Mine arrived yesterday! Unlike the Satori, this one is a keeper. The size of the Loka is just right. The Satori, even though it was larger than the Loka, was not large enough for my needs and the suspension wasn't sufficient for a maximized load. The Loka, though, is a very well thought-out photo pack. The "rubberized" bottom with zippered storage area for a rain sleeve, and provision for a water bladder are noted improvements is design features.
While I don't intend to use the XL-ICU with the Loka, I was surprised to find that it fit inside the Loka (with absolutely no room left over). The "old" Large ICU fits nicely and leaves 4 to 5 inches of space above for other gear. I finally received the Medium ICU (ordered back in May) last week and noticed the subtle, but noteworthy differences in materials and overall shape. The medium ICU holds nearly as much as the Large ICU I got in May. The large ICU gives me just enough room to add my filter kit to the lenses I can carry in the Medium. The Large and XL ICUs I got in may have a tapered (perhaps excessively rounded is a better description) bottom portion that prevents me from getting more gear in. The earlier photos posted on the "new" large ICU looks like it has more usable space than my "old" large ICU.
My only "nit" so far is that the velcro loops on the outside of the "old" Large and XL ICUs are too wide to fit through the loops provided in the Loka to keep them from shifting. Since these ICUs fill the cavity of the bag so well, it probably wont be a problem.
My medium ICU is set up to carry the Nikon f2.8 14-24/24-70/70-200 lenses, and gripped D700. There is no more room for anything else. The "old" large ICU can take the above listed camera and lenses with either an SB-900 or my filter wallet and some extra batteries. I think the "new" or current large ICU could hold another small lens or two, like a fisheye, a fast 50 or TCs. I may be placing an order for the "new" large ICU.
Looks awesome. A few questions:
1- How does the harness system compare to say, a proper hiking pack. I currently have an Osprey Talon 44L pack that I'm using for an overseas trip.
2- How much does it weigh empty with the small ICU?
3- Do you think this would fit a change of clothes, toiletries, few pairs underwear/socks above the small ICU - and would the small ICU be big enough to hold a non gripped D700, 135/2, 24//1.4, 50/1.4 and a fisheye plus batteries/cables?
1. Same as or better. Excellent harness system (fits me very well).
2. I'll let Ian answer that, I'm too lazy to hang mine on the scale. It's lighter than most camera packs though for sure.
3. Should fit all that no sweat. You would definitely need the small ICU though.
Sweet thanks John. I might consider this instead of the Osprey, or perhaps squeeze an ICU into the Osprey. I need it for ultralight backapcking/travelling (but yes, I still can't bring myself to bringing less than three lenses - my camera gear takes up about 60-70% total weight.
kaiserkudo wrote:
Looks awesome. A few questions:
1- How does the harness system compare to say, a proper hiking pack. I currently have an Osprey Talon 44L pack that I'm using for an overseas trip.
2- How much does it weigh empty with the small ICU?
3- Do you think this would fit a change of clothes, toiletries, few pairs underwear/socks above the small ICU - and would the small ICU be big enough to hold a non gripped D700, 135/2, 24//1.4, 50/1.4 and a fisheye plus batteries/cables?
Thanks
I just finished a ~20-22mi hiking trip with the Loka. Unfortunately I had to use it without an ICU to fit everything in because I couldn't fit my tent, bag, clothes, etc. with ICU in the pack but it still worked out ok. I usually hike with my camera attached to a carabiner on the outside anyway and kept it at the top of the pack otherwise. My usual hiking pack is a GoLite Jam which is an ultralight bag with no frame so it's really hard to compare. The Loka is easily more comfortable than the Jam though (the frame helps a lot)
I only have a small digital scale so it is a bit hard to weigh the Loka but it looks and feels to be approximately 3lb 10oz and the small ICU is 11.3oz with padding + one long divider and one short divider. It is 11.2oz without the padding on the lid.
I have 5D2 + 17-40L, Tamron 90mm macro, Sigma 50mm f/1.4, Tokina 10-17mm fisheye + olympus 24mm f/2.8 here. You shouldn't have a problem using a small ICU to accommodate the gear you listed but I would put the cables and batteries in one of Loka's many other pockets which should secure them a bit better when you access the camera compartment.
I could fit my small ICU + sleeping bag + tent + sleeping pad no problem, but ended up going ICUless because I had to carry food and clothes. I'd say there is easily enough space for a couple pair of pants, some shirts, jacket, underwear, etc. and toiletries.
Also FWIW, I'm not sure I'd take this on a backpacking trip again. I mainly took it this time because of wet conditions and it was very nice even without ICU (for example being able to open the back and pull my footprint and tent out without having to unpack everything on the snow) but at the end of the day it is almost 3 lbs heavier than my Jam and on a longer hike I am not sure it would be worth it. For day hikes and travelling though the comfort of the Loka would probably be my choice. Hope that helps
Thanks for the detailed reply. I will be doing an 8 week trip through Eastern and Central Europe, staying mainly in larger towns, with about 8-10 hours of walking per day and some bus and train travel. I travel very light clothes wise with only two sets of quick dry clothing and toiletries/extra socks/jocks. I will also be taking a 10" Netbook and a small external HDD to back up my photos on the go,
I was originally planning to take the Osprey Talon and perhaps some kind of small belt pack like a Think Tank change up or a small non descript shoulder bag to tote my lens and passport/tickets/maps etc.
This pack certainly looks enticing, however I've never taken a backpack only on a photo trip so I'm not sure if I'll get tired of shrugging the pack off every time I want to make a lens change. I guess another option is just a single lens pouch on the hip belt for my most used 2nd lens?
From the picture it certainly looks to be enough room for my non camera related stuff, again just not sure if I'd get used to the back access as opposed to a dedicated shoulder bag or waist pack that I can work out of on the go.
You don't have to take the pack off to access your gear. Loosen the waist belt, spin it around on your waist and lower it down in front of you to open the back. You can, as you note, also carry stuff on the waist belt. I believe a Think Tank Photo lenschanger would work fine.
kaiserkudo wrote:
... I will be doing an 8 week trip through Eastern and Central Europe, staying mainly in larger towns, with about 8-10 hours of walking per day and some bus and train travel...
hi sorry just got back from a 4 day trip with no internet, I will answer the other stuff after some sleep but you should really reconsider your strategy here. 8 hours a day for up to 8 weeks and your don't want a hiking style pack?
Seems like a bad idea to me. I would grab a dropin style case to wear around your shoulder when your shooting and a backpack for your other gear.
IanMillar wrote:
hi sorry just got back from a 4 day trip with no internet, I will answer the other stuff after some sleep but you should really reconsider your strategy here. 8 hours a day for up to 8 weeks and your don't want a hiking style pack?
Seems like a bad idea to me. I would grab a dropin style case to wear around your shoulder when your shooting and a backpack for your other gear.
Hey Ian,
You must have misread my post - I am definately taking a hiking style pack - my predicament lies in how to store the camera stuff at the ready. Although a lot of the time I will be moving from place to place and will have my whole pack with me - there will be instances where I might leave my main pack in a dorm and will need to go out with just the camera and a lens or two. So I'm thinking of something like a Domke F3x bag or similar that I could squish up into my main pack when not in use , or a belt pack like the Think Tank Speed Freak - or perhaps the lightest option - camera around the neck and a pouch on the belt.
ah that makes more sense. thought you were crazy for taking a messenger bag for that long
A bag that broke down to fit in your pack would be ideal.
Actually going to be working on some bags that do just that. Not sure how they will turn out. Basically very simple light packs and messenger 'skins' for some of our ICU's. Empty they will break down very small and attached to the molle or able to be stuff in the bag. Very K-way like. Not sure how they work out just yet...
Right now, how I do that is to take a Think Tank Photo Changeup and remove the insert padding (you don't need it anyhow). That turns into a belt, a chest harnessed bag or a shoulder bag. You can put a non pro body with a lens on it front down and carry another lens (maybe too) and a flash. Works great and it packs down nice and thin.
Any thoughts on carrying a larger tripod with this pack. Mainly I am thinking of a Gitzo GT3541LS or similar. The pack looks great, but I am concerned about carrying my tripod with it. Thanks
Dan Carr just blogged about the Loka on his site, please take a peak if your still hungry for more camera bag stoke.
42 images of many different configurations with ICU's, space with each ICU left in bag, lens set ups etc... Its a buffet!
theroadtaken.... i am not familiar with that tripod, please post an image with a can or something like beside it for size reference.
Our good friend Dave Mossop packs a big tripod(s) around, the bag in this pick is a Tilopa. The Loka system has been improved over the bag Dave's wearing.
Any thoughts on carrying a larger tripod with this pack. Mainly I am thinking of a Gitzo GT3541LS or similar. The pack looks great, but I am concerned about carrying my tripod with it. Thanks
Chris
Based on a quick google search, I don't think it will be an issue. I was able to carry a feisol 3401 and I had the compression straps around all 3 legs not just 2 like the photo above. The compression straps were about at the limit that they could extend to, but if your tripod i s any bigger than mine you could just strap 2 legs and the center column like the photo above and be fine.
Keep in mind for hiking at least that you'll probably want to offset the weight of the tripod as having it on the side could unbalance you a bit. I usually either carry external water in the opposite pouch or use my camera on a 'biner to counterweight the tripod.
Carrying it centered on the back like the photo above could work too but I haven't tried that configuration.
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Thanks for the link to dan's review/photos. Seeing the taper on that medium ICU makes me just want it more! It should help with the back of the loka from puffing out too much if you're using larger 3L bladder.
if anyone has thoughts on the taper please let me know, we had thrown the idea of other tapered sizes. Would be interesting to see what everyone thinks about it. I personally love it as not all lens need the height of the full sized ICU and it keeps the profile even lower.
I am undecided about the taper because I haven't worked with it but I do shoot with pro sized bodies and am not thrilled about the idea that I can only put the camera in one place in the ICU (it may throw off the weight distribution). That said, I haven't worn the bad skiing yet but it fits so well it may not be an issue...
The only thing I would like to see upgraded is binding the outer covering of the dividers to the padding because it is a little hard to move them around.
