Mindshift Backlight 26L - The BEST Camera Backpack I own!

2018-08-13
Buy this bag here!
amzn.to/2MLrLd0
Green version: amzn.to/2nAiTf3
I've had this bag for the past month so far and I LOVE IT! This is THE camera backpack of choice that I have. Out of every bag that I have this one is the most useful!

[@Kai-P]

Got this bag 9 months ago and really love it. It's such a good quality and so comfortable to wear. I'm regulary using the hip access "feature", after some getting used to it's probably faster and more comfortable than placing it on the ground plus it doesn't get dirty/wet.

[@WhiteWulfe]

Glad to see you liked it, and also have similar thoughts to me - I'd love an all black version of the backpack!

[@mdp581]

Great thought about making the waist straps removable!

[@jacoblangston5220]

Great video! I love camera backpacks and own too many already, but I think this one is my next purchase. :)

[@DesmondCheng]

thanks!

[@seoirse68]

Very helpful and made my mind up...just ordered one. Thank you👏

[@ted_nemeth]

thank you! watching all your bag reviews trying to decide. This might be the one.

[@DesmondCheng]

ive been using it for a bit over a month now, and I swap between this bag and the Aer Travel Pack 2 (for non camera related stuff). It fits a TON of stuff and it's not that big

[@PekkoAhlsten]

This looks like my next backpack. Great review. Thank you!

[@Danny_Roman.]

Great review , thanks. I have one of these and they are so so cool.

[@sashdash]

@Desy Cheng thank you for that comprehensive video. would u know if this bag is able to hold a DsLR camera with a wildlife zoom lens attached to the camera? for example, the Nikon 200-500mm + Nikon IT IS July 29O 2023, 22:07:63 PM RIGHT NOW50

[@maximme]

one of the best reviewer out there because HE HAD gear in his bag. unlike that crazy hair guy who review EMPTY bags....hahahahaaa

[@DesmondCheng]

Thanks!

[@kitsva]

To me this is second best after the Incase DSLR Pro Pack. So well designed. Wish it had the build quality of this Mindshift.

[@DesmondCheng]

i concur!

[@bladerealm124]

What do you like better about the DLSR Pro Pack? What backpack are you using these days?

[@kiatography22]

i've had this bag before & i gotta say, i sold it to re-purchase back a Mindshift Panorama instead. I tried the way of swinging the bag to the front and letting the waist belt hold the bag on my hips to access my gears and the clip just didnt give me the confidence to let it handle the weight of my gears in front. In terms of compartmentalisation, the Panorama provides much superior options and ease of accessing gears. btw, Desy, i hope you dont mind me sharing my reviews. Just that I owned this bag before and wish to share my personal user opinions on it for the greater good of the audience :))) i'm not saying the Backlight is a bad bag, in fact for its value, it's pretty good. Just wish for potential buyers to be aware of one more option for consideration! :D

[@WhiteWulfe]

You mentioning the Rotation180 series also has me curious about Desy's thoughts on the Panorama, and it's bigger brother, the Horizon.

[@kiatography22]

yes sir, i guess one important factor which i left out in my original comment was that i'm a hobbyist photographer, and i normally travel with a A7R2, 16-35 F4 and a 70-200 F4. This setup will fit the rotating pouch of the Rotation180 perfectly. Professional photographers like Desy, who carries more gears around with him, may benefit from the larger capacity of the Backlight.

[@WhiteWulfe]

I'm a hobbyist as well, although I use a G85 with kit 12-60mm lens, as well as the 25mm f1.7, with plans to pick up a few more prime lenses. For me, what's causing my debate is the versatility of the Rotation180 series, which is extremely useful for run and gun types of mixed photography, versus the BackLight series, which would let me technically carry a tad more "stuff", like a small telescope alongside other gear if I wanted - there are plenty that could readily fit in the BackLight, like the smaller refractor telescopes out there that William Optics makes for example. Seems like a weird mix, but it could potentially be useful if one were backpacking to the middle of nowhere and wanted to look at the stars - or you don't own a vehicle. ^_^;;; For a single camera setup with just a few lenses, I can see just how powerful the Rotation180 series could be!

[@DesmondCheng]

thanks for the input!

[@DesmondCheng]

Unfortunately those bags wouldn't suit my purposes. As an event and commercial photographer, I'm using my bag to only transport to the locations where I'll either leave it in my car or set it down somewhere where I'm shooting. When I'm shooting I have the holdfast moneymaker strap and a lens pouch so I'm carry only my bodies and lenses with me when I'm shooting (no backpack)

[@bladerealm124]

What are your thoughts on this pack all these years later? What packs do you prefer over it today in the 25-35l range?

[@swansong007]

Hi Desi. You did not say if the camera bodies had battery grips fitted, would the bag take 2 canon pro Eos 1DX please

[@ingjohnalfonso]

Great review. What backpack will you recommend me for traveling with 2 dslrs+ lens including a 70-200 and a zhyun crane 2? Thanks

[@DesmondCheng]

probably this bag haha

[@markolwick2223]

Do the zippers on the main compartment or the large front compartment have the holes to be able to put a padlock on them?

[@rocketrad9607]

Can you please make a review comparison between 26L vs 36L. Size when its full and when you put it on. Thanks!

[@SDVLFC868]

Which would you say is the better bag this one or the lowepro protactic? Great video too 👍🏻

[@imrnismd]

Is the front pocket compartment is wider than the incase dslr pro pack? do you think a zhiyun crane 2 can fit in there? Thanks Desy!

[@prasartpongpet]

I think the Vanquest trident 31 would be Nice to compare with that pack.

[@quiquejc]

You should definitely look into the Vanquest trident 31. As good or better quality as Maxpedition, both are 1000-D Cordura with Teflon and Duraflex hardware, Vanquest has better organization. The trident and javelin series are padded and have a side opening for camera gear. Would love to see a comparison between all the other bags you mention and this one.

[@DesmondCheng]

send those bags to me and ill do one haha

[@quiquejc]

@@DesmondCheng talk to them www.vanquest.com I'm sure they can send you something, and you won't regret it.

[@lynneftw]

I must need to design travel/weekender/camera backpacks because I really don't like any of the bags you've reviewed :-/

[@martee4]

Thanks for the review! I've been looking for a bag like this. I was going to go for the Lowepro Protactic but was worried about not being able to fit anything else besides my camera equipment. Would you say this bag is the same size as the LowePro Protactic 350 or 450?

[@DesmondCheng]

more like the 450!

[@netto6908]

Hey Desy. Nice review! I'm really in doubt if I get this one or the Incase PRO DSLR model (not the biggest one). The main difference is price here in EU: 150€ Incase and 240€ the Mindshift. I have now a Fuji system after changing from Canon 6D: Fuji X-T3 + 18-55 / 23f2 /35f2 /16f1.4. They're quite small lenses compared with Canon. Do you think both of them will be too big for the system? I still have the lee filters system just with a big stopper and planning to buy a small drone to carry together. Plus some Gopro euqipment for travelling. Overall for travelling or city which would be better? Can I customize the dividers in Mindshift? Sorry for many questions. Nice channel keep it up :)

[@improbablehandle]

Nice vid. I hope the bag holds up well for your upcoming commission. My only worry: at 6'2" I'm not enormous, but I've had problems with belted backpacks being short on torso length - typically when the belt is resting properly on my hips the padded parts of the shoulder straps barely reach my shoulders.

[@SimonPollock]

Have a look at our Firstlight series (From MindShiftGear) it has a 3" adjustable torso length (I'm 6'3" and have the same issues, but the Firstlight works well) - Hope that helps! Simon @ MindShift

[@improbablehandle]

Thanks for the recommendation - they look nice.

[@edeto16]

I really wish this bag had side camera access like the Lowepro ProTactic

[@DesmondCheng]

i agree!

[@thecarlosrafael_]

As others have mentioned Incase. I actually bought and have been disappointed in the build quality of the Incase pro pack. I checked recent uploads and haven’t seen anything about a new favorite...so is this still rocking at the top of your list of favorite backpacks?

[@DesmondCheng]

Hi Carlos, the Langly Alpha Globetrotter I have been using for a full year now as my main everyday / camera / travel backpack. It's not perfect, but I think it fits my lifestyle the best currently

[@ashwinr7]

Hi Desy. Is the backpack waterproof?

[@telev2]

thanks for the review.

[@DesmondCheng]

no prob!

[@keelansarnecki]

Would you still recommend this bag over the lowepro ProTactic 450 aw II? I just ordered the ProTactic for 170 but I’m thinking of cancelling and grabbing this up at 199.

[@DesmondCheng]

i like the mindshift because it has that front compartment for you to put your jacket. BUT if you need side access then the protactic has that option. BUT I have a new bag on the way, the think tank urban access 15! I think that is going to be my new fave camera bag for 2020 =)

[@keelansarnecki]

Desy Cheng thanks for the insight! I’d love the think tank but I have heard it won’t fit the eos r with a battery grip. Ended up ordering the ProTactic, mindshift, and the peak everyday 30l so I can see them all in person and return the ones I don’t like. Thanks again! Great channel btw!!!

[@DesmondCheng]

@@keelansarnecki ahhh yes the grip changes things lol. U can also try teh peak design travel backpack! or the peter mackinnon bag.

[@keelansarnecki]

Desy Cheng I will look into both! Thanks!

[@bladerealm124]

@@DesmondChenghow does the Urban Access 15 compare to the Backlight 26l? I own the Urban Access and I'm interested in the Backlight 26l now that they have an XP (Black XPAC) version.

[@coasterodyssey]

The tacky branding on the front ruins it for me. The little details matter.

[@os6219]

A definite no-go bag. Not enough space. Bad harness system. Overall good for urban explore but not hiking.

[@DanMorose]

I just want to go out and shoot around town. Kinda nervous seeing $20k worth of equipment all in one bag 😂

[@DesmondCheng]

i know, its always scary, dont ever leave it in your car!

[@kimberlyharaden3505]

I really really want to love this bag after this review but I am so conflicted. Has anyone tried using the laptop slot for a water bladder and it is a success for an overnight hike? I am not willing to give up my water bladder.

[@DesmondCheng]

i have not tried to use it with a water bladder unfortunately! But if you want one that has water bladder compatibility, check out the F-Stop bags!

[@jeffreyedoyle]

Are you able to fit a canon 5d with a grip?

[@TheWestx]

According to the measurements given yes you can. I have a 5 D MK IV with grip and L-Bracket and it measures 7 1/8" and the internal height of this bag is measured at 7.1" I am going to my local store to look at one tomorrow and will be taking my camera with me to make sure.

[@DesmondCheng]

yes u can, i am able to fit my 1dx in there no problem!

[@williambrindel9364]

I doubt you are honest here. Try to take other users choices towards bags. And project yourself. It will help. Compare it to other bags is good, but show them. Or I will believe this video is sponsored and payed to say things. That is not what I am looking for. Good evening !

[@DesmondCheng]

nope, im being totally honest! Check out my other ultimate camera backpack review here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5jaZWaslJpkm5Y After making that video, mindshift sent me this bag to try out. And i Wish i had this before making that video! It's been a bit over a month now and I'm still using this as my main camera bag