Olympus freebies

[Paul Shields]

Well my free backpack arrived today, and I must say it's a lot better than I expected. Looks like I can store a lot of gear in there, and there's a side panel for a small laptop if needed. It's also very well padded at the back for those extended jaunts.

Kudos to Olympus in offering this plus the HLD-4 grip to those early adopters of the E-3 .

Some pics (apologies for the poor quality).

[toddbee]

was this from a promotion in the UK?

[Olyirrisistity]

Originally Posted by toddbee

was this from a promotion in the UK?

In the EU.
I got one yesterday and am very pleased. It's nicely made, solid, spacious and shower-proof, which is exactly what I was thinking of getting.

[Paul Shields]

It's a very nice backpack isn't it? That plus the free HLD-4 has removed my usual gripes about things being more expensive here in the UK/EU. I guess Olympus are well aware of the markup we often have to pay compared to other markets, so it's a nice bonus for us early adopters - I reckon it's at least a £300/$600 package so thanks Olympus .

[keepright]

Any updates on how the backpacks are to use? I have to say that the photos look pretty impressive. The construction bears a striking resemblance to a Petrol (brand) video case that I use as a lights&camera kit for lugging around my two Alien Bees. If it's more than just a superficial similarity, they should be very good indeed.

I've been trying to justify the cost of a good backpack, but just can't. It's on the list, though, behind the 150 f/2, 2.0TC, a few of 4GB UDMA CF cards, a couple more flashes and pocket wizards, an acratech ball head...

[Paul Shields]

I've not used a backpack before, and in fact I've not used this yet due to so many other commitments . It feels very sturdy and well made though. I have an old Billingham over the shoulder bag that I normally use, but the backpack will come in handy for more 'strenuous' activities.

I know what you mean about justification though - so many things can take precedence compared to something mundane like a carrier bag. The 150mm f/2 is something you have to aim for though - fabulous lens .

[keepright]

Billingham -- nice! I have a poor cousin, the Domke F6, which is my favourite bag but is too small to fit the 35-100, which is my favourite lens. I mostly use a Crumpler 6M which fits everything I need, and actually holds almost as much as my backpack.

I feel quite passionate about my photo backpack -- I hate it. Passionately. There's nothing wrong with it, which is why I'm not saying what it is, but it was one of those I'm-leaving-tomorrow-and-I-need-a-backpack purchases. There was nothing else available big enough to hold my E-1 w/ 7-14 and grip as well as my E-510 w/ 35-100 and tripod mount attached. Assembled. But it's actually a small backpack, and I'm 6' tall. The end result is a 15-20 pound pack that doesn't fit me and leaves me bruised and in considerable discomfort after four or five hours of wearing it.

I have a club outing in six weeks or so that will require a 4-6km walk to and from the shooting locations. The window to select and order one is closing, and I have an unhealthy obsession with the Think Tank Glass Taxi. Eventually I'm sure I will own it, but for now I've combined a good general purpose backpack (Deuter Future 22AC) with a Tamrac Velocity 7 shoulder bag. The E-3/E-1 with the 35-100 attached will fit in the lower section of the backpack, a few lenses will fit in the V7 in the pack's top compartment, and a tripod can attach to the side. It does everything I want, it's just not what I want.

[cyclohexane]

Looks like one sweet freebie. A fellow photographer showed me a Fujifilm-branded backpack he got at some convention or something (made by Tenba), and it was similar to this one.

have an unhealthy obsession with the Think Tank Glass Taxi.

I have this bag, but it's really only good if you're keeping one large telephoto in it. It's not super-convenient for sticking, say, a camera and three lenses in it. I either carry a 300mm f/2.8 with camera attached in it, or a 400mm f/2.8 with no camera. I had it loaded like they did in the sample images with a body and two to three lenses, but the rounded edges meant I wasn't getting as much stuff in as I would have liked.

It's great for walking around though. While I wish the straps were wider (it's not just how padded they are... ), I walked 6 miles with the Glass Taxi with 300mm f/2.8, camera, extra batteries, snacks, water, roster, notebook, and other stuff without any issues.

[keepright]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

I have this bag, but it's really only good if you're keeping one large telephoto in it. It's not super-convenient for sticking, say, a camera and three lenses in it. ... It's great for walking around though.

Thanks for the insight. Hearing the experience of photographers is so much more valuable that looking at the manufacturer's web sites...

I'd like the Taxi because it's supposed to be able to fit my 35-100 with the hood in place. (About the same size as a 70-200 f/2.8.) It's my favourite lens, and I love the idea of carrying it fully assembled. After that, I generally only use my ultra-wide or another telephoto. I've discovered that despite owning many lenses, I really only use one or two when I'm out and about.

[cyclohexane]

Here it is next to a Pelican 1510, for a rough size comparison. It doesn't fit into the 1510, which is annoying because Think Tank's "Airport Ultralight" fits into the 1510 and holds more stuff due to the rectangular design.



With just one lens in, you can fit quite a bit of other stuff in the spaces around the lens inside the Glass Taxi. I've carried a camera (carefully) tucked next to the lens when I needed to keep the camera covered from rain, dust, whatever.

[Onetallmama]

Nice backpack!