Gear

Camera Bag Modifications: Strap Management /  by Matt Pham

I have a lot of camera bags but there are a few things that bother me about all of them. I recently found solutions to those annoyances. While these solutions aren’t new or innovative to some but a big improvement for me.

The problems

  • Loose straps

  • Monopod security

The Solutions

  • Reusable Strap and ITW Web Dominators : Keeps the straps out the way but can still allow for bag adjustments on the fly. Combine it with the elastic strap keepers found on most bags and those straps will be locked in.

  • Multipurpose Fastener : This should be able to secure the monopod down better than the straps that were provided. It should also be fast to attach/remove the monopod from the bag.

F-Stop: Tilopa /  by Matt Pham

Technically it's not a review but more of an initial impression. Let's get this out of the way, yes it did take a while for me to actually get the bag and ICU. Though I didn't have much communication issues like other have. They were responsive and upfront about things, I even got an offer for an ICU upgrade. My original order was for the Tilopa and large ICU, they offered to upgrade it to an XL ICU. Problem is that I actually ordered an XL ICU since I needed both. What they did was send the Tilopa and XL ICU since the large ICU was still on back order.

Since this was my first F Stop bag, I didn't know what to when it arrives. Everything was packed very well. I was surprised to see that my bag came in a bag! It's an elegant touch for something meant to be so rugged.

The reason I went with the Tilopa was because it hold a lot of gear and most importantly my latest addition of the 200-400mm F4. I also like the versatility the ICU system gives me. I could swap as needed. I hunted high and low for a bag that could hold what I needed, the results all pointed to the Tilopa. Not an overly massive bag but big enough to hold the biggest lens that I own.

While the bag hasn't been "field tested" yet, but so far everything has lived up to expectations. I need to hurry and recover from my ankle injury to really test this bag.

Lowepro Transit 350AW Review /  by Matt Pham

The hardest thing after choosing a camera or lens is what to keep all those things in. Bags come in all sorts of shape,sizes and colors. There are so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming. Is there a perfect bag out there? If there is, I haven't come across it yet. There are some people like myself that have multiple camera bags. Each bag  is for different gear loadouts. Trying to find just one prefect bag is hard. But then I recently came across the Lowepro Transit 350AW. It look like this could be a good fit for most occasions.

It's what I would call a "pro" commuter backpack. It can hold a 15" laptop or a tablet and has a small space to carry non-photography related things. The reason I call it a "pro", is because it can fit a gripped body and a 70-200mm F2.8 lens attached.  There is still plenty of space to spare for additional gear.The inside is adjustable and you can change the layout to suit your needs. You can pull the camera from out the top of the bag or have it set up for you to pull it out from the side. 

The bag features a squared off bottom, even when loaded down with gear it can stand up on it's own. My other favorite feature is the built in rain cover that comes in the all AW series. I can't have a bag that doesn't have a rain cover. I've been caught in too many summer rainstorms in Florida not to have a cover. My only gripe with this bag is the lack of side pocket for something like a water bottle. But then again, where would it go? One side has the camera quick access and the other is side is for your tripod/monopod. My solution to this was buying the bottle pouch. It attaches with velcro to the loops on the side that can hold the tripod. Other than that, there really isn't anything to complain about. It really seems like a bag that can hold your gear and some other daytime essentials for people on the go.