This covers one of the best backpacks for journey images at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and past. Through the years, I’ve examined dozens of various baggage in all kinds of circumstances–from lengthy weekends to multi-month journeys, triple-digit temperatures to snowy climate. This runs down my favorites.
In truth, you would possibly name this traditional “contractual obligation” content material. Admittedly, digital camera baggage are a little bit of an obsession, as is my quest to search out the excellent one. I preserve shopping for digital camera baggage, and Sarah retains asking (sarcastically, I consider) whether or not I plan on opening a digital camera bag museum. I’ve informed her it’s for analysis, and I have to do extra testing. She doesn’t purchase it. Lengthy story quick, this submit is the top results of all that. I additionally promised you one in Walt Disney World Upgrades to the Pepsi of PhotoPass Cameras, in order that’s two causes to lastly comply with by means of on this.
One factor to notice from the outset is that “greatest” is very subjective. Some individuals need trendy baggage that blend kind and performance, or that may maintain digital camera gear and different provides for a day in Walt Disney World or Disneyland. Others are purely utilitarian, and plan on packing as a lot gear as potential.
In truth, my very own images preferences & priorities have modified over time. As I’ve downsized my gear over time, listed here are my private priorities for a digital camera bag:
- 50/50 gear cut up
- Devoted space for digital camera and lenses
- Easy accessibility to gear
- Exterior tripod attachment on aspect of bag
- 15″ laptop computer sleeve
- Storage for different small gadgets
- Water bottle pouch
- Light-weight
- Breathable
- Comfy
- Cheap variety of pockets
To one of the best of my data, there isn’t a single digital camera bag in existence that checks all of those containers. It’s all about compromises. However I’ve discovered a pair that come fairly shut, and so they’re my new go-to digital camera baggage.
In figuring out what your private “greatest” digital camera bag would provide, it’s important to ask your self related questions on value, dimension, type, structure, compartments, and extra. Funds and dimension are most likely the best inquiries to reply, whereas structure and magnificence aren’t really easy, largely as a result of figuring out your preferrred bag structure isn’t at all times potential till you’ve used a few baggage.
Model may be the trickiest consideration. Utilitarian baggage lack it fully, whereas among the hottest trendy baggage sacrifice utility to means too massive of a level. For lots of people, the look of the bag is understandably necessary. Most digital camera baggage I’ve encountered just about scream “dorky photographer,” which is okay for me as a result of I am a dorky photographer, so the label matches.
All issues to contemplate, particularly if type issues. With all of this in thoughts, let’s have a rundown of luggage that I’ve used within the final a number of years…
Peak Design Backpacks
Let’s simply begin with the model that each trendy photographer, and plenty of not-so-stylish ones and even non-photographers, appears to like: Peak Design. That is perceive, as Peak Design merchandise look nice, and have distinctive consideration to element, match and ending.
It’s no shock to me that the whole lot Peak Design makes is beloved and sells extremely properly. The luggage have numerous considerate options, current properly, and simply feel and appear like elegant merchandise. Peak Design is a model that I actually need to like. A lot so, actually, that I’ve now owned 4 completely different Peak Design baggage:
To not be a contrarian, however my huge challenge with Peak Design is that their baggage are literally over-engineered. Actually, I’d take {that a} step additional and assert that the luggage are over-engineered in ways in which usually don’t matter, as to elicit a “wow, that’s intelligent!” response whereas within the retailer or when watching a video. However they’re really under-engineered the place it counts.
The straps are exhibit A on this regard. Peak Design backpacks are themselves pretty heavy, and in addition bigger baggage which have excessive capability scores, which means the whole weight as soon as packed goes to be on the upper aspect.
And but, Peak Design straps are essentially the most uncomfortable available on the market, which makes them ill-suited for prolonged use. I might additionally add that I discover the group of the smaller digital camera baggage to be a bit nonsensical, and insufficiently insecure should you’re carrying a number of lenses.
With all of that stated, I completely love the Peak Design Journey Backpack 45L. Not a lot as a digital camera bag, however as a carry-on substitute.
It has the identical pitfalls with weight and straps, however the aforementioned consideration to element plus the power to increase and contract the bag, in addition to its compatibility with digital camera and packing cubes (which I far want) makes it a standout.
It’s a very wonderful carry-on backpack, however not one I’d use for hikes and even days in theme parks. It’s only a nice backpack for attending to and from a vacation spot, after which leaving within the resort room. I’ve additionally taken it out and about for days in varied cities, and it’s labored very well in these settings. For instance, this bag has accompanied us round Tokyo on a number of journeys to Nakano Broadway (IYKYK), and served as my ‘buying bag’ for all the day.
Lowepro Backpacks
I’ve gone by means of properly over two-dozen Lowepro backpacks since getting began in images again in 2007. And in contrast to Peak Design, it’s not as a result of I’ve wished to love Lowepro. I do love Lowepro baggage–they’re usually my favourite model. I’ve simply outgrown sure baggage, and worn out numerous others.
It additionally hasn’t helped that Lowepro has discontinued my favourite lineup, which was the Lowepro Sport Flipside collection. This lineup checked so most of the above containers, together with being the uncommon bag that was light-weight, breathable, comfy, and extremely environment friendly. If anybody from Lowepro is studying this, I’d like to see a correct revival of this line, married with the present Fastpack lineup. In any other case, your greatest guess for these baggage is eBay, the place you would possibly end up bidding towards me!
There’s actually no sense in “recommending” digital camera baggage which can be out of manufacturing, so I’m going to run by means of a number of of my favourite choices within the present lineup:
Lowepro Flipside BP 300 AW III – This was my essential digital camera backpack for the final 3 years, up till this summer time. It’s a nice backpack with a ton of cupboard space for images gear. It’s been my private merchandise on numerous flights, with this bag’s most notable journeys being two completely different month-plus journeys to Japan, in addition to extra Walt Disney World and Disneyland journeys than I can keep in mind.
This checks numerous the above containers, and has served me extremely properly. There’s nonetheless loads of life left in it, however I’ve discovered it to be overkill 90% of the time now, particularly as I carry much less images gear and extra different stuff. It’s workable in these eventualities, however not preferrred. However, it’s a extremely beneficial backpack for Disney or journey photographers.
Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW III – Previous to that, my essential digital camera bag for ~5 years was the ProTactic. I went by means of two of those puppies throughout that point. No surprise I’ve again ache now. That is most likely the dorkiest digital camera bag possible, wanting like what a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle would possibly put on into fight. However it’s extremely environment friendly and may maintain a ridiculous quantity of substances. If you happen to carry a number of cameras and a half-dozen lenses, think about it. That is going to be overkill for 99% of you, so I’m not going to fixate on it.
Lowepro Truckee 250 LX – After looking out excessive and low for a bag like this earlier this 12 months, I compromised on the F-Cease Rju Air 18L. That’s a model I cherished again in my critical climbing days, however their extra ‘city’ backpack was less than snuff. Then I simply occurred to come across this Lowepro backpack accidentally, which seems to be on the precipice of discontinuation.
I don’t understand how I by no means discovered this earlier than, but it surely’s nearly excellent. It has a 50/50 gear cut up, sufficient room for a digital camera physique and 2-3 further lenses, two water bottle pouches (one among which shall be used for a tripod), 15″ laptop computer sleeve, and checks the correct containers for consolation, weight, and so forth. I want I might’ve been capable of finding the black model as a substitute of sunshine gray, however up to now, I’m loving this bag. My one minor criticism is that it’s not fairly bit or sturdy sufficient for longer journeys.
Lowepro Fastpack BP250AW III Backpack – The ultimate advice is the Lowepro Fastpack, which is similar to the Truckee besides barely bigger (it is available in two sizes) and with extra skilled grade sturdiness and options, akin to an AW rain cowl.
Though that is similar to the Truckee, there are particular methods every is superior (that has 2 water bottle pouches, is lighter and extra breathable; this has higher sturdiness, options, construction and dimension). Consequently, I’ll use each in tandem because the circumstances dictate. Type of like I used to do with the ProTactic and Flipside Sport.
Observe: these are the 2 backpacks pictured side-by-side on the high of the submit. The Truckee is the sunshine gray coloured bag on the correct, and the Fastpack is on the left.
Finally, these are my new go-to backpacks for journey, even with the above-mentioned asterisks. No digital camera bag is ideal, however these Lowepro backpacks come fairly shut for me, and provide a wide range of layouts that swimsuit my functions very well.
Lowepro tends of addressing widespread complaints with its baggage and releasing up to date fashions, and I’m actually hoping that occurs with updates to the Truckee and Fastpack, as each of those are near-perfect backpacks for the ‘downsizing’ journey photographer. Likewise, the Peak Design Journey Backpack 45L is unbelievable, however that’s extra of a carry-on bag than it’s a images backpack.
Wish to study extra about images to take nice pictures within the Disney theme parks and past? The most effective place to start out is Tom’s Final Disney Parks Images Information, which covers a wide range of matters from hyperlinks to tutorials, suggestions, and tips to suggestions for level & shoots, DSLRs, lenses, and extra!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What’s your favourite digital camera bag or journey backpack, extra usually? Do you want Peak Design, or suppose it’s overrated? What’s your thought of a “excellent” digital camera bag? Another options you think about necessary? Agree or disagree with our assessments? Please ask any questions or share your ideas beneath, and I’ll provide my suggestions!