Mindshift Backlight 36L vs. the Mindshift Backlight 26L

[@scottwalmsley]

I own both these as well and love them. I use the 26l for most of my hikes and keep the 36 in my car to keep the items I dont need. But, in those cases where I need to carry more the 36 is perfect. Adds weight to my back/shoulders. But is still very comfortable to carry. Great video

[@yophotodude7693]

Thank you. I'm it's glad was useful.

[@charliegrossman3801]

Immediately subscribed once I realized we have a lot of the same gear! Love it

[@ramblersnook]

Thank you for this review. The side X side comparison is very useful to perceive the saving in real estate as most lenses can for in vertically. Cheers!

[@haroldcarlson2775]

One main omission by Mindshift on the 26L is the weight distrubition adjustment straps that are found at the top of the shoulder straps. This omission alone led me to go with the 36L.

[@petermoy7934]

So happy I came across this video. Thank you for making it! I have a Z9 and a pretty similar Nikon kit to what you have. I was seriously looking at the 26L but wasn't sure if the Z9 would be able to sit upright and I guess I now know! I know you can jam it in there but that would mean basically zero give if you end up bumping the bag on something accidentally.

[@anindyamajumdar2762]

Its one of the best videos that helps to understand the difference between the 26 L and 36 L. I got a question. Can I squeeze my two z8, z600/6.3, z14-24/2.8, z24-70/2.8 and z70-200/2.8 in Backlight 26L? Recently I came across a post that says to fit a camera body+ z24-70/2.8, z14-24/2.8, z70-200/2.8, 500/5.6 PF, z50/1.8, z85/1.8 and Nisi filter holder. Please suggest.

[@yophotodude7693]

I think the 26L might be too small for that. The 14-24 and 24-70 have a pretty large diameter as does the 600PF. The lens hood on the 600PF might be too thick.

[@remontheroad]

I truly believe that Mindshift should do an in-between bag lige 30 or 32l. I just got the 36L, I have a Fuji Mirorless and quite some equipment for landscape and wildlife + a drone. Everything fits easily. However, The bag is huge and carrying it around without a lit of equipment feels a little strange. The 26l would unfortunately not hold all my equipment, or this would be more difficult to pack. These are nonetheless amazing bags and I truly love them.

[@yophotodude7693]

I'd love to have a bag the size of the 26L but the depth of the 36L. That way I could stand some lenses up and save space.

[@MartinFransson]

I have the 36L as well and as you can see in my review it fits pretty much everything. Including a Sigma 500mm on a camera. However, I have come to realise I'm too short for the 36L. It just doesn't sit well. I have started using a proper hiking backpack with camera inserts. Will see how that goes 🙂

[@saopaulosoul8714]

thanks so much! finally someone did this with z gear. I have a very similar setup, I need a backpack for my z6ii + 28-75 +17-28 + 200-500 +70-200 sigma. seems like this bag is a winner!!! and it will have enough space to put my godox flash too along with the aforementioned. Small advice, could you kindly put it on next time, sure it sits on different people differently as people have different heights, BUT it would've been nice to get an idea of how it sits on the back. this is just a small thing, I thank you for your upload! 👍👍

[@yophotodude7693]

The straps are quite adjustable. You should be able to get it positioned where it’s comfortable.

[@davidharbison2140]

What you don't show is the Nikon Z9 in the 26L and I was wondering why you did not show this.

[@yophotodude7693]

Oversight? It’s too tall to fit and while you can get the back zipped up, it would bulge/protrude and be uncomfortable to wear on the back.

[@davidharbison2140]

@@yophotodude7693 Thanks. I ended up buying the 26L. I have a Canon R5 with battery grip coupled with the RF100 -500mm lens, it does protrudes a little bit but because the padding is so good on the back you can't feel it poking through to your back. Super comfy and so lightweight compared to all my old backpacks. Thanks for your help.

[@sunrise_sunshine]

This is exactly what I was looking for quite sometime. Thanks for making this comparison video. Just curious where did you bought z9 camera strap that’s looks interesting to me.

[@yophotodude7693]

I have had that strap for a long time. It was swag from Nikon Professional Services (NPS) gave out in the mid-2000s. You will find them on eBay from time to time. It’s basically this Domke strap: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/802536904-USE/domke_742_1bk_1_5_web_camera_strap.html I just bought one recently for my other camera. No logos but the same functionality.

[@sunrise_sunshine]

@@yophotodude7693 Thank you for the link.

[@davidshearer8184]

Thank you for the comparison. Will the 36L fit in an overhead airline compartment? Will it hold the Nikon z800mm, or will I need to go up to the 45L?

[@yophotodude7693]

The 36L will fit in most overhead bins with no problem. It might be an issue on the smaller ERJ-145s (three seats per row). Those bins are not the standard 22" size. You might have to get creative with the Z 800mm lens. It's 6" longer than my 500mm PF and where I have it, I have probably 6 more inches of length, but you're going to have to push the camera all the way to one side, or not have it mounted to a lens. The lens hood is pretty big too. I wish I had one to try it out for you 🙂

[@rezberry.x]

Just a quick important question, i am interested in the 26L version because its not heavy but i would like to know if it can fit the Nikon Z9 with standard lens attached? Anything bigger than 26L is weighty and bigger for me.

[@yophotodude7693]

The problem with the 26L and the Z9 is the height of the body. Since it's roughly square turning it sideways won't do much. The viewfinder on top will stick up about 1/4" or half a cm above the zipper on the 26L. You can successfully close it, but it will be tight and if you have items in the lid pouch that would press down on the viewfinder it might not close. You might be able to arrange the bag in a way that the camera is more to the center where you have a little more flex.

[@rezberry.x]

@@yophotodude7693 thanks for the info and what about placing z9 at the bottom of the bag? I dont put atuff on lid pouch i guess

[@yophotodude7693]

@@rezberry.x It still sticks up above the zipper line and seem on the lid, but it will close and zip. You can see photos here: imgur.com/gallery/vPOf5PY

[@rezberry.x]

@@yophotodude7693 thank you so much for the photos and input. Guess is a no go for me at the moment and if i am lucky to see one on store, i might be able to try it out and see if i do mind the bulk up on the upper part compartment of the bag

[@erics6947]

@ghostee1 I have the same issue. I've been forcing my Z9 and D5 into the Backlight 18L !!. I'd rather not to go as big as the 36. What did you end up going with ?

[@PierrickMLR]

In the 26L version, can i fit a 400mm f2.8 inside ?

[@yophotodude7693]

I doubt it. The lens is 6.2” diameter. The inner dimensions are 5.9 inches. You could probably make it work, but you’re not gonna get much more in there and the back will bulge a little.

[@NikCan66]

Great review

[@robgerety]

How deep is the 36 for lenses that you want to set up vertically? 6"? More?

[@yophotodude7693]

You ha e 6.5" to the zipper which means you probably have another quarter inch with some tolerable stress on the zipper. I routinely keep a 6.25" lens along standing vertically

[@robgerety]

@@yophotodude7693 This sounds perfect for me. I got sucked into a very expensive bag with inserts, but now that I have it in my living room I realize that the biggest insert is not big enough for me. The bag is great for someone doing an overnight maybe, lot of room for non photo related stuff, but if like me you are mostly doing day hikes/walks, or even canoe trips where you can carry personal gear and tents etc. in separate bags, this is the kind of bag you need for your photo equipment. Ordered one today.

[@robgerety]

@@yophotodude7693 Thanks - very helpful.

[@markjensen663]

So this must be your travel bag and not your out and about shooting pack? You couldn’t possibly need or want to carry all that out on a hike could you?

[@yophotodude7693]

I guess you could consider it my travel bag. But I don't really have an out-and-about pack. A lot depends on what I'm doing. I might take everything in the car, but only pull out the gear I need for what I'm doing. For instance, I shot an indoor event and sat the whole bag in a seat next to me. I did an engagement session and just pulled the Z 9 and 70-200 out and locked up the rest in the trunk. If I'm out chasing wildlife, I'll just take the Z 9 and 500pf and drop my 1.4x TC and a spare battery in a pocket of my hiking pants. Sometimes, I'll strip out stuff I know I'm not going to need to lighten the overall pack. but yea, I've also packed the whole thing out into the wilderness. I do have a series of other bags I can use when necessary.