Big Prime - Camera Bags & Backpacks

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nhzen said:
I’m going through a similar thought process but haven’t settled on an answer yet. I’m curious, if you’ve excluded the GG Kiboko due to the opening, why have you kept the BorisIV on the list? My understanding is that they are very similar except for a small size difference?
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Boris IV opens from the back and this is much more easy to use in the field - when putting the bag down on the ground, doesn't make the straps dirty and the bag is 'flat' as the straps are not underneath. GG Kiboko opens from the front and you have to put it down with the straps on the ground.
 
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fcotterill said:
I meant to respond but something distracted me at the time!

I have the Lens Trekker to carry a rigged supertelephoto (800 f5.6E on D6 or Z9). It was about the best - Specialized - protective solution then available when i was searching a few years ago. I can hike with a heavy telephoto with the attached gripped ILC. The adjustable harness works well for me.

I also use this Trekker to protect my 800 E rigged up ready in a vehicle. This is when detaching the entire hipbelt is useful to reduce clutter in the car, the zip-up lid flap stays closed to help exclude dust (well not entirely) and protects from above, helped by the pair of U-shaped padded inserts that form a robust collar around the lens barrel.

This adjustable collar actually does have sufficient strength to spread the load using the lens foot. I replaced the protective padding in the base with thinner square of 16mm SPX33 high impact foam to make a bit more internal height.

Large backpack recommendation

I was in the same situation like you! I have my z600 tc with few others lenses and two bodies and I could not find anything that fit them all. With the help of a representative at B&H, i bought the Shimoda Design Action X70. I can fit, thé Z600 tc, the z 400 mm f4.5, the z 24-70 mm f2.8 , a...
bcgforums.com bcgforums.com

www.richardpeters.co.uk

Lowepro Lens Trekker 600 AW II

Wildlife photography safaris and workshops by Nikon Ambassador Richard Peters.
www.richardpeters.co.uk www.richardpeters.co.uk

www.the-digital-picture.com

Lowepro Lens Trekker 600 AW Camera Backpack Review

Is the Lowepro Lens Trekker 600 AW right for you? Learn all you need to know in The-Digital-Picture.com's review!
www.the-digital-picture.com www.the-digital-picture.com
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Is this basically a better padded version of the case that e.g Nikon provides with its long lenses (the case they come in)? I can fit a mounted lens inside one of them, which seems good enough for a carryon. I'm curious what the difference is between that and the Lowepro.
 
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nhzen said:
Is this basically a better padded version of the case that e.g Nikon provides with its long lenses (the case they come in)? I can fit a mounted lens inside one of them, which seems good enough for a carryon. I'm curious what the difference is between that and the Lowepro.
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A quick answer is both these packs are designed to carry a single telephoto, but the LensTrekker has the harness and protection for outdoor use that's at another level. It's designed for extra long exotic hefty telephotos, exemplified in the 800 f5.6E FL Nikkor (~56cm 47cm tall with a pro camera, but hood reversed). This pack stands 67cm tall (610mm internal space), so a rigged 800 PF fits easily with spare room for more gear separated by the foam shelf (or use a compact ICU).

Read the reviews and compare dimensions that confirm why the LensTrekker is quite different, very different. The B&H feedback etc probably gives you the better insight.

I use mine for rough conditions: hiking and dusty car trips on rough roads. Probably not aircabin friendly

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1077476-REG/lowepro_lp36776_lens_trekker_600_aw.html

A 800 PF with camera is a very tight fit in its CL-C3 Lens pack, and same applies to the CL-L2 for the 180-400 TC14
 
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nhzen said:
Is this basically a better padded version of the case that e.g Nikon provides with its long lenses (the case they come in)? I can fit a mounted lens inside one of them, which seems good enough for a carryon. I'm curious what the difference is between that and the Lowepro.
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The 800 PF comes in a pretty enough bag - but it is a "sling" type and therefore not well designed for fitting on your back with shoulder straps when walking - The Trekker 600 is also bigger and can fit additional a little extra shyte you want to pack. I bought one because I couldn't find a better solution to protect the Z9/Z8 with the 800 - but heck it's boxy and ugly!
 
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fcotterill said:
A quick answer is both these packs are designed to carry a single telephoto, but the LensTrekker has the harness and protection for outdoor use that's at another level. It's designed for extra long exotic hefty telephotos, exemplified in the 800 f5.6E FL Nikkor (~56cm 47cm tall with a pro camera, but hood reversed). This pack stands 67cm tall (610mm internal space), so a rigged 800 PF fits easily with spare room for more gear separated by the foam shelf (or use a compact ICU).

Read the reviews and compare dimensions that confirm why the LensTrekker is quite different, very different. The B&H feedback etc probably gives you the better insight.

I use mine for rough conditions: hiking and dusty car trips on rough roads. Probably not aircabin friendly

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1077476-REG/lowepro_lp36776_lens_trekker_600_aw.html

A 800 PF with camera is a very tight fit in its CL-C3 Lens pack, and same applies to the CL-L2 for the 180-400 TC14
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Thank you @fcotterill. I read the info. What I like is that there's room in the Lowepro case to place the body separate from the lens - I generally don't like to travel with the lens mounted, although I don't know if that's a big deal. I can put the mounted lens+body into the Nikon case but it's a tight fit (and I'm not sure it's meant to be used that way).
 
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QuantumLight said:
Boris IV opens from the back and this is much more easy to use in the field - when putting the bag down on the ground, doesn't make the straps dirty and the bag is 'flat' as the straps are not underneath. GG Kiboko opens from the front and you have to put it down with the straps on the ground.
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I agree that this is indeed a useful feature!

Some bags that open from the back have another very useful feature that I use quite often when the ground is muddy/very dirty. If the hipstrap is not attached to the flap that opens the bag, but to the frame of the bag itself, then you can swing the bag to your front (keeping the hip belt fastened), zip it open, and have both hands free to take things from the bag, and all this without putting the bag in the ground!

This is a feature that I love on my Lowepro whistler, but I often find myself missing on my Nya-Evo. Sadly, the Lowepro whistler bag is not big enough for a 600mm f4.
 
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Kiboko 30L is by far my favorite bag. A much better bag IMO than the Mindshift Backlight 26L & 36L’s I own particularly for carrying 2 bodies both with big lenses attached. But I needed something even bigger for trips into the woods that combine photo, hiking and hunting. Went back and forth but ordered a Shimoda Action X70 HD with the XXL DV ICU yesterday.

I mainly use a Sachtler fluid head these days for everything but when attached to a tripod and you strap it on a backpack it sticks up high, becomes very top heavy and unbalanced. Hopefully sticking the Sachtler fluid head in the separate top compartment of the Shimoda will help make the pack a little more balanced to carry. I’m excited about the XXL DV ICU as I like to carry one photo body with a larger lens attached but also a video setup which is normally an Sony FX3, 200-600, Atomos monitor combo. I’m hoping the XXL DV ICU is deep enough to allow me to keep my entire video rig and monitor completely assembled which I can’t do with any of my current packs. I love using the monitor for video but half the time I don’t even take it with me due to setting it up. Getting lazy with age I guess :) Hopefully the Shimoda will be a goodun!
 
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After reading this thread over, I'm confused about something from the recent posts and I'm hoping someone can clarify:

1) I assumed the GG Kiboko2 30L is a 30-liter bag, even though if you multiply out the interior dimensions (30cm x 51cm x 15cm) that comes out to 23L, and it is carry-on compliant.

2) Some of the other bags, e.g. the Mindshift 36L is presumably a 36 liter bag and still carry-on compliant.

3) The NYA-EVO-60C, unexpanded, has an interior capacity of 44 liters, as per their website.

If the above is correct (and maybe it's not and that's where I'm going wrong), the Kiboko 2.0 has to be much smaller than max carryon size, which I did not think was the case. The American Airlines website advertises 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm as the carryon size, which should be close to the Kiboko's external size based on its internal dimensions (quoted above). So how do the Mindshift & NYA provide the extra interior space and still fit as a carryon?

All pointers appreciated!
 
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nhzen said:
After reading this thread over, I'm confused about something from the recent posts and I'm hoping someone can clarify:

1) I assumed the GG Kiboko2 30L is a 30-liter bag, even though if you multiply out the interior dimensions (30cm x 51cm x 15cm) that comes out to 23L, and it is carry-on compliant.

2) Some of the other bags, e.g. the Mindshift 36L is presumably a 36 liter bag and still carry-on compliant.

3) The NYA-EVO-60C, unexpanded, has an interior capacity of 44 liters, as per their website.

If the above is correct (and maybe it's not and that's where I'm going wrong), the Kiboko 2.0 has to be much smaller than max carryon size, which I did not think was the case. The American Airlines website advertises 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm as the carryon size, which should be close to the Kiboko's external size based on its internal dimensions (quoted above). So how do the Mindshift & NYA provide the extra interior space and still fit as a carryon?

All pointers appreciated!
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I just read about this a couple of days ago. From https://www.nya-evo.com/products/fjord-60-c-adventure-camera-backpack:

Compressed the backpack holds 44L and can fully expand to 60L. Our top expansion pocket allows you to transform the pack from a 44-litre carry-on into a 52-litre adventure pack. Open the front expansion zips and transform the pack into the 60-litre expedition mode.
 
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i use the gura 22l most of the time for my z8 and 600mm pf f6.3 .. in fact if i don’t take much else , that actually fits in the small think tank sprint 15l which is very small. but has no extra room for much else .

i am going to get the gura 30l so i can fit not only my gear but some of my wife’s when needed .

the 22l hold my z8 , 70-200mm f2.8 with 1.4tc and hood mounted ready to go
 
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nhzen said:
After reading this thread over, I'm confused about something from the recent posts and I'm hoping someone can clarify:

1) I assumed the GG Kiboko2 30L is a 30-liter bag, even though if you multiply out the interior dimensions (30cm x 51cm x 15cm) that comes out to 23L, and it is carry-on compliant.

2) Some of the other bags, e.g. the Mindshift 36L is presumably a 36 liter bag and still carry-on compliant.

3) The NYA-EVO-60C, unexpanded, has an interior capacity of 44 liters, as per their website.

If the above is correct (and maybe it's not and that's where I'm going wrong), the Kiboko 2.0 has to be much smaller than max carryon size, which I did not think was the case. The American Airlines website advertises 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm as the carryon size, which should be close to the Kiboko's external size based on its internal dimensions (quoted above). So how do the Mindshift & NYA provide the extra interior space and still fit as a carryon?

All pointers appreciated!
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I would just totally discard how many liters a bag holds. All the manufacturers measure it differently. Look only at the dimensions provided, and pics from others to see how much it can hold and how it can be organized.

1) See above - don't listen to manufacturers as to whether it's a 30L vs 36L vs 60L
2) Mindshift 36L is not carry-on compliant for most airlines
3) The GG 30L v2 is not "much smaller" than max carryon. It's right near the limits.

The Mindshift is not carryon compliant for most airlines, so that's how it fits more space.

The Nya Evo also is not as carryon compliant as the GG30Lv2, but its saving grace is that the XL ICU - IS carryon compliant. So the overall bag and "internal liters" are bigger, but can be reduced if anyone gives a fuss about it.

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The Mindshift 36L is the least carryon compliant bag, but it's only 29.3L internal and 46.8L external

The Evo 60L with XL ICU claims 44L internal, but is only 23.5L internal.

The Boris IV/M are the largest in terms of internal and external volume.
 
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For the record, I’ve flown with the Nya-Evo 60C (44L config w/ large RCI) as an overhead carry-on to Bolivia (United + Copa 737s), Paris (United 777 - business, though) and Istanbul > Mauritius (Turkish Air 777… also business). That said, I bought their 36L this week so I can stash it under seat on my upcoming trip back to Bolivia (United 737 & 757; LATAM A320), as I’m bringing a carry-on suitcase this time in the overhead.
 
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While shopping (I chose the Nya Evo, in part, because I already have their RCI), I pinged Shimoda, GG and TT to inquire the largest of their backpacks that would fit under the seat in United 737s. Only Shimoda has responded to date: any of their bags 30L and under, given there are no built in barriers.
 
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Temumisiu said:
Hi Everyone,
First of all, I want to thank you all for the awesome portion of knowledge you can get from this place. I've been reading this forum for quite some time already and must say it's one of the best places about wildlife and generally about photo gear. I've learned a lot thanks to all the content you post here. Time to start be more active member :)

I'm looking into the Nya Evo 60l pack and I couldn't find any photos or description how much free space is left for other things when you pack it full with RCI XL. I saw great photos showing the fitting the combo with 600 TC. From what I understand the main compartment is full and on the top you won't put anything else unless you expand the rolltop (but that wouldn't be good in airplane - dimensions). What about the front panel? How much you can pack there when RCI XL is inside (full with gear)? Can you add some 1-2 day clothes, jacket, raincoat, some basic stuff, cabling, laptop or you don't have any available space at all?

So basically to pack everything, go with this as carry on and be able to survive 2 days if airlines loose your checked luggage ;)
Of course ignoring the weight of 20kg ;)
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Took me forever, but here are some pics of how I use the Nya Evo 60L. This is exactly what I packed when flying to Yellowstone and Florida in the last few months.

Inside the XL ICU: Z8, Z9, 300GM, 600TC
Inside main compartment: Z9 Charger, 2x Z8 chargers, 3 Z9 batteries, 4 Z8 batteries, work laptop, charger, duster, screen wipe pads, and hoodie
Total weight: 33lbs

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Weight is the issue. Travelling business class, with a weight limit on many airlines of a whopping 23kg isn’t the issue.
My flights to Chile, Ecuador, Norway, South Africa, Canada, plus a few, never gave me issues with my camera gear.
But usually on arrival, there’s a switch to a local domestic airline where the carry on is very weight restricted to as little as 5kg, but under 10kg on average. All the above countries were like this and none allowed the purchase of extra weight.
So I’m really careful of what I take, vs what I need to take.
 
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Patrick M said:
Weight is the issue. Travelling business class, with a weight limit on many airlines of a whopping 23kg isn’t the issue.
My flights to Chile, Ecuador, Norway, South Africa, Canada, plus a few, never gave me issues with my camera gear.
But usually on arrival, there’s a switch to a local domestic airline where the carry on is very weight restricted to as little as 5kg, but under 10kg on average. All the above countries were like this and none allowed the purchase of extra weight.
So I’m really careful of what I take, vs what I need to take.
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Fortunately - I've yet to encounter any issues with weight. It's always been issues with size.

Granted I haven't traveled very much. Are there any specific domestic airlines you can name that gave you issues?

And were you able to know the requirements ahead of time? Or did you have to wing it in the airport?
 
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The Bataflae from Gura Gear all came with a rain cover in an outer pocket that I use as a ground cloth as well. For me the more important aspect of a bag design is that I can get to accessories like a memory card case or filter wallet without having to open the main compartment of the backpack or shoulder bag.

I realized after hauling a 37 lb backpack around in Costa Rica that it was foolish to put everything into a single bag. Now I take a "personal item" bag and put roughly 15 lbs of gear in it and make the large backpack significantly lighter.

At home I have the 800mm PF in its own carry case as the Nikon one holds the lens with a camera mounted and ready for action.
 
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nmerc_photos said:
Took me forever, but here are some pics of how I use the Nya Evo 60L. This is exactly what I packed when flying to Yellowstone and Florida in the last few months.

Inside the XL ICU: Z8, Z9, 300GM, 600TC
Inside main compartment: Z9 Charger, 2x Z8 chargers, 3 Z9 batteries, 4 Z8 batteries, work laptop, charger, duster, screen wipe pads, and hoodie
Total weight: 33lbs
Click to expand...
Thank you, that's super helpful! 🥳
 
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nmerc_photos said:
Took me forever, but here are some pics of how I use the Nya Evo 60L. This is exactly what I packed when flying to Yellowstone and Florida in the last few months.

Inside the XL ICU: Z8, Z9, 300GM, 600TC
Inside main compartment: Z9 Charger, 2x Z8 chargers, 3 Z9 batteries, 4 Z8 batteries, work laptop, charger, duster, screen wipe pads, and hoodie
Total weight: 33lbs

View attachment 107190View attachment 107191View attachment 107192View attachment 107193View attachment 107194View attachment 107195
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Many thanks @nmerc_photos, this is super helpful!

I've used the f-stop Tilopa, which also uses ICUs, and the removability of the ICU has saved me on a couple of occasions when the airline insisted it had to be checked in. I've never taken an Africa-style small plane, but this was still for a short-hop in Europe. Business class would not have helped in that situation, although for normal large jets business class undoubtedly takes away a lot of the stress because they allow larger & heavier carryons.

Still, I find the ICU to be less convenient than what I think the Kiboko would be, based on seeing a friend use his Kiboko. Especially the large ICU for the Tilopa, which basically fills the entire pack, so it has to be taken out to be used in the field.

Looking at the comparisons you've shown, I think my best bet is to stick with an ICU system (like the Tilopa) in cases in which a small plane might be in the picture, and to possibly get a Kiboko for situations in which I'm confident the plane will take it. Based on the table above, the Boris, although tempting, could be a problem because of its size on certain flights, and the absence of the ICU as a CYA option.
 
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i ordered the gura 30l yesterday to go with my gura 22l and think tank sprint 15l .

all three can take my z8 and 600mm pf f6.3 but depending what else i want to take i can go as small or as large as i need .

money may not buy happiness but it can sure buy choices .

having different choices in what to use is so nice
 
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