MindShift 520362 Daypack Woodland Backpack, 26 litres

I don't have a huge kit, nor a huge camera. A simple Canon Rebel SL3 is my tool, many camera bags have too much space along the top of the bag for the camera body which just left my Rebel swaying back and forth, a bit unprotected. I really like that this Backlight 26L has a straight divider along one edge to eliminate the wasted space around my camera body.The set up I have now allows me to put camera in "sideways" as pictured so I can grab the grip easily. In the empty space below the camera in this photo, I can actually fit my 150-600mm lens while having the 55-250mm mounted on the camera - it's snug, but it will fit. I won't carry that as it's too much weight in the bag - I'm saving that space for a 100-400mm ;) But, it seems as if you could put in your camera mounted to a long telephoto lens easily.I appreciate the daypack space on the front of the bag - plenty of room for a jacket, notebook, lunch, etc. My 16" MacBook Pro fits in the laptop space easily. I'll mainly use this bag for transporting my kit and likely choosing a lens or two for hikes; having said that, my gimbal tripod head fits in the front pocket to be toted around as needed.I really appreciate that the tripod can be carried on the front with a foot holder that tucks away. It can also be strapped on the side. There are 2 loops for trekking poles.There are plenty of dividers included and the Velcro is strong - you'll fight to get them out ;)The straps fold completely out of the way for access to the back. Turning the back from the back to the front for access while standing/hiking, was awkward and I likely won't use that "feature."As far as pockets... there's no dedicated spaces for SD cards, but that's okay for me - I'm not a pro and haven't filled up any card yet. I wish it had a few smaller pockets around the outside and one that's lined for glasses or keys. I wish the waistband had pockets for easy access to tissues or chapstick or to put a lens cover in quickly. A different color option would be nice as well (gray and green - blah!).Including a side handle for carrying would be handy, but the top handle is quite sturdy and accessible.A potential complaint may be that the straps seem to fit a broader male chest. Just putting the bag on in the house, the straps seemed to rub a bit. Perhaps thinktank could experiment with more curved and more narrowly spaced straps for those with narrower chests.There truly isn't a perfect camera bag for everyone, but this one is pretty close to perfect for me.

I purchased this backpack for a recent trip to Arizona. I wanted a pack that was small enough to be my airline carry on while holding all the gear for my trip. The 26 liter size in the Backlight series fit the bill.Dimensionally the 26l qualifies as a carry on for most flights, but be aware that on some short-hop or commuter flights they may force you to gate check all bags. Technically this bag should fit under the seat ahead of you, but not if you want some place to put your feet during the flight!Inside I'm able to carry two Fuji bodies, one with grip and lens attached. Along for the ride are two zooms and five primes plus a Lowepro 100mm filter organizer. I can rearrange the dividers to include my full size flash if I need it, otherwise I put my smaller Nissin in one of the open slots.The dividers are thin though reasonably stiff, and the velcro used for placement is quite aggressive - I'm certain I won't have any of the cells collapse during a bumpy hike. The interior zippered pouches on the access panel though large don't offer a lot of carrying space. I tend to leave extra dividers in them plus neck straps and cables - anything not too bulky and that I don't need fast access to.On the exterior there are plenty of zippered or cinching pouches for water bottles, a tripod, maps etc. The main front side compartment easily holds my Lenovo 15" laptop plus my Kindle or other tablet-sized device. This pouch is gusseted and can also hold a poncho or windbreaker. The second, smaller zippered pouch is where I stuff snacks or other quick-access bits I'll need on the trail.The shoulder straps and hip belt system are comfortable enough. This is not a top-end suspension system but about the best I've found in a day bag at the price. I'm 6' 2" and the bag is long enough that the belt rides at the top of my hips rather than waist, pretty comfortable for 3 to 4 hour hikes. For longer hikes I'd prefer that the belt rode lower though that would mean a larger bag that might not qualify as an airline carry-on. I also would like to have a way to stow the belt when not in use but nothing is provided, usually I just wrap the belt around to the front of the bag and buckle it.The fabric is strong and even the red dirt of Arizona brushed off it quickly (I can't say the same for my shoes and socks!). I haven't had it out in any weather to comment on its ability to keep gear dry. The zippers are rugged and the looped pull tabs should make access with gloves on a breeze. It's a small thing, but I like that the bag will stand up when I put it down on the floor or on mostly level ground.What is missing? Side access to your camera, though when I hike I use a Spider clip for my main camera. An expandable top exterior compartment for additional clothing or hiking gear. More heavily padded shoulder straps. It would be nice if it came with a few additional straps to take advantage of the multiple lashing points on the bag, but that's picking nits.UPDATE: I mentioned that I use the Spider holster system but I've recently had the opportunity to use the Peak Design Capture Clip. While it was a bit of a fight to get the Capture Clip to clamp onto the Backlight bag's shoulder strap, once on it was a very workable solution. The Capture Clip and the Backlight bag are a great combination.Over 30+ years I've purchased so many camera bags, cases, backpacks and trunks that I could open a luggage store. I sold camera bags for decades and favored Tamrac and Lowepro for my customers. If this Mindshift series of bags from Think Tank had been available back then this would have been my top choice for prosumers wanting a pack for outdoor and landscape photography.

Really nice camera backpack, able to fit my 100-500 and camera bodyI did a bunch of research and when this came on sale I pounced

I have several camera bags/packs and they all have some sort of issue for me. Too small, too big, hard to access gear are some of the things I have run into. I saw this bag was on sale, checked it out, and decided to try it.I am not a professional photographer by any means. Just someone who has a lot of gear, and likes to get out and take pictures. And if you have the gear, I think you should take it just in case. And that's where this bag comes in.One of the neat things about this bag is the way you can access your gear. You can keep the hip belt attached, swing the bag around, and unzip the panel and pull out what ever lens, flash, filter, or whatever you need. (Pay attention when you swing the bag around or it can unsnap your pants. Just saying)The bag carries very well with a full load. Now I'm not in mountaineering shape, but it worked well busting some brush to get to a waterfall. Pads are comfortable, and there are plenty of adjustments. I have a couple of other bags by this brand, and they are all good quality. The bag has holders for two water bottles, and a couple of different ways to carry a tripod.On the subject of tripod attachment, this company also offers a tripod carry strap setup that allows you to sling your tripod from the shoulder straps, and steady it with one hand or hook it to the pack fully extended. Some people might not like this method of carry, but it worked for me even through the brush. It is, however, an added expense and some more floppy straps.All in all, I really like this pack.