Mindshift Backlight 26L review: a lightweight outdoor backpack you can depend on
Mindshift Backlit 26L: Two Minutes Comment
Finding the right outdoor backpack for scenery and adventure photography is not easy. Of course, there are many options available, which is not a bad thing, but The best camera bag Ultimately, you ultimately depend on what you need to carry and what features you want. For me, the Think Tank Photo is an intellectual backlit 26L made from the Think Tank Photos and has proven to be one of the best non-modular options available.
This backpack has been around for many years and has no design updates besides other colors available. Where many camera package manufacturers are constantly producing new versions to attract additional sales, the think tank’s photos keep the solid design of the backlit 26L confident. I picked up one about seven years ago and it has covered a lot of miles and it is still solid and I wish it had many years of life left.
As the name suggests, this is a 26-liter backpack, with the main part being camera gear. Enough space to shoot on the hills or coasts for a day; plus the space required for necessary outdoor items such as waterproofing, a bottle of water or two, a laptop and a tablet if needed. There is also a way to attach a tripod, plus a waterproof cover, so everything is considered, not to mention it has a trick or two on the sleeve.
Mindshift Backlit 26L: Price and Availability
- Mind Shift Backlit 26L costs about $299/£289/AU $440
- Four colors available
- Despite being sold for many years, there are still new ones
The backlit 26L is certainly not a new backpack and has been available for 10 years. It’s not the cheapest bag either, but like many modern camera backpacks, it certainly isn’t styling.
The backlit 26L costs $299/£289/au $440, but it’s a bargaining price when you consider how hard it is and the potential it has with years of faithful service that has potential to offer. Four colors are available; charcoal, slate black, woodland green and mountain green.
Mindshift backlight 26L: Specifications
|
capacity |
26L |
|
weight |
3.9 lbs/1.8 kg |
|
Laptop sleeve |
Yes, up to 16 inches |
Mindshift backlit 26L: Design
- Comfortable wear
- Useful outdoor functions
- Fixed rather than modular design
Many outdoor backpacks these days are modular with the ability to use different camera inserts, e.g. Peak design camera cube;Depending on your work, this is changing the ratio between photo gear and non-optical gear. The backlit 26L follows a more traditional rear design and comes with a fixed but configurable camera section, and there are two other pockets on the front of the bag.
The main front pocket offers a laptop section that accommodates a 16-inch laptop, a 10-inch tablet and plenty of space to pack a waterproof jacket, waterproof pants and other items, while the smaller front pocket is perfect for things like flashlights Things like that and gloves. The space for non-optical items is nine liters, which is enough, although that’s much lower than the extra space some modular outdoor backpacks can enjoy.
On the side, there are two large water bottle pockets with ropes with bundles that can carry 32 oz/1 liter nalgene water bottles – I own one and they fit perfectly. Additionally, side pockets can also be used to carry tripods along with adjustable compression straps. There is also a tripod carrying system that can be neatly packed in the front of the bag.
This is a medium-sized backpack that meets the aircraft’s carry-on requirements, but weighs only 3.9 lbs/1.8 kg. It is very comfortable to wear, while the padded rear panel has air access and lumbar support. The Air Channel may help on hot days, but it certainly won’t stop your back from getting hot and sweating. With all this in mind, this is obviously a bag designed for one-day hiking and shooting, as you can only carry other items of the day, rather than an overnight camping kit.
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The bag can hold up to two mirrorless cameras, 5-7 lenses and a flash gun, the manufacturer says. In my experience, this is true, but of course, it depends on the lens you are carrying and whether you need to put the telephoto lens in a bag instead of standing up. My standard configuration is a full frame camera and 16-35mm lens, a second APS-C camera and lens, 70-200mm f/4, a filter system and accessories that together fill the camera cabin.
One of my favorite features of the bag is that with the belt, you can release your arms from the belt and then rotate it to the front to place. The rear access then allows you to access the kit without putting down the bag, which is great in muddy positions and standing in the water. There is even a belt on the back of the back that you can hook up at the back of your neck to open the bag, although you don’t usually need it.
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Other features include tough water materials, which I can tell you from experience that time will stand the test of time. Waterproofing is absolutely great for light rain, but in heavier downpours you will need to use the included rain cover. There are also loops that can carry two ice shafts or walking poles and beside the daisy chain connection point for attaching other items along with Karabiners or smaller Molle-compatible bags.
I have a backlit 26L, but there is a smaller backlit 16L and a larger backlit 36L. All three sizes follow the same design, but as the name implies, their capabilities vary. 36L is deep enough for professional cameras with built-in or attached vertical grips. However, I think the backlit 26L is the most useful size because it allows outdoor photographers to carry all the photography gear they usually need along with other outdoor items.
Should I buy Mind Speed ​​Backlit 26L?
if…
if…
How do I test my thinking instant backlight 26L
- I’m a long-term owner for more than 7 years
- I’ve tested all its features strictly and adjusted the bag to various use cases
- It traveled a lot of miles with me and has multiple types of locations
After about seven years of owning the Mindshift backlit 26L, I’ve tested it over a long time with other bags I’ve used for different purposes and all the advantages and disadvantages have been exposed. It has been used in all weather conditions in hills, mountains, coasts and cities and is airlifted in carry-on luggage.
First reviewed February 2025
