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 reality, you may name this traditional “contractual obligation” content material. Admittedly, digicam baggage are a little bit of an obsession, as is my quest to search out the excellent one. I hold shopping for digicam baggage, and Sarah retains asking (sarcastically, I imagine) whether or not I plan on opening a digicam bag museum. I’ve instructed her it’s for analysis, and I must do extra testing. She doesn’t purchase it. Lengthy story brief, this submit is the tip 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 via on this.
One factor to notice from the outset is that “greatest” is very subjective. Some folks need fashionable baggage that blend kind and performance, or that may maintain digicam 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 doable.
In reality, my very own images preferences & priorities have modified over time. As I’ve downsized my tools through the years, listed below are my private priorities for a digicam bag:
- 50/50 gear break up
- Devoted space for digicam and lenses
- Easy accessibility to tools
- 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 digicam bag in existence that checks all of those packing containers. It’s all about compromises. However I’ve discovered a pair that come fairly shut, they usually’re my new go-to digicam baggage.
In figuring out what your private “greatest” digicam bag would provide, it’s a must to ask your self related questions on value, dimension, fashion, structure, compartments, and extra. Funds and dimension are in all probability the simplest inquiries to reply, whereas structure and elegance usually are not really easy, largely as a result of figuring out your very best bag structure isn’t at all times doable till you’ve used a few baggage.
Type could be the trickiest consideration. Utilitarian baggage lack it utterly, whereas a few of the hottest fashionable baggage sacrifice utility to method too giant of a level. For lots of people, the look of the bag is understandably vital. Most digicam 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 think about, particularly if fashion issues. With all of this in thoughts, let’s have a rundown of baggage that I’ve used within the final a number of years…
Peak Design Backpacks
Let’s simply begin with the model that each fashionable photographer, and lots 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 every little thing Peak Design makes is beloved and sells extremely effectively. The baggage have a number of considerate options, current effectively, and simply appear and feel like elegant merchandise. Peak Design is a model that I actually need to like. A lot so, in actual fact, that I’ve now owned 4 totally different Peak Design baggage:
To not be a contrarian, however my huge difficulty with Peak Design is that their baggage are literally over-engineered. Actually, I’d take {that a} step additional and assert that the baggage are over-engineered in ways in which typically don’t matter, as to elicit a “wow, that’s intelligent!” response whereas within the retailer or when watching a video. However they’re truly under-engineered the place it counts.
The straps are exhibit A on this regard. Peak Design backpacks are themselves pretty heavy, and likewise bigger baggage which have excessive capability scores, that means the full weight as soon as packed goes to be on the upper aspect.
And but, Peak Design straps are probably 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 digicam baggage to be a bit nonsensical, and insufficiently insecure in the event you’re carrying a number of lenses.
With all of that mentioned, I completely love the Peak Design Journey Backpack 45L. Not a lot as a digicam 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 broaden and contract the bag, in addition to its compatibility with digicam and packing cubes (which I far desire) makes it a standout.
It’s a very glorious 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 rather 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 the complete day.
Lowepro Backpacks
I’ve gone via effectively 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 typically 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 packing 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 may end up bidding in opposition to me!
There’s actually no sense in “recommending” digicam baggage which might be out of manufacturing, so I’m going to run via just a few of my favourite choices within the present lineup:
Lowepro Flipside BP 300 AW III – This was my essential digicam backpack for the final 3 years, up till this summer time. It’s a nice backpack with a ton of cupboard space for images tools. It’s been my private merchandise on numerous flights, with this bag’s most notable journeys being two totally different month-plus journeys to Japan, in addition to extra Walt Disney World and Disneyland journeys than I can keep in mind.
This checks a number of the above packing containers, and has served me extremely effectively. 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 situations, however not very best. However, it’s a extremely really helpful backpack for Disney or journey photographers.
Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW III – Previous to that, my essential digicam bag for ~5 years was the ProTactic. I went via two of those puppies throughout that point. No surprise I’ve again ache now. That is in all probability the dorkiest digicam bag conceivable, wanting like what a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle may put on into fight. But it surely’s extremely environment friendly and may maintain a ridiculous quantity of drugs. In case you 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 yr, I compromised on the F-Cease Rju Air 18L. That’s a model I beloved again in my severe climbing days, however their extra ‘city’ backpack was lower than snuff. Then I simply occurred to come across this Lowepro backpack by chance, which seems to be on the precipice of discontinuation.
I don’t know the way I by no means discovered this earlier than, but it surely’s virtually excellent. It has a 50/50 gear break up, sufficient room for a digicam physique and 2-3 further lenses, two water bottle pouches (one in all which will probably be used for a tripod), 15″ laptop computer sleeve, and checks the best packing containers for consolation, weight, and many others. I want I might’ve been capable of finding the black model as an alternative of sunshine gray, however up to now, I’m loving this bag. My one minor grievance 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, corresponding to an AW rain cowl.
Though that is similar to the Truckee, there are specific methods every is superior (that has 2 water bottle pouches, is lighter and extra breathable; this has larger sturdiness, options, construction and dimension). Consequently, I’ll use each in tandem because the circumstances dictate. Sort of like I used to do with the ProTactic and Flipside Sport.
Notice: these are the 2 backpacks pictured side-by-side on the prime of the submit. The Truckee is the sunshine gray coloured bag on the best, and the Fastpack is on the left.
In the end, these are my new go-to backpacks for journey, even with the above-mentioned asterisks. No digicam bag is ideal, however these Lowepro backpacks come fairly shut for me, and provide quite a lot of layouts that swimsuit my functions rather well.
Lowepro tends of addressing frequent 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.
Need to be taught extra about images to take nice pictures within the Disney theme parks and past? The most effective place to begin is Tom’s Final Disney Parks Pictures Information, which covers quite a lot of subjects from hyperlinks to tutorials, suggestions, and tips to suggestions for level & shoots, DSLRs, lenses, and extra!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What’s your favourite digicam bag or journey backpack, extra typically? Do you want Peak Design, or suppose it’s overrated? What’s your concept of a “excellent” digicam bag? Another options you think about vital? Agree or disagree with our assessments? Please ask any questions or share your ideas beneath, and I’ll provide my suggestions!
