Mindshift Backlight 36L: A True Backpack for Outdoor and Adventure
The Mindshift Backlight 36L sits along the Canon EOS 7D at the train tracks in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.|Credit: Reynaldo Cruz Diaz
When it comes to travel photography, a sturdy, safe and reliable camera backpack is a must for every photographer. The Mindshift Backlight 36L, released by ThinkTank in 2017, provides the ultimate experience for anyone looking to do outdoor photography or being in a long adventure while carrying a lot of gear.
ThinkTank is a reliable leader among camera bag manufacturers. The company provides different types of backpacks and other protective gear that manage to meet the needs of most photographer, from urban and portraits to outdoor and journalists.
With the Mindshift Backlight 36L, they broke the mold in terms of comfort, quality and aesthetics. The backpack comes in two colors: woodland green and charcoal, and has a design that speaks adventure from all corners.
Built with water repellent material and meant to meet the needs of any photographer, this bag stands out for its large capacity, its customizability and its ergonomics.
The Capacity
The Backlight 36L has an extremely large capacity. However, perhaps one of the most interesting features is that the very company is inaccurate about the capacity of this bag.
The ThinkTank website lists the following:
Holds 2 gripped camera bodies with lenses attached and 4–6 standard zoom lenses plus a flash
Fits up to a 16” laptop and a 10” tablet
Fits personal gear in the 11L front compartments
Maximum lens size: 600mm f/4 detached from body
I had the opportunity of traveling from the US back to Cuba with this backpack after my friend Dr. Marco Bonta bought it for me. One of the interesting things I have to say about it is that the camera lens capacity is completely accurate, as I traveled with the Canon EOS 7D with an attached Tamron 18-200mm and the Canon EOS Rebel T2i with an EF 70-300mm. Apart from that, I had three other lenses: an EF 50mm, a Yongnuo 35mm and an EF-S 10-22mm. Within the camera gear compartment, I also included a flash, the chargers for my laptop, iPad and phone, my cleaning kit (which was not small), my hard drives, and a bunch of color filters that I put inside the cable attic.
The 11L front compartments included my iPad, my note pad and… PAY ATTENTION TO THIS: a 17” laptop!! Yes, ThinkTank sold this one short, maybe knowing that they didn’t need to impress people, and of course taking into account the fact that people are using big laptops less and less these days. They maybe thought they’d rather have a compliment than a complaint, and boy did it work.
Apart from the gear, I included two sets of clothing (full clothing), and a large water bottle in one of the side pockets plus a jacket in the other. Although the Backlight 36L includes tripod straps and cup, it is also possible to put the tripod in one of the side pockets to avoid bulkiness, mainly if you carry a lot of clothes in it.
The bag also includes straps on the back that enable you to add small attachments with carabiner clips, other straps for you to be able to attach trekking poles, and straps on the side to secure a blanket or a sleeping bag on top of the backpack.
The Customizable compartments and Added Space
One of the first things photographers look at when checking for a camera bag is the presence of customizable compartments. That way, every photographer has the ability to rearrange the padding inside for it to meet their particular needs. Depending on how much gear you have, you can either remove or accommodate the padding in order to get the right setting for your equipment.
This is particularly handy, because if you intend to travel light in gear, you can remove some of the padding to make room for clothes, shoes, food and other things you may need. The two large paddings and the ten small ones can be rearranged in any way to fit all of your gear and/or miscellanea. The velcro on them makes them as sturdy as they can be, holding the weight of every piece of equipment you may want to put in each compartment.
In my experience, I have been able to carry even food and drinks inside the gear compartment. Customizing them to the point in which I have been able to maximize and optimize its capacity. For instance, my normal set-up includes my Canon EOS R6 Mark II with either the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 or the Tamron 70-210mm f/4 attached to it—one lens attached means the other is still in the bag—, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8, a Neewer flash with its batteries, a set of Yongnuo remote trigger/receiver, the Canon battery charger, a power bank, my hard drives, a memory card wallet, adapter ring for color filters, the color filters, a bag with cleaning kits, iPad and phone charger, iPad and keyboard (in the laptop compartment), and notepad (in the front compartment). The upper pocket harbors the rain cover and my business cards.
One of the side pockets holds my water bottle while the other normally has snacks, granola bars, gum, or any other small or medium thing that I might consider useful for the day of the adventure.
The reason why there is no mention of the five LP-E6 batteries is yet another perk of the Backlight 36L. Since the waist strap is so thick and robust, you have the possibility of adding one or two belt pouches of any sort. In my particular case, I added a tactical molle pouch, which has a velcro pocket that works pretty well for your lens cap. That gives me easy access for both the batteries and the lens cap.
The laptop compartment has also enough room for at least two pairs of pants and two shirts, plus a folder containing documents. Again, this is how I like to travel.
Safety, Ergonomics and Handling
Every photographer will always look into the safety of a backpack and how easy it might be to maneuver and navigate with it. In this instance, the Backlight 36L is in a league of its own.
Me with my Midshift Backlight 36L in action, atop Castle Craig in Meriden, CT.|Credit: Kiara Gonzalez Escobar
The Mindshift Backlight 36L was my third dedicated camera backpack, and my second from ThinkTank. But it instantly became my number one camera bag. In spite of its massive size and bulkiness, I managed to navigate the streets of Havana, Mexico and the United States with no problem.
First, the access to the main gear is on the back of the backpack, meaning that in order to take out the camera, change a lens or take out the flash, you will need to unstrap it. That will make it really difficult for potential thieves (in case you are in a crowded city) to open it without you knowing and steal some of your gear. This also enables you to actually open your bag without detaching it from you, and the lid has a cord you can actually put on the back of your neck, holding it open until you finish either taking part of your gear out or changing your lens.
The straps are comfortably padded, and so are the waist belt and the access lid on the back, making really easy to carry on your back without causing pain or discomfort. If the weight is well distributed and the belt and the straps are properly customized, it will feel lighter than most smaller backpacks carrying less weight. In other words, it feels lighter and more comfortable than anyone looking at its bulkiness would think.
The side pockets enable you to store a water bottle and food if need be, which again can come in handy if you are engaging in some outdoor photography. I have had access to both my water and my food without having to unstrap, which again, is very useful if you are on the move.
The zippers are all sturdy but also smooth when it comes to opening and closing, which enables you to have swift and easy mechanics when it comes to gear access.
Then, there’s the rain cover. Even with the material it is built of, which repels water, the Backlight 36L, like most serious camera backpacks, comes with a rain cover. This will protect your gear even in the most aggressive weather conditions, whether it is rain, snow or dust.
Conclusion
In short, I consider the Mindshift Backlight 36L one of the top 5 camera backpacks in the industry (and the best one I have ever owned). It is comfortable to the point of allowing me to keep it on my back for long hours and long walks, either in Cuba, Mexico or the United States. The large capacity comes in handy if you need to store more than your photography equipment and need both hands free to operate the camera, and the sturdiness and protect your gear against falls and water.
The comfort on your back is another added bonus, which is another reason why I love it so much because again it allows you to take long walks or hikes without hurting your back.
Even though mine is stained, scratched and heavily worn due to my travels and me using it at all times, it still causes admiration on people who see it for the first time. So, on top of it all, it also looks cool, which is not crucial, but helps.
The Mindshift Backlight 36L sits on a wall along with the Canon EOS 7D, a coffee mug, sunglasses and gloves.|Credit: Reynaldo Cruz Diaz
Final notes
From Think Tank Photo:
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Daisy chain, ice axe loops and additional lash points for expanding carry capacity
Includes tripod/monopod mounting system on front or side
Padded waist belt for all day comfort with webbing rail for attaching MindShift accessories
Quick fit waist belt adjustment for rapid and convenient fitting
Side compression straps with locking SR buckles for additional lash points
Cable Attic for carrying filters or flash accessories
Air channel and lumbar support on rear-panel for all-day comfort
Ergonomic zipper pulls are easily gripped with gloves or chilled fingers
Highest quality YKK RC Fuse zippers, 420D Velocity and 420D high-density nylon for long lasting durability and strength
Front stuff pockets for trail essentials: headlamp, gloves, chargers
Adjustable dividers for large telephoto lenses, traditional photo gear, or personal items
Top zippered pocket for quick access to essentials
Interior mesh pockets for storing filters, batteries, cables, etc.
Seam-sealed rain cover included
Compatible with the Tripod Suspension Kit, Filter Nest, Filter Hive and Switch Case
MATERIALS
Exterior: For superior water resistance, all exterior fabric has a durable water-repellant coating, plus the underside of the fabric has a polyurethane coating. Features the highest-quality abrasion-resistant YKK® RC-Fuse zippers, 420D velocity nylon, 420D high-density nylon, 320G UltraStretch mesh, 350G airmesh, nylon webbing, 3-ply bonded nylon thread.
Interior: 210D silver-toned nylon lining, hexa-mesh pockets, high-density
closed-cell foam, PE board reinforcement, 3-ply bonded nylon thread.
SPECIFICATIONS
Exterior Dimensions: 13.8” W x 22.4” H x 10.2” D (35 x 57 x 26 cm)
Interior Camera Compartment: 12.6” W x 21” H x 7.1” D (32 x 53.5 x 18 cm)
Laptop Pocket: 11.2” W x 16.1” H x 1” D (28.5 x 41 x 2.5 cm)
Tablet Pocket: 10.6” W x 10.2” H x 0.6” D (27 x 26 x 1.5 cm)
Total Volume: 36L
Weight: 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg)
