ascertain the correct photographic camera cup of tea is as difficult as buy the right yoke of shoes . They do n’t tally comfortably , maintain your equipment well , and they ’re never cheap . Yet , they ’re necessary . Though there are waysto circumvent the disaster that is the commonwealth of camera bagsthese days , the F - blockage Guru does a well-nigh - perfect job of get it right for photographers .
The F - stopover Guru is a day - pack sized camera bag meant principally for outdoorsy case post . The Guru molds the best aspects of a regular hiking bag with the needs of a photographer . The physique quality is great , and it looks as sporty as backpacks can get .
Design
The Guru looks like you could pick it out of a line - up on a wall in REI . In addition to the bright coloration , F - Stop does other things a minuscule differently than most bags . They sell a line of merchandise of freestanding inserts that are design to snip into the privileged frame of their bag models . There are a multitude of option . Each bag has its limit as to which can fit inside . A ready to hand chart explains each insert ’s size — leaving you to decide what suits you well .
I ’m working with a Guru containing a Pro ICU Small insert that could comfortably give a Nikon D800 with 24 - 70 mm zoom lens , along with a SB-800 flash . The whole cut-in fit compactly behind a zip opening on the inside of the pack , which is protected by your back . Provided with the insert are a short ton of dividers and even elastic strap to keep your equipment secure as can be . I ’ve never seen an insert come with strap , so it was in spades a nice touch .
Using it
Once everything is untroubled inside the bag — and it does feel very secure — you travel rapidly the back up and have the top opening useable to fill the rest of the space with anything you need . There ’s no side access code , which is disappointing , because you have to take the bag off of both your shoulders to get at the camera compartment . However , when I ’ve had side - entree on other bags , I ’ve found that I almost never used it . Still , options are great , and if F - Stop could count on out how to make it work both mode , kudos .
A backpack should not stamp down your trend , and the Guru ’s hip straps and thorax strap are more than fantastic . They experience just ripe for running around on precarious terrain . The weight of a bag should extend off of you , not give ear from your shoulders . Most camera bag skimp in this area , get the suitcase experience like the heavy loads they are . Not the Guru .
Although it ’s built almost exactly like a haversack you would take camping , the bag falls behind when it come to the back panel . For a bag clearly prove to be a tramper ’s best admirer , there is no good back ventilation . Both Gregory and Osprey udder of comparable size have a mesh separation that keep the bag off your back . The Guru has just a to a great extent padded back panel that presses up against you . Some sort of separation would better things drastically .
The “ laptop computer sleeve ” on this bag is terrible . I have a Surface Pro 3 , which is much the lean computer you may purchase , and it ’s still hard to get into the sleeve . Also , it is n’t a straight compartment — it goes along the curve of the pack , because the camera sits next to the flat of your back . Also , the sassing of the arm is elastic making it light to snag the computer . It ’s functional , just very annoying .
My other minor complaint is that the hip strap are n’t fully adjustable . Yes , they do squinch down jolly stringent , but the actual straps themselves were still ineffective to tighten down to the point where I felt as secure as I require to be .
The Guru also comes with a rain cover that stashes below the seat of the base . It ’s completely out of the way , as opposed to clipped on in a separate pouch , like an honest-to-god Kata I had used to own . It take a shit the rainwater cover much less of a nuisance .
Like
The bag looks and acts like an out-of-door ring should . The chest shoulder strap and coxa strap guarantee the pack to your body near than almost any television camera old bag I ’ve used . It can work even without a camera insert in it , making it a fine daypack . Being able to custom seamster the bag ’s warehousing capabilities makes this a great option for photographers .
No Like
The hip straps are a one - size - fit - all situation , which , just like a pair of drawstring knickers , does n’t work for some people . The laptop sleeve just makes putting a laptop in the bag a painful experience . The back panel gives pretty pitiable ventilation — it ’s a sweat machine during the summer . No side access is a bummer .
Should You Buy It?
The Guru runs for $ 150 without an insert and can range , count on the insert you get with it , from $ 214 to $ 234 . This puts it at the pricier ending of things to carry your equipment around in . However , the dish is the real deal . Looking at it , it just resound to the Eagle Scout in me that wants to have a totally comfortable and reliable bag .
I had my gripes , but they were minimal . If it were n’t for the Guru , I ’d believably just opt for carrying my camera around my neck out of sheer disgust for the function of most other bag . The F - Stop bags do the bar high than most others . make bold I say they are good photographic camera bags .
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