Shimoda Designs Explore V2 30 Backpack Photo Starter Kit (Army Green)

Like so many other reviewers, I love this backpack. Equipment is easy to access and it is very well made. I bought the 30L version as a compromise between the smaller 25L bag, that would be much too small for my needs, and the 35L bag that holds more but is less portable as a carry-on on flights. I live in SE Asia where the carry-on restrictions are too limiting even for the 30L bag. When I am back to traveling my wife and I will carry-on my camera and lenses, split between us. I will pack the Shimoda in a Briggs & Riley four-wheel suitcase with less sensitive gear such as a tripod, clothing and the like. Once I make it to Europe or the Americas I should be able to carry-on the Shimoda.I use the large mirrorless core unit as I have a lot of lenses. I do not have a ... MoreLike so many other reviewers, I love this backpack. Equipment is easy to access and it is very well made. I bought the 30L version as a compromise between the smaller 25L bag, that would be much too small for my needs, and the 35L bag that holds more but is less portable as a carry-on on flights. I live in SE Asia where the carry-on restrictions are too limiting even for the 30L bag. When I am back to traveling my wife and I will carry-on my camera and lenses, split between us. I will pack the Shimoda in a Briggs & Riley four-wheel suitcase with less sensitive gear such as a tripod, clothing and the like. Once I make it to Europe or the Americas I should be able to carry-on the Shimoda.I use the large mirrorless core unit as I have a lot of lenses. I do not have a camera with an integrated battery pack, which really needs the 35L bag as the core units are deeper. The larger core unit wipes out most of the other storage capacity. Still there is room for a sweater, peripheral equipment and the like. For longer hikes I would use the medium mirrorless core unit and bring less equipment so that I can store more clothing, food and so on. Each side has hidden woven pockets that can be pulled from zippered pockets to carry water bottles and tripods, etc. There are loops near the bottom of the free-hanging side pockets so that pack side straps can hold the pockets in place.This system is the best ever for a water bottle. The pockets are low enough that I can easily remove and replace a water bottle with one hand while wearing the pack. The pockets have a closing cord to stabilize and secure a water bottle and it can be opened and closed with one hand.Used for a tripod, the pockets work well for shorter pods. My favorite pod, an RRS Versa pod, is pretty long for this bag. It will work if I am motivated to bring it. A smaller pod would be easier.There are optional detachable straps for carrying things on the outside (top, bottom, front). I could strap my RRS pod on the outside with those. The attachments for the straps are designed for this pack and run-of-the-mill standard straps will not work.The harness system is very comfortable and I can wear the pack all day without any irritation or fatigue.

I carry a lot of equipment for my photo sessions (documentary; portraits), including 2 cameras (1 full frame and 1 medium format) and several large lenses + accessories. In all, in excess of 8 - 9 Kilos (18 pounds) for the equipment, before a tripod and the weight of the bag itself.For me, the top priorities for backpack that I was looking for:1) comfortably carry a heavy load2) keep the equipment safe/secureShimoda Explore was rather unique in that sense, as it is built like a hiking backpack, with all the comfort and all the adjustments, to get a perfect fit to comfortably carry 12 Kilos (26 pounds).As for safety, with the rigid Large Core Unit, the bag provides maximum protection for my gear. It becomes like a safe box.No other backpack that I looked ... MoreI carry a lot of equipment for my photo sessions (documentary; portraits), including 2 cameras (1 full frame and 1 medium format) and several large lenses + accessories. In all, in excess of 8 - 9 Kilos (18 pounds) for the equipment, before a tripod and the weight of the bag itself.For me, the top priorities for backpack that I was looking for:1) comfortably carry a heavy load2) keep the equipment safe/secureShimoda Explore was rather unique in that sense, as it is built like a hiking backpack, with all the comfort and all the adjustments, to get a perfect fit to comfortably carry 12 Kilos (26 pounds).As for safety, with the rigid Large Core Unit, the bag provides maximum protection for my gear. It becomes like a safe box.No other backpack that I looked for could provide the level of carrying comfort (for heavy equipment) and such high protection level that I was looking for.All the other bells and whistles are less important to me, but, the Shimoda Explore V2 has many of the nice features that most reviewers are looking for.So, if comfort and protecting your gear are your top priorities, look no further

I love this backpack. I have both the medium mirrorless core unit and the large mirrorless core unit. So far I have been using it as my daily work bag (with camera and lenses) and also for flower/macro photography. My Nikon Z7 with attached 70-20mm f2.8 and 1.4 teleconverter, along with 105mm macro lens and accessories fit perfectly in the large mirrorless core unit. Above the large mirrorless core unit in the top compartment, I can fit the Shimoda accessory pouch, sunglasses case, reading glasses case, tissues etc. My diary and pens go into one of the front compartments, my 15 MacBook fits perfectly in the laptop compartment. And the tripod/waterbottle holders have no problem taking my large-ish tripod. When I'm doing landscape photography, I will swap out the ... MoreI love this backpack. I have both the medium mirrorless core unit and the large mirrorless core unit. So far I have been using it as my daily work bag (with camera and lenses) and also for flower/macro photography. My Nikon Z7 with attached 70-20mm f2.8 and 1.4 teleconverter, along with 105mm macro lens and accessories fit perfectly in the large mirrorless core unit. Above the large mirrorless core unit in the top compartment, I can fit the Shimoda accessory pouch, sunglasses case, reading glasses case, tissues etc. My diary and pens go into one of the front compartments, my 15 MacBook fits perfectly in the laptop compartment. And the tripod/waterbottle holders have no problem taking my large-ish tripod. When I'm doing landscape photography, I will swap out the large core unit for the medium one which will allow me to fit a jersey, first aid and survival kits, and lunch in the top compartment and my raincoat will fit in the front compartment. I was a little worried if the bag would look too big to be used as my daily bag and if all the leather zipper pulls would be too much, but honestly, the bag looks fantastic. The removable waist belt is great; I have removed it for daily use but will put it back in for landscape work. We often head to a holiday home on the weekend and once there, I will either go hiking and take wide angle lenses or I'll visit nearby gardens and take my macro and 70-200mm lenses. I got this bag to be able to handle the conditions of hiking in bad weather as well as looking nice and handling my longer lens and macro when doing flower photography. This bag along with the two different sized core units perfectly suits these scenarios for me. For winter hiking when I need to take crampons etc I have the Action X50. The quality of Shimoda's bags is very good.