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.
-Jeff
Not sure I understand what you mean about the binding.
Noted about the weight, it is true you can only put a pro body at the base. Weight wise that should be sufficient though. as the base is an ideal place that weight, especially mounted. Are you talking about backcountry skiing? If so your shovel will be quite happy there. This is where idea came from.
How sturdy are the carry handles on the ICU itself. I know its not designed to be carried around a lot as a shoulder bag - butif one was inclined to do so - is it awkward to carry (attaching the shoulder straps to the provided anchor points? Does the ICU kinda just crumple when carried like this with a load inside - and are the attachment points reinfored enough to carry this around for any length of time?
I guess even if you could carry it shoulder style you'd still be better off with a dedicated working bag or hip/chest pack as the way the ICU opens means you'd have to set it down on a flat surface for access - which is what you'd do with the backpack anyway.
Lastly, any word on when they will be back in stock? (inc the raincover?)
As for the shoulder straps, yes they are not designed to be a dedicated workout out of courier bag but it should not break on you. It is designed as an option for transporting ICU's/gear, for example off to the studio. The gear is built well and by a very high-end supplier. the zipper style would not be advised for such 'work out of' use.
Like anything if you use it for something it is not dedicated for, your dealing with compromise. If you want to shoot messenger style I would grab a messenger bag. Actually i would wait for the new F-stop ones ...
As far as it being awkward, that depends on your definition of awkward, I would suggest you load it up and give it try.
IanMillar wrote:
Not sure I understand what you mean about the binding.
Ian,
Let me try to explain better. I would like the covering on the dividers (the material that covers the padding that is essentially loop fabric for the hook part of the velcro to adhere to) to be be fused in some way to the padding. Right now the fabric covering the padding is something like a sock, when I pull the divider out of the ICU to rearrange the layout the fabric stretches away from the padding.
I've tried to illustrate what I am talking about with the photo below. See how the gray fabric pulls away from the padding (closed cell foam I am assuming)? With other bags that I own with similar dividers the fabric is bonded to the padding.
Would the large ICU hold a 500mmf4? I usually travel with a 500/70-200/16-36 flash and pro body...and would it all fit in the small backpack or need the larger one to hold all?
phidong wrote:
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....Show more →
Thanks Phi, this bag keeps looking better and better.
Well I ordered my Foliage Green Loka with all three ICU's and the raincover. I hope this is my last camera bag for many years. I can't wait to try out this hiking around the midwest.
argonaut wrote:
Would the large ICU hold a 500mmf4? I usually travel with a 500/70-200/16-36 flash and pro body...and would it all fit in the small backpack or need the larger one to hold all?
Sorry been a little busy and under the weather...
here are our specs
* Small ICU – 7.5” Deep x 11” Wide x 7” Tall
* Medium ICU – 7.5” Deep x 11” Wide x 11” Tall
* Large ICU – 7.5” Deep x 11” Wide x 15” Tall
* XLarge ICU – 7.5” Deep x 11” Wide x 19” Tall
From my knowledge the 500mm is 15.6 inches long. Perhaps you can confirm this. You would need an XL which will require one of our larger bags.
Really a nice post. It convinced me that this would be a great pack for an upcoming trip to Iceland.....ordered it now. Hopefully it will be here before my trip NEXT September! Thanks for the detailed reviews!
I just ordered one too Kris. If mine gets here before September...
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September What am I missing, I have my Loka but the f-stop site says for current orders, immediate shipping from Hong Kong or mid November from US. I ordered another large ICU last week and it arrived in less than a week.
You are too kind Todd! Yes, I know the Lokas are on the boat and headed to North America.....hopefully we'll all be happy campers later this month....it seems like it is a fantastic system. Can't wait.
SHVv wrote:
I just ordered one too Kris. If mine gets here before September...
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September What am I missing, I have my Loka but the f-stop site says for current orders, immediate shipping from Hong Kong or mid November from US. I ordered another large ICU last week and it arrived in less than a week.
Steve
I should have the straight info for you soon. the boss is Europe working on setting up our new warehouse in Belgium.
What I do know is that we now have a warehouse in HK now. With HK just a few hours away from our production facility, it naturally arrives in just a day or two. Where sending gear to the US takes a good month on a boat.
So Loka and Tilopa are on boat to America but there is also some in HK. So if your in a rush, we could put it on a plane and have it there much faster.
Hopefully I'll have more info shortly so I can verify all this for you.
What am I missing, I have my Loka but the f-stop site says for current orders, immediate shipping from Hong Kong or mid November from US. I ordered another large ICU last week and it arrived in less than a week.
I have a Tilopa and Loka sitting next to me.