Yeah, really worthwhile video, I’m trying to decide between x70 or x50....I think I’m leaning toward x70, as I don’t have any international travel planned currently....& I think I’d like to have the x70 to cover myself for size now, and gain experience with the bag size wise, then if I have an international flight later to do, and I don’t feel comfy with the size of the x70 for hand carry on use, I can always get an x50 at a later date, such is the beauty of the internal camera units being so easily interchangeable. As there doesn’t appear to be any real agreed standard re hand carry on dimensions, it makes it such a grey area, it must be really hard for bag manufacturers!
I've flown to Chile from Calgary via United Airlines and Latam with the X70. Leaving Calgary it was -20'C in January and I had a very puffy jacket (belayer's jacket) which I stuffed into my Shimoda bag while walking around Dallas and Santiago airports but when I boarded the plane, I'd remove it so that the bag looked as compact as possible. For camera gear, I was carrying a D500, 10-20mm sigma, 24-70mm nikkor, and 70-200mm nikkor, and the large Shimoda accessory bag full of Lee Filter accessories. So it was a heavy bag but never once was I asked to stow with checked luggage. If there's ever a stink, just show the checkin counter and gate attendee that it's ripe full of camera gear.
Wearing your jacket at check-in is something I should have mentioned. That's a key maneuver in the winter months. ... I've heard the same about ski boots ;)
Do you think this is a good backpack for interrail in europe etc.? I think I'd get a small ICU for the bare minimum camera equipment and then pack the rest with clothing on the inside, a sleeping bag and a tent attached to the outside? I'd probably sleep most nights in motels so the most important thing is being able to carry enough clothing for me to just spontaneously stay as long as I want. I've seen 95l pure backpacking backpacks online which does seem a ton and maybe impractical to take around but it still made me curious to see if 70l minus the small ICU would be enough for my needs.
That would depend on what you need to travel. But personally I think I could do it with a 70L. Summer bags and tents can be very small and I think that will play a big part in final choice. Also if you don't need to pack cookware I think you would be OK - again it depends on the size of your gear and howuch of it. One trick is to pack the tent and sleeping bag in the front pocket. 90l seems like a lot to pack on train rides and commute with.
@@ShimodaDesigns Thanks so much! I think I'm going to order mine now :). I've seen people online travel with about what I'd pack clothing wise in a 50l backpack so I think it'll be easily doable with the 70l.
I have just received an X70 + Extra Large DV inner core. This allows me to carry a 600/4.0, 2 Nikon Z9s (full pro-body mirrorless with grip), a range of other lenses and gear. International flights may be ok (when flying first class), but some in-country flights, where there are small overhead lockers (like in South Africa) it has to be checked-in. I am hoping to travel to Kenya soon and hope BA will let me on. Later in the summer I will fly to JoBerg, which will not be a problem, but the onward connection will be -- both internal airlines demand only tiny carry on bag sizes. So one has to plan to be able to check the bag in and this needs a hardshell suitcase to put it in. For the last 10 years I have been routinely travelling with my camera gear in backpack placed within a hardshell suitcase. But of course there are risks. I almost always have a suitcase as well as my camera gear and so it is possible to check in a lot of stuff and carry on a small backpack. I am amazed you succeeded carrying on a tripod. I tried and failed tooooooo often a decade ago.
I likely mentioned it in the video but I personally think the way you approach the counter has a lot to do with it. No science behind it but I try be as casual as possible at check in. Bag over one shoulder, tripod in hand etc... smiles and timing also helps. Also from most of the people I talk to that fly with an X50 and X70 - most people seem to have success.
Hey Ian, Any update on when would these wonderful Action X be available in Europe by chance ? June as well ? Thanks a lot and can't wait to get my first real camera backpack !!
Most often, a few more centimeters depend on the gate agent and therefore Ian’s tips fully apply.
Thanks - appreciate that. Always be good to your gate agent ;)
Thank you so much for the great info and for sharing your experience/travel tips! Looks like a great bag; I love the flexibility!
Yeah, really worthwhile video, I’m trying to decide between x70 or x50....I think I’m leaning toward x70, as I don’t have any international travel planned currently....& I think I’d like to have the x70 to cover myself for size now, and gain experience with the bag size wise, then if I have an international flight later to do, and I don’t feel comfy with the size of the x70 for hand carry on use, I can always get an x50 at a later date, such is the beauty of the internal camera units being so easily interchangeable.
As there doesn’t appear to be any real agreed standard re hand carry on dimensions, it makes it such a grey area, it must be really hard for bag manufacturers!
Thanks for all the valuable hints. I recently purchased a X50 v2 and I really like it, will there once be also a X70 v2?
The X70 v2 is the X70HD. The original was updated at the same time.
@@ShimodaDesigns Thank you 🫶
Great tips. I agree 100%. Some common sense in trying to make the bag look smaller is all it takes usually.
I've flown to Chile from Calgary via United Airlines and Latam with the X70. Leaving Calgary it was -20'C in January and I had a very puffy jacket (belayer's jacket) which I stuffed into my Shimoda bag while walking around Dallas and Santiago airports but when I boarded the plane, I'd remove it so that the bag looked as compact as possible. For camera gear, I was carrying a D500, 10-20mm sigma, 24-70mm nikkor, and 70-200mm nikkor, and the large Shimoda accessory bag full of Lee Filter accessories. So it was a heavy bag but never once was I asked to stow with checked luggage. If there's ever a stink, just show the checkin counter and gate attendee that it's ripe full of camera gear.
Wearing your jacket at check-in is something I should have mentioned. That's a key maneuver in the winter months. ... I've heard the same about ski boots ;)
Do you think this is a good backpack for interrail in europe etc.? I think I'd get a small ICU for the bare minimum camera equipment and then pack the rest with clothing on the inside, a sleeping bag and a tent attached to the outside? I'd probably sleep most nights in motels so the most important thing is being able to carry enough clothing for me to just spontaneously stay as long as I want.
I've seen 95l pure backpacking backpacks online which does seem a ton and maybe impractical to take around but it still made me curious to see if 70l minus the small ICU would be enough for my needs.
That would depend on what you need to travel. But personally I think I could do it with a 70L. Summer bags and tents can be very small and I think that will play a big part in final choice. Also if you don't need to pack cookware I think you would be OK - again it depends on the size of your gear and howuch of it. One trick is to pack the tent and sleeping bag in the front pocket. 90l seems like a lot to pack on train rides and commute with.
@@ShimodaDesigns Thanks so much! I think I'm going to order mine now :). I've seen people online travel with about what I'd pack clothing wise in a 50l backpack so I think it'll be easily doable with the 70l.
The only time I've had issues is on smaller Regional Jets where overhead space is limited.
Thanks for the great video Ian. 100% x70 is the right bag for me. Ordering this week.
Thank you Jason. Much appreciated.
I have just received an X70 + Extra Large DV inner core. This allows me to carry a 600/4.0, 2 Nikon Z9s (full pro-body mirrorless with grip), a range of other lenses and gear.
International flights may be ok (when flying first class), but some in-country flights, where there are small overhead lockers (like in South Africa) it has to be checked-in.
I am hoping to travel to Kenya soon and hope BA will let me on. Later in the summer I will fly to JoBerg, which will not be a problem, but the onward connection will be -- both internal airlines demand only tiny carry on bag sizes. So one has to plan to be able to check the bag in and this needs a hardshell suitcase to put it in.
For the last 10 years I have been routinely travelling with my camera gear in backpack placed within a hardshell suitcase. But of course there are risks.
I almost always have a suitcase as well as my camera gear and so it is possible to check in a lot of stuff and carry on a small backpack.
I am amazed you succeeded carrying on a tripod. I tried and failed tooooooo often a decade ago.
I likely mentioned it in the video but I personally think the way you approach the counter has a lot to do with it. No science behind it but I try be as casual as possible at check in. Bag over one shoulder, tripod in hand etc... smiles and timing also helps. Also from most of the people I talk to that fly with an X50 and X70 - most people seem to have success.
The X70 will be available again, in Mid June from www.shimodadesigns.com
Hey Ian,
Any update on when would these wonderful Action X be available in Europe by chance ?
June as well ? Thanks a lot and can't wait to get my first real camera backpack !!
Hi Alex, we should have stock available in mid-June.