Shimoda Action X70 Backpack Review for Wildlife Camera Gear
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- The camera backpack market often ignores the needs of wildlife photographers and filmmakers. Our gear presents unique design challenges with the length and depth and weight that requires some real thought in managing it all. Unfortunately, it seems most companies care more about the surface-level styling of their backpacks rather than the function to lure in their customers. Shimoda is not one of those companies.
In this Shimoda Action X70 review, I take a look at the backpack as well as the Extra Large DV Core Unit that I paired it with and report what I liked and didn’t like about using it.
►Shimoda Action X70 and XL DV Core Unit (kit)
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►Shimoda Action X70 (backpack only)
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B&H: bhpho.to/36cLYmL | Amazon: amzn.to/3repo6R
►Shimoda XL DV Core Unit (core unit only)
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B&H: bhpho.to/35OJk7X | Amazon: amzn.to/3pbbh0p
►Shimoda Accessory Case
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B&H: bhpho.to/3kKSZk8 | Amazon: amzn.to/38f79Wc
►Shimoda Panel Wrap
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B&H: bhpho.to/3rfh1rS | Amazon: amzn.to/38BH5oL
►Shimoda Accessory Straps
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B&H: bhpho.to/3raGenr | Adorama: adorama.rfvk.n... | Amazon: amzn.to/38qsBHW
►Shimoda Rain Cover
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►My full gear list: ryanmense.com/...
Website: www.ryanmense.com
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Links may contain affiliate code that make me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.
The Action X70 and XL DV Core Unit featured in the video was supplied by Shimoda at no cost to me. No further compensation or review stipulations were made.
Hi Ryan, thanks for putting the time in to do this review. The following are some comments on your comments - hope I don't come off as defensive...
1. The frame contributes to weight distribution as well as the load lifters, harness sizing, stiff rear panel and shoulder strap shapes . So all contribute to it making loads feel lighter by helping distribute weight and taking stress off the shoulder. The shape of the shoulders straps is one the more unique ways to distribute weight across your chest, much like the frame transfers weight to the hips.
2. Bottom handles are coming.
3. Laptop sleeve: Put other stuff in the laptop sleeve... light shell, rain cover etc... making pockets there causes friction with zippers on gear or hot shoes like to wear at pockets. Wraps are a very good fit there (as you have shown).
4. We don't currently include rain cover because most people do not use them... so those folks who do not use them will still have to pay for them if we include them. IMO it's a psychological thing, if we included it and charged $10 more - the end result it the same, but you would feel better... It would not be free... it would be worked in to the actual price just like every other component. I personally side on the idea of being able to choose what I want to spend my money on by building a kit that suits my needs. The same goes with Accessory straps. Include both and now the bag is $20 more. There is also the argument of using energy to make products that don't get used. Pricing is reflective of manufacturing costs and bring the product to market.
5. The key ring is located because you use your keys once or twice a day - out of the way from the gear you regularly access. You don't literally need to find as it can't actually move, it will always be in the same location. Agree or not - that is the logic behind the location. And when it comes to not including, this was heavily requested item after we released Explore Series. And as you mention there are other pockets to put them.
6. Shoulder Strap pockets - the bigger ones primary use is for water-bottle, the smaller is for a mobile phone. The phone pocket fits Plus size phones. I personally prefer the way it is with options.
7. The pantone color is actually Moss green and was renamed to Army Green. If you sit on the end of a someone who participates in customer service... you quickly realize you need colors that people immediately understand and can visualize. There is about 12000 different types of moss... all with different shades. Army Green is a name people understand right away. With Sea Pine and Blue Nights... many, many people did not visually understand what those names represented which led to a lot of time trying to describe them. Believe it or not... I spent a lot of time debating this in my head.
Thanks again, it is always good to hear different perspectives from different users for future considerations.
Ian
Still Moss green sounds better :-)
Own this pack in black and I have to say it wears better than my osprey ather 70l which to me is a huge accomplishment for Shimoda. There are a few things Shimoda missed like pockets for the laptop sleeve as well for larger strap pockets like you mentioned in this video. It would have been a nice application to put a couple of smaller zipper pockets on the hip belt as well. I believe the shoulder straps is what really defined this pack for me and the two side pockets for tripod carry or whatever else you can think of. Being able to use a heavier tripod for me and not worry about straps slipping is a win situation. I am extremely pleased with the x70 and will be using it for many of my endeavors and applications. Bravo Shimoda and my hat off to you sir for a wonderful review on this pack.
Great review. I've got a Shimoda bag that is a couple of years old and the noise that you mentioned is really annoying. I'm pretty sure when I bought it one of their USP's was that it DIDN'T make any noise.
Using it with a 80mm spotting scope and sigma 60-600s attached to D500, nicely fit in the large DV core unit and have extra room for one or two small attachment. A great transport tool for those birding equipments. I also put a small 26l bag in the front pocket so that I don't need to carry the big bag to climb some mountains.
Fantastic review Ryan!! you nailed all the critiques that are specific to wildlife photographers, quality work. Loving the binocular set up too!
Those little bino straps are sweet! I have a few sets of them between my big and small bags. Thanks for watching.
That’s a nice bag, love the forest green too. I’ll have to look into it for my next one
I find the computer sleeve very useful, not for a computer, but for a sleeping pad, that I cut to fit it. :-) very useful when you live in a country where it rains a lot
The side pocket is big enough to stash a bottle of scotch. It comes in handy while doing time lapse photoshoot.
Hahaha
First impression it looks like one of those old fashioned world war 2 parachute bags! It would look quite nice sitting on top of my trolley though! you are starting to sell it to me ! It might be a hard sell ! Lucky to have just bought the Sony 600mm f4. I would like to have a bag that takes this lens with the hood on ! Still looks a good bag just don't want to every actually carry it !
Ryan are you still using this X70. Thoughts after 1.5 years?
Very nice video!! It just very difficult to buy anything from Shimoda if are in my part of the world
Thanks Ryan - very helpful review.
how much more do you think this could hold more than the x50 ? really like the side access but i see the 70 doesnt have it.. im going to be backpacking prob 2 nights into the washington mountains. fuji xt4 2 lenses a drone and small film camera + other little accessories. clothes,food,camping gear etc
Great review - I’m buying it
I just can't figure out what the Bib looking thing with 16 little grip circle dots is. Anyone know?
Securing a helmet is the intended purpose
Absolutely love the roll top! Wish i had that on my current backpacks (f-stop). The main issue i have with most camera bags is they look and feel like boxes, stiff and overly padded. I believe most of us wont be throwing our camera bags into concrete, so most often the padding is overkill imo, and leads to a bulkier, less comfortable, less flexible, heavier bag. At least to me every gram counts, both for comfort, and for bringing gear as carry-on.
Instablaster.
Do you have a recommendation then?
I own this bag nice bag. What i dont like is i never carry my laptop on deep hikes i feel like this is wasted space i would of rather had a assortment of pockets at least on the outside of the laptop sleeve. Or a choice of back panels.
Agreed
I keep a sit pad in it - easy access and adds some padding to the back.
Thanks for review! i will one X70.
Hey Ryan can you fit a Sony 60mm with the body and add another two lenses 70-200 and 14mm?
Do you know of any bigger packs like this?
I just say the prices, way too expensive here in Europe, I also think that this backpack are a bit too complicated, I like it to be simple and rugged :)
Nothing wrong with Army Green, it is based on the color the Army used, also known as Olive Green.
Yeah my point is that it doesn’t fit the imaginative naming of previous colors. Parisian Nights and Sea Pine have emotion and are fun. Of course there’s nothing wrong with bland names but it’s a step down when backpack makers highly depend on marketing that sells an idea more than yet another photo backpack.
@@RyanMenseWildlife Could not disagree more, I am much more interested in the quality of the product than some stupid made up name to make the simple minded feel "emotion and are fun" about their purchase. To much money wasted on such things that gets passed onto us as the consumer. I hear Army Green and it makes me feel the product is going to be tough and rugged, I hear the other names you mention and I think it is going to be trendy and less well put together. I did enjoy your review by the way, just disagree with you on this part. I just bought this yesterday and can't wait until Tuesday when it comes it. Yes your review is one that helped me choose it over some others I was looking at so I do thank you for that.
Maybe Nature's green :-)
I like it!
I do not like big padded hip belts, it would help if it was removable.
It is removable. They also sell slimmer ones separately.
@@RyanMenseWildlife Sounds great, since you´ve also got the Sony 200-600 can that fit nicely into the backpack with the lens hood mounted ?
Yep, the 200-600 can fit with the lens hood attached.
@@RyanMenseWildlife Thank you :D
Dude good review until it came to colors. So political sounding of a statement. Come on Army Green is an association the masses get without some confusing fluffy name . Solid and simple . K.I.S.S. Is many companies mantra .
I love fluffy names. Plenty of huge companies get by with them just fine. Shimoda had it right before they got stale with them.
thanks ...Made in - ??? - China - ???