Is this the ULTIMATE Camera Bag? Shimoda Action X V2 Review

[@darrenleigh201]

Agreed - excellent review! The new yellow color is a fun option for those of us who shy away from the heat-sinking dark colors. 👍

[@TKNORTH]

Cheers Daren! That's another good point. I'm actually finding it quite refreshing having a bag outside the usual color options - they all start looking the same!

[@MrJak427]

Shimoda are killing it!!!! Definitely the best in market atm

[@TKNORTH]

Totally have to agree with you there!

[@peterkumble4093]

Thanks! Yes I own this bag in yellow but the 50 liter with the large core unit. Super comfortable, adjustable in many ways, etc. My one negative about it has nothing to do with the bag but when I load it up with my D800 DSLR, 18-30 2.8, 28-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 and a few other thnks such as batteries, filers, and even a macro lens, including a Manfrotto carbon tripod, a full water bottle, etc, it is HEAVY and last weekend hiking from 700 meters to 1200 meters in the snow over 8 km, I was really wishing that I had not taken so much with me! That said, live and learn and I will when doing landscape photography, perhaps leave that heavy 70-200 hunk of glass home.

[@Mostlyphotography83]

As I grow older, I'm starting to like certain yellow tones, burnt orange, etc. Nice review!

[@fantasysensenmann]

Thank you for your review! I really love the colour and am thinking about buying it but I have one big concern. Does the colour attract insects? I have used a rain cover which is yellow (but a bit more neon and reflective for good visibility) and hundreds of insects were constantly following me in the woods. When I packed it away everything was fine then. Would love to hear from everyone with this pack who has this pack!!

[@chengyuan7658]

The bright yellow color will definitely attract insects like aphid. That's why we use sticky yellow cards for insects capture in the fields.

[@fantasysensenmann]

@@chengyuan7658 You're right. I decided to go for green and love the Action X50!! Although I got the original version because its 300g or so lighter and the V2 doesn't offer much over the V1. Very happy with it :D

[@peterrussell663]

Hi, I bought the Action X40 in olive green while visiting the Photography & Video Show in Birmingham UK last week as I was really impressed by its slightly quirky design. Up to that point I used Think Tank and LowePro, which I still like mind you, but this Action X40 seems to do more things slightly better, particularly with the carriage system. It took me over an hour - and one of the official KZbin videos - to discover the ‘hidden’ Air Tag pocket, so it really IS hidden! Mine came with the Medium Core Unit which turns out to be too small to fit two Z9 bodies and a basic four lens kit in, although I did anticipate that. My saving on the show price of GBP £100 was swallowed up by my purchase of the larger Core Unit, so it’s no big deal, although the option to mix and match internal components during the initial purchase would be a great idea. My only beef is that the rain cover - essential in our UK climate - only comes in that terrible pale blue, rather than matching the chosen bag colour! I’ve ditched that to use my Think Tank one instead. Personally I love the canoe bag style roll top, it being an elegant and familiar answer to packing varying amounts of extra gear - usually GoreTex or extra clothing and food. Naturally everyone has their own distinct personal tastes so no bag can ever be 100% perfect - unless you design it yourself - but this, for me, comes closer than any other I’ve discovered. A great review - keep up the brilliant videos 👏🏼👏🏼🇬🇧

[@timothymcdaniel7372]

How are you liking the x40 with the Z9 and lenses? I have the x70 HD (needed the HD core unit depth for lighting equipment) and I’m trying to decide between the x40 or Explore 35 v2 when I’m doing day to day stuff.

[@peterrussell663]

@@timothymcdaniel7372 I love the new Action X40. I’ve currently got two inserts that between them take 2x Nikon Z9 bodies, a 70-200mm f/2.8, a 14-30mm f/4, an 85mm f/1.8 and a Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8Z (a cracking lens by the way) plus spare batteries, Peak Design straps and other bits and pieces. The top section still has room for loads of bits and pieces (depending on whether I’m shooting stills or video) but I’ve just ordered the Core Unit Large DSLR v3 (I think!) to reconfigure the X40 to take the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm, the 70-200 and 2x Z9 bodies. It’ll be interesting to see if theory translates into practice! It’s without doubt the most comfortable rucksack type camera bag I’ve ever had the good fortune to use.

[@BenPhanStudios]

​@@peterrussell663How's that combo working out? I'm thinking of doing the same, X40 with large DSLR V3 core unit. Thanks!

[@JulianLallo]

So distracted by all that fog 😍😍 solid looking bag!

[@mikedyson_]

Great in depth review man!

[@TKNORTH]

Thanks man 🙌

[@lee_michae1]

Good review! If you had to choose just one backpack today, would it be the X40 or E35? I'm finding it hard to choose between these 2!

[@BenPhanStudios]

Awesome! I have the X70, but am looking to get the X40. Have you used it with the large DSLR Core Unit V3? Thanks!

[@keoniland]

It will fit but almost no space on top for extra stuff

[@Cyrille1337]

Hello, did the bag become dirty when you put it on the floor after many times ? Thank you

[@raylui6998]

Thx you. Just 25l and 40l ?

[@DamienOnTheGo]

October release date? No 😢. I needed it before my Scotland trip. Great review!

[@TheBigBlueMarble]

It is too bad that the mainstream backpack manufacturers (e.g. Osprey, Seek Outside) are not consulting with those making camera bags. There is no camera backpack on the market today, even Shimoda, that can match the comfort of those top-end bags. I hope that Osprey will someday make a photography backpack.

[@vikingjack9994]

Can't decide on this or 50...

[@TheBigBlueMarble]

This pack costs over $450. The base pack is only about $340, but you can't really call it a photo backpack unless you buy the core unit for another $120-150.

[@sashinger5230]

Superb review, Tim! I already have the v1 versions of the X50 and the X30 and they turned out to be excellent but I really dig the new features and might opt for a X40 + X25 combination in the future. The X40 is just big enough to swallow a DSLR core unit and the compactness of the X25 would be perfect for a smaller setup on extended hikes. It seems like only Shimoda can beat Shimoda... 💪

[@Goalier95]

Why couldn't they have made the roll top buckles clip to the sides?? Looks goofy sticking out on top center acting like a "grab handle". Shimoda should've had previous customer's input before production. But I've heard the owner is kind of a Richard when he gets criticized about his products.

[@TKNORTH]

It is an interesting design, definitely recognisable as an Action X! Seems like they have addressed a few other common comments from the original Action X so possibly a reason why they haven't changed this one. Function wise it doesn't affect it, so that's the main thing for me and kind of used to the look by now.

[@Goalier95]

@@TKNORTH Copy that. Thanks for the insight and your on the field usage!

[@ShimodaDesigns]

Richard here - The roll top is the way it is to eliminate an extra buckle to fasten when closing it which is actually a simpler, faster, more cost effective, lighter, less materials etc. There is actually a instruction on the roll top that say to "roll it forward and clip at the back". If this is done - it eliminates any grab handle effect it may have. I hope that helps.

[@kervinzamora7438]

I actually love the roll-top 1 bucket system, brilliant! Too slow access is the problem of most roll-tops. The zipper passthrough and the 1 buckle is what makes Shimoda's roll-top the only usable roll-top. I only wished the zipper passthrough went further around the sides for bigger opening but maybe this would ruin the look or hinder the sturdiness of the roll-top's base. I own an X30, and I love it.

[@PeteEdmunds]

It works well for stashing jacket and quick access items. I found the grab handle effect a bit problematic. Touring round Vietnam using some of the long route buses. If you just offer the bag to the guy loading the luggage in under the bus their instinct is to grab the roll top loop. Eek 😧. It feels to them like the grab handle even when it’s rolled and folded correctly. After this happened , in future, I had to make a point of saying please take it by this handle offering them the main holding loop near the top. Despite that the bag held up well on the month long trip and was very comfortable to wear. I love the phone pouch on the strap !

[@courtneystyba6842]

$640 to canada :(