Tenba AXIS 20L Photo Backpack review

Rob Knight reviews the Tenba AXIS backpack for travel and nature photography with micro 4/3 cmeras and lenses from LUMIX and Olympus
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Check out my other Tenba backpack reviews
• What's in my Tenba Sol...
• Tenba shootout 24L Bac...

[@JustinIyoki]

Thanks for the review. Btw, per Tenba's product video, the hip belt is removable.

[@RobKnight]

You’re welcome, and thanks for the clarification!

[@harrythehandyman]

My concern is the straps are connected to the back panel, which could be weaker (stress on zipper) than attached to the bag. I am comparing this to mindshift backlight 26 L and Gitzo Adventury 30L.

[@RobKnight]

Thanks for the comment... I keep both of the main zipper pulls at the top of the bag so I can reach them easily, and I have never seen any evidence of the zipper opening on its own.

[@ChrrZ]

great review, many thanks rob!

[@davidp158]

Thanks for the review! I have two Tenba Cinelux bags for my cinema cameras and really like them. Based on this review and your 24L review, I just ordered the Axis 24L bag.

[@RobKnight]

Sweet! I love the Axis bags. I’m still using the 24L and there are no signs of wear

[@davidp158]

​@@RobKnight My Axis 24L arrived today, and I got it packed up for shoot this weekend. It's a nice bag, for sure. I kind of wish it had a few small pockets for accessories management, but some Tenba organizers and small molley bags should fix that.

[@chrismacky7548]

Excellent review. Considering the 20 to go with my big Shimoda. Is it a good bag to hold and provide good support to a big camera tripod system? Thank you

[@danieloflaherty2154]

Do you think this bag would be good as a personal item on a plane? Want to have a personal item with a carry on as another bag is at I ask

[@RobKnight]

Yes, it fits under the seat

[@glennaa11]

thanks for this great review. I'm an Olympus shooter headed to Sri Lanka and need a bag to fit my E-M1ii, 300mm, 40-150mm, and 12-40mm PRO lenses. This looks like it would be exactly what I'm looking for. I've been using a Lowepro 15l flipside sport which is awesome but not big enough for those lenses

[@RobKnight]

The AXIS backpack will be perfect for that kit! Safe travels

[@alexisferrenbach]

Hi thanks for this review, was wondering before buying it if you knew the size of the laptop compartment ? Can't seem to find the exact measurement except that it can hold a 15 inch laptop. Thanks !

[@SIN-2540]

And when you open the back the straps go down into the mud do they not?...seem to defeat the purpose of having it open as you said. They should be attached to the main body of the bag.

[@photocreativity]

Nice demo of the bag. Can you provide info on the small pouch you showed in the video? Thanks a lot.

[@RobKnight]

Search for “molle pouch” on Amazon. I don’t remember exactly which one I bought, but there are a ton of them

[@StanleyVB_20]

You mention pouches in the waste band. Does the solstice have similar pockets in the straps or belt for quick access to batteries, filters or lens wipes? Thanks

[@RobKnight]

The Solstice and the AXIS have straps on the belt where you can attach additional pouches

[@StanleyVB_20]

Thanks

[@peterlemke3468]

Am looking at purchasing a Tenba Axis bag. Thanks for your review lots of useful information here.

[@RobKnight]

Peter Lemke my pleasure! I hope you like it as much as I do

[@peterlemke3468]

@@RobKnight Have just bought 2 online the 20 litre and the 32 litre. Couldn't resist the 30% off sale. One bag for my M43 gear the other for my Nikon DSLR gear.

[@GPadugan]

great video, came to this bag because it looks like the solstice bag and the lowepro protactic had a baby! But one big question that really bothers me...... The way the straps are attached to the pack all the weight is really being carried by the zipper connection. Or a better way to think about it is that pack straps are only as good as their connection to the pack. if they rip it's usually at the weakest point of connection. however, on this bag the zipper for the main compartment is the weakest part. The whole bag's weight is bearing on that zipper connection. Am I missing something? those straps should be on the other side of the zipper like on all the other bags. Has this been an issue? I've seen zippers on bags fail way too often when they were not bearing weight.

[@RobKnight]

I definitely see your point, but I haven’t had a single issue with the straps or the zipper. I’ve dragged my AXIS 24L all over the place and it still looks brand new. No sign of wear or stress on any of the stitching or the zippers.

[@GPadugan]

@@RobKnight thanks. Good to know!

[@BenderBest]

Great review! Are the „partition walls“ included or do you have to buy them separately?

[@RobKnight]

N L thanks! It comes with a ton of dividers. I actually had to take some out

[@JonnyRobbie]

How easy is it to reorganize the compartments to be camera + general purpose backpack half and half? Is it feasible/practical, when you don't have that much of a gear but you'd use the extra space for clothes, etc...

[@RobKnight]

It has lots of dividers, and I think it would be easy to setup the top half to be an open compartment

[@pw5391]

Hi there thanks for the video i been thinking to get this backpack but the strap dont seem to have much padding... just wondering if it will be good for long hiking thanks

[@RobKnight]

I’ve hauled this backpack for days at a time and never noticed the straps. In other words, they are very comfortable 😃👍

[@Chteboof2crew]

Hey there, thank you for the review and the 24l one, it's very useful. Could you please measure the interior width of the bag (or the length of your camera + lens)? On the website the specs say 28cm and my Sony + 100-400 is 27cm, so it should fit but I know camera bag aren't really accurate in terms of internal dimensions.. I would really appreciate, Regards

[@orjanjhmagnusson]

Available in 3 sizes, 20/24/32 Liters. Rob talks about it when opening the main compartment.

[@patrickwhalen5502]

So when you open the back of the bag you are still putting straps on ground.

[@RobKnight]

If you open the main flap all the way, yes. In real-world use I have not done that. I usually open the bag just enough to get what I need and close it right back. I have yet to put the straps on the ground in the field. If you regularly open your backpack all the way to get to your gear, that could be an issue with this pack

[@Daniel-Condurachi]

the waist belt is removable

[@alanpelton2598]

How tall is that em1x? I’m looking at the 20l cause I want a fairly small bag! Awesome review dude!

[@RobKnight]

The E-M1X is about 6” tall

[@albawitt]

Are you still using the solstice? Cheers

[@RobKnight]

I haven’t really used the Solstice since the AXIS came out. It just works better for what I need.

[@albawitt]

@@RobKnight Thank you very much!

[@bodkinsbestphotography]

Do the dividers have velcro on the bottoms?

[@RobKnight]

Kevan B yes, the larger ones do

[@KingCanon]

No way would i use a molle attachment for my memory cards. Nice review

[@RobKnight]

Lol. I wouldn’t drag them through the airport like that, but it’s nice in the field sometimes 😉

[@BarefootMediaTV]

better than peak design and brevite?

[@RobKnight]

I haven’t used either of those. Ive looked at the Peak backpack a couple of times, but it isn’t what I need in a backpack

[@BarefootMediaTV]

@@RobKnight yea this looks better for layout. Just dont know if i need the 20l or 24l

[@systemo20]

Why putting sd-card-pouch on the side of the backpack? Like if you need 20 rapid sd-card-switches-actions.

[@RobKnight]

Lol. It’s just an example

[@Poopdeck1015]

The depth of the bag is WAY too big for a mirrorless. Why is that? It’s so difficult to find a bag that fits a CSC. I don’t want my bodies banging around in.

[@matthewpoonillionaquek7523]

Does the bag balance upright ok with the gear inside? I'm looking at one right now for my 1DX II w/ 300mm f/2.8L IS USM II.

[@RobKnight]

It stands up as long as I pack my heavier bodies/lenses toward the bottom of the bag. I find that’s easier on my back as well

[@joekelly9369]

Yeah looks like hes never seen it in his life , i have loads of bags , temba are great , but all that stuff in 1 bag ! Weight is terrible

[@RobKnight]

You have to get your gear on location somehow. I'm afraid heavy bags are the way it goes sometimes.