather portion of the strap for storing as a bracelet when a camera is not attached.
New color options: In addition to ‘black on black’, there is now an ‘ash’ color option which features tan leather accents and silver aluminum.

Impressions: the Leash

The new and improved Leash, in use. To remove the strap, simply press on the circular portion of the anchor and slide it up.

In my seven or so years writing about cameras, it brings a small tear to my eye to think about the cumulative hours spent fumbling to remove and replace camera straps. If only I’d started using Peak Design accessories sooner.

I’ve been using the updated version of the Leash for about a month now as my primary camera-reviewing strap and it’s largely been a good experience. Peak Design sent several of their new Anchor Links along with the review samples and I’ve been able to keep them on the different cameras I’ve been juggling. The Leash ships with four of these little connectors, and an additional 4 will set you back $ 20.

The old Anchor Links (left) and the newly-designed ones. Both have the same weight limit.

As mentioned above, the Anchor Links have been redesigned to play nice with narrow eyelets. Still, I ran into several occasions in which I struggled to affix them to certain cameras. Ultimately with the help of a push pin, I found success.

Back to the strap itself: I’m quite fond of the width of the Leash. Thick straps tend to get in my way and irritate my neck. And the nylon material of the Leash seems reassuringly strong.

That said, in general I found the strap too slippery. Sometimes I like to bike with a camera slung around my back. I could not do this with the Leash because my camera kept sliding forward. Simply put, the Leash could definitely benefit from some sort of grip or padding.

It’s nice to have two points of adjustment though (the previous version had one). However I can’t help but feel like the leather strip connected to the buckle – meant for easy adjustments – is over-engineered. Grabbing the buckle alone seems like an adequate method of adjusting. Furthermore, the leather strip makes loosening the strap easy, but tightening the strap is another story.

After a fair trial, I do not think I would purchase a Leash to use on my personal camera. More likely: I will consider Frankenstein-ing my current leather strap to use Peak Design’s Anchor Links and Strap Connectors for easy removable.

Impressions: the Cuff

I had less opportunity to try out the Cuff (I’ve been testing cameras too large to warrant a wrist strap), but I did spend a little time with it on a Ricoh GR as well as a Leica M6. And my impressions of it are almost entirely positive.

The leather portion of the Cuff hides a small magnet that can be moved up around. Why? So that when you are not using the Cuff, you can easily store it out of the way as a bracelet. The Cuff also features a new aluminum adjuster. It simply slides up and down, but works as intended.

When not using the Cuff, it can be folded up and worn like a bracelet. This keeps it out of the way, but at hand, until it is needed again.

One issue I did encounter while testing the Cuff is the nylon loop on the Anchor Links can feel too short, forcing you to grip the Anchor Connector along with the camera (see image below). Peak Design, if you are reading this, pretty please offer an Anchor Link with a longer cord.

I wish the cord on the Anchor Links were longer to avoid getting in the way of gripping the camera.

The Cuff may be a tad overkill for a camera as small and light as the Ricoh GR (shown above) but proved appropriate for shooting with a Leica M6 + 40mm Rokkor combo. It also looked darn nice attached to the latter.

Conclusion

Overall, as far as quick attaching strap systems go, I’ve yet to find one I like better. Both of these products are well-made and seem both reliable and durable. Though there are aspects of the Leash I still feel could be improved upon, the Cuff is one of the best-engineered and nicest-looking wrist straps I’ve used.

Overall, as far as quick attaching strap systems go, I’ve yet to find one I prefer more. Both these products are well-made and seem both reliable and durable.

The original Leash and Cuff retailed for $ 20 and $ 35 respectably. The new versions are $ 30 and $ 40. For a decent camera strap, $ 40 does not strike me as outrageous, but $ 30 for a wrist strap is certainly on the pricey side. Ultimately, I think I could justify the latter purchase, because there really isn’t any wrist strap quite like the updated Leash (especially the magnet bit). And the ‘ash’ color option sure looks fly. I’ll probably skip the Leash though.

What I like about the system:

Peak Design’s Anchor Links make it simple to remove and replace a strap
The cord portion of the Anchor Links is now narrower than before for cameras with small eyelets
New ‘Ash’ colorway is quite sharp-looking

What I didn’t like about the system:

Metal hardware on a shoulder/wrist strap can scratch your camera
The loop on Anchors Link is too short, gets in the way of gripping some cameras

I am not a fan of the new easy-grip strap adjusters on the Leash. They make it easy to loosen to the strap but difficult to tighten it.

What I like about the Leash:

Narrow strap with mostly low-profile design stays out of the way when shooting
Two strap adjustments points

What I didn’t like about the Leash:

Leash has has no grip to stop it from sliding or padding for shoulder
Leash quick adjusters feel over-engineered and have difficult time tightening the strap

The Cuff in ‘ash’ has a classy look.

What I like about the Cuff:

Movable magnet in Cuff is a nice touch, makes it easy to store wrist strap as bracelet when not in use
New strap adjuster is simple but effective way to tighten or loosen the Cuff

What I didn’t like about the Cuff:

$ 30 is a tad pricey for a wrist strap

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Peak Design Everyday Backpack Review

25 Jun

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L/30L
$ 260-290/£204-227 | www.peakdesign.com | Buy Now

I can’t imagine that there has ever been a time when photographers had more camera bag options than we do today. There are more manufacturers, styles and price points than one can count. From generic knockoffs to designer leather, there is a bag out there to carry your camera, lenses and accessories.

But what if you want to carry your camera and some other stuff you need through the day? Maybe you’re a traveler and you want to have a water bottle, a raincoat and some ibuprofen as you hike through Paris? Or what if you are a student who needs a computer, a few books and lunch for a day at school? Or what if you just want to carry your everyday things with you as well as your camera? Well, then your options are a little more limited.

Maybe you’re a traveler and you want to have a water bottle, a raincoat and some ibuprofen as you hike through Paris?

Pulling out dividers in a photo backpack to fit in books, wrapping the camera in a towel and stuffing it in a daypack, or strapping a small camera bag to your hiking pack are all DIY solutions that folks have tried and found unsatisfying. The few options on the market tended to be bulky, difficult to access and frequently under-delivered as far as understanding what non-photo gear someone would want to carry.

In 2015, Peak Design launched its Everyday Messenger on Kickstarter with the goal of creating a bag that would both carry camera gear and the everyday stuff that someone might need for a day of work, school, travel or just living life. Proving that there was a real need for a bag like this, the company hit its funding goal in a single day and would eventually be funded to the tune of $ 4.8 million from over 17,000 backers.

This led Peak Design to start a second Kickstarter in 2016 to fund a backpack design (along with a tote and sling) for those of us who understand that two straps carry weight better than one. Once again, the new designs were funded successfully and the Everyday Backpack in 20L and 30L sizes was released to the public.

Specifications

20L

46 H x 30 W x 17 D cm (18” H x 12” W x 6.75” D)
1350g (2.9 lbs.)
Holds up to a 15” laptop

30L

51 H x 33 W x 20 D cm (20” H x 13” W x 7.75” D)
1542g (3.4 lbs.)
Holds up to a 16” laptop

The ultralight waxed Kodra synthetic canvas is DWR coated for weatherproofness and comes in a Charcoal gray with red stitching accents or a lighter Ash gray with blue stitching accents and tan leather touchpoints (handles, zipper pulls, etc).

In Use

Many times manufacturers make claims about the design of their products that feel overstated when you are actually using them. I have to say that, for the most part, the design of the Everyday Backpack works just as it was intended to. I took the 20L on a trip to Europe recently and beat the heck out of it – crammed it under airplane seats, stuffed it with groceries, soaked it in epic rainstorms. All the while, I was accessing my gear hundreds of times to take photos at every opportunity. I came away pretty impressed.

Photo courtesy Peak Design

Unlike a majority of camera bags on the market, the Everyday Backpack doesn’t use a system of individual padded dividers to create compartments for your gear. Instead, it uses what Peak Design calls ‘FlexFold’ dividers. This is a system of full-width internal shelves that can be positioned in the bag. The shelves have the ability to fold out of the way to create larger spaces, they also have the ability to fold up and create subdivided spaces. The design is a little difficult to explain in words or photos and your best bet may to just watch this video.

I was surprised at how well these worked generally. I was able to shift from a mirrorless layout to an overnight bag for an unexpected trip and then back again in moments. There are limits, and if you have specific needs you’ll be re-velcroing the shelves as well as folding/unfolding them, but it’s really a clever design overall.

The three main drawbacks I noticed were that the folding subsections could ‘unfold’ if something heavy (such as a lens) was in an adjacent subsection. In addition, since the shelves and subsections are not ‘sealed’ in the way that a padded-divider backpack is, small items like lens caps tend to wander around the bag easily. Finally, this design is not one that will allow you to use every inch of the bag for gear in the way a traditional camera backpack would. The idea is to have your camera get in one part of the bag and other everyday items in another.

The Everyday Backpack has four access points. The top section uses a flap cover that is secured with Peak’s excellent MagLatch closure that allows easy blind one-handed operation. The MagLatch has multiple attachment points allowing the upper section to expand to carry bulky loads or tighten up to make the pack as small as possible.

Then there is a top access computer/tablet/flat-stuff section that sits against your back. The other two access points, the ones you will use most often to access your camera, are dual full-length zipper openings on either side of the bag. The idea is that you slip one shoulder strap off and swing the bag around in front of you horizontally to access your gear.

A very full 30L Everyday Backpack

Overall, access is very well done. I was impressed how the fullness of any one area of the bag doesn’t affect accessing of any other area. The top section can be stuffed with lunch and extra layers of clothing and you can still use the side access to grab your camera or change lenses. This is one of the most crucial aspects in making a successful ‘everyday’ design and it is where many bags fail. One thing to note, however, is that the drawback to this design is that one cannot lay the bag on the ground and flip it open to access every piece of equipment at once. If that is how you tend to work out of your backpacks, the Everyday Backpack may not be for you.

There are a lot of neat design aspects to the Everyday Backpack and it would make a long article much longer to list them all. So in no particular order, here are a few of my favorites. The weatherproof fabric and zippers held up to some truly torrential rainstorms. Built in external lashing straps allow for a surprising amount of useful external carry. I strapped everything from groceries to a jacket to sandy shoes to the outside of the pack. The external side pockets both hide the waistbelt and external lash straps and can hold a water bottle or tripod.

There are a ton of small pockets in the bag for batteries, pens, cords, passports and whatnot. This not only gives you a place for all the little things, but it keeps them from bouncing around the bag or getting crammed together in the bottom. Every strap and handle is done in ‘seatbelt’ material that is soft and strong.

Finally, and particularly important for some folks, there is little about this pack that looks like a camera bag. You may look like a tourist or a student with your daypack on, but nobody is going to peg you as walking around with thousands of dollars in camera gear on your back. At least not until you stop to take their picture.

What didn’t I like? As with any bag, even really good ones, I had a few nitpicks, but I stress that they were all pretty minor. The most significant one was that I thought the shoulder straps could have been better padded. While they are ergonomically curved and have a clever axial rotating attachment system, users may not be impressed if they are used to technical outdoor style pack straps.

While there is a waist belt, it isn’t padded and exists more for stability than for taking weight off of your shoulders.

That said, the straps weren’t uncomfortable, even on long days (and did seem to ‘break in’ after some use). I just feel like a bit more function instead of form could have served better in this area, especially for heavy loads and the 30L size. Likewise, while there is a waist belt, it isn’t padded and exists more for stability than for taking weight off of your shoulders. Good to have, but doesn’t carry much load.

Due to being somewhat narrow, a good thing when moving through crowds, and having a slightly rounded design, the Everyday Backpack doesn’t stand up on its bottom or side particularly well. This isn’t a serious fault, but it is worth remembering that it is likely to flop over when you set it down and that you shouldn’t leave any of the access points open lest things roll out (good advice for any bag, really).

The external side pockets are really useful for both water bottles and things like tripods. However, unless you have long arms, it may be difficult to reach that water bottle while the pack is on. It’s possible, but you end up feeling like a contortionist. Beyond that, anytime you have something in those side pockets, it becomes a lot more difficult to use the side access openings.

I’m a big believer in the idea that how we carry our gear is as important as the gear itself.

Finally, at $ 260, this is an expensive bag. While the market has expanded enough that there is nothing particularly unusual about a $ 260 bag these days, it can still be a difficult decision when a bag costs as much as a nice used prime lens. That said, I’m a big believer in the idea that how we carry our gear is as important as the gear itself. If you don’t enjoy using your bag, you won’t bring your camera. For me, this bag is worth the money.

20L vs 30L

The design of the 20L and the 30L backpacks are virtually identical. The 30L is just a bit, you know, bigger. How much bigger? Well, you can see the numbers published above, and you probably know that 30L is 50% larger by volume than 20L. But in the real world, I think I would put it like this…

The 20L is best for:

Mirrorless kits
Small DSLRs with compact zooms or primes
Squishing into a subway car or through a crowded bar
Being a daypack for traveling
Airplane travel as your “personal item”
Smaller framed people

The 30L is best for:

Pro DSLR kits
Fast zooms
Camera + a bunch of other stuff
School bag for textbooks
Being an overnight bag
Airplane travel as your only carry on
Bigger/taller people

These aren’t hard and fast rules, you can configure these bags in a lot of different ways to carry a lot of different things. But if someone was asking me which bag to get to use as an airline ‘personal item’, I’d have to say the 20L as it is right at (or very slightly over) the size limit for many airlines. If someone was telling me they just HAD to have their full-frame F2.8 zooms with them all day long, I’d point them to the 30L. The 30L is bigger on the back and makes squeezing through crowds tougher than the 20L. But if you thought you were going to grab a few groceries on the way home, you’d probably be happy that you had the 30L.

To be honest, if I had to recommend one, I would suggest the 20L. I believe that the smaller less conspicuous size fits more into the intended ‘everyday’ design. At 5’5 I’m shorter than average for a guy, and when I’ve got the 30L on there is no mistaking that I’m wearing a backpack. It’s not like the 20L disappears when I have it on, but it is less bulky and obvious and I find it easier to move through life because of its smaller volume.

You can, and perhaps should, chalk my 20L suggestion up to my body type, but it’s an opinion I have seen echoed by other photographers as well. If you can, try to see both packs side by side before you buy. If that’s not possible, there are some good YouTube videos that compare the two sizes.

What’s the bottom line?

It is hard not to come to the conclusion that the Peak Design Everyday Backpack is the best ‘carry a camera and some other stuff’ pack I have ever used. The flexible storage space, ease of access, non-photo storage options, tough construction and overall form factor come together in a package that is completely usable. It is a solid feeling bag that does what it is designed to do.

Now, nothing on this earth is perfect and the Everyday Backpack is no different. But aside from wishing that the straps were designed differently and acknowledging that the price-point is going to be off-putting for some, most of the rest of my complaints are minor at best. I would happily use this pack across town for the day or across the world for a month. If you are looking for a backpack that you can carry your camera gear along with the rest of your daily life I’m not sure how you would find anything better than the Everyday Backpack.

What we liked:

Clever divider system
Easy to access some of the things without accessing all of the things
Having one area stuffed full doesn’t affect access to other areas.
Well thought out organizational system
External lash options allow more carry options

What we didn’t like:

Expensive
Shoulder straps are not the most padded
Heavy items can cause subdividers to unfold if nothing under them when pack is slung around sideways
May not stand up on its bottom. May not stand up on side.
Small things can slip through the dividers easily and move around the pack

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Peak Design will donate today’s online sale proceeds to Conservation Alliance

22 Apr

If you’ve been eyeing a Peak Design bag, today may be the day to strike. In honor of Earth Day, the company is donating 100% of proceeds from the day’s online sales to the Conservation Alliance. The organization provides a link between outdoor brands like Peak Design and community efforts to protect and restore public lands.

Peak Design also recently launched Give a Shot, a website where wildlife non-profits can connect with visual content creators looking to volunteer their skills for a good cause. To sweeten the deal, the company offers creators who take on a volunteer project credit toward Peak Design goods.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Mom Photographer’s Best Helpers: Review of the Peak Design Everyday Bags

14 Jan

I bet at least one bag from the Peak Design Everyday series is on maaany wishlists this year. And if it’s still not, there are good chances you’ll want to add another item to yours after reading this review. Wondering what made me sound as if I’m earning commission from the bag producer? Watch the video below to get a Continue Reading

The post Mom Photographer’s Best Helpers: Review of the Peak Design Everyday Bags appeared first on Photodoto.

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Peak Design adds Range Pouch to Everyday lineup

01 Sep

Peak Design has added the Range Pouch to its lineup of versatile Everyday camera bags. The pouch is designed to carry a lens on a belt, in a bag or on a strap, and is available in three sizes. The smallest is designed for kit and prime lenses, and the large will fit up to a 70-200mm. The pouches pack down flat when not carrying a lens, and the larger models can be configured to fit a couple of smaller lenses stacked on top of each other.

Right now the Range Pouch is available as an add-on when you back Peak Design’s current Kickstarter campaign. The small Range Pouch can be added for $ 29, the medium for $ 34 and the large for $ 39. Following the campaign, the small will cost $ 35, the medium $ 40 and the large $ 45.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Peak Design launches Everyday backpack, tote and sling bags on Kickstarter

14 Jul

Peak Design has launched four new bags in its Everyday product line: the Everyday Backpack in 20L and 30L sizes, the Everyday Tote, and the Everyday Sling. All four bags are offered in two different configurations, one Charcoal in color with black trim and red accents, the other Ash with black trim, blue accents, and leather accents.

Peak Design says its new bags, while ideal for photographers, ‘ain’t just camera bags,’ hence the Everyday moniker. The array of bags are made from weather-resistant materials and integrate protective design elements including both ultra-thick felt and high-density compression-molded EVA materials. The Everyday bags can be customized via the removable FlexFold dividers, are ‘loaded’ with storage spaces, and offer expanding internal structures with a system for attaching items to the bags’ exteriors.

The new Everyday bags are currently being funded on Kickstarter where the campaign has reached nearly double its $ 500k funding goal with 58 days remaining. Peak Design estimates it will deliver bags to backers this coming December.

Via: Kickstarter

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Peak Design launches smaller ‘Everyday Messenger 13’ bag

04 May

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Peak Design has launched a more compact version of its Everyday Messenger bag designed to hold a 13″ laptop. The bag maintains the same Everyday Messenger design, but offers it in a lighter 42oz/1.2kg (versus 47oz/1.33kg) package with two FlexFold dividers instead of three.

The Everyday Messenger 13 has a 6L to 14L capacity, whereas the original bag — now called the Everyday Messenger 15 — has an 8L to 18L capacity and room for a 15″ laptop. Though perhaps better suited for smaller mirrorless kits, the Everyday Messenger 13 can accommodate up to a full-frame DSLR with three lenses and assorted accessories.

Other Everyday Messenger 13 features include a MagLatch, a pair of dedicated Capture clip attachment points, a front access panel, upper zipper, 2″ padded shoulder strap, removable waist strap, a tablet sleeve that is separate from the dedicated laptop pocket, a pair of side pockets, Hypalon-reinforced and bar-tacked stress points, a waxed outer shell, and water-resistant exterior zippers.

The Everyday Messenger 13 is priced at $ 219.95, and the Everyday Messenger 15 is priced at $ 249.95. Both are available now through Peak Design’s website.

Peak Design Everyday Messenger 15 Review

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Accessory Review: Peak Design Slide Camera Sling strap

01 May

Peak Design Slide Camera Sling
$ 59/£45 | www.peakdesign.com | Buy Now

I admit, I’m generally not much of a camera strap user. Oh sure, I have a few straps, but they tend to be utilitarian affairs more there for emergencies or #dadlife convenience (‘What do you mean your feet hurt and I have to carry you the rest of the way through the zoo?’). Even when I was in the thick of my years as a working pro, I tended to work out of a bag far more often than I worked off my shoulder.

That said, shoulder straps have a lot going for them. They protect your camera from accidental drops, allow you to use both hands without putting your camera away, provide a way to keep multiple bodies at hand and the ease of access they offer cuts down on shots missed because you were digging your camera out of a bag or pack. So when I was asked to take a look at the Slide sling strap from Peak Design, I figured it was time to give straps another try.

Specifications

Maximum Length: 145cm/57in
Minimum Length: 99cm/39in<
Weight: 171g/6oz
Width: 45mm/1.8in
Strength Rating: 200lb (This is the rating for the Dyneema-corded Anchor Link anchors. The 45mm seat belt webbing could probably lift up your car.)

It is worth noting that Peak Design also offers a narrower version of the Slide, the SlideLITE, for mirrorless systems and other smaller cameras. Specs are virtually the same save for the width being 32mm/1.25in and the weight being cut to 141g/5oz. The reduction in weight is likely due to the narrower width and the fact that the SlideLITE is unpadded.

In Use

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Attaching the Slide took less time than any strap I have ever installed. The Anchor Link connector design is clever and quick. So much so, even when I wasn’t using the strap, I left the Anchor Link anchors installed on my camera. Sure, they look a little silly and flap around like little ears, but they don’t get in the way and allow me to install the strap again in seconds. With four anchors included, it would be easy to move the Slide between bodies. The anchors loop around your camera body’s strap eyelets and then click the anchor into the connector at the end of the Slide strap. To remove, you press down on the anchor and slide it back out again. You could easily do it in the dark and yet there is virtually no chance of it happening accidentally.

There are two different options to connect the Slide to your camera. The first is the traditional connection to your body’s strap eyelets, suitable for the classic ‘neck strap’ style with the camera hanging down in front of you. The second makes use of the included Arca-Swiss compatible tripod plate.

The plate has small cutouts in each corner that allow attachment of an anchor. When connected to a strap eyelet and the plate, the camera hangs more naturally at your side when worn across your shoulder/chest as a sling. There are other products on the market that allow you to attach a strap to your camera’s tripod mount, but virtually all of them must be removed if you wish to use a tripod. Integrating an Arca-Swiss compatible plate into its design means that users of the Slide can easily tripod mount their camera without making any changes to the strap setup.

The Slide is surprisingly comfortable. The wide soft seatbelt material combined with the internal padding makes carrying even heavy DLSRs manageable. It has been a long while since I’ve had a ‘padded’ camera strap. I have either found them exceedingly bulky or made out neoprene that allowed the camera to ‘bounce’ on my shoulder more than I liked. The Slide’s padding is only 1/4 of an inch thick or so, but it has enough firmness to it that it can support and distribute the weight of the camera. One side of the padded section is smooth and the other has rubberized ‘gripper’ lines added, allowing you to choose between the two options.

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The one drawback to the Slide’s padding is that it is somewhat stiff and doesn’t fold up particularly well. This isn’t noticeable on your shoulder, but can be a little awkward when putting your camera into a bag. I suspect that the padding will soften up with age and be more flexible, but I wonder if that will take away any of the cushioning abilities. Only time will tell I suppose.

Length adjustment is quick and easy, even one-handed. You just pull up on the quick adjust handle to release the strap and slide up or down to the desired length. It’s really handy to be able to lengthen the strap for when you are actively shooting and to tighten it back up again when you’ve got some hiking to do. This does, however, bring me to the most glaring problem with the Slide.

While the metal adjustment handles are nice looking and give a sense of quality to the strap, they are also a significant hazard to equipment for those of us who put our cameras in bags. I was constantly afraid that the handle was going to scratch a body or LCD or worse, chip a lens that had somehow been put away without a cap on. As far as I’m concerned, there is no way that the Slide should have used metal in this design. The added weight was unneeded and the danger to camera gear too great. I would love to see this exact design, but with plastic adjustment handles.

What’s the Bottom Line?

The Peak Design Slide Sling Strap is a well-made, innovative camera strap with a premium price tag. Its construction and materials show quality. The namesake ‘slide’ feature works exceedingly well, the minimal padding and wide strap width tames even heavy DSLR/lens combos and the Anchor Link connectors are a clever and quick way to install and remove a strap.

However, for all the good points about the Slide, the fear that the aluminum quick adjustment handles will scratch or chip expensive equipment is a significant drawback. This is particularly true for those of us who tend to work out of a bag more often than we carry a camera around our shoulder or neck. If you are in that boat and want a strap that still offers many (though not all) of the Slide’s features, it might be worth checking out the Peak Leash strap.

What we like:

Ease of length adjustment, even one handed
Innovative hidden non-bulky padding
Wide enough to be comfortable
Easily installed/removable, can use on multiple cameras
Versatile attachment system
Material is soft and flexible
Arca-Swiss style tripod plate attachment

What we don’t like:

Stiffness of padding makes it difficult to put in bag
Metal adjustment buckles can bang against camera/gear in bag
Most would consider it expensive for a camera strap

Final Rating:

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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For Everyman and Everywoman: Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag Review

16 Apr

Peak Design Everyday Messenger
$ 249.95 | peakdesign.com | Buy Now

Peak Design isn’t a company that’s satisfied with the status quo. The San Francisco-based accessory design firm aims to produce highly functional and stylish photo gear, designing each detail from the ground up. The company has run a number of successful Kickstarter campaigns to help bring their designs into production, and that’s exactly how the Peak Design Everyday Messenger bag came to be. With a focus on style, substance and pockets for everything, the bag has been created specifically for photographers but can be used as a messenger bag by anyone with gear to haul.

The company was born out of the founder’s frustrations while traveling the world in 2010 with his camera gear. Peak Design’s ‘re-think the basics’ approach carries through in the Everyday Messenger, in ways that are immediately obvious – and some that aren’t. From its angular appearance to a proprietary closure system, no detail is too big or small for the company’s designers to re-think and re-tool.

Inside and out, it’s obvious Peak Design has put effort into producing a bag that aims to get photographers of all levels through their day, whether they’re on a shoot or on the way to work. Take a look at what sets the Everyday Messenger apart, and whether or not its fresh approach indeed translates to a better bag for everyone.

Specifications

Empty bag weight: 2.5lbs
Average Outer dimensions: 30 x 43 x 18 cm / 12 x 17 x 7 in
Colors Available: Charcoal and Heritage Tan

In Use

The Everyday Messenger bag is comfortable to carry. I carried this bag while traveling on a couple of weekend trips, as well as around town for work and for shoots. I found it easy to use and comfortable to wear for the most part. A reversible, seatbelt style adjustable strap distributes the weight whether you decide to wear it as a traditional messenger bag, a low slung messenger bag, pop it on one shoulder or use the stabilizing straps as a waist belt.

Folks who are familiar with Peak Design’s camera straps will be familiar with the quick adjusting aluminum handle conveniently allowing you to adjust the length of the strap with one hand. This is a great feature for photographers who tend to hold their camera in one hand and might need to adjust their bag as they move along.

A patent-pending MagLatch closure system allows you to open and close the bag using one hand, and four latches allow the bag to expand and contract. A magnetic catch will close the bag shut and then a quick pull down on the latch lets you open and close the bag. The closure system did take a little getting used to, and when I filled the bag with my DSLR and a couple of lenses it didn’t feel as secure as I’d hoped; I felt the need to double check the latch to make sure it was closed and catching properly. I found when the bag wasn’t as wide or full, for example when I was using a mirrorless camera system versus a wider-bodied DSLR, that it became easier to manage. However, having to double-check the latch didn’t deter from how much I liked the other features.

The bag does tend to get a bit bulky and cumbersome if filled to maximum capacity, however for someone who over 6′ tall that is likely not an issue.

Thoughtfully designed flexible inserts allow you to configure interior compartments however you want. The Everyday’s dividers are unique – while other camera bags offer rectangular foam pads that can be arranged to create space within a camera bag, the Everyday offers three 8-sided inserts. They are pre-folded so you can bend and flex them to your heart’s content, configuring custom areas to contain and protect your gear.

One of the bag’s best features is how the inserts fold over to create a box-like area, allowing you to store gear on top of each other. I managed to store an 85mm lens, protected by the folded insert, throw a flash on top of that, with my camera body with a 24-70mm lens right next to it, and then another lens in the next compartment. It became a well-filled bag and I was confident that all was secure and protected.

A convenient waterproof zipper allows access to the interior of the bag while wearing it, making it easy to grab gear on the go. You don’t have to take the bag off and put it down to get out your camera or a lens, rather just unzip and you can have your hands on your camera in no time. I did find it easier to pull out my camera body from the center of the bag rather than have it placed over to the side of the bag and wrestle the camera body from there.

A zippered front pocket has eight color-coded interior mesh pockets: four red, four green, meant to denote which batteries and memory cards are fresh and which are spent. I found this system really user-friendly, and it’s just one more thoughtful detail that Peak Design has included for photographers. The front pocket zips all the way open and folds down to access whatever you have stored inside, or you can just zip down the top part and still get to your gear.

Inside the main compartment is an interior pocket, perfect for passports, travel documents, phones, cash, credit cards, travel papers, small notebooks. This pocket is also conveniently accessed through the top zipper opening.

There is another smaller pocket on the inside flap of the bag but even better, behind that pocket is a built in carry option for most tripods. One of the tripod’s legs can slide through the back of the pocket, and with the flap closed the tripod can be carried braced on the front of the bag. This bag really does have hidden features everywhere.

Photo courtesy of Peak Design

The bag’s stabilizing straps tuck away into side pockets and behind them are additional pockets – perfect for a lens cap. But of course, there’s more: within one of those pockets is a tether with one of Peak Design’s anchor links that can be used to keep track of your keys.

On either side of the bag are anchor straps that can be used in conjunction with Peak Design’s quick-release Capture camera clips. As I didn’t have one of the clips I wasn’t able to test this out, and while it seems like a good idea in theory as someone who is shorter than average this might make the bag slightly unwieldy for me.

A zippered protected compartment holds a 15 inch laptop, and if you need, an additional pocket will hold a tablet or notebook. This bag is not super-flexible and the addition of a 15″ laptop makes it less so. Carrying photography gear and a laptop became a near impossibility for me, however, as it became too heavy and cumbersome.

The material is waxed, weather-proofed and looks smart too. I felt totally comfortable that my gear was protected while having to venture out in a downpour.

Summing Up

I enjoyed using this bag with and without my camera gear. It easily fit my DSLR, plus a couple of long lenses, or I’d put my laptop into the back pocket with a portable drive, plus a couple of notebooks and head off to a coffee shop. Where I found the bag worked less well for me was when carrying my laptop and DSLR plus lenses. I did that while traveling and found that carrying all of that gear for too long was just too heavy.

There is no getting around the fact that the Everyday Messenger bag is big, and just because you can pack it to its limit doesn’t mean you necessarily should. Flexibility of the bag becomes a little more limited with a 15″ laptop in the back pocket. When the bag was full, I found myself double checking the Mag-Latch closure system just to make sure it was catching and closing.

The team at Peak Design seems to have thought of almost every detail and while the Everyday Messenger Bag is not cheap, it is certainly possible to use this as your everyday-everything bag, and you will certainly get your money’s worth.

What we like:

Comfortable shoulder strap
So many pockets make it functional and versatile
Sturdy and well-designed
Capture Clip anchor points on the sides of the bags
Plus Peak Design offers a lifetime guarantee, for fabric, straps or zippers that fail, not for normal wear and tear obviously

Posts Tagged ‘Peak’

What’s new

Impressions: the Leash

Impressions: the Cuff

Conclusion

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L/30L$ 260-290/£204-227 | www.peakdesign.com | Buy Now

Specifications

In Use

20L vs 30L

The 20L is best for:

The 30L is best for:

What’s the bottom line?

What we liked:

What we didn’t like:

Peak Design Slide Camera Sling$ 59/£45 | www.peakdesign.com | Buy Now

Specifications

In Use

What’s the Bottom Line?

What we like:

What we don’t like:

Final Rating:

Peak Design Everyday Messenger$ 249.95 | peakdesign.com | Buy Now

Specifications

In Use

Summing Up

What we like:

What we don’t like:

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L/30L
$ 260-290/£204-227 | www.peakdesign.com | Buy Now

Peak Design Slide Camera Sling
$ 59/£45 | www.peakdesign.com | Buy Now

Peak Design Everyday Messenger
$ 249.95 | peakdesign.com | Buy Now