While I appreciate the m4/3 system and love a well-designed bag, I am in the market for neither - yet I’ve just watched the entire video. David Thorpe could review a box of toothpicks and I’d tune in just for the excellent, straightforward presentation (no wasted time here) and the subtle humor (humour?). Definitely one of my favorite photo channels.
"and it would add a touch of cool to my otherwise lukewarm persona..." That one made me laugh out loud. I definitely need a touch of cool for my own lukewarm persona. Great review, David.
Sitting down with my coffee and decided to watch one of your videos of something I don’t need. I mean I have too many camera bags now. My utilitarian sling bag is perfect, but well, it looks like a sling bag. This should be a safe watch. Wrong. Now I’m googling camera bags.
I love wotancraft bags. It's all I've ever owned really when it comes to my camera gear. I've owned 5 at various stages of my camera gear changes including 2 paratroopers, 2 scouts, 1 avenger and 1 commander. My favorite and what was available at the time were the scout and paratrooper. Actually, although the smallest, the paratrooper held exactly what I needed with good accessibility and enough pockets for my XPro-2 set up with up to 4 prime lenses in the main configurable compartment. I have recently opted for a pacsafe camera bag more for practical reasons for traveling as they are supposedly more theft resistant due to the way they are made. But. I would like to someday buy back a paratrooper or perhaps a version of the trooper.. I think they come in differently sizes and have modular accessories.
Hello, David! I've ordered a medium Trooper for myself, since my old Domke is more hole-y than righteous at this point. I'm taking my m43 kit on a family holiday to SE Asia (primarily Vietnam) this summer. I really enjoy your reviews (and your other work) and I've bought a couple of your books. Thanks for all you do!
Thanks, Daryl, much appreciated. I haven't been to Vietnam but friends who have loved the place. The Wotancraft medium bag is small enough to be no hindrance at all but swallows my G9 with standard lens and a couple of big zooms with ease. Plus leaves me space for an umbrella, earphones, phone, filters, power bank and all sorts of bits and pieces. For the first time in my life I think I've found my ideal bag.
@@DavidThorpeMFT VN is beautiful. It's my wife's home country. We and our 16-years old twin daughters are going back to visit her family there. My bag arrived last Friday and it is impressive. My layout probably will look a lot like yours, since the gear will.
Would you please also upload the picture of your house. I would copy that too, I think! Whatever you do I am just going and doing it. Boy I am being influenced too much by social media! I'm not complaining with your suggestion of switch to m43.
Thanks David for the review. I agree on all your points as I just bought mine and it arrived yesterday from Vintage 217 in the Netherlands. It fits my Fuji XH1 mounted with 16-55 and 50-140 well and could get another prime in if I used the flaps.
Glad you liked the review! I love your ID - Chewbokeh - very imaginative and funny. I can get more stuff in this bag than I could my Lowepro but it's a lot nicer to carry. Excellent for the Fuji, too, abviously.
Thanks David from one hunter to another. After my going back to real photography (just a few month ago) and now also filming. I've checked my old gear. Now useless, except for the mini tripod I bought for my first SLR of the same brand. It's a Yashica tripod made in Germany. Very nice. Saw you had something similar in your bag. I'll check these bags.
Hi Rudolf - mine's a Manfrotto - they don't make that one any more, they tarted it up a bit. I don't know but it's quite likely that Manfrotto buy this sort of thing in rather than make it, in which case it might well be made by Yashica anyway. Re the bag, I've just treated myself to a smaller one for when I'm going out for a bit of street work - worth a look, it's called a Ryker. It's not cheap but it's lovely quality www.wotancraft.tw/creations/ryker-campaign - I'm doing a review of it but probably not until the end of October or so by the time I've caught up on present commitments.
@@DavidThorpeMFT Thanks! My little tripod is a beaty, nearly all metal. Head tilts 90 degrees if needed. Found a picture online: yashica35.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/tripod4.jpg
Added to my shopping list. What a beautiful bag it is indeed. My everyday bag is Thinktank protac. 30. A bit to big but I got mine used - near mint for £20 on eBay so I'm not complaining 🤣
Nice review David. I was just wondering how comfortable the bag was to wear both at the side off one shoulder or across the chest? The heaviest my load out would be is a G9 with the trinity of 2.8-4 zooms, a few filters and ancillary items (phone, power bank, small notebook etc) I often find that the strap and shoulder pad design can let down an otherwise good bag. As the Wotancraft bags are only sold online it would be great to get your feedback on this important (to me) consideration.
I carry a similar load to you. One of the things I like about the Trooper is the very comfortable shoulder pad on the strap. It seem to make the weight less than it is and also stops it slipping about and putting the bag off balance. I wear my bag messenger style when cycling or walking any distance and over my shoulder when using the cameras and lenses. and I find it very comfortable. My old (and much loved) LowePro Sling used to make my shoulders ache after a bit but the Wotancraft doesn't. Obviously everyone is built differently but I can say that if I were to buy a camera bag as a present for someone, I'd be very confident they'd feel at home with the Wotancraft.
Nice looking bag. I've just gone canvas. Retro, they look good and do the job. Mine has to cope with Olympus EM10 + EM1, also my latest addition the GX9. Big bag. Thank goodness M4/3 gear. Thanks for sharing
@@DavidThorpeMFT Well yes........? I love it, it's my go to casual camera. Until I read up on and invested in the GX9. I'm looking for it to supersede the techno of the EM10 ?? we shall see.
@@alanplatt888 The GX9 and E-M10 are very different in philosophy, I think. The E-M10 range is a little brother to the other Olympus models, where someone might 'upgrade' to the bigger ones. The GX9, on the other hand, is a model in its own right, sort of 'street' and buying a G9 or G80 would not necessarily be a step up. Mind you, if what anyone does is general photography, there's not much the little Olympus can't do. It's still my favourite Olympus.
@@DavidThorpeMFT Sir, I think you know more than most about M4/3 (you come across very experienced in general), I follow your channel. I love my little EM10 probably more then my EM1 Mkii because of its retro look and portability when I'm just out there snapping. My 1st M4/3 was the G80. I Sold it for the Olympus style and form plus Pro lenses. Loving them. BUT I picked up the GX9 on eBay for a steal (faulty goods) ?? It turns out like new nothing wrong with it. If it does what it says on the packed, it should be a game changer for versatility over my Little EM10 (when and if I can work out the menu ;-)) Keep up your excellent work and thanks for your comments.
Looks like a nice bag, expensive but affordable with a bit of saving. One question about the dividers. Hope this makes sense. Are the sides of the bag and laptop divider where the dividers stick to criss cross sewn [like quilts] like Peak Design bags? As this helps keep the dividers in place. On my current shoulder bag the lining on the bag is like a ladies hand bag only sewn around the edges. The velcro dividers pull off when the bag is opened sometimes, as the width of the bag increases since the lining bulges [comes away] from the sides making the width wider than the dividers. Cant tell for sure after looking at their site, but it does not look it is cross stitched Not sure if that makes sense.
I'm not sure about the stitching. If I pull the bag apart, I can only get the dividers to make a tearing noise (though not come away) by purposely pulling the sides of the bag apart with a lot of strength, way beyond what any opening and closing could impose. I can't pull the lining away from the body of the bag, separate it, because it seems to be very tightly fitted. Also, the inserts are have two ribs running vertically which enables them bend to hug a lens tightly. That also means the divider is about 25% wider than straight ones (as in my Lowepro), making it harder for the to be overstretched and come away anyway. The velcro is sort of micro velcro, it looks and feels smooth but is ultra sticky.
Good review. Does the bag feel greasy, because of the wax material? Dont like to crap my camera with sticky fingers. And will the bag stand on his own without tipping over? Tnx
This is not a camera bag. This is getting as close to perfection as possible. However...it is out of reach for most hobbyist/enthusiast photographers...yours truly included.
It isn't cheap, that's for sure. You could argue that in the long run something that lasts is cheaper but we all have different priorities and bags aren't necessarily the first.
... magnificent bags for sure! I have 2 leather smaller ones for the Leica and the G8... absolutely the best! I 'll have to buy 2 more, a bigger one for the GFX and a smaller one...! I' ll probably opt for the Large model because of the size of the medium format. Thanks for sharing!
@@DavidThorpeMFT thanks David. My back is not happy sometimes... I really have to figure out the best size... the X-Large seems too much...the medium surely won't swallow the 250... And yes, the small bags are a joy to carry and use. The leather is to make any italian high-end jacked die of envy... the purple interior is so beautiful and soft... the cameras surely adore their "home" I am really sorry they made just a limited edition of the black leather bag similar to the trooper (was it the Thor...?) Keep well and the excellent tutorials / reviews going!
A happy coincidence! Can I wish you good luck and all success in your freelance career. It's a big step and takes courage to do. If I were starting now, in my perfect scenario I'd intend to cover writing, stills and video plus some teaching, which is what you seem to be doing. That 360° landscape on your site is beautifully executed - It encourages me to really set aside time to learn the technique.
David Thorpe is the most optimistic photography youtuber he may not have a huge following on youtube but he tops everyone else and I will mention names such as "Tony & Chelsea Northrop" And "Jared Polin" #thorpesquad :)
Richard Travers if you are in the UK I just bought mine from Wotankraft resupplier called Vintage217 in the Netherlands. I ordered it Wednesday and it arrived Saturday so super fast delivery. You can get it direct from Wotankraft but you may pay import charges and so works out the same price.
I’m not really blaming you for my purchase of this bag, but do you have any idea of the staggering cost in Canadian dollars? I really think you should get a commission.
I'm sorry about that Martha! But I do get £5,000 and a Ferrari for every one sold, so you can rest content that you have made me very happy! _Note to HMRC - this is a joke_ :-)
I like the Trooper for the magnetic catch and design of the flap with stops water entry even when the bag isn't done up. But the Billinghams are excellent bags. Keep an eye out, I'm getting a lightweight Wotancraft bag soon, which I'll review.
@@DavidThorpeMFT lol i meant your voice is so relaxed me. and that's like hearing from the app for sleep & meditation called Calm. sorry for confusing.
Please add a link to your recommended products on the U.S. Amazon site as well as the U.K. site. That would be more convenient for us, your American readers, and may also return a little more income for you.
Good point, Rick. I started an Amazon Store but since I'm UK based it won't seem to transfer viewers to a USA version. The Wotan bag isn't available on Amazon, as it happens
Another lovely review. Unfortunately, at a price of 200 quid it is well beyond my Primark budget. Actually, I could afford it but there are limits to what I would spend on a bag.
Thanks, Paul. Yes, i think many will feel the same way. It is a fair bit to splash out though in my case it replaces three bags with one - as I explained to my wife. The real trick would have been be to buy this one _before_ the others, though :-)
I can see you now with that lovely bag over your gentleman’s quality well worn hunting jacket. Scanning the country for a quality shot. All the very best for Christmas and the New Year.
Yes, plenty of room. You can leave the lens hood extended too, though it's less important with that clever twist-extend hood. It sells for just short of £200 which isn't cheap but is very good value.
As a minimalist, or maybe just someone that spends too much time in optimizing stuff, I own the S size that is the perfect size for a camera, 2 small lenses and everything that is needed for international travel. But as I reach my destination and I want to walk in the streets of a new city, than also the S size is an overkill. So I switch to the mini rider that I took with me. And again I find myself traveling with 2 bags; One for traveling and one for sightseeing. This is not really a minimalist.
