Camera Backpacks

When it comes to working in the field, a good camera backpack is worth its weight in gold. There are many different companies on the market today creating camera backpacks that are suitable for wildlife photographers - meaning that they can carry large telephoto lenses. But these are the packs we think are superior to all others and are the ones we use ourselves day in and day out all around the world. We do make a very small commission if you purchase one of these bags using the links below, and this helps to keep PhotoWILD Magazine in operation.

F-Stop SHINN 80L

BEST FOR BIG GLASS

The F-stop SHINN 80L is Jared’s go to bag for almost all occasions. F-Stop bags require an additional ICU (Internal Camera Unit) that slides inside of the bag. Jared uses the Master Cine ICU, which gives him the ability to access big glass from the top of the pack. This bag holds both a 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 side by side with camera bodies attached, which is why this is Jared’s primary backpack. One bag to rule them all!

F-Stop Shuka 70L

BEST BAG W/OUT TOP LOAD

The F-Stop Shuka 70L is smaller than the SHINN 80L. For smaller framed people, this bag may be a better fit than the SHINN. Jared and Annalise both use the Shuka as secondary bags for specialty equipment such as macro and flash. This bag is cavernous. It will easily holds a 400mm f/2.8 or a 600mm f/4 with lots of room to spare. However, it will not hold both of those big pieces of glass like the SHINN 80L with Master Cine ICU. If you only have one big telephoto to carry along with lots of other glass and cameras but don’t care about top loading, this is your bag.

ThinkTank Backlight Elite 45L

BEST COMPACT BAG

This bag is Annalise’s go-to camera backpack. It is smaller than the F-stop bags which makes it a better fit for woman in general. Annalise sets it up so that she access her equipment from the top like the F-Stop SHINN. The ability to top load a bag with a big telephoto lens make a huge difference in the field and is not available in any other backpack other than the 80L SHINN that Jared uses. This bag holds a 400mm f/2.8 with camera attached, as well as a 70-200 and another body.