Compagnon Element Backpack Review & What Camera Gear I Took On My Trip

Full review of the Compagnon Element camera backpack. I show the features, design, build quality and how I use the bag. I also show how I pack the bag for hiking and wildlife videography.
Buy the bag here:
Compagnon - compagnon-bags.com/en/shop/ca...
(10% off with code "josh")
B&H Photo - geni.us/SPQI
Smallrig V Mount Battery - amzn.to/3RizFLv
Tripod - geni.us/Ftt8oc
Water Bottle - geni.us/VAbS1
DJI Mavic Air 2S - geni.us/4BsywSF
Canon R6 Mark II - geni.us/guc3v
Canon RF 100-500 4.5-7.1 - geni.us/XRyA7Tl
Canon RF 24-70 2.8 - geni.us/TtRw
NiSi Tru Color Variable ND Filter - geni.us/hvFBj
Rode Videomicro - geni.us/g9ErX
USB Hub - geni.us/ctZGGgx
Samsung T7 2TB SSD - geni.us/ZePiagD
Book a consulting/coaching call here - superpeer.com/joshsattin
Twitter @jsattin - / jsattin
Instagram @josh.sattin - / josh.sattin
Website - www.joshsattin.com/
CAMERA GEAR:
Canon R5C - geni.us/X4zu
Sigma 28 1.4 - geni.us/Y92E4Ci
Canon R7 - geni.us/DKX8TO2
Canon R6 Mark II - geni.us/guc3v
Canon RF 15-35 2.8 - geni.us/IO46It
Canon RF 24-70 2.8 - geni.us/TtRw
Canon RF 100-500 4.5-7.1 - geni.us/XRyA7Tl
Sony A7IV - geni.us/5XRgFkA
Sony ZV-E10 - geni.us/oAP9yK
Sony 24-70 GM II - geni.us/Gm3jwR
Sony 35 1.8 - geni.us/45K1agj
AUDIO GEAR:
Sennheiser MKH50 - geni.us/ukZjif
Tascam XLR Unit - geni.us/IdIKtkB
Rode Videomic Pro Plus - geni.us/zrg4N0
Sennheiser AVX MKE2 Wireless Mic - geni.us/KtpofQK
Rode NTG5 - geni.us/Yi7A5S
OTHER GEAR:
Compagnon Element Backpack - geni.us/SPQI
NiSi Tru Color Variable ND Filter - geni.us/hvFBj
Prograde V90 256GB SD Cards - geni.us/2n7XYa
Angelbird CFExpress B 512GB Card - geni.us/TDSMH
Sony CFExpress A Card - geni.us/lSlStBF
Aputure 120D II - geni.us/mAskT6T
Aputure Light Dome II - geni.us/CjHV
Aputure Light Dome Mini II - geni.us/70sFQBq
DJI Mavic Air 2S - geni.us/4BsywSF
Sachtler Flowtech 75 Tripod - geni.us/Ey3Bh
Sirui ST-124 Tripod - geni.us/Ftt8oc
Gray Card - geni.us/7M2nA
Color Checker - geni.us/NQP8Aj
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
0:00 - Intro
1:07 - What I'm Looking For In A Bag
2:17 - Size
2:54 - Build Quality
4:15 - Design & Features
8:58 - Holding A Tripod & Water Bottle
10:14 - What's In My Bag
14:17 - Wrapping It Up
This description includes Amazon affiliate links, which earn a commission to help support my channel at no additional cost to you. I only share products and services that I actually use and believe in.
#videography #photography

[@TylerEdwards]

That bag looks sweet. Love the expandability of it!

[@Josh_Sattin]

Yeah it's really nice knowing you can basically throw whatever you want in the top.

[@tombuck]

Love me a long term bag review. 😎

[@Josh_Sattin]

I enjoyed your bag review too! Thanks for stopping by and checking out the video.

[@Jason_Hermann]

Really looks like and awesome bag Josh! My friend from the Coast Guard used to have a very simple roll top designed military bag and he absolutely loved it for his motorcycle commutes due to the versatility in particular. He only had the motorcycle for a vehicle and would pack it to the gills for a long year round trips or just roll it up for a change of clothes or whatever. Versatility in bags is huge depending on your needs and this bag looks like it checks all those boxes. Question, did you bring this on the plane as carry on for your trip to Mexico? Thanks again for sharing, because I was not familiar with this company, and clearly they make quality bags.

[@mauricioli3901]

Very nice and ike the color. Great Review. 👍🏻📸🌴☀️🏝🌋🌊☕

[@thegixlad27]

Awesome review. Oh by the way, Compagnon just announced a new 20L version of this!

[@Josh_Sattin]

Oooh nice. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for watching!

[@hasenmyer]

I have this bag and it is great for the most part. For whatever reason the same amount of gear feels heavier in the backpack than other backpacks, not sure why maybe the pack is heavier overall. Also the load straps are awesome, however they must be unbuckled when you want to get into the backpack and the buckle can interfere with the zipper. Other than that it is great.

[@Josh_Sattin]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Interesting about how you feel about the weight. For me it feels heavy because it holds so much stuff. Haha. I hear you about the load straps, but I'm not sure if there are any other ways to put those on with the back access and the main straps being on the part of the bag that opens. I only use them when I am going to hiking for a while. Great bag overall though. Thanks for watching!

[@compagnonbags]

Hi, maybe the bag is not set up ideally for your needs. With sophisticated ergonomic systems like ours the actual fit to the body is utmost important. Maybe we'll do a video on how to put on and position a backpack correctly.

[@hasenmyer]

@@compagnonbags I would appreciate that very much. Thanks for the response.

[@petrkonig639]

Hi Josh, very nice review, thank you! I decided to buy the bag, tried to apply your code (josh) but it does not work anymore. Please do you have a new one which we could use? Thanks, Petr

[@travisbumgardner4556]

Josh when are you doing more farming content

[@Apaolino21]

Awesome review! Do you think this could be used as a personal item during a flight or should I go for the 20L?

[@Josh_Sattin]

Thanks! I would probably recommend a smaller bag as a "personal item". The last time I flew with the bag it fit under some seats and not others.

[@Apaolino21]

Good to know. Appreciate that!@@Josh_Sattin

[@Josh_Sattin]

You're welcome. This is still my go-to bag for stuff around town and hiking.

[@_johnvalentine]

Which came 1st… Wandrd or compagnon? Lol. They are very similar. I already have a couple of the Prvkes which I love but wished it was deeper to lay my camera sideways. I’ve had the compagnon in my save for later cart on B&H for a while. I guess it’s time to sell my 30L Prvke!!

[@mrmonday42]

Compagnon definitely use higher quality materials but yes the design is similar.

[@bladerealm124]

How is this bag holding up today compared to other options? (Especially in terms of comfort) Do you still use it? I'm still trying to find the perfect camera backpack (like everyone else). I've tried the Shimoda 35l Explore V2 and Action X30 but for some reason Shimoda's harness system just doesn't work well for me and I find their bags very uncomfortable even after loads of adjustments. The Think Tank Urban Access 15 is much more comfortable but I find the layout limiting. The Fstop Shinn 80l is very comfortable for it's size and weight when used with the hip belt but it's far too big for most daily carry use. It's also hard to find bags with good depth to store larger lenses vertically like the Canon RF 70-200mm (5.75") and RF 28-70mm F2. The Compagnon 20l and 30l look great but are very expensive and hard to find much recent feedback on compared to other options.

[@Josh_Sattin]

I really haven't tried many bags but this bag has been great to me so far. I unfortunately haven't been able to use it very much with my limited time for hiking and traveling. There isn't a perfect bag... just like there isn't a perfect camera.

[@MODESTYXO205]

Are you keeping the canon r6 mark? Ii. Also, do you enjoy it more than Sony a7iv

[@Josh_Sattin]

For now yes. I use the R6II and A74 for different things. Here is my full comparison: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoDJhnWFqc-ShK8

[@dezzux]

Cool video, thanks! Kind of a bummer that the code isn't active any more.

[@Josh_Sattin]

Thanks! Were you ordering directly from Compagnon? The code doesn't work when ordering through B&H.

[@dezzux]

@@Josh_Sattin yes, Compagnon direct!

[@Josh_Sattin]

@@dezzux I will send them a message and see what's up. Thanks for letting me know.

[@Josh_Sattin]

@@dezzux I just heard back from them and they have extended the voucher through the end of March. So, it should be good to go now. Thanks!

[@dezzux]

Excellent, I can finally order one just in time for my birthday! Thanks man.

[@priestring]

Is it possible to use the side access wtih eos r3 ??

[@Josh_Sattin]

It is pretty tight, but yes.

[@priestring]

@@Josh_Sattin thanks for your comment :)

[@joelee24]

This is a very good bag, but the design is a little weird. Firstly there's no attachment point for the tripod other than to use the water bottle pouch and the pouch is too small, or to block the side access and you don't always need to use the tripod in the shoot. Secondly the roll top strap is too short and looks like it can't reach when the top section is fully loaded, that's a common problem with roll top bags I've seen and used. Btw interestingly you put the camera upside down, looks like you don't like side access much. Backpacks are built for convenience, I don't want to put down the bag to get access to the gears while on the go, there are many back open camera backpacks w/o side access is simply a storage bag.

[@ReachFilms]

very nice! if they made a smaller version I would pick one up fast, my fear is they would count this as your carry-on bag instead of a personal item when flying. I am always looking for great "personal item" backpacks

[@compagnonbags]

coming in April/May ;-)

[@mrmonday42]

Agreed, personal item is the right size for a camera bag.

[@rubelukeable]

Exactly, Bought it and returned it after waiting 6 months for it. Was really bummed out, ended up going with the Wandrd 21 L V2. When loaded up with mirrorless lenses, The Element backpack would not fit under the seat of a Delta 747. Great bag though.

[@rubelukeable]

@@compagnonbagswill it be a similar style? Also, luggage pass through and side handles are needed, please!!

[@robertzurfluh9324]

@@rubelukeable I have the 20L on pre-order from B&H

[@hananiahaldrich5904]

I can't get the coupon to work ugh 😭

[@Josh_Sattin]

Unfortunately the coupon was only valid for a set amount of time. They did extend it once but that must have expired too.

[@dennisnguyen8105]

I don't trust "influencer" who tell companies, hey give me this for free and I'll do a write up for you. I'll be completely objective but of course, if I were to say anything negative, you won't give me free stuff to "review" in the future.