I used to despise camera backpacks. I'd had a few, and while they're more comfortable than shoulder packs, it was always too cumbersome to swap gear with a backpack. Mindshift Gear's unique rotating hip pack solves that problem beautifully.
The Panorama's hip pack will hold a 70-200mm f/4 with reversed hood vertically, with room for a scrunched-up gorillapod next to it. I was also able to cram a spare point-and-shoot body in there, but it got pretty crowded. There's a dedicated slot for a tablet (my kindle fire with fancy faux-leather hardbound cover fits in it snugly), which I have philosophical issues with (you shouldn't need a tablet to enjoy nature), but I'm sure some folks will appreciate its inclusion. I was thinking of getting a second Giottos Rocket Blower to keep permanently with this bag, but I'm not sure if there's enough space, even for the smallest blower. I'll just have to make do with a Lenspen.
There's a flap on the backpack with a magnetic clasp that attaches to the hip belt--kind of a locking mechanism that keeps the belt from rotating when you don't want it to. It's very easy to detach and reattach, just by feel. There's also a smaller, detachable strap that keeps the belt attached to the backpack. It keeps the hip belt from flying away if you go to rotate it and forgot to clasp it in front. The strap is long enough to not hamper any intended usage, and thin enough to not get in the way.
I haven't used the hidden tripod straps/pocket, but I like that they tuck away invisibly when not in use. However, there are lots of other random straps, loops, and bungees whose purpose I cannot fathom. I'm waiting for that a-ha moment when their utility is made manifest, but for now, I'm left scratching my head. Specifically, there are loops on both sides of the hip belt, where the unpadded webbing attaches to the stiff, padded part. I don't have a clue what those are for. Also, to the left of the tuckaway tripod straps, there's a bungee up top and a thin loop made of webbing at the bottom. I'm not sure if that's for a second tripod or what exactly. The hip belt does have a strap designed to take Mindshift's Filter Hive or Lens Swap case; I imagine it will take several ThinkTank (MindShift's parent company) accessory pouches, but the Skin Double Wide is too big to fit.
In the big upper pocket, I was able to fit lunch for myself and my three small kids, and not much else. It'd be good for a compressible jacket, spare underwear, and track pants OR a family's lunch. You won't get both in there. In the smaller top pocket, you could fit a few flat items (I stuffed my wallet, phone, and keys there with room to spare). You could fit several sandwiches up there, I suppose. I wasn't able to test the reservoir pocket, since I don't have a camelbak-style reservoir. I've heard complaints about it being difficult to squeeze the purported 3-liter reservoir in the pocket, so I'll probably purchase a 2-liter bag to avoid any issues.
A note on usage: It's easiest to load the hip belt if you're wearing the pack. Put it on, clip the belt in front of you, then spin it around and load it up. It's just awkward to thread the waist straps back through the backpack when the hip pack is full of lenses.
Compromises: I go on family hikes, so I would have preferred a bit more space up top--somewhere to fit all the jackets that kids are taking on and off, or extra food and water bottles. I'm also disappointed that the Rain Cover is an accessory. With ThinkTank bags rain covers are included. I also wish the bag were a little bit taller--I'm average height (5'9"), and the backpack just feels a little bit too short for my torso.
tl;dr: All in all, after a single use of the pack, I find it comfortable and solidly constructed. The price is accessible and I like the color.
Update 7/7/14:
I got my two liter reservoir. I had had problems in the past with my use of a Peak Design capture clip unbalancing the pack--the front straps were holding more weight than the backpack itself. With the reservoir, things are more balanced. Also, the purpose of the webbing loops on the belt pack is now clear to me: With the reservoir in the backpack, it's not as easy to rotate the belt pack to it's original position. Those loops are for assisting in packing it away--they provide some solid leverage. I've used the tuckaway tripod straps, and they do a solid job. I was scrambling over seaweed covered rocks in a tide pool, and I had no issues with the tripod unbalancing me or coming loose.
With the reservoir ensconced, that freed up the water bottle pocket for other purposes. I tried putting my gorillapod in there, but it felt unstable. The gorillapod thus stays in the beltpack and takes up most of the room there.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating | (26) | (2) | (122) | (27) | (4181) |
| Price | $296.81 | $274.75 | $274.75 | $399.99 | $190.19 |
| Sold By | Amazon Global Store UK | Think Tank Photo Inc. | Ornem | Ornem | Amazon.com |
| Capacity | 22.0 liters | 22.0 liters | 26.0 liters | 45.0 liters | 25.0 liters |
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Customer reviews
Perfect pack for an active photo vacation
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2014
I bought the Panorama backpack to take on an 11-day road trip through southern Utah and northern Arizona. I wanted something that would allow me to carry my gear for the day and hike several miles comfortably. I also wanted a backpack that didn't scream "CAMERA INSIDE!" This pack was great for the trip -- it's easy to use, durable, good-looking, and incredibly comfortable, even when packed full (and heavy).I have no complaints about the capacity of the upper compartment. I was able to fit a lightweight jacket, spare batteries, keys, snacks, rain cover, second lens, and second camera (Fuji x100s) in the upper section. My only complaint is that I think the backpack could have been designed to have the same overall profile but provide a tad more space in the waist pack to better accommodate a full frame body plus lens. On this trip, I shot with a 5D Mark II and a 24-105mm f/4L and a 16-35mm f/2.8L. It was a pretty snug fit, and there's no way I could have fit an extra lens in the waist pack (which is why I carried it in the upper section). I also ended up getting a 2L water bladder, and while that fits, I can't fill it all the way without it causing some issues zipping up the pocket and threading the tube through the hole to the exterior of the pack. I know they have a much larger model, but I really think that with just a smidge more space on the Panorama, this would be the perfect pack for active photographers. I was able to hike and scramble with a sense of security about the safety of my gear in this pack, not to mention my own safety due to the well-balanced load.The main feature of this pack is the rotation waist pack. Once you get the hang of swinging the waist pack around while wearing the pack, it's really speedy and intuitive to grab your camera and take a shot. The ease and convenience of that feature, plus the overall visual design of the pack (it looks great), more than make up for the other shortcomings.
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2014
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K.
Die neue, wirkliche Definition eines Fotorucksacks, besser gehts nicht!
Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on September 12, 2014
