F-Stop Loka - Please help

sarahhj

sarahhj

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Hi,

I am close to ordering one of these bags but haven't been able to find the answers to a couple of questions. I am hoping someone out there will be able to help!

1. I am interested getting some of the GateKeeper straps and understand they come in two lengths - small and large. Does anyone know the (approx) lengths of these?

2. On the F-Stop website their comprehensive information only highlights 8 GateKeeper attachment points on the Loka, but states there are 10. I think there might be two by where the hip belt meets the bag - is anyone able to confirm this?

This bags looks great on paper and the reviews are positive but the £ :nuts: so I want to make sure I get this right! If anyone has an opinion on the ICUs I am open to hearing your views on them too.

Thanks!
 
My Satori came with 2 GateKeepers. They are approx 50cm long. I don't know if they are large or small ;) It also has 2 gatekeeper attachment points just where you say.

The Loka is (of course) a different bag but if you look on the 4th picture here http://fstopgear.com/en/loka there are 2 marked on the waist belt. They are also shown on the back view. I think I can count 10 in total including the 2 on the bottom (to hold eg a sleeping roll)

ICUs....I guess you know that for pro bodies you want pro ICUs. For nongripped bodies you can use the shallow ICUs. One slightly annoying feature is that if you put the largest possible ICU in the bag (e.g. large for Loka) it may be slightly fiddly to get at the top of it through the back panel. The ICU can be taller than the opening but it's not a big deal. Obviously it's cheaper to buy ICUs with the bag rather than later.

One thing I'll say if you haven't seen them in real life.....they are far better made than they look ;) Most reviews are from experienced outdoors people who expect the packs to work as packs - and they do. If people used to reviewing camera bags were reviewing them they would keep saying things like "OMG!!!!!! THESE BAGS ARE ACTUALLY COMFORTABLE TO CARRY - AND THEY DON'T EVEN BREAK!!!!!!".
 
Ok. I just <cough> happened to be on the phone to the Fstop guys.

50cm is the long. Short is about half that 25 - 30 cm.
 
Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for your help :thumbs:

The main reason for getting the Loka is for the ability to carry other stuff with me with ease (I hope!). I have wanted a bag like this for a while but hadn't really seen anything that ticked all of my boxes. I think I am going to opt for the Med Pro ICU.

From what I can tell the placement of the Gatekeeper attachment points allows for items to be strapped both underneath and on top of the bag then. And I am guessing that the longer ones would be more suitable.
 
>> From what I can tell the placement of the Gatekeeper attachment points allows for items to be strapped both underneath and on top of the bag then.

Yep. Imagine somebody who knew a lot about packs had put them in good places ;) Sleeping roll on top and/or bottom, waterproofs on the outside etc.

>> And I am guessing that the longer ones would be more suitable.

I would say so. They are adjustable all the way to really short. I guess the small ones are lighter if you're obsessive ;)

>> I think I am going to opt for the Med Pro ICU.

Cool. That should hold (say) a D3S, 24-70 and 70-200 with a bit to spare. Do think if you might need other ICUs in the future though. It's £35 extra to get another ICU of any size. If you wanted a large later then it's $99 on its own.

BTW in case you don't know, the Páramo shop in Covent Garden sells them. Call the guys on 0207 379 8615 and they can help you out.
 
I have been in contact with Paramo and hopefully I will have the bag by the end of April - i'll get a couple of the long gatekeepers I think.

I wouldn't mind a tripod bag but they're out of stock :-(

Thank you once again Jonathan :D
 
Not precisely on topic but...I use a Tilopa and it is absolutley the first piece of kits I'd save from a buring building. The F-Stop bags have been designed so well, they are a joy to use. For anyone considering sizes and depths of ICU's I'd recommend going for the pro (deeper) variety as although they may not be needed to support the depth of non gripped bodies, they do allow many lenses to be placed vertically so taking less real estate up. I bought the large ICU and have since dropped to the med to enable more room for waterproofs, warmwear, butties etc. I had a stab at a review here.. It was written before I downsized to the med ICU. If it helps anyone, all well and good. You won't be disappointed.
 
this is a the large ICU if it helps any:


FStop Loka by neilgates, on Flickr

FStop Loka Backpack

Listed from top left to bottom right:
* Spare lens back and body caps (in space above body)
* Memory cards
* Canon 1Dmk3 w/ Sigma 1.4x and 120-300 f2.8 attached
* Rocket blower and remote release
* Sigma 50mm f1.4
* Sigma 70-200mm f2.8
* Canon 580mk2 and poverty remote receivers
* Remote TTL cord and remote transmitter
* Empty space (for now)
External:
* Manfrotto 190XPROB w/ 322RC2 head or Manfrotto 681 Mono w/ 486RC2
 
sarahhj said:
I have been in contact with Paramo and hopefully I will have the bag by the end of April - i'll get a couple of the long gatekeepers I think.

I wouldn't mind a tripod bag but they're out of stock :-(
Click to expand...

End of April? :(( I know their stock levels took a beating at Focus...

Not seen the F-stop tripod bags - but the ThinkTank Bazooka is a thing of beauty. Very well designed tripod bag. May be a bit too padded if you like your kit light.
 
The tripod bag looks quite good, I don't think it has much padding though. It attached to the side of bags with Molle attachment points, so I don't think it would work with my Guru.

I've got two sets of the gatekeeper straps, I got one with my Guru and one with my Satori EXP, I can measure them later to see if they are the same.
 
The tripod bags are £35 alone. Maybe something to get at a later date. I don't think they have any padding at all but will stop scratches etc and the MOLLE loops on them for the straps on the bag to pass through would make it very secure. I have really struggled to find a bag big enough to take my Manfrotto 410 head which doesn't break the bank or prove stupidly bulky.

Lewis - not to worry. I am going to go for the longer ones for verstility.

Should have had a proper look at the kit at the Outdoor Show but I told my husband to stop looking at the f-stop stand as they were so expensive and I didn't think I would ever consider getting one! :bonk:
 
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