oris642
Mu-43 Regular
I've been using the Think Tank Photo Shape Shifter backpack for about a month now, and am very happy with it. I 've got a trip coming up to China, and I wanted a way to carry my camera stuff. I chose this based on my requirements. I'm a landscape photographer, so for me a good tripod is essential. Your needs may vary.
1) good quality - Think Tank has an excellent reputation
2) comfortable - few backpacks this small have a waist belt. Not only does this come with a basic waist belt, one can get two other waist belts with more padding.
3) tall enough inside to fit a tripod but not bulky for micro 4/3rds- I don't want a backpack screaming "photographer" .
4) low-key - in addition to #3 above, one that does not have big name brands splashed all over it. The ThinkTank is black on black with a very small logo that I'll cover with a Canadian flag :smile:
5) Thin. What I mean is almost all backpacks are sized to fit the height of a pro SLR. Micro 4/3rds is of course much shorter. The Shape Shifter "zips down" to a much slimmer size (see photos).
6) rain cover. Think Tank's raincovers have sealed seams.
7) storage for a laptop. This holds up to a 17" laptop.
Unfortunately all this comes at a price. The Shape Shifter is $249 USD. I was fortunate to pick one up locally on Craigslist for $200.
As you can see from the photos, because the Shape Shifter can be reduced in thickness, regular padded walls don't work. That's why there are storage pouches, kind of like a kangaroo's, instead of adjustable dividers of a fixed height. Each pouch has a robust drawstring so your equipment doesn't spill onto the ground.
The pictures show where I put all my stuff in the pockets. The G1 with the L-bracket (see https://www.mu-43.com/showthread.php?t=1551 ) sits at the top left hand pocket. Below it I store the 45-200, 20, and the upcoming 9-18. The bottom left pocket holds my Lee RF75 filter holder, polarizer, and a couple of adapter rings.
The right side of the backpack is used for the tripod, a Velbon Ultra Maxi L with a Arca Swiss P0 head and a Photo Clam PC-45 quick release plate (review to follow). The combined length of this tripod (16.5") barely fits into the lower right side pocket. I have less than an inch clearance at the top.
There are a lot of storage pockets for filters, etc. The following reviews show the extra pockets:
Rob Galbraith's great review, with much better photos than mine: http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-9317-9663
Jim Goldstein's great video of the pack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SObnMh2xbZE
In summary, I have a low-profile, small backpack that doesn't look like a camera backpack that is tall enough for a tripod and laptop stored inside, with a waist belt and a good rain cover. Highly recommended!
For more info: http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/shape-shifter-backpack.aspx
1) good quality - Think Tank has an excellent reputation
2) comfortable - few backpacks this small have a waist belt. Not only does this come with a basic waist belt, one can get two other waist belts with more padding.
3) tall enough inside to fit a tripod but not bulky for micro 4/3rds- I don't want a backpack screaming "photographer" .
4) low-key - in addition to #3 above, one that does not have big name brands splashed all over it. The ThinkTank is black on black with a very small logo that I'll cover with a Canadian flag :smile:
5) Thin. What I mean is almost all backpacks are sized to fit the height of a pro SLR. Micro 4/3rds is of course much shorter. The Shape Shifter "zips down" to a much slimmer size (see photos).
6) rain cover. Think Tank's raincovers have sealed seams.
7) storage for a laptop. This holds up to a 17" laptop.
Unfortunately all this comes at a price. The Shape Shifter is $249 USD. I was fortunate to pick one up locally on Craigslist for $200.
As you can see from the photos, because the Shape Shifter can be reduced in thickness, regular padded walls don't work. That's why there are storage pouches, kind of like a kangaroo's, instead of adjustable dividers of a fixed height. Each pouch has a robust drawstring so your equipment doesn't spill onto the ground.
The pictures show where I put all my stuff in the pockets. The G1 with the L-bracket (see https://www.mu-43.com/showthread.php?t=1551 ) sits at the top left hand pocket. Below it I store the 45-200, 20, and the upcoming 9-18. The bottom left pocket holds my Lee RF75 filter holder, polarizer, and a couple of adapter rings.
The right side of the backpack is used for the tripod, a Velbon Ultra Maxi L with a Arca Swiss P0 head and a Photo Clam PC-45 quick release plate (review to follow). The combined length of this tripod (16.5") barely fits into the lower right side pocket. I have less than an inch clearance at the top.
There are a lot of storage pockets for filters, etc. The following reviews show the extra pockets:
Rob Galbraith's great review, with much better photos than mine: http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-9317-9663
Jim Goldstein's great video of the pack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SObnMh2xbZE
In summary, I have a low-profile, small backpack that doesn't look like a camera backpack that is tall enough for a tripod and laptop stored inside, with a waist belt and a good rain cover. Highly recommended!
For more info: http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/shape-shifter-backpack.aspx
