My New Backpack

Out with the old and In with the New -Why I ditched my ‘camera-bag’ backpack and opted for a more colourful alternative for my adventures.

Backstory: So, for a little while now my camera backpack has been getting a little small (having to resort to stuffing snacks and equipment into my coat pockets is not what I would call ideal). Which is when I started searching for a new backpack that could accommodate room for snacks as well as any other equipment I’d like to have out in the field. However, this proved more difficult then I had imagined when considering all the factors and my limited so in the end I opted to ‘convert’ a normal backpack into a camera backpack! In this article I want to discuss this decision, the factors that went into it and how it was the right choice for me.

Firstly, my new backpack! Here is a photo of my new backpack packed with all my camera equipment (and snacks!).

Why change bags?

• Purpose- My previous camera backpack opened at the front and had to be completely unzipped to access the gear- this was a lot of hassle especially out in the field and on a number of occasions it also led to my back getting muddy/wet from having to place the bag on the ground for it to be opened safely.
• Space- My old backpack although it held all my lens., that was about it. There was no space for lunch, coat, water bottle. I would end up with a lot of stuff in my coat pockets when really it would have been better in the backpack.
• Safety- Sometimes going out alone with just my backpack and camera did scare me, I’m not the biggest person (just short of 5’2) and certainly wouldn’t be able to fight my way out if someone chose to try and grab my camera/backpack. By opting for a new backpack that looks nothing like a camera bag I personally feel safer as I think I looks less like a target carrying loads of expensive gear- I don’t know how true this realistically is but for me it’s a comfort.
• Style/Colour- I would be lying if I said this wasn’t a factor, it’s all well and good having a great camera backpack but in black/grey- it just wasn’t what I wanted. So, my new backpack is much more colourful. Admittedly this may mean wildlife is able to spot me a mile off but I’m planning on getting a camo bag cover to solve this!

Why this new backpack particularly?

Firstly, I’d like to take a second to appreciate my new backpack because it is gorgeous, the colour, the size, the padded straps and back! It’s amazing! But aside from that why did I choose it?

• Size- As I already mentioned, I wanted a backpack that could carry LOTS of stuff, and I certainly found it in this one.  The official capacity for this backpack is 26l which is perfect for what I want! It also has three different zip pockets located on and inside the back, two water bottle holder pockets on either side as well as a ‘laptop’ area which can be accessed from the side- I see this as a perfect map holder!
• Appearance/Access- I mean just look at how pretty the orchid and turquoise colours are, its beautiful! Aside from this it also opens at the top which means I am no longer at risk of a muddy back when getting stuff out of it!
• Comfort- As a pretty short woman I wanted a backpack that wasn’t going to look ridiculous/be uncomfortable to carry; depending how familiar you are with wildlife camera bags in general most of them are pretty damn huge and I don’t want to say designed for men in particular but female wildlife photographers are a minority in the industry and as such the gear isn’t always designed with that in mind. So, I chose a bag that had a padded back and straps as well as being adjustable and with an even distribution of weight.

So, how did I go about converting a ‘normal’ backpack into one used for wildlife photography?

My first port of call, so to speak in adapting the new backpack was working out how I could keep my gear particularly lens, camera etc. safe and well-padded to avoid any breakages. For this, I researched a number of different camera bag ‘inserts’ normally used for travel etc. and chose to buy what is essentially a padded prism/cube with dividers and a drawstring to close it. For me, this works well- it means all my lens are secure and if necessary because there is no zips etc. I can just reach into my backpack to grab a different lens. In my current set up I only have one of these, because that’s all the lens I need to carry with me, however in the future when I purchase more equipment, I think I will buy a second one, which can sit above or below the current one in my backpack with plenty of space. I also, purchased a few travel ‘pouches’ which I have organised to hold my chargers, go-pro, lunch etc. Which means my gear is beautifully organised and easily accessible!

Conclusion:

Personally, I have found my new backpack the perfect solution to carrying all my camera gear and other stuff when out and about. The capacity means I can fit all my gear in comfortably with space for more which is just what I wanted. Overall, after a few test-runs I can safely say this set-up works really well for me.

Links:

• The BackPack -Link