backpack review::f-stop loka
denisegoldberg
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I decided after a trip in January that I needed a new camera bag. Traveling was the focus of my search, but I knew that it would likely be my bag of choice for wandering near home as well.
The bag that I purchased is the Loka, by f-stop: http://fstopgear.com/en/product/mountain/loka.
If you're interested, I've published a review on my blog, at http://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com/2012/04/gear-review-f-stop-loka.html.
One of the things I found most interesting about the bag is the rear access to the camera gear. This awesome feature allows you to access your camera and lenses without taking the bag off completely, something that usually isn't possible if you use a pack-style camera bag.
The trick? Loosen the hip belt slightly, remove the shoulder straps, and spin the bag to the front. The bag nicely lays flat, with the bottom of the bag against your body. It's easy to unzip the camera compartment, grab a different lens, use the pack itself as a sort of a table while you change lenses. Awesome!
--- Denise
The bag that I purchased is the Loka, by f-stop: http://fstopgear.com/en/product/mountain/loka.
If you're interested, I've published a review on my blog, at http://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com/2012/04/gear-review-f-stop-loka.html.
One of the things I found most interesting about the bag is the rear access to the camera gear. This awesome feature allows you to access your camera and lenses without taking the bag off completely, something that usually isn't possible if you use a pack-style camera bag.
The trick? Loosen the hip belt slightly, remove the shoulder straps, and spin the bag to the front. The bag nicely lays flat, with the bottom of the bag against your body. It's easy to unzip the camera compartment, grab a different lens, use the pack itself as a sort of a table while you change lenses. Awesome!
Click to video (by Varina Patel) showing spinning the bag to the front.
--- Denise
https://www.denisegoldberg.com ... https://denise.smugmug.com
Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
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www.zblackwood.com
Sam
The Fstop bags are a bit expensive, but so are all good bags. Their versatility with the interchangeable camera units makes them awesome. Most of the time you need to carry a lot of other gear besides camera gear. That is the problem with most if not all big camera packs. The carry camera gear, not stuff.
I have the Loka and the Satori EXP. They are a great match for each other. The Loka is much more streamlined. But this year I have really been using my Satori a lot. It just lets me haul my 2 bodies with lenses attached easier. I use the large ICU in the bottom, and the small ICU up top for flashes. Usually in the Loka I use a medium ICU or the Small one. Gives room for other gear. The Loka might be my all time favorite backpack. Not just for camera stuff. It just fits me well and carries very well. I use it a lot for backcountry snowboarding with or without camera gear. I have used it mountain biking and dirtbiking too. I even hauled my dog in it once along with my camera stuff on a long downhill bike ride. He is a 17lb chi jack russel mutt. I need to get pics of that sometime!
It truly is an awesome bag, one I look forward to using for a long time.
--- Denise
Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
Yes, brilliant! Thanks!
It seems redundant, but I also am very pleased with my loka.