It’s time to step outside and start shooting again. Chances are, if you live in Canada, your outdoor photo expeditions grow increasingly rarer during the cold winter months, but that’s all about to change.
When spring – as well as summer and autumn – arrives, it’s impossible to stay indoors. Most of us are chomping at the bit by now. Some of us have even acquired some nice new gear recently to test out in the coming months. And we’re all going to need something to carry it in. Here are some suggestions.
Manfrotto Chicago Backpack 30 Small
Here’s what you can carry with this capacious backpack from Manfrotto: a full-frame mirrorless camera or DSLR with a standard zoom lens attached plus up to three additional lenses; a gimbal in a dedicated pocket on one of the double-sided flaps; various personal belongings in the top compartment; a 14-inch laptop the laptop compartment.
It also features a tripod holder on the front and double-sided external stretch pockets for things like water bottles, and it comes with a rain cover.
All external fabric is treated to keep the backpack water repellent and the bottom is made of sturdy Kevlar, but the coolest thing about this is that you can remove the internal camera unit and use it separately as a shoulder bag when you just need your photography gear.
Tenba Axis v2 LT 20L Backpack
The Tenba Axis v2 LT backpack is available in 16L, 18L and 20L sizes (as well as a smaller 6L sling bag version), and in two colours: black and what they call “multicam black,” which features a kind of subtle military camouflage design.
Focusing on the larger 20L backpack, the first thing you’ll notice is the extent to which Tenba has made easy access a priority. This includes two large zippered side openings, which can be configured to access different gear from each side or everything from one side, whichever suits your workflow.
Beneath a flap on top, there’s a convertible daypack section that you can use to pack additional camera gear or perhaps something more personal, like extra clothing and a snack or meal.
In total, the backpack holds two mirrorless cameras or DSLRs with an attached lens up to 200mm, plus up to six additional lenses. There’s also a designated 16-inch laptop sleeve and a reinforced side pocket for a tripod or gimbal.
Peak Design Outdoor Sling 7L
Sometimes, you just don’t need a lot of gear and won’t require something big to lug it all around. Maybe you’re just stepping out for some street photography or hopping on your bike to get across town.
A sling is perfect for these sorts of expeditions, and the Peak Design Outdoor Sling 7L is about as perfect as it gets.
For starters, you can wear this as a traditional cross-body sling or cinch the strap to fit the bag snugly and comfortably around your waist. It’s made from woven recycled nylon, so it’s lightweight, abrasion-resistant and weatherproof. Even the hardware is made of lightweight nylon material.
San Francisco-based Peak Design puts sustainability at the core of its mission, and if this concern is at top of mind for you too, you’ll be pleased to know that everything the company creates is fair-trade certified, certifiably carbon neutral and guaranteed for life.