Have I found the ultimate camera bag?

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

Santa is your dad
Messages
2,666
Name
Alasdair Fowler
Edit My Images
Yes
After having tried loads of different camera bags (Lowepro Slingshot 200AW, Lowepro Pro Trekker, Lowepro Vertex 200AW, Lowepro Flipside 200AW, Nanau Alpha, Tamrac Adventure 9 and several others) and having never been completely happy with any of them I decided to do some research and buy yet another bag! This time it was the F-Stop Loka up for test.

F-Stop is an American company specializing in camera bags for 'adventure photography', ie Skiing, Trekking, Mountain biking etc. As my main need is to carry camera kit, clothing and food on long (15-25mile) walks their lineup looked pretty good.

Originally I was going to get the 50 litre Tilopa (They also do the even bigger 58 Litre Satori) but on talking with some of the guys from F-Stop (They are very responsive to their users and ideas etc) I discovered that a new 37 Litre Loka was just about to be released. I wasn't sure if this was a bit too small and light, but I took a risk and pre-ordered it anyway.

dsc0879h.jpg
dsc0881b.jpg

dsc0867.jpg
dsc0878a.jpg

(Not my pics btw.)

It arrived last Saturday. Got the black one and I am very happy so far. This is a camera bag designed for people who carry cameras, not cameras who happen to be carried by people. What I mean by this is many of the Lowepro bags keep your kit very safe, but are also hideously over padded and overweight (My Pro Trekker is 4.3Kg empty!). This bag keeps your kit safe but weight is kept to a minimum and it is way comfier than any other bag I have tried. I am 6'1" and it fits perfectly. Some really well thought out features on this bag. Access is from the back, so when you put it on the ground you don't get the part that goes against your back all wet and muddy. There are plenty of well thought out straps and attachments for tripods, skiis, snowboards, walking poles, lighting stands and everything else. The bottom is fully rubberised to make it totally waterproof and super durable. Also for a bag this small it seems to have a mysterious amount of space inside. I have the medium ICU (All of the bags use removable ICUs (Internal Camera Unit) to hold the camera kit, so you can choose different sizes depending on what camera/clothing ratio you want) fitted and was surprised to fit;

Nikon D300
300mm f4 + 1.4xTC
24-70mm f2.8
10-20mm f4-5.6
Polarizer
10 Stop ND filter
Remote shutter
Right Angled Viewfinder
Gitzo 1541T + Markens Q3T Tripod

Coat (Paramo Pajaro)
Food
Drink
First Aid Kit
Compass
Wallet
Keys

Plus a few other bits and bobs. With this kit there is still a decent amount of space left for more spare clothes or other accessories. I am also very happy to discover that the straps on the waistband are wide enough to take a Think Tank Holster, meaning I have somewhere to keep my camera temporarily rather than having to keep taking the rucksack on and off.

A few things I would change about this bag though; I know the raincover is an optional extra, but I think for the price and weight it really should come as standard. I would like to see the molle straps on the right hand waiststrap as well as the left, and have the waist pocket detachable. I'm also not convinced by how the ICU attaches to the inside of the bag. I would prefer to see plastic clips doing the job instead. Once it is in it is held in place safely, but it is a bit tricky adding and removing it.

Other than that it is exactly what I was after. It looks great, fits great and makes my days out much easier and comfier. If anyone else is looking for a bag that feels like it belongs on your back, then this is a very good option. :)
 
Curious to know - when you say access is from the back - do you mean from the back as in the part that rest directly on your back - as by looking at the pictures I can just make out a couple of zips...

Hence my question...

Whats the price of these if you dont mind me asking
 
These do look really good, did you import it, where from and any chance of some pics with your gear?
 
Trig's said:
Curious to know - when you say access is from the back - do you mean from the back as in the part that rest directly on your back - as by looking at the pictures I can just make out a couple of zips...

Hence my question...

Whats the price of these if you dont mind me asking
Click to expand...

that's what it looks like from the pictures.


any chance we can see some pictures of the inside layout?
 
The ultimate camera bag...

Like you I've been through so many that I know there's no such thing. The nearest thing that I've found for me is the Think Tank Speed Freak, so it just goes to show that every person's ultimate is different.

It is great to see people posting what they can get in a given bag, as it's the most helpful thing for prospective buyers.
 
Trig's said:
Curious to know - when you say access is from the back - do you mean from the back as in the part that rest directly on your back - as by looking at the pictures I can just make out a couple of zips...

Hence my question...

Whats the price of these if you dont mind me asking
Click to expand...

Yeah you access it from the side that goes against your back. Makes it safer as nobody can get into it without you taking the bag off, and if you do put it down in the snow/mud you don't end up putting the snow/mud against your back.

After shipping etc, it worked out at about £200. Not cheap, but well worth it for such a well designed and made rucksack.

Euan said:
These do look really good, did you import it, where from and any chance of some pics with your gear?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I imported it from the http://fstopgear.com website, based in the US.

I haven't taken any pics of it myself yet, but here are a few stock pics;

Medium ICU
icu05.jpg


ICU Options. If you get the Satori, there is also an XL ICU option as well.
icu02.jpg


The clothing/food/accessories area ontop of the ICU. This bit is accessed from the top of the bag.
fstoptilopatop.jpg


As you can see it is quite a slim fit and hugs the body very well.
lokagreymist20.jpg


Hopefully over the next week or so I'll wear it more and get some shots of it in use and fully loaded etc.
 
Last edited:
looks just up my street. any chance of you taking some more detailed piccies for us people that are drewling! Inside would be good, pockets and how it all fits together... ive been looking for a camera bag that can stand up against my vaude non camera rucksacks....
 
on reflection, i could use one of my vaude bags and buy a icu and put it in.... ooo, the icu opens up many doors me thinks... i have about 5 hiking rucksacks, and if i could just use them and put different icu's in....... i like this train of thought!!
 
nigpd said:
great write up but just one question..... how and where does a tripod attach to the bag?
Click to expand...

I've put mine with the feet in one of the elasticated mesh pockets at the side, then held in place with 2 straps. Fits really nicely and is very secure. I suppose in theory with all the molle attachment points, you could add some sort of tripod bag and attach it to the outside.

stokes said:
looks just up my street. any chance of you taking some more detailed piccies for us people that are drewling! Inside would be good, pockets and how it all fits together... ive been looking for a camera bag that can stand up against my vaude non camera rucksacks....
Click to expand...

Yeah sure. I haven't got any pics yet, but I'll try and get some this coming weekend.

stokes said:
on reflection, i could use one of my vaude bags and buy a icu and put it in.... ooo, the icu opens up many doors me thinks... i have about 5 hiking rucksacks, and if i could just use them and put different icu's in....... i like this train of thought!!
Click to expand...

You could do, but then access may become and issue as you would have to remove the whole ICU each time you want to add or remove something. The build quality and features of this bag are right up there with Deuter/Lowe Alpine/Osprey bags btw. I know it means yet another bag (I have a silly collection as well), but I really think this may be the very near perfect solution. :)
 
the reason i have multiple bags are for different sutuations.
If i am gonig through the peaks or on long walks the flipside 300 backpack is my choice bag
If its weddings or events then the Stealth Reporter D400 AW for easy access.
If its just a quick visit to see someone/something then a toploader style bag with camera and one lens.

I have another 2 bags which very rarely get used and worth next to nothing so cant complain.

Now if you could incorporate those into 1 then you have a perfect bag, however its a lot nicer the the flipside 300 and has stowing space too.
 
Like the look of it and would also love to see some real life shots of yours as the one shown looks a little small. My only vice would be that it opens from the back, I think it's a great idea as you don't get the back bit dirty and its great for security in busy places but I bought the Lowepro Flipside for this reason in New York and although a great bag when you opened it up fully, the lid would fling back into position. At the time a friend had the Vertex and could fully open it into two halves where as I would have to keep mine closed and keep peeling the lid back - does this bag have the same problem?
 
Alasdair - would you mind if this thread was moved to the reviews section? Tis a great resource that people could benefit from!
 
I think Alasdair, myself and one or two others on this forum keep the camera industry going by buying so many different bags. I'm onto the big Vertex at the minute.

As I-S mentions above I don't think there's such a thing as the ultimate bag. It's what suits your particular needs at the time you need it. Wouldn't it be great if we could take a bit from each bag and put them all into one. Spacious, lightweight and loads of pockets.

I must admit though, the F-Stop Loke does look good, thanks for posting Alasdair.
 
i
Messiah Khan said:
I've put mine with the feet in one of the elasticated mesh pockets at the side, then held in place with 2 straps. Fits really nicely and is very secure. I suppose in theory with all the molle attachment points, you could add some sort of tripod bag and attach it to the outside.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply Alasdair. I'm wonderiing if strapping a tripod to the side would make for uneven weight distribution :thinking:

Is there a facility to strap a tripod at the back, centrally?
 
While we wait on some pics from the OP here is one from POTN to keep our tastebuds going!
 
Thank you !!! I have been looking and looking for something that means I can go up the fells with a tent food etc and no kluck this looks ideal .... will investigate the price ..... maybe the slingshot will be up for sale soon
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top