Accessory review: MindShift Gear SidePath camera backpack

Thanks Dan...but my usual setup consists of two bodies with lens attached plus three other lenses. I think this is my own problem.

I completely agree. I had an excellent backback back in the film days, but ended up selling it because it was terrible for travel and street, as you point out.

Very much agree!
the sling shot bag concept allows you to easily get to your gear and change lenses when you want, without having to stop and put the bag down somewhere; probably in the dirt and possibly out of sight.
I've been using and enjoying the sling shot bag for a few years now. Recently I had to go back to using a Rucksack, for a whole week, and this reminded me just how impractical any type of rucksack is for hiking while doing photography.
But each to their own,...

I was about to buy this bag until I read your comment. You are absolutely right... Since I'll be backpacking trough Asia next year I'm looking for a good bag that will suit my needs. The gear I'm taking with me will be: D7100, 18-55VR, 50mm 1.4, 28mm AiS, Nikon F100 with Grip. Do you have any recommendations?

@NaBalam- Yes, I *strongly* recommend you get a backpack that allows side access...something that you do not need to take off and put down in order to access your gear. I'm using mirrorless gear, so my experience with side-access bags is limited to smaller bags. (When I was using DSLR gear, I had been using conventional "never-ready" backbpacks.) Right now I use a Think Tank Turnstyle 20 (a sling-style bag) which is just big enough for your gear collection, but won't leave room for much else. I also use a small Apecase Envoy messenger-style shoulder bag to carry odds-and-ends stuff, like souvenirs, food, water, a jacket, or whatever else that can't fit into my Turnstyle. The Apecase is very light, compact, conforms to my body, and very versatile.

I use a "never-ready" bag for hiking and I don't need to put it down to dig in. Bags with a side entry are "barely-ready". If I need to be ready, I carry the camera around the neck and lenses in my pockets or the bag's outer pocket. It doesn't get any faster with a backpack.

@T3 thanks a lot!! That's the kind of advice I was looking for. I saw the Peak Design Everyday Backpack but its a little bit above my budget right now. However I understand the concept and I'll be looking for something similar on the cheaper side. Thanks mate!

@Erick L-- "If I need to be ready, I carry the camera around the neck and lenses in my pockets or the bag's outer pocket."

If you're carrying all of your stuff around your neck and in your pockets, then you aren't really using or needing a bag, are you? And as for sticking lenses in the outer pockets of the bag, that may work for hiking out in the wilderness, but it doesn't work too well for urban environments and populated areas because it invites the potential for easy theft. I definitely don't want lenses in the outer pockets of my backpack while walking through a city for anyone to grab. Those pockets are for water bottles, not for lenses or any other valuable items.

"If you're carrying all of your stuff around your neck and in your pockets, then you aren't really using or needing a bag, are you?"

Yeah, I carry everything in my pockets at all time. The bag is just for show.

Side-entry bags are just as slow and on most bags, and you lose a side-pocket. The larger ones are narrow and deep so they aren't much easier to dig in. And whenever you put the bag sideways, the content of the pocket on the other side risks falling off (and it will when you don't notice). Some never-ready bags have a clip on top of the zipper so you can close it and still dig in. A skirt around the zipper make the bag looks like it's closed. My point is that side-entry bags aren't a panacea. If you're backpacking around Asia, I assume you'll have a bigger pack for your clothes and stuff. You might want to consider something other than a backpack for your photo gear (I'd lose the F100 grip for sure)

@Erick L- clearly you've never used a side-access bag. I used a photo backpack for years. Then I switched to side-access sling bags. I've had the Case Logic SLR Camera Sling (DCB-308), which I gave to a friend. I currently use the Think Tank Turnstyle 20. These bags offer considerably superior access to gear than photo backpacks. Having used side-access bags, I'll never go back to a regular photo backpack. I still own a Lowepro photo backpack, so it's very easy for me to do a comparison of how easy/quick it is to get something out of the backpack versus a side-access bag. It is, without a doubt, easier/quicker to get gear out of a side-access bag than a regular photo backpack. Believe me, I've tried to love my backpack; it would have saved me the additional cost of trying/buying new bags. But it's just not as good as side-access bags. Regular photo backpacks are simply *DESIGNED* to be removed from your back to get your gear out, which is inherently slower and more cumbersome.

@@Erick L - it really comes down to what your priorities are. If you simply want a gear-carrying product, and quick accessibility is not a priority, photo backpacks are great. But if you want a gear-carrying product that *also* allows quick access to your gear, side-access bags (either sling bags or backpacks that offer side access) are better. However, what conventional photo backpacks do better is that they generally offer superior carrying capacity for LOTS of gear/lenses. So if you're carrying a ton of lenses, and you don't need to access them quickly, get a photo backpack. On the other hand, if you aren't traveling with a ton of lenses, and you primarily want quick access, without having to take your bag off your back, I find that side-access bags do a better job. It just comes down to what your priorities are.

my experience with backpacks on hikes:
top access backpacks: Take out the camera the first time you need it. Then leave it around your neck. To switch a lens, you need to find a clean place to put your backpack or lenses on.
side access backpack: After you took out the camera the 2nd or 3rd within a short time, you let it outside the bag and around your neck. Switching a lens just out of the backpack is possible.
mindshift rotation 180: Take out the camera, lens, whatever in a few seconds. As many times as you like. You can even let the belt pack in front for the whole hike and put a sleeping bag in the room of the belt pack inside the backpack. Or if you only need your camera gear, just take the belt pack with you and let the rest of the backpack at home: http://www.mindshiftgear.com/products/rotation180-professional

"@Erick L- clearly you've never used a side-access bag. I used a photo backpack for years."

I've tried them but never bought one because they're a non-solution. All these years and you couldn't figure out how to dig in your pack without putting it down? I take one strap off my never-ready bag and swing it around and dig in while the pack is still on my shoulder, just like barely-ready bag.

@ NaBalam.... My strong recommendation is to get a regular, proper fitting daypack that works for you, with a nice padded waist belt, and comfortable shoulder straps which allow for the Peak Design Capture Clip (no I don't work for Peak Design). You mentioned the D7100, I believe that is weather resistant, right? I use the Pentax K-5iis (similar) and almost always have that body along with one of my lenses attached inside a Think Tank holster, which then goes inside the backpack. I also will have other accessories as needed inside the backpack, such as other lens(es), etc, each in a compact lens case, or perhaps in a smallish padded camera insert which can hold multiple lenses but still fit within the main backpack. The real beauty though, is the Peak Design Capture Clip, which I mount on one of the shoulder straps.

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The camera then mounts to my shoulder, and I can hike (even snow-ski) with the camera always accessible without having to stop, remove the backpack, etc. Only if you need to change gear would you really need to stop for a few seconds. Check it out!

I don't think there's much wrong with making huge amounts of money, provided it is used wisely. A lot of very rich people give away vast amounts to charities that otherwise would be unable to perform their function (admittedly this gives the donors a tax break). The rich also provide employment for the poor. An income ratio of about 100:1 for richest to poorest seems fair to me, considering what each contributes to society and the economy. The true ratio unfortunately is a lot higher, even in developed countries.

I can confirm the quality and the comfort oft the Lowepro AW400, it fitted perfectly for my FF-DSLR-equipment, because of the hip-belt that takes near the complete weight of the backpack onto the hips and remove it from the shoulders. Unfourtunately it was much tooooooo big for my new MFT-equipment so I had to sell it and I hope the new owner is as happy as I was.
And entoman: you are right, you can't do anything wrong with Lowepro (as with Lowealpine backpacks for hiking)

I personally am a big fan of Photo Hatchback series especially the larger one. I find it perfect to carry 180mm macro attached to camera with one medium sized flash along with some random stuff like jacket, food and hydration bladder(inside the tablet compartment). Perfect for a day of shooting butterflies even in Himalayas when carrying large backpack for a day of trek is not worth the effort.