Photography Backpack Review: The Mindshift 26L by ThinkTank (My Favorite Camera bag, ever)
The Mindshift Backlight 26L
by ThinkTank (My Favorite Camera bag, ever)
Photography Backpack Review & Backpack GIVEAWAY!
What's up photo friends?! Super excited for this blog post...I am going to be talking in-depth about one of my favorite pieces of gear that I am always using...it is by ThinkTank's new backpack outdoor gear company called MindShift the backpack model is the Backlight 26L. Included with this blog post you will see a button up above and at the end of the post to enter to win a free Backlight 26L provided by Mindshift Camera gear.
This is my go-to backpack whether I am hiking for sunrise or sunset shoots or heading out to do an outdoor commercial product photography shoot. This backpack is incredible, it provides me lots of storage to carry different sets of gear depending on where I’m heading and what the conditions may be like. This was my main backpack on my recent trip to Norway… I carried this through all the international airports on my back, with all my camera gear inside to ensure that it would stay safe.
The Mindshift Gear BackLight 26L Daypack Specs:
—Fits up to a 15” laptop and full size tablet
—Back Panel provides access to the pack without taking the bag off (using the hip straps)
—Front pockets totaling 9L carry personal gear for a day’s adventure
—Daisy chain, ice axe loops and additional lash points for expanding your carry capacity
—Includes tripod/monopod mounting system on front or side
This is my go-to backpack whether I am hiking for sunrise or sunset shoots or heading out to do an outdoor commercial product photography shoot. This backpack is incredible, it provides me lots of storage to carry different sets of gear depending on where I’m heading and what the conditions may be like. This was my main backpack on my recent trip to Norway… I carried this through all the international airports on my back, with all my camera gear inside to ensure that it would stay safe. You have a variety of options when it comes to setting up the inside of the pack, removable and moveable velcro dividers - for me, I like to carry gear in the following combos:
—One Sony camera Body and all my lenses + tripod
—Two Sony camera bodies and all my lenses + tripod
—One Sony Camera body plus drone plus three main lenses + tripod
THE MIND SHIFT BACKLIGHT 26L BY THINK TANK CAMERA BAGS
Favorite features and technical specs of the Backlight 26L by MindShift (ThinkTank):
—Back opens up (but you don’t always need to take it off)
—Stay organized with incredible dividers (velcro customizable)
—Rain cover (for inclement weather and setting the backpack down on wet/sandy surfaces)
—Superior Waist straps for superior waist support
—Extra storage for: laptop, tablet & drone
—Two large side pockets (for an extra jacket, water bottles or tripod)
—Center carry tripod carrying system (so you don’t hurt your neck/back)
Volume total: 26 liters
Weight: 3.9 lbs
Exterior Dimensions: 11.4’’ W x 20.3’’ H x 7.9’’ D
”The BackLight 26L Photo Daypack continues MindShifts’s commitment to providing photographers with rapid access to their gear. The back panel opening allows access to all of your gear, when taking the pack off is not an option. The zippered rear opening reduces the amount of dust, mud, ice, and other elements from coming in contacts with your gear or the pack while keeping your shoulder harness clean.”
(Excerpt from Mindshift Gear)
PURCHASE THE MINDSHIFT BACKLIGHT 26L RIGHT HERE, USING THIS LINK!
IMAGE CAPTURED BY CALVIN WEIBEL | http://calvinweibel.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/calvinweibel/
Ample storage— with other camera backpacks I felt like I had to hang everything from the outside of the pack because they wouldn't store enough gear for hiking and photography. When I came across the Mindshift line of Backpacks at my local Mike's Camera I noticed how large their backpacks were but also built similarly to a hiking pack with waist straps. I don't have to pick and choose between more camera gear and extra layers when I am out using the Mind Shift Backlight 26L... this pack is large enough to hold two Sony camera bodies (A7rii & A7riii), a Sony 70-200 F4 GM, a 16-35mm Sony wide-angle, a 55 mm Sony Zeiss along with 3x Hoya Pro filters, additional warm layers (if I get cold), snack bars, GPS unit, sunglasses, extra Sony batteries and a place to put a water bottle and conveniently center hang your tripod.
For international travel, I found this 26 liter backpack to be excellent... it has an additional sleeve for your laptop or a tablet and also plenty of additional space for things like chargers, places to organize cords and can fit all your normal carry technology (laptop, tablet, battery packs) inside the backpack along with your entire adventure camera photography kit. Yes, the pack will feel heavy when it's loaded down like this... but having one full backpack is much better than having two packs going through multiple airports and longer international trips. For the backpack to fit in the overhead bin I usually had to take my laptop out which I was most likely working on during my longer flights to Norway.
I would not classify this as an overnight backpack for a backpacking trip however if you were a super minimalist you could probably hang things from the outside of the bag and make it work, if you’re looking for a crossover between a backpacking pack and more camera specific bag I recommend checking out the larger versions of the back light by MindShift by think tank - they also make a 36L & 45L version of this backpack. You can check out those pack options by clicking the image below - please use this link if you’re going to purchase anything from the Mindshift or ThinkTank websites:
BACKLIGHT BACKPACK SERIES BY MINDSHIFT BY THINKTANK
Also, if you’re looking for a great crossover backpack (a fusion between camera bag and hiking backpack) checkout the MindShift Rotation 180 Professional 38L Deluxe - the waist straps look even more advanced and maybe be a better fit for backpacking trips. I haven’t personally used that pack myself for a backpacking trip so I can’t be certain (test before you go.!) but Mindshift (by ThinkTank) is coming in to fill this gap between backpacking packs and camera bags and making some incredibly innovative products. One big tip I have about buying a new camera bag is to take all your gear into your local camera shop, load it up with all your gear and then some and walk around with it on your back. I rarely purchase a backpack online without testing it out in-store for comfort, space and how it sits on my back - ask my friends, I know a thing or two about backpacks.
CHECK IT OUT: What’s in my backpack, YouTube Video
Thank you for checking out this blog post about my favorite camera bag… the Backlight 26L by MindShift (ThinkTank) I appreciate you checking out this blog post, be sure to enter the giveaway to win a FREE Backlight 26L by MindShift using the button below and at the top of this blog post. Want to learn what else I carry in my camera kit? Click this link here to learn about all the gear inside my MindShift BackLight 26L. If the giveaway is closed and you want to purchase this backpack it would be HUGE if you could use this link right here - that’s my affiliate link and it helps me survive and support more photography trips and projects just like this one.
Also, if you need any gear from ThinkTank please use my affiliate link/code right here
Thank-you all for your continued support and keep an eye for more giveaways coming soon, until next time, be free out there
-Frankie S.