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A couple of days ago, I got a great deal on a ThinkTank BackLight 26L
($299.75 retail)
www.thinktankphoto.com
A little farther down the road, I picked up a ThinkTank Airport Commuter for stupid cheap money - a quarter of what I paid for the BackLight 26L.
($263.75 retail)
www.thinktankphoto.com
They are both great bags. You could well wonder why I would get both, considering they are about the same size. I had only intended to get the first one, but the deal on the second one was too good to pass up. I thought I would use the cheap Airport Commuter for storage.
Here's how the BackLight 26L looks, loaded with
200-600 G with A1 II
70-200 GM II with A1
50mm f1.2
16-35 f4
I've got some other things I carry frequently in the pockets in the front.
Stereo microphone for wildlife video (windy conditions)
Lens cleaning kit
Loaded up as shown, it's 19 pounds (8.62 kg)
Sorry for the crummy phone pictures.
This opens from the inside. While wearing the waist belt, you can take the shoulder straps off and swing the pack around to the front, and open the camera compartment.
I was surprised to find the Airport Commuter can hold more gear. It's 1.5" wider and .9" deeper in the camera compartment. However, the BackLight 26L has more pockets (better for hiking).
This is the Airport Commuter with
Teleconverter
70-200 GM II with A1
200-600 G with A1 II
Stereo microphone
16-36 G
24-105 G
50 f1.2 GM
Loaded up as shown, it's 22 pounds (10 kg)
This opens like a traditional backpack. To access the camera compartment, you have to take the pack off, set it down, and open it from the back.
The Airport Commuter is slightly different in the camera compartment.
Compared to the BackLight 26L, the Airport Commuter is about 1.5" wider and .9" deeper
The BackLight 26L is about 2" taller.
Daily Use
My main use for a pack is to get my gear to/from the car. When I reach my destination, I put lenses on the two bodies. Then I carry those with the Cotton Carrier system. It's still perfect after over two years of daily use. I might take one of the smaller lenses in a belt pouch.
I've never considered wearing a backpack when I'm walking around, but with the BackLight 26L, I might, if only to have a place to stuff a light jacket, sunscreen, and bug spray.
When it comes to getting my gear to/from the car, since I can get more stuff into the Airport Commuter, it's probably a better solution if I'm heading out for a day and can't anticipate all the conditions. That's a case of, if in doubt, take everything.
I like the straps and waist belt on the BackLight 26L better, and if I were going to walk with a backpack for a long distance, this would be my choice.
Travelling
The other use case was travelling. It looks like the Airport Commuter could qualify as a 'personal item' on the airline I fly most often. It's more squarish, no side pockets, but it has a sturdy handle on one side and a handy documents pocket.
The BackLight 26L might also qualify as a 'personal item', but fully packed, it could be too tall. It should be an easy fit as a 'carry-on,' though.
They both have pockets for a laptop and a tablet.
If I didn't overstuff them, I might be able to take both in the aircraft cabin as a personal item and a carry-on.
Day Trips
If I know what I'll be shooting or can anticipate the conditions, the BackLite 26L, although it packs a little less gear, might be a better choice for day trips.
When I go out of town to visit family, my sister takes me on great birding adventures. I take one body, 200-600 G, the 50 f/1.2 and the 16-35 f/4.
($299.75 retail)
BackLight® 26L
Back-panel access to camera gear without taking the backpack off - allows you to work out of the bag without getting it wet or dirty. Sturdy and comfortable, built to withstand extreme outdoor environments.
www.thinktankphoto.com
A little farther down the road, I picked up a ThinkTank Airport Commuter for stupid cheap money - a quarter of what I paid for the BackLight 26L.
($263.75 retail)
Airport Commuter™
Carry-on backpack which fits most overhead compartments, holds up to a 400mm f/2.8. Superior construction and durability, ideal for professional photographers.
www.thinktankphoto.com
They are both great bags. You could well wonder why I would get both, considering they are about the same size. I had only intended to get the first one, but the deal on the second one was too good to pass up. I thought I would use the cheap Airport Commuter for storage.
Here's how the BackLight 26L looks, loaded with
200-600 G with A1 II
70-200 GM II with A1
50mm f1.2
16-35 f4
I've got some other things I carry frequently in the pockets in the front.
Stereo microphone for wildlife video (windy conditions)
Lens cleaning kit
Loaded up as shown, it's 19 pounds (8.62 kg)
Sorry for the crummy phone pictures.
- Surface Duo 2
- 5.8 mm
- ƒ/2.4
- 33333/1000000 sec
- ISO 367
This opens from the inside. While wearing the waist belt, you can take the shoulder straps off and swing the pack around to the front, and open the camera compartment.
- Surface Duo 2
- 5.8 mm
- ƒ/2.4
- 33333/1000000 sec
- ISO 422
This is the Airport Commuter with
Teleconverter
70-200 GM II with A1
200-600 G with A1 II
Stereo microphone
16-36 G
24-105 G
50 f1.2 GM
Loaded up as shown, it's 22 pounds (10 kg)
- Surface Duo 2
- 4.4 mm
- ƒ/1.73
- 33333/1000000 sec
- ISO 359
This opens like a traditional backpack. To access the camera compartment, you have to take the pack off, set it down, and open it from the back.
- Surface Duo 2
- 5.8 mm
- ƒ/2.4
- 666667/10000000 sec
- ISO 575
The Airport Commuter is slightly different in the camera compartment.
Compared to the BackLight 26L, the Airport Commuter is about 1.5" wider and .9" deeper
The BackLight 26L is about 2" taller.
Daily Use
My main use for a pack is to get my gear to/from the car. When I reach my destination, I put lenses on the two bodies. Then I carry those with the Cotton Carrier system. It's still perfect after over two years of daily use. I might take one of the smaller lenses in a belt pouch.
I've never considered wearing a backpack when I'm walking around, but with the BackLight 26L, I might, if only to have a place to stuff a light jacket, sunscreen, and bug spray.
When it comes to getting my gear to/from the car, since I can get more stuff into the Airport Commuter, it's probably a better solution if I'm heading out for a day and can't anticipate all the conditions. That's a case of, if in doubt, take everything.
I like the straps and waist belt on the BackLight 26L better, and if I were going to walk with a backpack for a long distance, this would be my choice.
Travelling
The other use case was travelling. It looks like the Airport Commuter could qualify as a 'personal item' on the airline I fly most often. It's more squarish, no side pockets, but it has a sturdy handle on one side and a handy documents pocket.
The BackLight 26L might also qualify as a 'personal item', but fully packed, it could be too tall. It should be an easy fit as a 'carry-on,' though.
They both have pockets for a laptop and a tablet.
If I didn't overstuff them, I might be able to take both in the aircraft cabin as a personal item and a carry-on.
Day Trips
If I know what I'll be shooting or can anticipate the conditions, the BackLite 26L, although it packs a little less gear, might be a better choice for day trips.
When I go out of town to visit family, my sister takes me on great birding adventures. I take one body, 200-600 G, the 50 f/1.2 and the 16-35 f/4.
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