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Calling 2021 a year of innovation for the camera industry is an overstatement. Now, you could point out that 2021 was a year of relatively few product releases, plagued by multiple supply chain issues, and you’d be right. However, what the industry lacks in quantity has certainly made up for in quality.
The Nikon Z9 not only became Nikon’s first flagship camera to use an electronic shutter, but also received DPReview’s ‘Product of the Year’ award. Canon has revived its Eye-Control autofocus, with a completely redesigned system, unlike anything we’ve seen before. The DJI Ronin 4D video camera combines 4-axis gimbal stabilization with 6K imaging and LiDAR focusing technology. Jordan Drake and I both use Ronin 4D, and it works great.
Preparing to write this article, I had a tough choice ahead of me. Reviewing the latest cameras and lenses is a unique privilege and one that I enjoy very much. However, it was a fleeting experience. A few days are here with a new camera release. A week there with a lens to check. How can something become a favorite when the experience of using it is fleeting?
Instead, I aim for a much more consistent item of photographic equipment. Something needs to be reliable, functional and stylish, all at the same time. Something we all as photographers rely on every time we go out the door.
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| At 2.5 lbs with strap and baffle, the Wotancraft Pilot 10L is quite light. Its supple material hugs the body comfortably and is compact enough to stow away in any on-the-go situation. |
So my 2021 gear is a camera bag: the Wotancraft Pilot 10L Travel Bag to be exact. At first glance, it portrays a rugged, timeless look. The style really speaks to me, and I even love the color. Its waxed Cordura construction and classic backpack design will feel as at home on the streets of a modern metropolis as in the seat of a World War 2 Jeep. Wotancraft markets its bags with images of hiking, motorcycling and camping excursions, and even have their new line of camping accessories. The goal is clear: These bags are made for adventure.
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| Wax-coated CORDURA fabric, and weather-resistant zipper provide excellent protection for camera equipment. The side pockets are very secure due to the strong elastic closure. |
Okay, so maybe my beard isn’t what the audience expected and I’ll probably never own a motorcycle. But I’ve used the Pilot in a variety of weather and have carried it through the airport quite a few times, not to mention carrying it around in all of our videos over the past six months.
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| The upgraded ‘Fidlock’ closure opens easily with a quick lateral movement, and the internal magnet closes automatically when brought together. |
The clamshell lid folds back, without any gaps in it and all secured with a sturdy black painted brass hook. It should show the brass underneath as it ages. Very Leica-esque! However, I highly recommend the ‘Fidlock’ upgrade, which is the nicest magnetic keychain I’ve ever used. A quick swipe of the wrist unlocks and the actual magnetic design closes itself when the lid is closed. The Pilot holds the perfect amount of gear, with a well-designed strap that balances the weight comfortably. The classic trio of professional lenses with one big camera is no problem.
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| The Wotancraft Pilot 10L has enough space to accommodate a trio of classic professional zoom lenses with the body. The origami-style dividers are thin and fold in various positions to allow for stacking of smaller lenses. |
I love the zippered front pocket for all my memory cards and filters. The inner sleeve doubles as microphone and cable storage. Attaching Wotancraft’s accessory pockets to the front of the bag provides removable space for power banks, chargers and batteries. The tripod straps on the bottom are extendable for a variety of tripod sizes and most importantly, are removable if not needed.
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| Front accessory pockets can be added to the front of the Wotancraft Pilot, expanding its usable storage capacity. |
There’s even a zippered back pocket that I never need to use, but it’s there. Unlike many other bag designs, the open side pockets seal pretty tightly, so if I put something in them (other than a water bottle) it could stay there later in the day.
And yet, for my pocket, the most useful features are the two fabric loops on the top of the bag and the hollow tube, if you will, on the front of the bag. Gloves, hoodies, jackets, umbrellas and more can be wrapped or fed through these loops. They are extremely useful when traveling or taking photos. The Pilot is a nice bag, packed with features, moves well, and can be used a lot.
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| The fabric on the top cover has a variety of storage uses. Sweaters and jackets can be safely passed through the pockets. The handy bottom handle is wide enough to hold compact tripods, and can be removed if not needed. |
Even with all the well thought out features Wotancraft has designed into this bag, perhaps the best thing about it is not a feature at all. For me, the best part of the Pilot 10L bag is that nothing about it ever has uncomfortable I. I think that’s an underappreciated factor in the midst of all the marketing and innovation that make up the promise of a premium product.
Probably the best compliment I can give this bag is that, while I was using it, I never really thought about it.
A camera bag is a pretty simple thing, or at least it should be. It needs to hold our desired device securely and be able to look good while doing it. However, what makes me really crave a bag is that it does everything I ask for without ever causing a problem. As good as a bag can be, if it sticks a little to the latch, or has a zipper that’s hard to open, or hard to get under an airplane seat, the experience will always be spoiled, even a little.
I have never had an experience with Wotancraft Pilot that has let me down or let me down. Perhaps the best compliment I can give this bag is that, while I was using it, I never really thought about it.
2021 has been an exciting year, with a few innovative products that have, I admit, given me a case of ‘Love at first shot’. However, the device that turns out to be a lasting love has dogged me all this time.
