The first bag: Eberlestock Upranger

One of the largest challenges for a photographer, or at least me… has been trying to find the right way to carry all my gear.  I have had a couple great smaller bags from unknown makers (bags are no longer around to check)… they were good, but didn’t carry all the gear that I ended up having. Then I got a BAG.  I got a Range Bag from Eberlestock called the Upranger.  It is a tank of a bag.  Has a plastic shell/tray on the outside back, zips open on the back panel, the inside is all moveable divider walls held in place with Velcro, external pockets and more!  I LOVED It, except it was HUGE. (you can check it out here: eberlestock.com/…/packs/products/upranger). Only drawback that I had was it was almost too big for “carry on” for air travel.  It fit, mostly.

The search for perfection: F-Stop Bags

On to my search.  I found a bag made by F-Stop.  It is an interesting creature as it is a 2 part system.  Part 1: the bag.  I looked at all the sizes and colors, and determined that the Ajna 40L in orange (they call it something else) was the size and color I wanted…a couple inches shorter and narrower, but “thicker”.  Ok, this should fit airline standards pretty well based on how the other bag fit.  Second part is their ICU or Internal Camera Unit ‘bag’.  They have a significant selection of sizes.  Essentially, it is a semi-hard box that has all the moveable/removable dividers so you can customize the layout.  I figured that for my gear, the F-Stop Pro Large ICU would be about right (check it out here: shop.fstopgear.com/…/ajna-40l-travel-and-adventure-camera-backpack-1  ).

The adventure begins

My Ajna with Pro Large ICU came in and I had a 3 hour circus trying to figure out the best way to organize.  I am STILL not sure I have it fully optimized, but I have gotten all my primary gear into it.  It slides into the Ajna bag nicely.  If I decide later that I want a method to scale back camera gear (based on need), and increase some of the extra pack stuff (clothing etc), I can get another ICU.  If I feel that this is the perfect ICU, but need more bag, I can do that also.

Summary

F-Stop bags are not cheap bags, however, the bags appear to be well designed and strongly made.  I have talked with others that use it, and they survive a wide variety of uses very nicely.  If you are looking for a high end system to maximize your ability to carry gear, get in contact with them.  Their customer service is incredible!!!  Good luck and happy Camera Hiking!!