Over the years of shooting, have your camera bags been pretty much the same, with a few minor changes? Most likely black and rectangular. Inside, they might have padded dividers and smaller zippered compartments. The good ones have a slot for a laptop. Some might have minor variations: if you have a Pelican case, it’s a hard shell. If you have other brands, it’s made of sturdy fabric. But with a few minor differences, they’re pretty much the same, right? A rectangle with dividers. Mine did. Until now. Until I renamed it the “Tetris Transformer Camera Bag,” also known as Peak Design Travel Backpack.
Why is this camera bag different?
Do you always carry the same gear in your bag? I don’t. Maybe if you’re shooting wildlife, you’ll want a 400mm for telephoto shots and a macro lens in case you find the light hitting the dew just right. You’ll need binoculars and maybe, if you’re as cautious as I am, a second camera body in case of disaster. (It seems to always follow me, but I’m always prepared.) Next weekend, you might be shooting a wedding, a portrait, or a location portrait. The things you’ll need in your bag are different. It helps to have a flash with its bulky battery and charger, a medium 70-200mm lens, a handy fifties, and a few other odds and ends. Your current camera bag probably has removable, adjustable dividers, but if you’re like me, in the heat of a shoot your dividers can feel more like a game of pick-up sticks than an organized system. I took a photo of my bag the week before I switched to show how messy things get when I’m shooting. (Proceed at your own risk; if you’re OCD, I recommend scrolling without looking.)
What to set up Top design separate bag? They built a versatile bag that starts from a blank canvas, allowing you to customize it with a variety of different “cubes.” These modular compartments can be combined and reassembled to fit the specific gear you need for each shoot. I could write a long description, but would that be boring? Instead, I created a GIF to show you just how versatile this transforming bag is. Hold on to your seats to test out the waterproofing!
In case you’re still freaking out over the waterproof test, here’s the next test.
Camera blocks come in large, medium and small sizes. [*Grammarly doesn’t like that one]small and very small. You can see examples of each below.
I created another GIF to show you how to arrange your bag in different ways depending on your photography goals, allowing for endless customization.
What else do I like besides the features of the transformer
- The 35L bag can be collapsed into a 30L bag with a compression lock or expanded into a 45L bag with a zipper depending on your needs.
- The pocket has a “side” zipper that allows you to unzip and easily access your camera or lens without having to remove the entire bag from your back.
- The bag has a foldable waist belt and sternum strap if you want the bag to have a supportive design while hiking.
- The top of the bag has a “quick stash” pocket where you can easily access items, such as your phone and passport, while traveling.
- A laptop sleeve is a feature many of us consider indispensable. Inside that compartment, I can easily fit my Mac, a power bank, a mouse, a mouse pad, and an external hard drive.
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They include a hook so you can hook your backpack to the handle of your luggage as you stroll through the airport. (Try this feature.)
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It has a very secure “side stash” pocket. I put my tripod in one pocket and my water bottle in the other, and I had no problem getting through security.
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The bag is designed for comfort. Between frequent trips, all-day commercial shoots, and sports shoots, I’ve walked around with this bag on my shoulder for long periods of time. On sports shoots, I sometimes start around 5am and walk non-stop through fields, dunes, and mud pits for 10, 12, or even 14 hours. Carrying gear that hurts my back, neck, or shoulders just doesn’t cut it. With the movable strap design and extra padding on the back, the bag actually distributes the weight incredibly well, making things feel lighter and more comfortable.
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This bag also comes with an “outer strap” that you can clip on to secure almost anything from a tripod to a giraffe (just kidding, I want to see if you’re still reading).
Anti-theft feature
When designing this bag, Peak Design even thought about creating zippers that would make it difficult or impossible for pickpockets to pick your pocket. The zippers can slide through a loop, making it difficult for pickpockets to break in.
They also designed it so that you can tuck the zippers inside the bag, making them disappear completely.
Guarantee
If you’ve read my reviews before, you know that I pay attention to warranties. To me, warranties tell customers, “We’ve got your money – now you’re on your own” or “we’re so confident in this product that we guarantee your satisfaction.” These blocks come with a lifetime warranty. That tells me that Peak Design knows this bag will last.
Unusual uses of the bag ecosystem
Since the cubes are removable, you can use the “camera” bag as a waterproof backpack/duffle bag. Additionally, after packing my camera bag for a commercial contract shoot, I used the large cube to safely store my two flashes in my suitcase.
Carbon Zero and Fair Trade Made Real
Peak Design appliances are 100% carbon neutral. So is Peak Design’s entire operation. That’s what the climate neutral label means. Peak Design co-founded Climate neutral in 2019. This is a non-profit organization that helps businesses measure, reduce and offset their entire carbon emissions now, not 20-30 years from now. More than 300 brands has joined the ranks of Climate Neutral, which includes some major organizations you may have heard of.
My only wish list change for the next version
My only disappointment with the bag was realizing that there was no telescoping handle and wheels to roll the bag when I had a flat surface. When traveling frequently, having a handle and wheels that extend out is a lifesaver. This is the only feature that I have missed in some of the other bags I have.
Conclusion
I absolutely love this Tetris-transformer camera bag. Not only does it keep my gear safe and dry, but the system offers endless customization and organization. It can transform to fit my every need… and I’m not saying I’m a demanding woman, but let’s just say my exes probably thought this was the perfect bag for me.
It’s comfortable and the lifetime warranty gives me confidence in its durability. I’d love to see Peak Design apply this innovative design to something that rolls. Until then, I can confidently say that I’ve found a bag that, by some miracle, keeps me organized and adapts to the needs of each photo shoot.
