Remember that a green bag makes it harder for rescue workers to find your body. Then again you have that cute whistle. BTW that whistle sounds just like the mating call of pythons!
I put a large mirrorless core unit (ICU) inside the Shimoda 25L. Yes, it does fits! Spec wise they say you need a 30L or larger. Website even state explicit warning. However, secret sauce is to unzip the top pouch, remove it entirely and insert the core unit (ICU) from the top instead of the usual back panel. Went to Costa Rica with Sony A7RV + 70-200 & 200-600. All of that fits in the large mirrorless core unit (ICU). Bonus was this 25L also fits under the airline seat as a personal item!
I too had many bags, and still can't find the "perfect" bag. But my most trusted and used bag is the Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 450 AW Backpack. Same idea of two compartments, one for camera equipment and an upper one for miscelanious items as your Shimoda bag, but I think Lowepro did it first. This is the bag that goes out with me in deep snow and -30 C degrees, and also when hiking in the summer months. It has survived everything. Rain, mud, gravel, sand, snow ... And it has kept my gear safe at all times.
I travel with an Osprey non-camera backpack that has 2 wheels and can be pulled. It comes with a front-detachable daypack that can even be worn on the chest, with the backpack on the back, so it’s super versatile. For the trip I pull my extra socks over my lenses, wrap my bodies, and mix it in with clothing as buffer. At my destination I use the daypack only, or the small "personal item" Peak Design sling bag that holds my travel documents, etc., my small Fuji with pancake and a tele. This has basically been my setup for 10+ years. Unfortunately, zippers and stickiness of plasticized parts are becoming an issue, but I’ll never buy bags with useless bulky padding. For everything your bag holds, Omar, I think it’s huge.
Hi Omar, oooh I love this video and like your bag! I have a hard core obsession with bags of all kinds.... Last year I hunted for weeks for a travel bag that would fit under the seat of a plane. I got extremely frustrated in my search because I can no longer carry heavy gear on my back and I had a hard time finding non-back pack travel gear. I'm also 5'2" so with a lot of gear in a backpack, I literally look like I'm strapped to a rocket and you could tip me over easily! So, I ended up getting a cube for my gear which I tuck into a rolling bag that can go under the seat of the plane. It's great because I can also pack in my iPad Pro and a few toiletries. However, if I don't feel like using that or if it's a smaller trip, I use my Tenba Solstice Sling 10L. I love Tenba products - they are SMART! I can fit my Fujifilm X-H2S, my 500mm lens, my smaller X-T30ii, another smaller couple of primes and there's a front pocket for my phone, some cables and a side pocket for a water bottle. The rest of my stuff is checked on a bag in the belly of the plane. Have a fun trip!
I also have a Tenba messenger bag that I use for portrait shoots. Mine is the DNA 15 Slim messenger. I've had it for over 5 years and it still looks new. As for backpacks, I've been just putting a cube into one of my normal backpacks and that's been working for a few year now. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.
I considered the Shimoda and the wandrd before setting my eyes on a much cheaper option, the pgytech onemo 2. For the same volume I have way more space to fit my gear for landscape photography trips: Z7II 14-24s, sigma35mm1.4 art, 50mm 1.8s, tamron 100-400, ftz adapter, 2 filters for the 14-24 , batteries, charger, 16 ‘’ laptop, charger, usb external drive. And a tripod on the side. The bag can extend to put clothes or a gimbal. And it comes with a small handbag for a drone or a small camera and lens.
Thanks for the review, Omar. I have the Shimoda Explore v2 25 Backpack and it has been a back-saver! As you pointed out, the backpack has many features that are designed with comfort and ease of use in mind. And the bag's zippers are waterproof and tough so you can be confident your gear will be protected in all weather conditions. Also, a great 1- to 3-day travel bag.
I use a Tenba Fulton V2 16L bag for travel. It is similar to this bag with the rear camera access. What I really like about the Fulton is that the top of the bag has an expandable roll top design. I carried a Sony a7iv with Tamron 35-150mm on the camera, 3 lenses and a flash in the camera section and used the top to carry non-camera stuff ie.. jacket and also had an x-pro3 with a 23mm f/2. When the jacket comes out the bag rolls down to a smaller design. I bought the all weather one.
Of course I’m watching another camera bag video, because like a handbag, you can’t pick just one and you’ll never find the perfect one. ;) Thank you for this video! You’re amazing and I watch ALL of your videos! I’m a short girl-type (5’4”) and everything out there that’s cool is made for guys (boo), but I just got a WANDRD bag (PRVKE Lite) and it did well (carrying an X-T5 and three lenses, plus other accessories. Cheers and Thank you soooo much for all the GREAT content!!
I'm very much into one bag traveling. If I wasn't also a photographer, I could probably go anywhere for however long with a 25l EDC backpack. But given my rather expensive and cumbersome hobby, I tried at least 15 different bags and the only one that is (barely) carry-on size and can fit all my camera gear, my drone and all other travel stuff (toiletries, tech, clothing, laptop) is the PD 45l travel backpack with a medium camera cube inside. I wish the straps had a little more padding, but other than that I love the bag - features, access, materials, zipper feel. And btw not checking a bag is about the freedom of getting to the airport 30 min before your flight leaves, about not having to wait by the carousel to pick up your bag, about not having your stuff delayed/lost; it's not about the cost, because I've spent way more on small & light versions of everyday items, on jackets that pack inside a pocket, on shoes that pack smaller than my dopp kit and weigh 1lb/pair, on all merino wool clothing so it's as light/compact as possible, than I would have ever spent on checking bags. But yeah I can basically live out of this one backpack for 7-14 days (depending on climate), or even indefinitely with access to a washing machine.
Thank you for the video , I'm using for years the LowePro 450 AWII BagPack, which is great for my system including Nikon Z7, Nikon S trinity + filters, cleaner set, and few more stuff.
I like. Mine is a Lowepro ProTactic 450. I like its rigidity and padding. Lots of space. Pretty comfortable walking around, just not the lightest bag out there.
I have this in black, great choice! I use a tenba BYOB bag instead of shimoda's cube. I turn it vertically & open the flap, so I can still access my apsc-sized gear from the side opening of the bag. And can easily remove it and use it as a shoulder bag during long sessions. Please don't put the 400mm in the bottom; there's no padding! And sometimes water seeps in from the front half pocket zipper, especially when it rains a lot. The 400mm would be separated from the front pocket by a very thin material. But apart from the front pocket zipper, all the other zippers are water resistant; hence the lack of 'smoothness.' The top compartment where you put the lens in the beginning has the water resistant zipper; less chances of moisture.
Hi Omar! The never ending quest for the perfect camera bag. I am embarrassed as to the number of bags that I have.😅 I recently chose to use an old back pack from LL Bean that was designed by Photograpgher Bob Krist about 30 years ago. It is in great shape & because of the materials that were used in the construction of the bag & the thoughtful design layout, it still works flawlessly. There are so many designs & choices for photographers to choose from. Cheers.😊
In the past few years I’ve been traveling with the Peak Design 10L sling bag. It’s light, easy to fit under the seat, and has a surprising amount of space. The big advantage, however, is that it forces me to make choices. I only have one body (Fuji XT5) and when I had a bigger bag, I would toss in just about every lens I own, “just in case”. Of course, most of them just sat in the bag and became more weight to carry around. Now I have to do a little more thinking about where I’m going and my expectations for the trip, which I think has resulted in better photos. Looking forward to the Costa Rica pictures, Omar. I’ll be there in October for the first time and already planning for which two (maybe three) lenses to take.
Generally I agree. But when going somewhere you've never been before, it's not such a bad idea to have everything available, especially for a place that's not "just around the corner," that you can't simply go back to next week with the lens you realise you would have wanted there, but didn't pack.
Shimoda line of products are fantastic. They are topnotch all around and Ian Millar is a cool guy. I have traveled quite a bit with Shimoda products and currently use the Action X 50L as my primary. However, when traveling I use their roller bag and store the "shell" in the check luggage, works perfectly and saves my back or at the least keeps me from being annoyed during travel. You'll love traveling with that bag. I always enjoy your videos and find myself laughing quite often! Thanks for what you do Omar!
Thank you! Your videos brought me a lot of joy and fun, and has helped me throughout the years, oh and the camera bag stuff was nice too. I use Wandrd bag packs
I picked up the V1 of this bag last year. for my needs it is absolutely perfect. walks with 2 dogs, a camera, drone, and snacks as well as a small jacket. this bag nails the versatility I needed. We even recently did a trip to Toronto where we only used carry on bags and so long as you don't extend that top compartment too far then it is within the allowed carry on size. so it worked great for that too.
In preparation for an Africa trip this spring I needed a bag to hold my 17" laptop, camera gear & some items I'd need on the 20+ hour flight that would qualify as an airline carry on. I purchased the Shimoda Action X30 V2 and loved it but it was bit too small for all my gear. I exchanged it for a Mindshift Backlight 36L that fits my needs which has more usable space in the camera compartment & easily fits the laptop. In this case size matters.
Be sure to put cameras, lenses in ziplock bags with silica gel desiccant (not the "salt" type). Humidity is crazy there and fogging is an issue. Carry way more lens cleaning cloths than you think you’ll need.
Hey! I had that Messenger Mini years ago! My first messenger camera bag, I believe. Tenba isn't available in our country anymore but I loved their rolling camera bag! They even sent me a free replacement (a newer version too) when the one I bought had a problem.
I recently bought the same bag and in green also. However I put my PD Capture Clip on the belt by using the PD pro pad, and with the allan key screws that come with the clip, you can get it on tight. I just find it easier on the belt that contorting myself on the shoulder :)
I had a Tenba bag that you could unzip with one hand! I loved it. My sister now has it. She agrees, the zippers onTenba bags rock! I have a lot of Mindshift bags and one of my favorite is the backpack version (Photocross 13) of the sling bag you showed. Great for a 500mm on my Nikon Z7ii. Cheers!
I like sling bags, but I've found that they hurt my shoulder over time. A backpack distributes the weight evenly over both shoulders and over the hips if a waist strap is available.
Started with a Lowepro Mini Trekker backpack (original version - I think now called Classic) must have had that for a couple of decades or more - at some point I added a Lowepro CompuTrekker backpack - same bag but with a padded laptop compartment now incorporated, for trips where I was wanting to do some image processing while away. More recently I have added an F-Stop 50 litre camera backpack with ICU system, which also has room for hiking gear/provisions or a couple of days clothes for a weekend trip. It has the advantage when flying budget airlines that the ICU with the camera gear and travel docs can always pulled out to take onboard in the cabin and the bag stowed in the aircraft hold if the airline gets picky over space or weight allowances.
My most recent camera bag is the "TASMANIAN TIGER TT Modular 30 Camera Pack" with a molle system to attach stuff to the outside (and inside too). And for traveling there's an additional "Mindshift GEAR BackLight 18L Daypack" here too. I used a Lowepro LP37177-PWW Protactic Rucksack 450 AW II earlier (also with a molle system, but a sparse one) but always hated the round hardtop which wouldn't open easily. Tasmanian Tiger (TT) stuff is used professionally by police and other groups and thus is rugged. Mindshift/Thinktank produce good stuff too, but the TT stuff is even better IMHO.
Currently have a think tank airport express and a mind shift backlight 26l. I also have a few older think tank bags laying around that have served me well. I do have one of those peak design slings that I think is a 6L if I’m just heading over it with a Fuji and maybe an extra lens.
I also have gobs of old bags I got for various formerly owned cameras. Save all the removable dividers if you can for reuse like Omar did, if you get rid of the bags. I have a grocery bag full of those. I use a Tenba DNA 16 bag for carrying around my Z8 kit including adapted Leica M lenses which work great on the Z cameras with the Novoflex adapter, plus a couple of Z lenses.
I just picked up the Lowepro Adventura BP 300 III Backpack from B&H. I got it for a few reasons: 1) Beefy zippers, 2) it's more of a backpack size, rather than my current bag, which could double as a studio apartment, and 3) Lowepro is trying to reduce the carbon/climate footprint with this series, and I want to support that. It also has some cool features that seem to be standard on a lot of bags these days (lotta velcro).
The comment that said we are just camera bag enthusiasts just HITS. So so true. And Omar, this entire video, I was saying to myself, "He's totally right. Yep! Exactly! Oh man, absolutely. I get it. AGREED!" Talk about gaslighting haha. But yes, I too settled on the Shimoda Explore V2 ;)
I have been watching a lot of reviews about the Shimoda bag and still on the fence; but i think I am ready to finally pull the trigger and get this bag now. Good little review, great video
Great video. I’ve gone through a number of bags. In my opinion the Peter McKinnon travel bag is the ultimate for any long distance, extended trips. The Wandrd Prvke is my everyday bag
I just ordered the Shimoda Urban Explore for all the same reasons you detailed, I just wanted the EVER SO SLIGHTLY more "everyday carry" focus. I really only watched your video for some confirmation bias goodness
I use same bag in black for long time and its perfect so comfortable. laptop padded compartment on the back flip not in the front pocket))). In that front pocket I put two shimoda 3 panel wraps and one shimoda accessory pouch, they fits perfect.
I use the same bag and love it. Wish more bags had space for extra stuff like a coat or extra shirt. I always throw in a rain jacket and food when I go do bird photography
Over 2 years of usage on my v2 30L, camera plus diaper bag setting 😂, went through winter, snow, rain , high humidity hot summer, it still going strong.
I ended up with the Warndrd PRVKE bags (yes, bags 'cause you can't have too many apparently). Three different sizes (had to get the largest when I got the Z9 because she is so dang big). Zippers are annoying; the pull string always seems to be in the wrong location for ease of pulling. Just. Annoying. They are not perfect, but waist straps are easy to install or remove (no fighting velcro) and the top is a roll top so super easy to add stuff to the top of the back. I think they ware a bit cheaper than Shimoda (you're paying for fewer vowels). Not a fan of the dividers in the cases, Shimoda seems easier to use, Wandrd seems thicker and perhaps more protective. I like to store and pack my camera body WITH a lens attached and it seems most bags fit things better if you separate everything unless you go with really large bags. Will these be my last bags? I doubt it. :P
I had the Lowepro Sling bag, but carrying gear on one side wrecked my back, so I started looking for a backpack to evenly distribute the weight. I considered Shimoda, but couldn’t justify the cost. I ended up buying the Wandrd Prvke Lite. It fits what I need, and it’s small enough that I’m tempted to take “Just in case” gear.
The width of the camera bag was key for my camera bag as it needs to fit on smaller regional jets. I went with the Think Tank Photo BackStory 15 and love it!
This why I watch videos about topics I really won't need but find "nuggets" of information... I loved the look of the Tenba bag you first showed... I found it on eBay! Very excited because I have been battling with location bags! I will let you know if it works out when it comes in! Thanks as always!
I got the Tenba bag this week... it's a bit bigger than I would use for location work, but i truly think it is going to be perfect for my needs!!! I think this will be my go to shoulder bag!!
One thing to consider Omar, at 2:50, that EVF may get brassing if stored like so. Ive got the Action x30 bag and the ripstop material on the laptop sleeve rubbed against my Z6II EVF (due to pressure from my back and friction ) after many hours of hiking. Perhaps Shimoda have changed the material (hard to tell in the video) but i stlll wish the laprop sleeve exterior was a soft material. Otherwise my Shimoda bag has been amazing and hasn't failed me yet in the years I've used it.
This is perfect. I'm just now looking for a camera backpack and this gives me some great ideas on what may or may not work for me. I have other travel or hiking type backpacks, but having something camera/lens focused (yes, pun) that also can be used for general travel would be ideal.
I don’t use it for travel, but I bought the same MindShift sling bag as an EDC/street photography bag and I love it. I got the smaller of the two options, after trying the larger one. I found the big one allowed me to pack too many lenses and was too heavy to be comfortable. The smaller version is just right for my X-H2, and a couple lenses.
That is a lot of gear to take on a trip! I aways umm and ahh over what I will take but more often than not settle on the trio of 14mm 2.8, 35mm 1.4 & the 55-200mm for my Fujifilm XT20. I have always flirted with the idea of getting either the 16-55 or 16-80mm and reducing the kit to just two lenses for travel. But some of my favourite photos I have taken (and the only two I have ever printed) have been with the 14mm.
I really wanted that Shimoda bag, but couldn't justify spending the money on it. I also wanted a bag that worked with a hydration pack. So I bought a Osprey Kamber, and added a cheap Neewer camera cube that fit perfectly in it. You definitely miss out on some of the features of the Shimoda, but it's a great option if you're on a budget.
Big trips I take my Nomatic McKinnon camera bag (25 liters), plus my McKinnon Sling (8 liter). I also have a Tumi Alpha bravo search backpack, is just it for just easy trips to Orlando!
My first trip to Costa Rica was so long ago that the digital camera I took was the Kodak DC200 complete with 4MB Compact Flash card. lol Backpack not required.
I have a lot of bags, but if I were to go to Costa Rica I would take my Wandrd The Prvke 21-Liter, and not only because it’s also green, but it fits very well. It is a bit smaller than yours, but I also have less gear :) would love to see your Costa Rica shots.
I like to travel with just one bag for everything. Recently I got the 30L Aer travel pack and it fits all my clothes and stuff. Then I carry a small sling.
OHHH looks like you got the Ulanzi BP09. I just got one as well as I was trying to find a replacement for my 18year old Lowepro AW Trekker II. I also bought the Think Tank streetwalker 2.0 for something a little smaller than the Ulanzi that doesnt hold a laptop. I tried the Peak design Zip 15 and 20L and they are straight crap when it comes to holding gear and keeping it secure. I sent them back real quick. I was throwing around the idea of that Mckinnon 25L bag but it cost 4x as much as the Ulanzi and I think this Ulanzi bag might be better. I have a bunch of messanger style bags as well for when I just want to have a few items and not my whole kit
So far, since I'm more of an urban traveler, I've found the Peak Design Travel Backpack to be my favorite backpack. It was a tough choice between that and the Shimoda, but I preferred the sleeker look of the Peak Design, especially in the context of someone who doesn't do a lot of hiking for photography.
I have the 25L in black. It's really nice, but just a tad smallish. I think the 30L would be just right for gear, but look goofy as an everyday carry bag for other things.
Really great review. I have a bunch of different bags for different purposes. Oddly enough, I keep going back to one of the cheapest bags I own. Its an amazon basics bag. Its worked out to be my favorite multipurpose camera bag. It fits under airplane seats and I usually have my Apache 5800 (harbor freight version of the pelican 1510) as my carry on with supplemental gear . I definitely would take the amazon basics bag into a Costa Rican rain forest though. I would use the Lowepro Dry Zone that another photographer gifted to me somewhat recently. I kind of feel like doing a bunch of "whats in my bag" videos with some fellow photographers and videographers. My amazon bag is definitely a blivet . Have fun in Costa Rica and don't try to pet the murder kitties.
Great vlog again Omar! I like 😂 One point of concern though is your 400mm on the bottom. Not sure if it's a good idea to put the whole weight of your bag pack on the lens. I'm sure you're not going to carry it all the time 😮
Hey Omar, I’ve gravitated to Think Tank Perspective cross body style bags, small, lightweight and ideal for my Olympus gear….otherwise I just stick a spare lens in my coat pocket…🎉❤
Been using a Shimoda Action X50 bag for a couple of years. My only gripe is the ICU - the dividers are just far too rigid to allow a perfect set-up. So I too have been using dividers from another (Lowepro) bag
You're probably built different. However, if I had to carry that bag on my shoulders all day on a mere walking trip in London, I would, without hesitation, take the X-T5 with a 16-80mm instead and capture what I can... Thanks for the new video, Omar! Looking forward to seeing your photos from Costa Rica.
Nice classy video Omar. The quality on that Shimoda bag looks stunning! How does she feel when heavily loaded? Does the weight distribution feel even? Is the fabric weather-resistant? Personally I like to travel light. The Manfrotto Street Slim Backpack is the largest of my collection. I also have two shoulder bags and a hip pouch for even smaller setups. Glad to know I am not the only one who is big on zippers!
Oh yes, we all love a bag. Personally I am a lover of LowePro. This was another great Omar presentation and I assume that bag comes with a free body-building course?
For small kit travel, I will use a Mirrorless Mover 20 (with the strap) as the "modular insert" in a regular old North Face backpack. That gives me the option of just grabbing the wee little MM20 bag for shorter outings or for going into crowder destinations where I don't want to be constantly bumping into people with the larger backpack. Bonus Tip: Those t-bar pulls on the Mindshift sling bag can hook into loops on the other t-bar. So the front pocket pull and the side pocket pull have loops you can put the other t into. This is kinda of a anti-pickpocket thing. Makes it hard to just unzip your bag.
I have reached the max. gamer level for backpacks, I mean way past the point of spouse criticism! For my wildlife and nature travel trips, I normally use my F-Stop Tilopa 50l. It has been on countless safaris in the dust and rain, and I usually carry a Nikon 180-600, 500 prime and a 3rd Fuji system with a mid-range zoom for close encounters, as well as a GR3 for who knows what. It is pretty decent, but accessibility is not perfect when using a large insert as the top part is obscured, and its water bottle panels are not as good as the pack that you just showed, though for carrying a tripod and a monopod it works really well. If I ever have to replace mine, I would definitely pay close attention to how much it can fit, accessibility and hydration. The top section of a backpack is also crucial on game drives for a variety of reasons!
Still using my good ol Peak Design Everyday 20L, I’m not tall so I can’t handle a bag that’s too large travelling…nor can my back, lol. Going to Nevada at the end of the month and that’s my gear bag. Have fun in Costa Rica…it’s on my list! 📸😎
So, in the end, were you able to put that bag under the seat? Did the airline give you any grief? (specially regarding those straps/small bags ) how was the weather sealing? I lived in CR for a while and I know that it rains almost every day.
Not a fan of backpack style bags, preferring a sling. But then I never lig a ton of gear when I travel, just a body and a couple of lenses. And the sling bag allows me to access lenses without taking off the bag, which it's hard to do with the backpack.
Campagnon.... It's a German made camera bag and it is far better quality than anything listed here guys. If you haven't used one then check them out on their website No I'm not sponsored by them but I do use one and they are brilliant.
Hi Omar, nice video! :-) I am really intrigued by the shimoda bags ... only thing that holds me back is all the peak design stuff I have (including camera cubes) I still haven't given up on the hope that they do a more "hike able" version of of their Everyday line or travel line ... I won't wait a lot longer though ... 😁
![SAFEPLANET - ดาวเคราะห์ [ THE PLANET ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4X1XL3I_k3c/mqdefault.jpg)
We aren’t photographers, we are all camera bag enthusiasts.
I agree
I never fully understood women's love of purses until I got my first camera bag! 😂
lol yes
@@bbj6107😂 I use a ThinkTank 4L as my purse and add a camera when I want to.
I will never ever admit it
Omar, you are a natural comedian, in addition to being a great persenter on camera topics.
Remember that a green bag makes it harder for rescue workers to find your body. Then again you have that cute whistle. BTW that whistle sounds just like the mating call of pythons!
I put a large mirrorless core unit (ICU) inside the Shimoda 25L. Yes, it does fits! Spec wise they say you need a 30L or larger. Website even state explicit warning. However, secret sauce is to unzip the top pouch, remove it entirely and insert the core unit (ICU) from the top instead of the usual back panel.
Went to Costa Rica with Sony A7RV + 70-200 & 200-600. All of that fits in the large mirrorless core unit (ICU). Bonus was this 25L also fits under the airline seat as a personal item!
I too had many bags, and still can't find the "perfect" bag. But my most trusted and used bag is the Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 450 AW Backpack. Same idea of two compartments, one for camera equipment and an upper one for miscelanious items as your Shimoda bag, but I think Lowepro did it first. This is the bag that goes out with me in deep snow and -30 C degrees, and also when hiking in the summer months. It has survived everything. Rain, mud, gravel, sand, snow ... And it has kept my gear safe at all times.
Taking off that Velcro strap was super easy…😂. I enjoyed the video.
I travel with an Osprey non-camera backpack that has 2 wheels and can be pulled. It comes with a front-detachable daypack that can even be worn on the chest, with the backpack on the back, so it’s super versatile. For the trip I pull my extra socks over my lenses, wrap my bodies, and mix it in with clothing as buffer. At my destination I use the daypack only, or the small "personal item" Peak Design sling bag that holds my travel documents, etc., my small Fuji with pancake and a tele. This has basically been my setup for 10+ years. Unfortunately, zippers and stickiness of plasticized parts are becoming an issue, but I’ll never buy bags with useless bulky padding. For everything your bag holds, Omar, I think it’s huge.
Hi Omar, oooh I love this video and like your bag! I have a hard core obsession with bags of all kinds.... Last year I hunted for weeks for a travel bag that would fit under the seat of a plane. I got extremely frustrated in my search because I can no longer carry heavy gear on my back and I had a hard time finding non-back pack travel gear. I'm also 5'2" so with a lot of gear in a backpack, I literally look like I'm strapped to a rocket and you could tip me over easily! So, I ended up getting a cube for my gear which I tuck into a rolling bag that can go under the seat of the plane. It's great because I can also pack in my iPad Pro and a few toiletries. However, if I don't feel like using that or if it's a smaller trip, I use my Tenba Solstice Sling 10L. I love Tenba products - they are SMART! I can fit my Fujifilm X-H2S, my 500mm lens, my smaller X-T30ii, another smaller couple of primes and there's a front pocket for my phone, some cables and a side pocket for a water bottle. The rest of my stuff is checked on a bag in the belly of the plane. Have a fun trip!
I also have a Tenba messenger bag that I use for portrait shoots. Mine is the DNA 15 Slim messenger. I've had it for over 5 years and it still looks new. As for backpacks, I've been just putting a cube into one of my normal backpacks and that's been working for a few year now. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.
I considered the Shimoda and the wandrd before setting my eyes on a much cheaper option, the pgytech onemo 2. For the same volume I have way more space to fit my gear for landscape photography trips: Z7II 14-24s, sigma35mm1.4 art, 50mm 1.8s, tamron 100-400, ftz adapter, 2 filters for the 14-24 , batteries, charger, 16 ‘’ laptop, charger, usb external drive. And a tripod on the side. The bag can extend to put clothes or a gimbal. And it comes with a small handbag for a drone or a small camera and lens.
Thanks for the review, Omar. I have the Shimoda Explore v2 25 Backpack and it has been a back-saver! As you pointed out, the backpack has many features that are designed with comfort and ease of use in mind. And the bag's zippers are waterproof and tough so you can be confident your gear will be protected in all weather conditions. Also, a great 1- to 3-day travel bag.
I use a Tenba Fulton V2 16L bag for travel. It is similar to this bag with the rear camera access. What I really like about the Fulton is that the top of the bag has an expandable roll top design. I carried a Sony a7iv with Tamron 35-150mm on the camera, 3 lenses and a flash in the camera section and used the top to carry non-camera stuff ie.. jacket and also had an x-pro3 with a 23mm f/2. When the jacket comes out the bag rolls down to a smaller design. I bought the all weather one.
Of course I’m watching another camera bag video, because like a handbag, you can’t pick just one and you’ll never find the perfect one. ;) Thank you for this video! You’re amazing and I watch ALL of your videos! I’m a short girl-type (5’4”) and everything out there that’s cool is made for guys (boo), but I just got a WANDRD bag (PRVKE Lite) and it did well (carrying an X-T5 and three lenses, plus other accessories. Cheers and Thank you soooo much for all the GREAT content!!
Go Shimoda! I love their bags.
I'm very much into one bag traveling. If I wasn't also a photographer, I could probably go anywhere for however long with a 25l EDC backpack.
But given my rather expensive and cumbersome hobby, I tried at least 15 different bags and the only one that is (barely) carry-on size and can fit all my camera gear, my drone and all other travel stuff (toiletries, tech, clothing, laptop) is the PD 45l travel backpack with a medium camera cube inside. I wish the straps had a little more padding, but other than that I love the bag - features, access, materials, zipper feel.
And btw not checking a bag is about the freedom of getting to the airport 30 min before your flight leaves, about not having to wait by the carousel to pick up your bag, about not having your stuff delayed/lost; it's not about the cost, because I've spent way more on small & light versions of everyday items, on jackets that pack inside a pocket, on shoes that pack smaller than my dopp kit and weigh 1lb/pair, on all merino wool clothing so it's as light/compact as possible, than I would have ever spent on checking bags.
But yeah I can basically live out of this one backpack for 7-14 days (depending on climate), or even indefinitely with access to a washing machine.
Thank you for the video , I'm using for years the LowePro 450 AWII BagPack, which is great for my system including Nikon Z7, Nikon S trinity + filters, cleaner set, and few more stuff.
I like.
Mine is a Lowepro ProTactic 450. I like its rigidity and padding. Lots of space. Pretty comfortable walking around, just not the lightest bag out there.
I have this in black, great choice! I use a tenba BYOB bag instead of shimoda's cube. I turn it vertically & open the flap, so I can still access my apsc-sized gear from the side opening of the bag. And can easily remove it and use it as a shoulder bag during long sessions.
Please don't put the 400mm in the bottom; there's no padding! And sometimes water seeps in from the front half pocket zipper, especially when it rains a lot. The 400mm would be separated from the front pocket by a very thin material. But apart from the front pocket zipper, all the other zippers are water resistant; hence the lack of 'smoothness.' The top compartment where you put the lens in the beginning has the water resistant zipper; less chances of moisture.
thanks for the tips!
Hi Omar! The never ending quest for the perfect camera bag. I am embarrassed as to the number of bags that I have.😅 I recently chose to use an old back pack from LL Bean that was designed by Photograpgher Bob Krist about 30 years ago. It is in great shape & because of the materials that were used in the construction of the bag & the thoughtful design layout, it still works flawlessly. There are so many designs & choices for photographers to choose from. Cheers.😊
Very good choice Omar, I have exactly the same bag!
In the past few years I’ve been traveling with the Peak Design 10L sling bag. It’s light, easy to fit under the seat, and has a surprising amount of space. The big advantage, however, is that it forces me to make choices. I only have one body (Fuji XT5) and when I had a bigger bag, I would toss in just about every lens I own, “just in case”. Of course, most of them just sat in the bag and became more weight to carry around. Now I have to do a little more thinking about where I’m going and my expectations for the trip, which I think has resulted in better photos.
Looking forward to the Costa Rica pictures, Omar. I’ll be there in October for the first time and already planning for which two (maybe three) lenses to take.
Third time for me. First time is the best! Enjoy
Generally I agree. But when going somewhere you've never been before, it's not such a bad idea to have everything available, especially for a place that's not "just around the corner," that you can't simply go back to next week with the lens you realise you would have wanted there, but didn't pack.
Shimoda line of products are fantastic. They are topnotch all around and Ian Millar is a cool guy.
I have traveled quite a bit with Shimoda products and currently use the Action X 50L as my primary. However, when traveling I use their roller bag and store the "shell" in the check luggage, works perfectly and saves my back or at the least keeps me from being annoyed during travel.
You'll love traveling with that bag.
I always enjoy your videos and find myself laughing quite often! Thanks for what you do Omar!
Thank you! Your videos brought me a lot of joy and fun, and has helped me throughout the years, oh and the camera bag stuff was nice too. I use Wandrd bag packs
The only word that you will ever need in Costa Rica: PURA VIDA!!
I picked up the V1 of this bag last year. for my needs it is absolutely perfect.
walks with 2 dogs, a camera, drone, and snacks as well as a small jacket. this bag nails the versatility I needed.
We even recently did a trip to Toronto where we only used carry on bags and so long as you don't extend that top compartment too far then it is within the allowed carry on size. so it worked great for that too.
In preparation for an Africa trip this spring I needed a bag to hold my 17" laptop, camera gear & some items I'd need on the 20+ hour flight that would qualify as an airline carry on. I purchased the Shimoda Action X30 V2 and loved it but it was bit too small for all my gear. I exchanged it for a Mindshift Backlight 36L that fits my needs which has more usable space in the camera compartment & easily fits the laptop. In this case size matters.
Be sure to put cameras, lenses in ziplock bags with silica gel desiccant (not the "salt" type). Humidity is crazy there and fogging is an issue. Carry way more lens cleaning cloths than you think you’ll need.
Love my Shimoda backpack! Top notch quality and it's comfortable.
Hey! I had that Messenger Mini years ago! My first messenger camera bag, I believe. Tenba isn't available in our country anymore but I loved their rolling camera bag! They even sent me a free replacement (a newer version too) when the one I bought had a problem.
I recently bought the same bag and in green also. However I put my PD Capture Clip on the belt by using the PD pro pad, and with the allan key screws that come with the clip, you can get it on tight. I just find it easier on the belt that contorting myself on the shoulder :)
I had a Tenba bag that you could unzip with one hand! I loved it. My sister now has it. She agrees, the zippers onTenba bags rock! I have a lot of Mindshift bags and one of my favorite is the backpack version (Photocross 13) of the sling bag you showed. Great for a 500mm on my Nikon Z7ii. Cheers!
I like sling bags, but I've found that they hurt my shoulder over time. A backpack distributes the weight evenly over both shoulders and over the hips if a waist strap is available.
Started with a Lowepro Mini Trekker backpack (original version - I think now called Classic) must have had that for a couple of decades or more - at some point I added a Lowepro CompuTrekker backpack - same bag but with a padded laptop compartment now incorporated, for trips where I was wanting to do some image processing while away. More recently I have added an F-Stop 50 litre camera backpack with ICU system, which also has room for hiking gear/provisions or a couple of days clothes for a weekend trip. It has the advantage when flying budget airlines that the ICU with the camera gear and travel docs can always pulled out to take onboard in the cabin and the bag stowed in the aircraft hold if the airline gets picky over space or weight allowances.
My most recent camera bag is the "TASMANIAN TIGER TT Modular 30 Camera Pack" with a molle system to attach stuff to the outside (and inside too). And for traveling there's an additional "Mindshift GEAR BackLight 18L Daypack" here too. I used a Lowepro LP37177-PWW Protactic Rucksack 450 AW II earlier (also with a molle system, but a sparse one) but always hated the round hardtop which wouldn't open easily. Tasmanian Tiger (TT) stuff is used professionally by police and other groups and thus is rugged. Mindshift/Thinktank produce good stuff too, but the TT stuff is even better IMHO.
Currently have a think tank airport express and a mind shift backlight 26l. I also have a few older think tank bags laying around that have served me well. I do have one of those peak design slings that I think is a 6L if I’m just heading over it with a Fuji and maybe an extra lens.
I also have gobs of old bags I got for various formerly owned cameras. Save all the removable dividers if you can for reuse like Omar did, if you get rid of the bags. I have a grocery bag full of those. I use a Tenba DNA 16 bag for carrying around my Z8 kit including adapted Leica M lenses which work great on the Z cameras with the Novoflex adapter, plus a couple of Z lenses.
I wasn’t going to watch anymore bag reviews but am glad I did because you had all the lenses I wanted to fit in this bag.
I just picked up the Lowepro Adventura BP 300 III Backpack from B&H. I got it for a few reasons: 1) Beefy zippers, 2) it's more of a backpack size, rather than my current bag, which could double as a studio apartment, and 3) Lowepro is trying to reduce the carbon/climate footprint with this series, and I want to support that. It also has some cool features that seem to be standard on a lot of bags these days (lotta velcro).
The comment that said we are just camera bag enthusiasts just HITS. So so true.
And Omar, this entire video, I was saying to myself, "He's totally right. Yep! Exactly! Oh man, absolutely. I get it. AGREED!"
Talk about gaslighting haha. But yes, I too settled on the Shimoda Explore V2 ;)
I have that bag and LOVE IT … AND they make the straps for women to give a more comfortable fit… HAVE A FUN SAFE TRIP!!!
Got the same exact bag for Christmas and it’s my 4th Shimoda. Best camera bags on the market.
I have been watching a lot of reviews about the Shimoda bag and still on the fence; but i think I am ready to finally pull the trigger and get this bag now. Good little review, great video
This title! How could I not click, it's the one of most difficult things ever!
Great video. I’ve gone through a number of bags. In my opinion the Peter McKinnon travel bag is the ultimate for any long distance, extended trips. The Wandrd Prvke is my everyday bag
I just ordered the Shimoda Urban Explore for all the same reasons you detailed, I just wanted the EVER SO SLIGHTLY more "everyday carry" focus. I really only watched your video for some confirmation bias goodness
I use same bag in black for long time and its perfect so comfortable. laptop padded compartment on the back flip not in the front pocket))). In that front pocket I put two shimoda 3 panel wraps and one shimoda accessory pouch, they fits perfect.
I use the same bag and love it. Wish more bags had space for extra stuff like a coat or extra shirt. I always throw in a rain jacket and food when I go do bird photography
Do you know the Adorama Links for the gear used in this video?
+1 for the green. All green everything.
Over 2 years of usage on my v2 30L, camera plus diaper bag setting 😂, went through winter, snow, rain , high humidity hot summer, it still going strong.
Shimoda all day long! Get the larger cube I have it in my shimoda and I can fit the xt3 with the 100-400 with the lens hood on no problem
I ended up with the Warndrd PRVKE bags (yes, bags 'cause you can't have too many apparently). Three different sizes (had to get the largest when I got the Z9 because she is so dang big). Zippers are annoying; the pull string always seems to be in the wrong location for ease of pulling. Just. Annoying. They are not perfect, but waist straps are easy to install or remove (no fighting velcro) and the top is a roll top so super easy to add stuff to the top of the back. I think they ware a bit cheaper than Shimoda (you're paying for fewer vowels). Not a fan of the dividers in the cases, Shimoda seems easier to use, Wandrd seems thicker and perhaps more protective.
I like to store and pack my camera body WITH a lens attached and it seems most bags fit things better if you separate everything unless you go with really large bags. Will these be my last bags? I doubt it. :P
I had the Lowepro Sling bag, but carrying gear on one side wrecked my back, so I started looking for a backpack to evenly distribute the weight. I considered Shimoda, but couldn’t justify the cost. I ended up buying the Wandrd Prvke Lite. It fits what I need, and it’s small enough that I’m tempted to take “Just in case” gear.
I went for the 30L version and my sony 100-400 fits in just right as well as my a7r5 + tamron 28-200 + sony 20mm 1.8. FYI.
looks like an awesome bag...steep price though for sure. looking for a travel bag that I can also fit laptop in. tough finding the perfect bag.
I love that bag. I bought it in the 30L and it’s perfect for travel. I’ll be taking it to Mexico in the spring.
LOL thank you... I did laugh and I learned at the same time... awesome video.
The width of the camera bag was key for my camera bag as it needs to fit on smaller regional jets. I went with the Think Tank Photo BackStory 15 and love it!
This why I watch videos about topics I really won't need but find "nuggets" of information... I loved the look of the Tenba bag you first showed... I found it on eBay! Very excited because I have been battling with location bags! I will let you know if it works out when it comes in! Thanks as always!
I got the Tenba bag this week... it's a bit bigger than I would use for location work, but i truly think it is going to be perfect for my needs!!! I think this will be my go to shoulder bag!!
The backpack that has served me best is my Kiboko 22L+ by Guru Gear. It has a lot of miles on it and has been my go-to pack for more than 15 years.
One thing to consider Omar, at 2:50, that EVF may get brassing if stored like so. Ive got the Action x30 bag and the ripstop material on the laptop sleeve rubbed against my Z6II EVF (due to pressure from my back and friction ) after many hours of hiking.
Perhaps Shimoda have changed the material (hard to tell in the video) but i stlll wish the laprop sleeve exterior was a soft material.
Otherwise my Shimoda bag has been amazing and hasn't failed me yet in the years I've used it.
This is perfect. I'm just now looking for a camera backpack and this gives me some great ideas on what may or may not work for me. I have other travel or hiking type backpacks, but having something camera/lens focused (yes, pun) that also can be used for general travel would be ideal.
I don’t use it for travel, but I bought the same MindShift sling bag as an EDC/street photography bag and I love it. I got the smaller of the two options, after trying the larger one. I found the big one allowed me to pack too many lenses and was too heavy to be comfortable. The smaller version is just right for my X-H2, and a couple lenses.
That is a lot of gear to take on a trip!
I aways umm and ahh over what I will take but more often than not settle on the trio of 14mm 2.8, 35mm 1.4 & the 55-200mm for my Fujifilm XT20.
I have always flirted with the idea of getting either the 16-55 or 16-80mm and reducing the kit to just two lenses for travel. But some of my favourite photos I have taken (and the only two I have ever printed) have been with the 14mm.
I really wanted that Shimoda bag, but couldn't justify spending the money on it. I also wanted a bag that worked with a hydration pack. So I bought a Osprey Kamber, and added a cheap Neewer camera cube that fit perfectly in it. You definitely miss out on some of the features of the Shimoda, but it's a great option if you're on a budget.
Big trips I take my Nomatic McKinnon camera bag (25 liters), plus my McKinnon Sling (8 liter). I also have a Tumi Alpha bravo search backpack, is just it for just easy trips to Orlando!
In this months I'm love with little sling to bring only Xt5 and 2 lens, such as wandrd rogue, ulanzi etc
My first trip to Costa Rica was so long ago that the digital camera I took was the Kodak DC200 complete with 4MB Compact Flash card. lol Backpack not required.
I have a lot of bags, but if I were to go to Costa Rica I would take my Wandrd The Prvke 21-Liter, and not only because it’s also green, but it fits very well. It is a bit smaller than yours, but I also have less gear :) would love to see your Costa Rica shots.
I have many different bags like most but recently bought the NYA-EVO and it’s also modular
I like to travel with just one bag for everything. Recently I got the 30L Aer travel pack and it fits all my clothes and stuff. Then I carry a small sling.
OHHH looks like you got the Ulanzi BP09. I just got one as well as I was trying to find a replacement for my 18year old Lowepro AW Trekker II. I also bought the Think Tank streetwalker 2.0 for something a little smaller than the Ulanzi that doesnt hold a laptop. I tried the Peak design Zip 15 and 20L and they are straight crap when it comes to holding gear and keeping it secure. I sent them back real quick. I was throwing around the idea of that Mckinnon 25L bag but it cost 4x as much as the Ulanzi and I think this Ulanzi bag might be better. I have a bunch of messanger style bags as well for when I just want to have a few items and not my whole kit
I’ve taken the 30L out to Yellowstone and some other National Parks. It works great!
Looking forward to your thoughts on the destination for birding fans and all around fun.
So far, since I'm more of an urban traveler, I've found the Peak Design Travel Backpack to be my favorite backpack. It was a tough choice between that and the Shimoda, but I preferred the sleeker look of the Peak Design, especially in the context of someone who doesn't do a lot of hiking for photography.
I have the 25L in black. It's really nice, but just a tad smallish. I think the 30L would be just right for gear, but look goofy as an everyday carry bag for other things.
Helpful hint, I bought an F-stop insert for this bag and you can fit a lot more!!
i have the baf and im loving it
Really great review. I have a bunch of different bags for different purposes. Oddly enough, I keep going back to one of the cheapest bags I own. Its an amazon basics bag. Its worked out to be my favorite multipurpose camera bag. It fits under airplane seats and I usually have my Apache 5800 (harbor freight version of the pelican 1510) as my carry on with supplemental gear . I definitely would take the amazon basics bag into a Costa Rican rain forest though. I would use the Lowepro Dry Zone that another photographer gifted to me somewhat recently. I kind of feel like doing a bunch of "whats in my bag" videos with some fellow photographers and videographers. My amazon bag is definitely a blivet . Have fun in Costa Rica and don't try to pet the murder kitties.
Great vlog again Omar!
I like 😂
One point of concern though is your 400mm on the bottom. Not sure if it's a good idea to put the whole weight of your bag pack on the lens. I'm sure you're not going to carry it all the time 😮
I’ve used the same lowepro for years
Only problem is I sweat a bit around the shoulders but it does the job
Hey Omar, I’ve gravitated to Think Tank Perspective cross body style bags, small, lightweight and ideal for my Olympus gear….otherwise I just stick a spare lens in my coat pocket…🎉❤
Check out the Cosyspeed Camslinger. Maybe an option for Portrait shooting.
Been using a Shimoda Action X50 bag for a couple of years. My only gripe is the ICU - the dividers are just far too rigid to allow a perfect set-up. So I too have been using dividers from another (Lowepro) bag
Where can I get the "I Shoot RAW" T-Shirts?
You're probably built different. However, if I had to carry that bag on my shoulders all day on a mere walking trip in London, I would, without hesitation, take the X-T5 with a 16-80mm instead and capture what I can... Thanks for the new video, Omar! Looking forward to seeing your photos from Costa Rica.
Nice classy video Omar. The quality on that Shimoda bag looks stunning! How does she feel when heavily loaded? Does the weight distribution feel even? Is the fabric weather-resistant? Personally I like to travel light. The Manfrotto Street Slim Backpack is the largest of my collection. I also have two shoulder bags and a hip pouch for even smaller setups. Glad to know I am not the only one who is big on zippers!
Oh yes, we all love a bag. Personally I am a lover of LowePro. This was another great Omar presentation and I assume that bag comes with a free body-building course?
For small kit travel, I will use a Mirrorless Mover 20 (with the strap) as the "modular insert" in a regular old North Face backpack. That gives me the option of just grabbing the wee little MM20 bag for shorter outings or for going into crowder destinations where I don't want to be constantly bumping into people with the larger backpack.
Bonus Tip: Those t-bar pulls on the Mindshift sling bag can hook into loops on the other t-bar. So the front pocket pull and the side pocket pull have loops you can put the other t into. This is kinda of a anti-pickpocket thing. Makes it hard to just unzip your bag.
I have reached the max. gamer level for backpacks, I mean way past the point of spouse criticism! For my wildlife and nature travel trips, I normally use my F-Stop Tilopa 50l. It has been on countless safaris in the dust and rain, and I usually carry a Nikon 180-600, 500 prime and a 3rd Fuji system with a mid-range zoom for close encounters, as well as a GR3 for who knows what. It is pretty decent, but accessibility is not perfect when using a large insert as the top part is obscured, and its water bottle panels are not as good as the pack that you just showed, though for carrying a tripod and a monopod it works really well. If I ever have to replace mine, I would definitely pay close attention to how much it can fit, accessibility and hydration. The top section of a backpack is also crucial on game drives for a variety of reasons!
Love my Mindshift bag.
Still using my good ol Peak Design Everyday 20L, I’m not tall so I can’t handle a bag that’s too large travelling…nor can my back, lol.
Going to Nevada at the end of the month and that’s my gear bag. Have fun in Costa Rica…it’s on my list! 📸😎
how much gear can you get in there and still be comfortable?
So, in the end, were you able to put that bag under the seat?
Did the airline give you any grief? (specially regarding those straps/small bags )
how was the weather sealing? I lived in CR for a while and I know that it rains almost every day.
Thanks for another great photography video. By chance did you consider the lowepro protactic bp 450 at all?
Very nice green bag, I want it! you going to WWPI in Vegas this year? It would super cool to meet you.....
If you put the word "Camera" in front of the word "backpack" it automatically triples in price.
Not a fan of backpack style bags, preferring a sling. But then I never lig a ton of gear when I travel, just a body and a couple of lenses. And the sling bag allows me to access lenses without taking off the bag, which it's hard to do with the backpack.
Easy , for just family and scenes a OEM Systems , small bag needed , and a Fuji sx 20
Campagnon.... It's a German made camera bag and it is far better quality than anything listed here guys. If you haven't used one then check them out on their website No I'm not sponsored by them but I do use one and they are brilliant.
Hi Omar, nice video! :-) I am really intrigued by the shimoda bags ... only thing that holds me back is all the peak design stuff I have (including camera cubes) I still haven't given up on the hope that they do a more "hike able" version of of their Everyday line or travel line ... I won't wait a lot longer though ... 😁