I've had my generation 1 Shimoda Explore 60 for about a year, but I put in an order for an Atlas Adventure 60 L at Outsiders this past weekend. Before that I had that Mountainsmith pack that Chris Bruckard designed for about 2 years. When I fully outfitted my Shimoda with an appropriate core and all the accessory bags for organization, I felt like too much money and weight went into organization accessories and I was dismayed at how little room was left for additional gear. The Atlas pack seems to be a better fit for me and I look forward to getting out and testing it.
About 3 months. It's actually a backpacking bag with a huge zip down panel on the front. Was inexpensive, when comparred to dedicated backpacking photo bags, and has really exceeded my expectations. (Decathlon Forclaz Trek 900 60L). Backpacking i'll just be taking a small 7L bag inside to make room for camp and food. For day trips I put in a larger ICU from amazon for padding and just bring way too much gear.
I think it a real oversight by F-Stop, that they do not have places for waterbottles. I am living in Austria, which means during wintertime (and autumn and spring) I really want to have a warm drink with me. In the alps a insulated tea bottle is key during the outings. And also I need to have room for clothes to put on and off as needed.
Something to remember with having the tripod on the front of the bag. Depending on how heavy your tripod is, the weight of it that far away from your back might lead to pain depending on how long you are wearing it. Yes, the weight is more center, but there is more torque on your back. It might not matter much with a bag already loaded down with heavy glass though.
One of the serious issues with the Fstop tripod carrying system is that when you are butt sliding down a steep rock those tripod legs WILL catch on something unless you stick them in that wimpy center pocket. IMO that is poor design. The decision to remove all side pockets makes what would have been a serviceable competitor for my $$ into a non event. Fstop managed to loose a 10 year customer to the competition.
I waited patiently for almost a year for my Atlas Adventure and I love it. So I watched this to see the difference’s or if I was missing something that I just couldn’t live without, and I have to say it looks like FStop made a real good bag. But for me my Atlas is perfect. Thanks for stomping out my buyers remorse!!!!
I've had my Lowepro AW450 for TEN -12 years! Haven't found a reason to change or spend unnecessary $$$. I do like the F STOP bags and it I needed to I'd seriously look at them, for now LOWEPRO is solid.
I bought this camera bag nearly two years ago, and I think it's absolutely fantastic. It's very, very well constructed. The shoulder straps are great. If you adjust the shoulder straps correctly, and use the waist strap too, you can carry a lot of gear for many, many miles with no discomfort. My advice - get the medium ICU because it gives you enough space to carry your other outdoor gear such as a waterproof jacket, food and extra warm clothing. I can put my D850, 20-70mm lens, 70-200mm lens and 20mm prime comfortably into the ICU and there's still room for other stuff too. The side pockets are definitely large enough for water bottles - it's where I put mine - just undo the clips on the side if necessary to make it easier to get them in. And you might find it easier to put two smaller bottles into the side pockets rather one large one - making it easier too if you want to attach your tripod to the side of the bag.
This bag looks amazing and very impressive. They even got the color right and I hate green color. But let’s just call it what it is. Overpriced as hell. Even the fanciest hiking backpacks don’t cost that much. I really don’t understand why camera bags cost this much nowadays. I bought my lowepro mini trekker about a decade ago and at the time bags were reasonably priced and it is still going on strong. I would prefer to use this money in buying a used lens which is really what you need to make photographs.
I have had the F-stop Tilopa 50L bag for over a year now. Have easily taken it on 5- to 6-hour hikes to mountain peaks. Comes with a rain cover but never had to use it under a light rain. The material is also resistant to ingress of sand and dust when going on seascape photo shoots. I prefer to put my tripod on the front centered since I use the side pouches to carry water and food for my dog. Overall, the best bag I’ve had this far for carrying 3 lenses, FF body, filters, etc. in the main compartment and using the top portion for carrying a mirrorless APC camera and gimbal for shooting video.
Has anyone looked at the Lowpro Powder 500AW? It's half the cost of the Tilopa and it checks some really good boxes. For example: built-in rain cover, separation sewn in between main and camera compartments, dedicated water bladder/bottle pocket, 55L capacity, waist band pockets, medium ICU included, dedicated laptop compartment, various sensible/useful organization spaces. I have had for 2 years and carried on airlines without issue. Only problems are not comfortable for long hikes with heavy gear,. I am toting D850, 28-70 and 80-200 2.8, 2 small lens and accessories. Also, the ICU is only one size and color options are only gray/orange or Dark blue/blue. The top compartment is perfect for jackets, rain gear, camping equipment, etc. It is holding up well and seems very well made. I am baffled why no one reviews this bag and yet complains about all the problems it seems to solve. It's not for everyone...no bag is. But even after continued research and reviews of F-stop, Shimoda, Mindshift, etc, it should be considered in my opinion. Very flexible alternative in a small 55L package.
Great video as always (one of the most consistently good creators out there) but I'd like to see a video about what you take on a "lighter" trip. Say you're just running to a spot you know for a few pictures (and aren't vlogging it), what all would you take? I need to start packing lighter.
I bought my Tilopa about 12 months ago to have a comfortable hiking style bag for a trip to the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair area of Tasmania. Carried 2 bodies, 3 lens and a tripod with the smaller modular holder. As the trip was late Autumn, at the top of the pack I had fleece underwear, spare fleece top, rain gear, epirb, etc: (its alpine country). Had a 3 litre bladder and a stove and billy, as well. As comfortable as any pack I've got - walked for about 5 hours on each of 2 days, up (and down) some pretty steep slopes and was very pleased. As Tassie is an Island state I flew down. The clothing went in my suitcase, as did the tripod, for the flight. The top I cinched down as tight as possible. Went as carry on, no problems, although I must admit at 190cm I find I can no longer fit in economy with the amount of leg room there isn't today so I used points (miles) to upgrade to business, which I have to do all the time now, so maybe the airlines were a bit more lenient. My fabric isn't duradiamond but its pretty damn tough and the zips are water resistant.
Have a look in/near base for a zip. If anything like my f-stop bag there is a wee zip in base that has a space just the right size for rain cover which frees up the pocket you used for it.
I’ve had the original Loka for about 15 years now. It’s beat up but still my main travel/hiking bag. One of the main zippers to open the ICU access doesn’t work any more but for what it’s been through I’d say it’s been a great investment.
Good survey of this pack, Mark. Thanks. That $400 pack looks really good. The rear access panel is the best feature. I carry a LowePro 450 aw II that also has that rear access. Your f-stop bag's dividers have those straps that secure the compartments. I wish I had that in my pack. Yet, I prefer a simpler design. Getting at the rain cover is OK, but I am pretty happy how simple and fast I can get the rain cover over my pack. Sometimes a few seconds can make a difference..
Mark, the next time your near an outdoor adventure store checkout Osprey Kamber & Gregory Targhee true hiking/snow packs, open from the back just like F-stop & Shamoda, then you will know real comfort on the trail. They come in several sizes. I have few different Fstop ICU sizes depending what I am going to use the bag for.
I picked up my Gitzo Adventury 30L (Green) brand new at an incredible price and absolutely love it. Don't know if a bigger one would be as comfortable. Enjoy. Thanks for sharing the details.
I don't know. I've had a Loka for years and its no longer the first bag I reach for. If you're using a large ICU (which it looks like you're using), there isn't enough room for much else other than a light jacket or rain shell, and maybe a snack. I guess it would work for an out-and-back photo day hike where you don't plan on camping for a night. F-Stop packs are heavy as it is...I'm curious as to what the packed-out weight is when you're carrying your gear, tripod, laptop, and other incidentals.
Hi Mark, i dont understand one thing: I saw that you have inserted a Large ICU that takes up almost all the space in height. But it is strange because I have an F-Stop Lotus which, with the large ICU inserted, it seems to me that it occupies the same space, in height ... (it remains the same small space for two clothes). So I ask you: but is this Tilopa really that taller in cm / inch than a 32-35LT? I thought there was + space to put clothes and I don't understand ... am I wrong something? And as hand luggage are we at the limit or are we calm? thanks bye from italy!
This kind of bag makes sense when your gear costs multiple thousand dollars. As an owner of Canon 700D with kit lenses, I have only used the free bag I got for 7 years now ! Maybe one day I will join the big league !
Love the back access bags I've got the shimoda. If someone could work out how to do the back mesh like a osprey but be able to flip that over and have the back panel I'd be sold right away. That osprey setup is hands down the best design for comfort I've ever had.
I learned to shun metal buckles because they "tink" so much it can announce your presence to critters. I also don't care for ICUs as a personal choice. I do like the basic style and materials. I will probably not ever use a water bladder because they are hard to impossible to clean, and rather expensive to replace. A regular water bottle pocket is my preference. I often use a large Tamrac lens pouch with belt attachment as an insulated water bottle pouch. I went to a rear opening bag about a year ago and now will use nothing else.
Have had my Mindshift bag since you sent it to me in July! 😄Just got done hiking/camping three days in Olympic National Park. Still absolutely loving it!
I am curious - if you are hiking - does anyone take any emergency survival gear? Extra clothing, food? Bear spray? This bag looks great - for me probably way too big and heavy. I have an ultra light pack that I put forms into to protect gear and let’s me pack stuff I mentioned above.
I'm also curious about this. I've seen some folks on r/onebag recommend the Hyperlight Mountain Gear packs for a crossover between travel and ultralight outdoor hiking/backpacking.
I have a small first aid kit in my bag. Its only small (essentially takes up as much space as a lens), but if you do have an accident, help could be a long way a way.
Good review Mark. I like some of the features(alum buckles) of this bag, but am so connected the Shimoda Explore II 25L and their Action X 50 for both design thoughtfulness and comfort.
I picked up the same bag a month ago and love it. I have moved some of the straps around and I am thinking of getting more so I can carry more on the outside of the bag.
You can mount the tripod on the back or either side using their straps. It does not have a pouch like the Shimoda for the tripod. I have the Shimoda as well, great bag!
@@jasoneldridgephotography Agree, you can also mount a tripod with the straps of a Shimoda too, but the Shimoda provides options. As we all know, there is no one perfect bag. But Shimoda comes the closest for my needs.
@@cgan2013 I subscribe to the bag a month club or at least it looks like I do… Lol. No one perfect bag so I try to find good bags for specific situations.
Good looking bag. For those of us who live in warmer environments, I wish they could figure out a mesh/suspended panel between my back and the pack (ie. Osprey backpacks). Thanks for your review!
This is useful for short travel trip. Instead of bringing 2 bags for camera and clothes you can fit it all here just 2 lens would be enough. Specially on planes you dont need to have a check in luggage less hassle
An interesting review. I would be amazed if that bag was allowed into the cabin of an aeroplane. I think there are some design faults - eg the memory card pouches as you mentioned. That whole pouch layout on the back flap does not work for me. The shimoda explore V2 wins hands down over this bag - in my opinion. And I carry a full Fuji GFX 50sii system, with 100-200 klens, 32-64 lens, 23mm lens. Plus outdoor gear. Thanks for the review
Another great video Mark! Love seeing new camera bag options, although it’s kind of hard to recognize you with something other than Shimoda! 🤣 Hope you’re having a blast in Southern Utah. I really wish I could have made that conference. I’m sure you flying home out of Vegas, but if you are actually flying out of SLC, I’d love to catch a quick dinner with ya! You pass through my city on the way to SLC. Have a great trip man.
Great video! I’ve been using the F-Stop Loka 37 UL, it’s nice and light, but not a fan for air travel, it doesn’t fit under a seat in Delta. I might have to go back to Mindshift Backlight 18L or 26L. This looks like a very nice bag
Awesome video! I am in the market for a new bag and I will consider this one. I also carry with me a small drone and it looks like everything would fit! One other comment I would like to make is that I love your “backdrops”, the lighting , the compositional aspects of your production, top notch! I notice all this stuff not just the content. So keep wowing me and I will keep coming back to your videos! Thank you so much!
A nice bag, but I wonder how magnetic flaps and memory cards can go along in the long run. Back to the question, I usually take my 50L+ hiking bag (20 years old one LOL) on bigger trips, place a Vanguard bag's camera holder unit into the bottom and I am good to go. I still need space for clothes, food, sleeping bag for longer hikes.
Thanks for your videos Mark, they are great! I'm a landscape photography enthusiast and also a Fuji (X-H2) user. I am now immersed in buying a backpack to travel and carry gear and I am undecided between Shimoda Action X40 v2 (Medium DSLR v2 Core Unit) and the f-stop Tilopa Duradiamond (Slope Medium ICU). As a user of both brands yourself, your opinion would be very important for me to make a decision. Thanks in advance and keep those instructive videos coming.
Great review Mark, Tom Heaton reckon the ability to take it off in the field and have direct access to your gear was the best attribute of these bags. Have one myself…but does not get a lot of use, sadly Cheers from down under 👍🏼🍷❤️🇦🇺
Awsome looking bag, But notice fstop is still not making a liner or something to stop things from falling down into the camera compartment. A zip out divider like shimodas would be awsome.
Surprised that you prefer this over the Shimoda. Those useless side pockets and the absence of water bottle compatible pockets is an absolute deal breaker for me. There was no substantial redesign here, just a bit of a facelift and removal of useful capabilities
Hi Mark, like you I found the Ajna a bit uncomfortable with heavy weight. I have the GFX 50S with 23, 32-64 and 100-200 like you and I have found the Tilopa (previous version) really comfortable on those long hikes. FWIW, I don't like the new design side pockets, they don't expand like the ones on my older bag, maybe the extra stoowage on the back panel is useful but I don't feel my older one is lacking storage and there is a space inside the bag for a laptop so whilst the new variation seems great I don't see me needing to replace my earlier version until it dies. Thanks for sharing.
With all those spots to put stuff you may spend more time looking for stuff than shooting, sometimes the simpler the better where you open one zip and everything is there, no searching, no unzipping and zipping, it's all there in front of you. Gee I wonder if I packed that item?? Better open up all compartments just to check!
Great video , and great bag! You forgot to mention the coolest feature though. The built in whistle on the sternum strap buckle! It might help in a pinch!
Before when I could carry backpacks this would definitely be a bag I would have looked for the side pockets are actually great for putting a phone or even wallets since when you travel it's harder for anyone to get into without you noticing it
I have the previous Tilopa, and it seems like this solves most of the bigger gripes I have with it, namely the inside of the access flap and the side pockets. As far as airplane use, I was able to fly with it as a carry-on, though it is pretty much at the high end of what is usable.
Several bags for different use cases for me: street work, city travel, autonomous hiking, gear hauling….This one doesn’t look very appealing to me to be honest and it looks heavy with a few quirks and features I didn’t know were necessary ;-) probably won’t need a new bag for the next +10 years, as most of them are very well built nowadays!
A bit posh that bag, I just use a military/tactical backpack and dump a camera insert in it + clothes and lunch, job done and battle tested :-) Most bags are cordura of some density.
Afternoon Mark! I bought the atlas athlete, how does this compare now that you have had some experience with both? Obviously a bit larger, but functionality for hiking / schlepping camera & drone gear? Thanks & love your content!
Great review! Thanks for sharing man! Please, let us know later how was The experience inside airplane (under seat, overhead, if Airlines staff give you hard time, etc). Cheers and enjoy your Utah trip!
Great bag Mark, Looks like they did a good job! Where did you buy the f stop accessories pouch? Can't seem to find it anywhere! Love the bright colour which your friend Nick Page has the bag in that colour 🙂
Hey, thanks for all the amazing content! I had a question, did you get a chance to see if this bag fits in the regular overhead compartment as well? Thanks!
It is good looking, but I'm sticking with the Shimoda that you convinced me to buy two years ago :) Also, when you mention a "heavy" load, I'd love to know about how many lbs/kgs so I can compare what I'm carrying. For instance, my Shimoda (50L) weighs 28lbs when I take my gear hiking. Is that too much or comparable?
I think it's nice that you "dared" to turn your back on Shimoda.. Here in Germany, the brand is not so well known. But especially in the USA, it gives the impression that there is no other manufacturer, because everyone is running around with it. That must be their marketing, that they probably give out many copies to testers. Oh well. I also bought the Explore V2, there were many reviews that said it was the best backpack in the world. But I wasn't happy with him. I didn't like the look of it, I should have stopped right away and not bought it. What I liked was the core unit. Because it's different from what you're used to. The separators are thinner and still stable. You can fold them and that gives you a lot of freedom. I also bought the new Tilopa in green at the F-Stop Black Weeks. I was so hyped by all the changes that I ordered the smaller Ajna the next day. Before that I checked the dimensions of the ICUs. I found them to be almost identical to Shimoda's core units. So I packed the Medium DSLR V2 Core Unit from the Explore V2 into the Ajna. Fits fine. You don't have to fix them in the Ajna either. Yes in the Tilopa, it's wider. I tinkered a bit with Velcro and found a solution. Now I have ordered the large DSLR V2 Core Unit from Shimoda, but I still have to attach the Velcro straps. I like the Tilopa and the Ajna a lot better. I've been a huge LowePro fan for years. But since the takeover, their design has deteriorated in my eyes. There haven't been any really great backpacks lately. So I'm very happy that I've found a new "home" at F-Stop. Well, they're not perfect either, what I don't like, for example, is the buckle on the lap belt. It's stable because it's made of aluminum. But not so easy to close. And if you don't close it and you're walking down the hall at home in the morning, the buckle rattles everywhere and wakes everyone up....
Not sure if I missed it or not but have you done an updated review after using it for a while now. I’m curious as I think this one is my next bag. I fly a lot and always been worried it would be slightly too big to fit in an overhead on the plane.
Its a real shame that so many back packs are going down the 'rear access' design. I know that there is a security aspect to consider - but for a pack aimed at hiking/adventure use, a front access design seems more sensible to me - much faster to access and you don't need to put the bag down to get at the camera either, handy if you happen to be standing in mud/wet sand / middle of river.
Mark, love your content! Two questions: the bag appears not to be adjustable for height; would it work for my 6’2” height? Did you have any issues with the airlines? I typically only fly domestic on SW whenever possible. Thanks!
I was mildly upset when they released this series, it was just 3 short weeks after I purchased my last gen Lotus! Could have used the new features, oh well there is my justification to get another piece of gear!
Just regarding your comment about the backpack fitting in an overhead locker: do your airlines have a weight limit for carry-on luggage? In Australia "budget" (and not-so budget) airlines are known to weigh luggage at the boarding gate and charge is anything is over 7kg. Your backpack looks like it could exceed this limit, once fully loaded.
I've flown Virgin & Qantas with my telopa, clothing, tripod etc; in the suitcase. Top of the bag cinched down and ok. But at 190cm the legroom in both means I can't comfortably fit in economy anymore so cash + points into business. Last time I flew cattle class was back from CHCH in 2017 and I spent 3 hours of the flight standing in the Galley and the crew were ok with that, they understood. Problem when your airline is run by a leprechaun
Can you show how you hold your tripod please. I can’t see how you stop it slipping down so the legs are lower than the bag. I have the shimoda and the older F-stop and I have same problem on both.
How much does it weigh? I bought a LowePro Whistler 350 for a trip to Iceland that is almost identical but it weighs well over 3kg before I put anything in it. Strange how no one ever mentions weight. Personally, I don't trash my gear so when I went on the trip I took an older 1.1kg Lowepro Trekker bag that is perfectly good for the odd bump and guess what? Nothing got smashed and my back is for ever grateful. Anyone want to buy a Whistler, new with tags?
I own this bag and while I enjoy it, I also have a couple issues. Like you, it frustrates me that F-Stop refuses to put side water bottle pockets on their bags. This has been a missing piece with them for years and they seem to stubborning refuse to resolve it. (And who wants to store water INSIDE the same bag as the one you have thousands of dollars in camera equipment?) Secondly, the zipper pulls are shameful. Not only are they aesthetically hideous, and appear to be made from electrical tape and leftover paracord found on the factory floor, but they are not nearly as effective as pulls that use finger loops. I wanted to love this bag, and I’ll continue to give it a chance for a while, but as of right now my Mindshift Backlight Elite has this beaten in many ways.
Hi Mark, do you have a water bottle somewhere easily accessed with this bag? I’m looking at the Shimoda Explore V2 that you reviewed and it looks like the ideal bag for me, having a good location for the tripod and water bottle is a really big draw for me
On the subject of bags, how did you carry the filter adapter and filters for the XF 8-16mm? I can't figure out where to put mine, it's all too big for the gear compartment, and putting it in the top makes it poke me in the neck, it got really painful half way into the shoot.
I sure wish Osprey would come up with a Camera Pack. I just spent another large sum of money on a new hiking camera bag and so far, I'm not 100% thrilled with thew comfort. Need to play with the load setup a bit to see if it can get better. I have a bunch of osprey packs that I tried to make work because everyone of them is stupid comfortable.
I have an Osprey 65L pack that I plan to use in the coming months. I have a few F-Stop ICU's from my Loka pack, so I may try using possibly the medium ICU in the Osprey. This would leave plenty or room for my ultralight camping gear, clothing, and food for a weekend outing.
You only need a bag with rear access, so you are looking at alpine style bags. Osprey Soelden, 36 or 42 (which has a removable top), has rear access, it's nearly waterproof, and it's very comfortable. You can also look at mammut, their bags are very comfortable and have that same design. However, be mindful that rear access bags,dont have great back airflow, and in a warm climate, they will get your back pretty hot. Modern hiking backs have a mess structure to create an air gap, and improve air flow, but there is no bag right now, that combines both things so far.
It is incredible how often you, and other youtubers, change your gear. Cameras, lenses, bags, filters, every x months something has to be changed. The previous thing was the best ever, now this thing is the best. Not saying that you get it for free, that is not the point. In this case we cannot know if the previous multiple backpacks, can hold over some years, because none of them are used that long.
I’ve got the fstop Bag and I never use it, they have not improved at all, they have no real solution for water bottles, and the water bladder is an after thought, these bags are supposed to be for long hikes, for these you need 1-3 litres of water. Why can’t they have a tripod carry on one side and a water bladder on the other, with a pocket for a bottle underneath if you don’t wish to use a bladder?
How much the bag weighs with gear, tripod and water bottle in it? I carry my GFX 50S with 32-64, water bottle and tripod and I feel that any more will be really heavy and tiring.
Not adjustable, therefore too small for this big dude! May brands of backpack remain frustratingly out of my reach due to my height. Luckily, Atlas exists.
@Chad Ashton 6'4" 300. I have the Explore 60 but found the waist belt to be too small. I picked up an Atlas Adventure with the XXL waist belt and shoulder straps, should be just right.
I like your recommendation. However I am still waiting after 8 months for the Aspen ball head you had previously recommended. I have sent repeated requests for a status on shipment via email and their Facebook page and they do not respond. Their website simply says on back order for the item. Just thought you should know their lack of professionalism. Thank you for your site.
One, you didn't show where the water bladder goes. Still would need the ability to carry water and looks like none of the sides could carry a water bottle. Also, the covers for the memory cardholders, are they magnetic? If so never put memory cards there.
The water bladder goes behind the camera ICU. It can hold a very large one for sure and it has a H2O passthrough so the hose can easily be run down the strap. As far as the memory cards the solid state drives like SD, CF Express etc are not affected by them.
@@jasoneldridgephotography don't have this bag, so maybe you are right about where to put the water bladder, but if this is like my lowenpro, the bladder goes in one of the thin side pockets. As best as I can tell from this video, the pocket behind your right arm as you wear the bag is labeled H2O. Anyway, with a big bag a bladder is a good way to go. No taking off the bag or doing an awkward reach around, you water tube is always clipped to the front strap inviting you to keep hydrated. I drink a lot more water since switching to a bladder system. If the bladder does go behind the ICU, I hope the ici is waterproof! My side bladder pocket is waterproof between the pocket and the main storage area and has a drain grommet, just in case.
@@erikswenson2659 I own the bag and it does go behind the ICU in a little pouch designed for the bladder. What I would have expected to see would be drain hole at the bottom but there isn't on in this pouch. Personally I have never had a water bladder give out and I am notoriously hard on my equipment. Still, it does raise an eyebrow. The front zipper pocket has a drain hole but no pass through for the bladder hose. The only place the passthrough has access to is the main pocket behind the ICU.
