Thank you so much for the awesome message and kind words!! It is my pleasure - I hope to start being able releasing videos more regularly moving forward! (though that is not the first time I've said that only to lapse into months long absences hahaha)
He's back! 🎉 Just yesterday while seeing the new Bellroy Lite Travel bag I was thinking how much I miss your reviews, wondering what would be your opinion 🥹
hahaha yes I finally am back!!! Thank you so much for sticking around even though I haven't posted in months 😂. I actually have the 30L Bellroy Lite Travel bag in hand and am putting it through its paces as we speak - stay tuned!
@@TheMountainborn oh! Please do share your thoughts in the future! I'm pondering if to get that, or even the 38L (I'm tall, so the fit might be better, but it might be worse in terms of uncomfortable weight with the limited padding).
heck ya. And can you believe not only have I recorded this review, I also have the next one already recorded, edited, published and scheduled to go live later this week? NEW VIDEOS TWO WEEKS IN A ROW? what is happening? hahahaha
So happy to see you back! Your reviews really are the best. Thanks to you I bought the CTB26 and am literally on my first international trip with it right now.
Awww thank you so much my friend and I really appreciate all the kind words!! I'm so happy my video helped you make a purchase decision - how is the CTB26 treating you on your first international trip? Where are you traveling to? :)
@@TheMountainborn I was in Amsterdam for a 5 day trip, flying on budget European airlines so the bag needed to go under the seat. Which is why I couldn't use my usual Aer Travel Pack 3. The CTB26 performed beautifully, I am truly inspired. I am considering altering my packing strategy to basically always use it, even for longer trips. I just love it.
A few years ago I never believed I'd end up owning one of these, much less dragging it all around the world. After all in the era of modern lens technology and comparatively compact but sharp telephoto zooms was there still a place for 3kg+ fixed aperture super telephoto primes? And then I started getting into bird photography and then well.... here we are 😂
@@TheMountainborn the puffy bag! As you know , I have no photography gear at all, but I am always curious on how this specific niche designs work for people that actually use it. Great content.
You know what? This is one of those brands that I've long been aware of and thought looked interesting but never really got around to pulling the trigger on (one time I ended up with a Wandr Fernweh instead (sigh what a mistake) and the other time a Shimoda Explorer). But the 60C does look super interesting. That said, I'm a bit worried about the weight (much heavier than the Kiboko, plus the base weight of the 60C doesn't include the XL RCI) and the dimensions - I know they claim its carry on size but even stripped down and with only the camera cube and gear in it it still seems to exceeds the carry on dimensions of some airlines. Traveling with m I would love to try it though - have you ever used this bag? What are you thoughts on it?
@TheMountainborn so I'm currently trying to decide between the Gura Gear and the 60C, but in the end I might end up getting both. The 60C is definitely pushing it in terms of weight, but my requirement is something that would be comfortable for a long hike, and it should fit my Nikon Z 600mm f4 TC unmounted. I think the Gura gear would be perfect for a safari and for flights, but may not be comfortable for a lot of walking. For flights I usually use a Think Tank Roller and I check-in the backpack for use at my destination, so carry on size isn't a priority for me.
Gotcha!! I haven’t used the Nya Evo yet but my guess is that it will be superior for hiking with gear relative to the Kiboko - I quite like the GuraGear (as per my relatively effusive review) but I definitely see it as a point to point transfer and general walkaround bag for activities like urban/light birding, safari, etc. For dedicated hiking and adventure photography I feel like you’d be better served by a purpose built adventure photograph pack with robust load carriage etc - esp if as you said carry on size isn’t an issue for you. If you do end getting it please let me know how you like it! I currently have a Shimoda Explorer pack I’m using for this use case but I have mixed feelings on it so would love to try something new.
@@TheMountainborn Will let you know once I get my hands on it, the XL RCI is out of stock at the moment. I might wait for you to review a bag or two in this telephoto-adventure category first 😄. I checked the Shimodas and ruled them out, I think it came down to my lens being too big if I remember correctly. I love the way they look so I was really hoping they'd have something for me.
Do you think you could fit the Sony 400mm and two A1 bodies on one side? Appears that way when looking at the example of the 300mm which is shorter but still looks like room???
Hi Justin! Great question. So while I have shot with it in the past, I don’t currently own the 400mm f/4, so this is a bit of speculation based on the official specs and what I remember of it. The 400mm looks to be about ≈10cm longer than the 300mm f/2.8; in my opinion you can easily fit a 400mm + mounted A1 body on one side. I think (and here is where it gets a bit speculative) that you can probably squeeze in two unmounted A1 bodies + 400mm f/4 on one side but you are very likely to need to do one or more of the following things * Replace the stock wrap around lens “wrap” with a third party low profile lens cap * Arrange the A1s in a slightly janky orientation, i.e stacked vertically or else in such a way that the lens mounts facing each other or one camera upside down etc. to reduce space taken up by the grips, etc. * Accept a sub optimal foam divider situation - as I mentioned in the review up at the very tippy top of the bag there is no “floor” Velcro and the included foam dividers don’t always nicely fit the measurements of where the bag tapers and curves at the top of the bag so you might end up with a foam dividers only attached at one end etc. Anyway,sorry I can’t confirm 100% for you. If I have a chance later (I’m on a trip at the moment and don’t have the bag with me) I’ll try to measure more precisely based on official specs and give you a better answer when I get back. I hope this (Sorta?) helps!
Hey there! So originally in the "also consider" section I touched on the Shimoda Action series but I ended up having to cut it to make the video come in under an hour (even then I can't believe I ramble on for an hour about a bag sometimes lol). I have the Action X40 and like it for what it is - but if I recall the main challenge I ran into is that the 40 (and also the 50 I believe) can only take up to a large DSLR insert which isn't big enough to fit some larger super telephoto lenses (for example the FE 600mm f/4 I show in this video is 17.7"/45cm long but the max internal dimensions of the Large insert is only around 15.7"/40cm. I believe the XL and XXL Digital Video (DV) inserts can accommodate these size lenses but those only fit in the Action 70... which is too large to carry on to a plane due to its dimensions (I've even had some overly attentive gate agents give me static when I try to travel with the Action 40 since virtually it seems even larger than it is due to the outdoor aesthetic/midsection boxiness due to all the extra material needed for the core units/floppy/flappy bits harness etc.). I do use my Shimoda when doing landscape photography domestically (when I can drive to the destination) and I think it has a lot of advantages in that area (the roll top in particular lets you carry more stuff than just the camera gear which is something the Kiboko can't do and is super important when you're out trekking and need to bring food/water/ emergency shelter/rain gear etc) but for for most birding trips and international travel I've personally found myself reaching for the Kiboko more often than not.
@@TheMountainborn Ah yes, specifically for large super telephotos like you showed there isn't anything by Shimoda that can be carried on and fits one of those lenses. Do you prefer the harness system of the Action X40 or the Kiboko 30+ more? I've always loved the vest-like wrap of the Shimoda straps.
Also, I asked some time ago about the Bellroy 10L camera sling. I'm not expecting a review, but just quickly: did you find it useful for any of your use cases?
I'm a simple man, I see mountainborn, I watch. How come your voice is about one octave higher than usual champ? Didn't get anything stuck in a YKK zip did you?
Thank you for being a loyal viewer despite my protracted absence! Regarding voice - hmm, that's weird. It sounds (relatively) normal-ish to me when I listen to it here. I was using a microphone I haven't used before and I had to push the audio levels down a bit in post as they were a bit hot on the recording but that shouldn't make it sound higher but rather lower. 🤔 I'll take another listen to the recording again.
Ah gotcha. It’s almost certainly because of the different location I am (temporarily) filming in whilst my main workshop is being (slowly) remodeled. The acoustics in this new area aren’t as good. Additionally I switched from a lav mic to a shotgun mic mounted on the camera which reduced the number of things to fuss with before I could start recording and also one less thing to remember to charge, but it definitely doesn’t sound as good especially with the sub par acoustics of this new place. Hopefully I can soon bless y’all again with the sweet sonorous sounds of my natural voice once the remodeling is finished and I can move the recordings back to the original spot haha
Great to see you back, you are up there with the very best carry channels on UA-cam - thank you so much for everything you do!
Thank you so much for the awesome message and kind words!! It is my pleasure - I hope to start being able releasing videos more regularly moving forward! (though that is not the first time I've said that only to lapse into months long absences hahaha)
He's back! 🎉 Just yesterday while seeing the new Bellroy Lite Travel bag I was thinking how much I miss your reviews, wondering what would be your opinion 🥹
hahaha yes I finally am back!!! Thank you so much for sticking around even though I haven't posted in months 😂. I actually have the 30L Bellroy Lite Travel bag in hand and am putting it through its paces as we speak - stay tuned!
@@TheMountainborn oh! Please do share your thoughts in the future! I'm pondering if to get that, or even the 38L (I'm tall, so the fit might be better, but it might be worse in terms of uncomfortable weight with the limited padding).
@@TheMountainborn apperantly Venture Ready 20L is really good too
The bags surgeon is back.
heck ya. And can you believe not only have I recorded this review, I also have the next one already recorded, edited, published and scheduled to go live later this week? NEW VIDEOS TWO WEEKS IN A ROW? what is happening? hahahaha
So happy to see you back! Your reviews really are the best. Thanks to you I bought the CTB26 and am literally on my first international trip with it right now.
Awww thank you so much my friend and I really appreciate all the kind words!! I'm so happy my video helped you make a purchase decision - how is the CTB26 treating you on your first international trip? Where are you traveling to? :)
@@TheMountainborn I was in Amsterdam for a 5 day trip, flying on budget European airlines so the bag needed to go under the seat. Which is why I couldn't use my usual Aer Travel Pack 3. The CTB26 performed beautifully, I am truly inspired. I am considering altering my packing strategy to basically always use it, even for longer trips. I just love it.
That is a massive lens!
A few years ago I never believed I'd end up owning one of these, much less dragging it all around the world. After all in the era of modern lens technology and comparatively compact but sharp telephoto zooms was there still a place for 3kg+ fixed aperture super telephoto primes?
And then I started getting into bird photography and then well.... here we are 😂
Awesomeeeee!!! You are back! 💪💪
Yes! Finally managed to get another video out hahahahha
@@TheMountainborn the puffy bag! As you know , I have no photography gear at all, but I am always curious on how this specific niche designs work for people that actually use it. Great content.
Have you looked at the NYA Evo 60C with the XL RCI?
You know what? This is one of those brands that I've long been aware of and thought looked interesting but never really got around to pulling the trigger on (one time I ended up with a Wandr Fernweh instead (sigh what a mistake) and the other time a Shimoda Explorer). But the 60C does look super interesting. That said, I'm a bit worried about the weight (much heavier than the Kiboko, plus the base weight of the 60C doesn't include the XL RCI) and the dimensions - I know they claim its carry on size but even stripped down and with only the camera cube and gear in it it still seems to exceeds the carry on dimensions of some airlines. Traveling with m
I would love to try it though - have you ever used this bag? What are you thoughts on it?
@TheMountainborn so I'm currently trying to decide between the Gura Gear and the 60C, but in the end I might end up getting both. The 60C is definitely pushing it in terms of weight, but my requirement is something that would be comfortable for a long hike, and it should fit my Nikon Z 600mm f4 TC unmounted. I think the Gura gear would be perfect for a safari and for flights, but may not be comfortable for a lot of walking.
For flights I usually use a Think Tank Roller and I check-in the backpack for use at my destination, so carry on size isn't a priority for me.
Gotcha!! I haven’t used the Nya Evo yet but my guess is that it will be superior for hiking with gear relative to the Kiboko - I quite like the GuraGear (as per my relatively effusive review) but I definitely see it as a point to point transfer and general walkaround bag for activities like urban/light birding, safari, etc. For dedicated hiking and adventure photography I feel like you’d be better served by a purpose built adventure photograph pack with robust load carriage etc - esp if as you said carry on size isn’t an issue for you.
If you do end getting it please let me know how you like it! I currently have a Shimoda Explorer pack I’m using for this use case but I have mixed feelings on it so would love to try something new.
@@TheMountainborn Will let you know once I get my hands on it, the XL RCI is out of stock at the moment. I might wait for you to review a bag or two in this telephoto-adventure category first 😄.
I checked the Shimodas and ruled them out, I think it came down to my lens being too big if I remember correctly. I love the way they look so I was really hoping they'd have something for me.
Do you think you could fit the Sony 400mm and two A1 bodies on one side? Appears that way when looking at the example of the 300mm which is shorter but still looks like room???
Hi Justin! Great question. So while I have shot with it in the past, I don’t currently own the 400mm f/4, so this is a bit of speculation based on the official specs and what I remember of it.
The 400mm looks to be about ≈10cm longer than the 300mm f/2.8; in my opinion you can easily fit a 400mm + mounted A1 body on one side. I think (and here is where it gets a bit speculative) that you can probably squeeze in two unmounted A1 bodies + 400mm f/4 on one side but you are very likely to need to do one or more of the following things
* Replace the stock wrap around lens “wrap” with a third party low profile lens cap
* Arrange the A1s in a slightly janky orientation, i.e stacked vertically or else in such a way that the lens mounts facing each other or one camera upside down etc. to reduce space taken up by the grips, etc.
* Accept a sub optimal foam divider situation - as I mentioned in the review up at the very tippy top of the bag there is no “floor” Velcro and the included foam dividers don’t always nicely fit the measurements of where the bag tapers and curves at the top of the bag so you might end up with a foam dividers only attached at one end etc.
Anyway,sorry I can’t confirm 100% for you. If I have a chance later (I’m on a trip at the moment and don’t have the bag with me) I’ll try to measure more precisely based on official specs and give you a better answer when I get back. I hope this (Sorta?) helps!
Have you looked at the Shimoda Action X bags for larger lens carry?
Hey there! So originally in the "also consider" section I touched on the Shimoda Action series but I ended up having to cut it to make the video come in under an hour (even then I can't believe I ramble on for an hour about a bag sometimes lol). I have the Action X40 and like it for what it is - but if I recall the main challenge I ran into is that the 40 (and also the 50 I believe) can only take up to a large DSLR insert which isn't big enough to fit some larger super telephoto lenses (for example the FE 600mm f/4 I show in this video is 17.7"/45cm long but the max internal dimensions of the Large insert is only around 15.7"/40cm.
I believe the XL and XXL Digital Video (DV) inserts can accommodate these size lenses but those only fit in the Action 70... which is too large to carry on to a plane due to its dimensions (I've even had some overly attentive gate agents give me static when I try to travel with the Action 40 since virtually it seems even larger than it is due to the outdoor aesthetic/midsection boxiness due to all the extra material needed for the core units/floppy/flappy bits harness etc.).
I do use my Shimoda when doing landscape photography domestically (when I can drive to the destination) and I think it has a lot of advantages in that area (the roll top in particular lets you carry more stuff than just the camera gear which is something the Kiboko can't do and is super important when you're out trekking and need to bring food/water/ emergency shelter/rain gear etc) but for for most birding trips and international travel I've personally found myself reaching for the Kiboko more often than not.
@@TheMountainborn Ah yes, specifically for large super telephotos like you showed there isn't anything by Shimoda that can be carried on and fits one of those lenses. Do you prefer the harness system of the Action X40 or the Kiboko 30+ more? I've always loved the vest-like wrap of the Shimoda straps.
Also, I asked some time ago about the Bellroy 10L camera sling. I'm not expecting a review, but just quickly: did you find it useful for any of your use cases?
I'm a simple man, I see mountainborn, I watch.
How come your voice is about one octave higher than usual champ? Didn't get anything stuck in a YKK zip did you?
Thank you for being a loyal viewer despite my protracted absence!
Regarding voice - hmm, that's weird. It sounds (relatively) normal-ish to me when I listen to it here. I was using a microphone I haven't used before and I had to push the audio levels down a bit in post as they were a bit hot on the recording but that shouldn't make it sound higher but rather lower. 🤔 I'll take another listen to the recording again.
Sounds normal to me
lol it's only noticeable vs. videos that are 1 year old I think like "Modern Dayfarer v2 Backpack"
Ah gotcha. It’s almost certainly because of the different location I am (temporarily) filming in whilst my main workshop is being (slowly) remodeled. The acoustics in this new area aren’t as good. Additionally I switched from a lav mic to a shotgun mic mounted on the camera which reduced the number of things to fuss with before I could start recording and also one less thing to remember to charge, but it definitely doesn’t sound as good especially with the sub par acoustics of this new place.
Hopefully I can soon bless y’all again with the sweet sonorous sounds of my natural voice once the remodeling is finished and I can move the recordings back to the original spot haha