This is the companion post for this Youtube video
A couple of months ago, I decided it was time to change my camera backpack for something better suited for my current needs and of course, also because my old backpack is getting really, really old.
And I got the Shimoda Explore 35L V2 with the Think Tank Stash Master L camera insert.
Why a Backpack with an insert?
Before we start talking about the Shimoda E35 V2; let’s talk about why a backpack is my preferred method of carrying my equipment for work.
The main reason why I am using a backpack instead of a roller bag is simple : mobility. Oftentimes, I would have to shoot in outdoor locations as well as indoors and whilst roller bags are great for nice indoor space, they are just too much trouble when you have to deal with stairs, grass, bricks, etc etc.
Now, let’ts talk a bit about traditional camera backpacks like this Protactic 450AW. This bag can fit A LOT of camera gear, even lots of large lenses with its very deep compartments and its built to protect your gear well.
The problem comes with those types of backpacks is that if you need to carry other items too like soft goods like pouches, belts or even video stuff like small continuous lights or even maybe a gimbal.
And that is why I chose to get a backpack with a camera insert and lots of flexible space so that I can stick to stick to a single backpack and just pack differently for the job or assignment.
What fits?
Alright, I am just going to mention the features or parts of this bag that makes it good for my usage.
First, let’s talk about size and design. This size is more or less perfect for nearly any assignment that I would go to, it fits the camera insert which has my cameras and lenses in it.
For event photography, it can swallow up 2 hotshoe flashes, extra batteries for everything, camera harness as well as my belt system with pouches.Externally, I could add a water-bottle too for those long days to places without water.
For photography that requires external flashes, I can replace a single hotshoe flash with a AD200 Pro and depending on the shoot, replace either the dual camera harness or belt + pouches or both with lighting modifiers.
During video shoots, the 2 flashes gets replaced with a Zhiyun X100 plus modifiers and a Weebill S in front with enough space to stuff my mics & cables inside the bag without breaking a sweat.
Camera Insert
Now, lets get into kinda the most important and certainly the most expensive part of this bag, which is currently the Think Tank Stash Master L. As you can see, it can comfortably fit my entire kit inside which include 2 bodies and 5 lenses. This is the maximum I would carry in terms of lenses and I don’t always bring every lens out for jobs. For those jobs that I know I won’t need a certain lens, i would take it out and have extra space for something else.
Now, let’s talk about how and why I chose this Think Tank insert; most importantly, it is soft, rather than hard like Shimoda’s own inserts, this allows the entire bag to carry just a bit more when needed and feel less boxy when I do carry less.
The Insert & Bag Selection Journey
Initially, I had quite a journey trying to find the right insert to fit inside the right bag when I was deciding on which bag and insert to go with.
When I started, I assumed I could find lots of bags that can fit a camera insert of sufficient size after I saw lots of Youtube travel backpack reviews. I was wrong, I visited Oribags in Setia Alam, Storming Gravity in Jalan Ipoh, the backpack store up in Pertama Complex and various other places, some of them multiple times. In the end, I looked at and tested maybe 20-30 travel backpacks from all kinds of manufacturers from Bellroy to Evergoods to Able Carry and many others; Oh yes! I tested the Wandrd Transit Backpack as well as the famous / infamous Peak Design Travel Backpack too.
Anyway, ultimately, I can say 3 backpacks that I tried kinda worked for what I wanted them for; the Peak Design Travel Backpack 40L, the Wandrd Transit Backpack 40L and the AER Travel Pack 3.
These 3 bags all fit a camera insert of around 30cm x 30cm x 14cm which was the size of either the Stash Master L or Medium Camera Cube V2 from PD.
I ruled out the PD Travel Backapack as I didn’t quite like the harness system but that is a cavernous bag that can swallow up nearly anyone’s kit.
The Wandrd Transit Backpack was ruled out due it being way too complex and although it can fit the camera insert that I want, it wasn’t designed to do so. Eventhough I do not have to force the insert in, it somehow bulges and pushes in a not so comfortable way.
Now, about the AER Travel Pack 3, which was never really designed to hold cameras.
I went to test and look at a backpack was up in Penang for the AER Travel Pack 3, special thanks to CSC MarketPlace from Shopee for letting me try that out. The camera insert actually fits in it perfectly but being a standard travel backpack, it somehow doesn’t have built-in expandability for tripods, etc on the outside.
Although I would buy it for camera stuff if I ever wanted another backpack for say city or airport usage only in the future. It is feels the most robust amongst all the backpacks I have tested in person.
If you are interested in all the sordid details I did when I was researching the backpacks and inserts. Take a look at the following PDFs :
Peak Design Medium Camera Cube V2
Now, since we are into the subject of selection; let’s talk a bit about the PD Medium Camera Cube V2.
If you look at the specs, the V2 is just 1cm shorter than the Stash Master L but in reality, that 1cm and the slightly curved design on the V2 makes it quite a bit smaller on the inside than the Stash Master L.
On the positive side however, the V2 feels more well-built, probably protects our gear much better and it also supports the side quick access of the Shimoda Explore V2 which the Stash Master L doesn’t.
In the end, I think the V2 or the L are both good replacements for Shimoda’s own camera inserts. If your kit is smaller than mine, I would recommend going for the V2 instead.
Other Noteworthy New Backpacks
Right, its probably time to talk about the new camera-related backpacks that launched the last couple of months since I bought the Shimoda E35 V2.
The PGYTech OnePro line of backpacks that includes 2 models, the Flex and the Focux; they have just gone off kickstarter about a month ago. The Flex is like a backpack + insert backpack whilst the Focux is a more traditional camera backpack design with a very interesting hiking backpack style harness.
IMHO, the Flex is a little bit over-designed. It’s got positions to attach this everywhere with cords, opens in more ways than anyone can imagine and has slots for everything. It’s kind of trying to be a end-all and be-all for outdoorsy backpack that can carry camera equipments and nearly anything else you would want to carry when you go for a hike.
The Focux isn’t really note-worthy except that perhaps it is PGYTech’s first backpack of its kinda and being PGYTech, they are probably selling it for a less than most competitors.
The strange thing is… PGYTech has recently launched their ONEMo Travel backpack which is a OnePro Flex 50L with no outdoor harness , less tie-down points but can be carried as a duffle or backpack for airports, hotels, etc.
As of recording now, Peak Design also has their new Outdoor line that has 2 backpacks, a 25L and a 45L. These have a harness similar to the Shimoda E35 V2 except they hook to the back using a G hook instead of hook & loop in the E35 V2.
The PD Outdoor 45L has a lot of innovative features but I do question some of PD’s choices of materials for the side pouches that close using elastic fabrics. Most of the elastics that I have ever used only lasted a max of a couple of years before they start to loosen and become useless.
There is also an annoying free-swinging string to tighten their roll-top and with no good way to tuck it away securely, it will be a pain when it swings and catches on branches.
Anyway, as usual, I present all the information I have here and will leave it at that.
You, as a smart consumer, will decide what is important for you and choose what is right for you. 😉
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