I was looking for a bag to replace my 15 year old KATA R103 backpack, which is built like a tank, but no longer holds all my gear and is heavy and awkward by today's comparisons.
My goal here was to (hopefully) be able to hold all of my current gear for storage and/or transport, give me some "day-pack" space to take a jacket, some food, etc., and (again hopefully) give me a bit of additional expansion for one more lens or body if ever necessary. AND... be comfortable to carry and not be so heavy I couldn't wear it for more than 100 yards. Big goals (and pretty much impossible to satisfy in a single bag). I also am not a professional photographer, so spending $500 for a bag was out of the question too.
I ended up trying 7 bags of various sizes for this, based on other online reviews of bags that seemed to fit my criteria: LowePro Protactic 350 AWII, LowePro Protactic 450 AWII, Think Tank Photo Backstory 15, Vanguard Alta Sky 45D, Vanguard Alta Sky 51D, MindShift Gear Backlight 36L, and MindShift Gear Backlight 26L. All of these bags have their pros and cons, and I won't go through each one here. But for me it came down to 3 finalists: the AltaSky 51D, Backlight 36L and the Backlight 26L.
The configuration of the AltaSky 51D was very unique, but I think it might prove limiting in the future. It is by far the most protective-feeling, with think padding everywhere. It was also bulky, stiffer, and more awkward to get into the main compartment due to the big stiff straps and zipper locations, and was the heaviest of the finalists. Fully loaded it was a beast. So, it came down to the two MindShift Backlights, the 26L and 36L. Both were comfortable when loaded, although the straps seemed to hit me better on the 26L, and the 36L gave me the extra room for expansion. But the larger form factor, and the slightly heavier weight simply made it feel even "bigger" than it was. And in reality, if I filled the extra room with an additional lens or two I'm not sure I'd be able to carry it anyway. So... the 26L was the winner by default. Still plenty of day-pack room, fits all my gear, and if I really needed to carry another lens I can attach my hanging ThinkTank lens pouch on it.
The slide-around feature of the Backlight bags, to access the contents and use the bag as a platform without taking it off or setting it down, is a great feature. Access to the main compartment is quick and easy due to the flexible (though well padded) straps and the placement of the main zipper. The bag is comfortable and feels lighter than it is, and the interior configuration is well padded and well thought out. The bag fits in overhead compartments as a carry on, and the straps (shoulder straps and waist belt) conveniently wrap around the front and buckle to give a cleaner form for storage. The built-in tripod holder, and numerous attachment points are great functional touches.
All in all, this is a great bag, is comfortable, and can hold a lot. Very happy with it.
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Product Description
KEY FEATURES
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Back Access to Camera GearBack-panel access provides access to all of your camera gear without taking the pack off, allowing you to work out of your bag without getting the harness dirty, wet, muddy or icy. |
Camera Gear LayoutHolds a wide variety DSLR or Mirrorless camera gear including 4-7 standard zoom lenses, plus a flash. |
9L of Personal CapacityDaypack capacity! Front pockets fit enough carry personal gear for a days outing: extra layers, a light jacket, food, etc. Dedicated padded laptop pocket. |
Integrated Tripod Carry SystemIncludes tripod/monopod mounting system on front or side. |
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BackLight 26L Backpack
Think Tank Photo Inc.
Reviews with images
How do I decide among the 20-30 packs out there?
Your search is over…maybe! There are so many photography backpacks to choose from for a reason. They serve different purposes! If you are a landscape photographer, you carry a lot of equipment including a full-size tripod. I have a 35-40L pack (room even for layers) for hiking in deserts and mountains. I needed a daytrip pack for an Eastern Mediterranean cruise (towns, some hiking). My criteria was a) condense size (25L), b) condense weight c) maintain functionality d) accommodate a full-size tripod, e) comfortable on back while weighted.“Travel Backpacks” seem appealing. The top-rated ones were rugged, modern, and organized. Many open from the side and top, a couple from the back, most tripod mounts are on the side, and some with a waist strap (some not). Great for “Pull, Shoot, & Re-store”. But I don’t recommend these for a full-size tripod. The weight bearing on the side will create pack unbalance, straining back muscles.Mindshift solves these issues and meets all my criterion above, and maybe yours. The 26L pack holds significant equipment, mounts the tripod on back, lighter weight pack (3.9lbs), high density nylon (coated- rain resistant/rugged), includes a waste strap with large lumbar support on backside. Most of all it was functional for all my equipment (photo attached):1. Nikon Mirrorless Z7II with Zs Lenes: 14-24, 24-70, 70-2002. Haida M10 holder/grad filters in Kinesis Gear “Pouch”3. CP Filters (2x)4. Lens cleaning supplies (clear bag), first aid (clear bag)5. 2nd “Pouch” for Nodal Rail (Panoramic Photography), batteries, misc6. Multiple storage cards (mesh area in clam shell)7. Full size tripod (Promediagear carbon fiber R344, folds to 20.8inch)My only concern is the backpack could be padded more. But think it’s sufficient. I did gave up some of the modern, sleek travel-pack look for prioritized functionality. However, for a hiking pack brand, it is smart looking!
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2021
I was looking for a bag to replace my 15 year old KATA R103 backpack, which is built like a tank, but no longer holds all my gear and is heavy and awkward by today's comparisons.
My goal here was to (hopefully) be able to hold all of my current gear for storage and/or transport, give me some "day-pack" space to take a jacket, some food, etc., and (again hopefully) give me a bit of additional expansion for one more lens or body if ever necessary. AND... be comfortable to carry and not be so heavy I couldn't wear it for more than 100 yards. Big goals (and pretty much impossible to satisfy in a single bag). I also am not a professional photographer, so spending $500 for a bag was out of the question too.
I ended up trying 7 bags of various sizes for this, based on other online reviews of bags that seemed to fit my criteria: LowePro Protactic 350 AWII, LowePro Protactic 450 AWII, Think Tank Photo Backstory 15, Vanguard Alta Sky 45D, Vanguard Alta Sky 51D, MindShift Gear Backlight 36L, and MindShift Gear Backlight 26L. All of these bags have their pros and cons, and I won't go through each one here. But for me it came down to 3 finalists: the AltaSky 51D, Backlight 36L and the Backlight 26L.
The configuration of the AltaSky 51D was very unique, but I think it might prove limiting in the future. It is by far the most protective-feeling, with think padding everywhere. It was also bulky, stiffer, and more awkward to get into the main compartment due to the big stiff straps and zipper locations, and was the heaviest of the finalists. Fully loaded it was a beast. So, it came down to the two MindShift Backlights, the 26L and 36L. Both were comfortable when loaded, although the straps seemed to hit me better on the 26L, and the 36L gave me the extra room for expansion. But the larger form factor, and the slightly heavier weight simply made it feel even "bigger" than it was. And in reality, if I filled the extra room with an additional lens or two I'm not sure I'd be able to carry it anyway. So... the 26L was the winner by default. Still plenty of day-pack room, fits all my gear, and if I really needed to carry another lens I can attach my hanging ThinkTank lens pouch on it.
The slide-around feature of the Backlight bags, to access the contents and use the bag as a platform without taking it off or setting it down, is a great feature. Access to the main compartment is quick and easy due to the flexible (though well padded) straps and the placement of the main zipper. The bag is comfortable and feels lighter than it is, and the interior configuration is well padded and well thought out. The bag fits in overhead compartments as a carry on, and the straps (shoulder straps and waist belt) conveniently wrap around the front and buckle to give a cleaner form for storage. The built-in tripod holder, and numerous attachment points are great functional touches.
All in all, this is a great bag, is comfortable, and can hold a lot. Very happy with it.
My goal here was to (hopefully) be able to hold all of my current gear for storage and/or transport, give me some "day-pack" space to take a jacket, some food, etc., and (again hopefully) give me a bit of additional expansion for one more lens or body if ever necessary. AND... be comfortable to carry and not be so heavy I couldn't wear it for more than 100 yards. Big goals (and pretty much impossible to satisfy in a single bag). I also am not a professional photographer, so spending $500 for a bag was out of the question too.
I ended up trying 7 bags of various sizes for this, based on other online reviews of bags that seemed to fit my criteria: LowePro Protactic 350 AWII, LowePro Protactic 450 AWII, Think Tank Photo Backstory 15, Vanguard Alta Sky 45D, Vanguard Alta Sky 51D, MindShift Gear Backlight 36L, and MindShift Gear Backlight 26L. All of these bags have their pros and cons, and I won't go through each one here. But for me it came down to 3 finalists: the AltaSky 51D, Backlight 36L and the Backlight 26L.
The configuration of the AltaSky 51D was very unique, but I think it might prove limiting in the future. It is by far the most protective-feeling, with think padding everywhere. It was also bulky, stiffer, and more awkward to get into the main compartment due to the big stiff straps and zipper locations, and was the heaviest of the finalists. Fully loaded it was a beast. So, it came down to the two MindShift Backlights, the 26L and 36L. Both were comfortable when loaded, although the straps seemed to hit me better on the 26L, and the 36L gave me the extra room for expansion. But the larger form factor, and the slightly heavier weight simply made it feel even "bigger" than it was. And in reality, if I filled the extra room with an additional lens or two I'm not sure I'd be able to carry it anyway. So... the 26L was the winner by default. Still plenty of day-pack room, fits all my gear, and if I really needed to carry another lens I can attach my hanging ThinkTank lens pouch on it.
The slide-around feature of the Backlight bags, to access the contents and use the bag as a platform without taking it off or setting it down, is a great feature. Access to the main compartment is quick and easy due to the flexible (though well padded) straps and the placement of the main zipper. The bag is comfortable and feels lighter than it is, and the interior configuration is well padded and well thought out. The bag fits in overhead compartments as a carry on, and the straps (shoulder straps and waist belt) conveniently wrap around the front and buckle to give a cleaner form for storage. The built-in tripod holder, and numerous attachment points are great functional touches.
All in all, this is a great bag, is comfortable, and can hold a lot. Very happy with it.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2023
“Travel Backpacks” seem appealing. The top-rated ones were rugged, modern, and organized. Many open from the side and top, a couple from the back, most tripod mounts are on the side, and some with a waist strap (some not). Great for “Pull, Shoot, & Re-store”. But I don’t recommend these for a full-size tripod. The weight bearing on the side will create pack unbalance, straining back muscles.
Mindshift solves these issues and meets all my criterion above, and maybe yours. The 26L pack holds significant equipment, mounts the tripod on back, lighter weight pack (3.9lbs), high density nylon (coated- rain resistant/rugged), includes a waste strap with large lumbar support on backside. Most of all it was functional for all my equipment (photo attached):
1. Nikon Mirrorless Z7II with Zs Lenes: 14-24, 24-70, 70-200
2. Haida M10 holder/grad filters in Kinesis Gear “Pouch”
3. CP Filters (2x)
4. Lens cleaning supplies (clear bag), first aid (clear bag)
5. 2nd “Pouch” for Nodal Rail (Panoramic Photography), batteries, misc
6. Multiple storage cards (mesh area in clam shell)
7. Full size tripod (Promediagear carbon fiber R344, folds to 20.8inch)
My only concern is the backpack could be padded more. But think it’s sufficient. I did gave up some of the modern, sleek travel-pack look for prioritized functionality. However, for a hiking pack brand, it is smart looking!
How do I decide among the 20-30 packs out there?
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2023
Your search is over…maybe! There are so many photography backpacks to choose from for a reason. They serve different purposes! If you are a landscape photographer, you carry a lot of equipment including a full-size tripod. I have a 35-40L pack (room even for layers) for hiking in deserts and mountains. I needed a daytrip pack for an Eastern Mediterranean cruise (towns, some hiking). My criteria was a) condense size (25L), b) condense weight c) maintain functionality d) accommodate a full-size tripod, e) comfortable on back while weighted.Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2023
“Travel Backpacks” seem appealing. The top-rated ones were rugged, modern, and organized. Many open from the side and top, a couple from the back, most tripod mounts are on the side, and some with a waist strap (some not). Great for “Pull, Shoot, & Re-store”. But I don’t recommend these for a full-size tripod. The weight bearing on the side will create pack unbalance, straining back muscles.
Mindshift solves these issues and meets all my criterion above, and maybe yours. The 26L pack holds significant equipment, mounts the tripod on back, lighter weight pack (3.9lbs), high density nylon (coated- rain resistant/rugged), includes a waste strap with large lumbar support on backside. Most of all it was functional for all my equipment (photo attached):
1. Nikon Mirrorless Z7II with Zs Lenes: 14-24, 24-70, 70-200
2. Haida M10 holder/grad filters in Kinesis Gear “Pouch”
3. CP Filters (2x)
4. Lens cleaning supplies (clear bag), first aid (clear bag)
5. 2nd “Pouch” for Nodal Rail (Panoramic Photography), batteries, misc
6. Multiple storage cards (mesh area in clam shell)
7. Full size tripod (Promediagear carbon fiber R344, folds to 20.8inch)
My only concern is the backpack could be padded more. But think it’s sufficient. I did gave up some of the modern, sleek travel-pack look for prioritized functionality. However, for a hiking pack brand, it is smart looking!
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
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massimo davide
doppia valutazione per questa spedizione: una per la consegna eduna per l'articolo
Reviewed in Italy on January 20, 2022T. Armstrong
Great Camera Backpack
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 18, 2021