MindShift Gear BackLight Elite 45L Camera Backpack for DSLR, Mirrorless, Photography and Video

I have had a multitude of camera backpacks in my lifetime and my 30 plus year obsession with photography. I love landscape photography and that involves getting there with the equipment you need and want to take with you. I need something big enough to hold my zoom lens trifecta, possibly two camera bodies, accessories and help with supporting my tripod when hiking. I thought I had found the holy grail when I started using a 40 L S**moda pack system. But alas not so as I could not find an accommodating ICU. The Backlight 45L Elite is just a bit bigger and the ICU included is big enough to accommodate my SL2-S full frame mirrorless body with the Sigma 150-600mm DG DN Sport lens attached that I use for wildlife shoots plus additional lenses, accessories, another body and still has a bit of space left over. This is the Goldilocks bag for me. Comfortable shoulder straps, cushiony hip belt, plenty of spaces and pockets for storage that you can use for snacks, jackets, etc. This is not my first foray with Think Tank or Mindshift so I am not surprised to be using one of their products again. Fantastic product Think Tank/MindShift!!

Update after many trips - I still love this pack. It is my go to for almost every situation and allows so much customization and versatility. I've taken this pack all over Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and the Appalachians and there is no wear or tear damage at all. Also, the ThinkTank customer support has been great when I've had questions.This bag was there culmination of a long search for something that could handle multiple lenses and gear and be a day pack or over nighter. Every detail is well thought out, the construction is rugged, and it is a joy to use. My favorite aspect is saying the bag down to work on a scene and having the cavernous padded section open up with everything right there for you. The bag can be loaded up with a good amount of weight but with the straps adjusted right the load is secure and easy to carry.

A quest to find the right bag for the job! comfortable for long hikes, roomy enough for food and overnight gear (with a swap of it's standard camera case for the smaller MindShift Gear 13L) and insanely works perfectly with my thigh bag for smaller hikes and a different camera.I don't go out as often as I will in the future, but after looking at reviews, and seeing a few photographers I respect using the bag, I have to say that it is Priceless!!! Friends and I have already planned a winter hike and I will be brining this bag along with cameras, stove, fire pit, and various firewood tools for an overnight shooting trip. I can't wait!

I bought this bag with the intent if using this for normal use and a carry on when I fly on trips. I noticed the description noted it was 23.5" hight and a carry on is 22". Then I also saw in the description it noted that it would fit as a carry on with the top bag removed. I even contacted the company to make sure of this. Today I got the bag and the support bar that goes across that back that can't be compressed is just at about 23". With this being 1" past the hight allowed for a carry on I am not able to use it. I do not want to risk having to do this as a checked bag. Sadly I had to return this bag to do the information being incorrect.

I wanted a backpack to carry large telephoto lenses for backcountry hiking. My interpretation of the measurements of this bag was that I could do it. Yes, technically you can fit a 500mm with body attached inside this bag. However, you have to load it through the top. The backside opening to the camera compartment is only 42cm high. That is much smaller than the 49cm internal compartment height. Yes, you can open the top of the internal compartment and access gear through the top of the bag. This is not ideal. When unzipped, the top of the internal padded compartment sags and wrinkles when not held in shape by the compartment lid. This snags on large lenses when loading or unloading. Also, the lid opening is narrower than the internal dimensions. So a large lens that exactly fits the internal 17cm width of the padded compartment will not easily fit through the lid opening. All this is a serious annoyance when dealing with a large, heavy lens.The smaller volume Backlight 36L is actually taller internally than the 45L. For large glass the 36L allows for better back panel access.The lid and outer laptop pocket provide a decent amount of gear storage separate from the camera compartment.This bag is ideal for carrying many small to mid sized lenses, bodies and accessories. It is not ideal for carrying long lenses.

I wanted to LOVE this bag. I was hoping it would be my new backpack forever. Unfortunately there were some boxes that it didn't check... or possibly it checked them too hard... It's a HUGE bag with a ton of space. If you want to carry a ton of camera gear you can use it as it is. If you want to carry a bunch of camera gear and personal items you can purchase the separate smaller insert cube (13L). I was planning to use this as a carry on bag but it's JUST a tad too big and I feared the airline would force me to check it. You can remove the top "brain", waist belt and inner metal frame to shrink it but I didn't want to go through that hassle. I also couldn't come up with any future feasible uses for it. But it is a great bag! I ended up returning it and purchase the Mindshift Rotation 34L and 22L bags moving forward.