Three Bags Full
[NB This comparative review should be read in conjunction with the specific review which may be found here. The previous review contains far more detail about the particular advantages of these bags rather than their comparative capacities.]
My uses are landscape photography exclusively and while some readers may well use the informaton to inform choices for urban carrying, that’s not however my area of experience.
I’ve owned camera bags since the late 70’s. A huge number which isn’t striking at all but what is striking is the very small number I now own. I’ve bought, used and sold all the ones that didn’t pass muster. On that list are well known brands like Domke, Billingham, ThinkTank, LowePro, F-stop, Crumpler, Tamrac, Kata, Mindshift and plenty of unbranded or deceased brands.
The current selection is very small indeed. Two Billinghams, some smaller ThinkTanks and the subjects of this piece, Shimoda.I’ve reduced my backpack selection to just one range, Shimoda Action X and to three models X30/50/70. I admit three sizes could be considered overkill but I’ve long been a sufferer of Goldilocks Syndrome. Sometimes the big is just too big and the small just too small. Many photographers I meet assume that three sizes is to allow varying amounts of camera equipment to be carried. Not so in my case at least. For me its all about what else goes in the bag. How much other stuff needs to be carried. My usual camera kit is generally pretty modest; comprising one body and 2 or three lenses. If really pushing, it, I might add one extra lens. Other than that the camera equipment is made up just of batteries, remote, spare card and often though not always a filter kit. This basic package lives in a medium mirrorless core unit https://shimodadesignseu.com/gb/action-x-core-units and is simply moved from bag to bag. Why then own three similar bags of varying sizes? The answer is very simple and equates to the following questions about any outdoor photography field excursion:
How far?
How High?
How cold?
How wet?
How long? ( This includes the subset of whether we are attempting to combine photography with an overnight camp and in what season)
The key and often overlooked reason for these different bag sizes is nothing to do with photography and everything to do with survival and comfort. The extra space in the bag above the Core Unit is taken up with varying kit lists according to a number of factors as listed above.
One of the lessons I have learned from 40 years in the mountains including 15 years on a busy Mountain Rescue Team is how few people properly prepare for the mountains. They dress and pack for their walk and maybe a quick stop for some food and drink. If we consider an accident that happens which requires MRT assistance (or for which no assistance is possible), they may well be sitting on one spot for many hours. The clothing that keeps you warm in winter while moving at 3000ft is not the same as clothing that will keep you warm when sitting still for three hours. Similarly clothing that keeps you warm while walking over the fell is woefully inadequate if you wish to spend hours stationary waiting for the light. I’ll illustrate below some of the stages and combinations.
We’ll ignore those hot sunny days when a T-shirt, shorts, hat, fluid and sunbloc are all that’s needed.
The three bags, side by side.
Shimoda Action X Photo Backpacks X70 - X50 -X30
The differences between them are noticeable but they are even more obvious when the bags are fully packed. In addition to being taller the bags also become wider and deeper as the range moves upwards. Not shown, but each bag comes with an additional helmet holder which straps on to the front and apart from a climbing helmet would also secure wet waterproofs or similar. (Perhaps a couple of Baguettes if in the Alps.) In each case, I also invested in the supersize straps (standard with the X70). This is personal taste but I find them more comfortable which outweighs their additional bulk. The laarger strap also enables a larger phone pocket. There is also a womens’ strap alternative available. I don’t have a personal perspective on this but I have 100% positive feedback from those who I’ve asked who use them. The final extra for each sack is a Shimoda rain cover. These are not the useless generic covers to which we are used. These are individually designed and sized to fit and include pass through openings for the hip belt. Unlike all other covers (that I have tried), they work and they stay in place perfectly.
I’ve put together four rough scenarios for the bags.
A general 3 season bag with waterproofs, hat gloves, food, photo items and a few bits and bobs
A winter bag for colder weather and when there’s snow on the ground. This assumes the photographer might wish to venture onto the fells and so Ice Axe/Crampons are included.
A full on winter bag for a long day in very harsh conditions. If one imagines sitting out blizzards while waiitng for a glimpse of Striding Edge that would cover thngs/
A 3 season Camping trip with full camera and tripod. I’ve thought of this as a single overnight stay.
I’ve specifically stated 3 season camping as I’ve not camped in winter with a full camera kit using one of these bags. There’s a couple of reasons for this but the key one for me is that by the time I combine a Z7 with 2 or 3 lenses, full mountain cold weather clothing, axe, crampons etc and then factor in the additional weight of a suitable winter tent, sleeping bag and mat, I can no longer carry the weight. If I want to camp in winter, I have to make compromises on photo equipment. If I’m fixed on photo equipment, I have to compromise on when and where I can camp. The passing of time has been unforgiving on my knees. I think with careful packing and a willingness to stow some items on the outside of the sack, winter photo camping can certainly be accomplished with the X-70 but each individual will need to make their own compromises according to strength and comfort thresholds. Ultimately, it’s pointless for me to try to comment on a specific scenario that I haven’t experienced.
With sensible packing and reasonable conditions, the extra space of the X70 will also accommodate lightweight/compact camping equipment in lieu of some of the more extreme conditions kit. The X50 will accommodate an overnight camping kit but in my opinion this requires quite specialised lightweight/low bulk equipment. I’ve never been a fan of packing things on the outside or (worse) underneath a rucksack but clearly that would also add to the storage opportunities. Do please bear in mind that I’m not making recommendations here or trying to create a set of ideal configurations nor even listing what I’d use every single time (or even next time). These sets of photographs and lists are designed purely to allow people to compare what might be packed in each bag using reasonably well known reference items. In every case, I’d say a bit more could be squeezed in and certainly if you’re happy to do so, items could be added to the outside. For instance many people will prefer to carry crampons on the outside of the bag. Unlike almost every other bag I own, Shimoda offer super grippy straps to stow kit on the sides and front of the sack. Whereas most compression and webbing straps loosen offover time when carrting tripods, poles etc. These stay tight for the duration. They really work. I’d always rather a bigger sack and get everything inside if I can but sometimes there’s no choice and if you need to carry extra stuff, these bags work so well.
Photo Equipment
As mentioned above my normal kit fits a Medium Mirrorless Core unit, pictured below in an X-50 bag. The two larger bags both allow larger core units to be fitted and a compatibility chart can be found here. The largest core units allow for more photo gear than would ever wish to carry on the hill or would ever be able to carry over any significant distance. Uniquely to Shimoda there is also a modular extension in the form here of the small core unit (DSLR) which can be added across the top to extend the size. There’s no reason of course why you can't just add a lens in a lens case into the upper compartment.
Small core unit (DSLR) across the top of the medium Mirrorless Core unit. The small DSLR unit is deeper and in this case has some soft items stored under the lens (Nikon 70-200mm f4)
Detailed Contents Action X-30
Fully loaded Shimoda Action X-30. Most of top compartment is filled allowing just a single roll down of lid before buckle is fixed.
1.Cord (tripod stabiliser and other uses) 2. MacWet Gloves 3. Hat 4. Waterproof overtrousers 5. ThinkTank Rain Cover 6. DryBag camera cover 7. Shimoda Rucksack Cover 8. Food 9. Flask 10. Map/Compass/Whistle 11. Sitmat 12. Alpkit Pola Gloves 13. Rab Xenon Jacket 14. Kase Filters 15 Headtorch
Detailed Contents Action X-50
Shimoda Action X-50 loaded for moderate UK winter conditions
1.Cord 2.Montane Prism Mitts 3.Hatt 4. Buff 5. MacWet Gloves 6. ThinkTank Rain Cover 7. DryBag Camera Rain Cover 8. Shimoda Rucksack Cover 9. Snow Goggles 10. Food 11. Ice Axe 12 Sit Mat 13. Survival Bag 14. Action X-50 15. Kase Filters 16. ME Citadel Belay jacket 17. Crampons 18 OS Map 19. First Aid 20. Power bank 21. Headtorch 22. Compass 23. Whistle 24. Flask 25. Gitzo Mountaineer Series 2 26. Poles
Detailed Contents Action X-70
Shimoda Action X-70 loaded for full UK Winter conditions
1.ThinkTank Emergency Rain Cover 2.OSMap & Whistle 3.Bivvy Bag 4.Hat 5.MacWet Gloves 6.Snow Goggles 7.SitMat 8. Shimoda Rain Cover 9. Camera Rain Cover 10. Headtorch 11.Compass 12. Action X-70 Bag 13. ME Citadel Belay Jacket 14. Rab Photon Pants 15. Food 16. Crampons 17. Emergency Shelter 18. Montane Prism Mitts 19. Flask. 20 kase Filters. 21. Heat Company Mitts 22. Buff 23. Power Bank 24. Gitzo Mountaineer Series 2 25. Alpkit Poles 26. First Aid 27. Spare Headtorch 28. Ice Axe
Detailed contents Action X-70 3 season Camping
1.Sitmat 2.Shimoda Raincover 3. Macwet Gloves 4. ThinkTank Emergency Rain Cover 5. Tent Footprint 6. Hat 7. Emergency Bivvy bag and bar 8. Camera Rain Cover 9. Water carrier 10. First Aid 11. HeadTorch, Whistle, Compass 12. Powerbank 13. Sleeping mat 14. Tent 15. OS Map 16. Food 17. Sleeping Bag 18. Warm jacket 19. Waterproof Overtrousers 20. Stove, fuel etc. 21. Kase Filters 22. Pillow 23. Action X-70 Bag 24. Gitzo GT 1545T 25. Poles
Personal choices / comfort thresholds
All the illustrations are to allow capacity comparisons to be made. I've tried to use items which are generally well known in the outdoor world and to include specific items for scale such as OS Maps, Flask, Compass, Poles which can be measured. The layflats are all shot at an angle so some perspective distortion is inevitable.
Many photographers will travel much lighter than this ( often those who have not come from a hill background). Others will have different tolerances to cold or discomfort. I can tolerate being cold and wet and do so when it is necessary. However when it is not necessary, I find it a distracting irritation that gets in the way of making photographs.
Ultimately the packing options identified in each case will be significantly affected by choices in the key items Duvet jacket, Sleeping bag, Waterproofs. In autumn and spring I'll carry a lightweight jacket that can be added under the outer layer such as a Rab Xenon. In winter, I tend to prefer a belay jacket such as a ME Citadel that can be quickly added on top of waterproofs. A couple of such choices can make an entire step up in pack size. As mentioned earlier I’ve not included a waterproof jacket in any of the packing images and only some very compact overtrousers in some. I only use Paramo jackets which I’ll wear from door to door so never need to find space in the bag. In winter I’ll use their Salopettes in the same way.
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