So my Sony E 16-55mm arrived today, and it was, in fact, brand new. The box hasn't been opened once. Looks like I got a decent deal.
Can't wait to try it out, but the weather today was a bit shite.
My only 'issue' is that it barely fits into my 3L sling mounted onto my 6400, together with the Sony E 70-350.
I was on a quest to replace that anyway. I learned that I don't enjoy the sling-style bags, since the whole weight rests on one shoulder and I don't have a way to carry a bottle of water (at least on mine and most others).
So I've been obsessing over it for the last couple of days, and I think I've finally found the perfect backpack for myself.
My most important criteria for a camera backpack are (at least some) weather resistance, lightweight, not too huge/bulky, camera access from the back, not too expensive, enough space for my setup, and as a bonus, a rain cover included. Those make the selection pretty small already.
First, I found the Crumpler Barrel, through a recommendation of a friend. It almost checks all the boxes; however, it's advertised as 20 liters, but when I did the maths, it turns out it's 30 liters. I was already skeptical because the outer dimensions seemed similar to my 30L Office backpack. I guess the camera compartment is 10 liters, so the rest is 20 liters or something along that line. Probably a really nice backpack, but too bulky for my taste.
After that, I considered getting a camera cube instead, because I like the idea of being able to turn every backpack into a camera backpack. However, I would've needed to purchase a new backpack as well because my hiking backpack is too small, my office backpack is too large and not weather resistant. And on second thought, I don't like having to dig for my camera equipment at the bottom of my backpack between the other stuff I'd like to put in there.
Then I did some more searching, and I found
this article by Wired, which had a lot of good recommendations. After a lot of comparing, reading, and watching reviews, I almost wanted to give up unsatisfied, but then I found the Manfrotto Street Slim in there. It ticks pretty much all the boxes; it is cheaper than most other options, and you can even remove the camera compartment to use it as a regular backpack. The only downsides are the lack of a rain cover, the color (which is okay, but not my favorite), and one review criticized the thinly padded shoulder straps.
I wanted to order it anyway, but I had one final look at the honorable mentions in the article, where I noticed one that didn't make it because the author would've preferred it to have quick access. However, I don't care for quick access (and I don't think the Manfrotto has it either), and it actually checks all the boxes: the Tenba Fulton v2. Not the 16L, but the 14L, which has the same dimensions as the Manfrotto Street Slim, has an 'all-weather' variant with a rain cover included. I very much prefer the selection of colors (although I'll be getting the all-weather variant, while I would've preferred just black), and the shoulder straps seem to be much nicer. It's a bit pricier than the Manfrotto, however the price is still pretty decent compared to all the other camera backpacks, and for me personally, the upsides outweigh the price increase.
As a bonus I've never had a roll-top backpack, but it could be pretty neat. Depending on the weather, I want to have the option to cram my hoodie and/or my jacket into the top compartment, so with the roll-top, I can have a bit more space when I need it.
Maybe my whole odyssey can help someone looking for something similar, but still backpacks are so subjective and individual.
cinestillfilm.com
www.resetera.com
