f-stop Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond review: the ultimate outdoor photography backpack
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F-Stop Tilopa 50L Duradiamond: Two Minutes of Comment
Photographers usually have two types of outdoor backpacks: outdoor backpacks that follow traditional photography backpack designs, and photographers based on hiking backpacks and equipped with modular ICU (internal camera unit) designs where you can customize camera storage in your bag. F-Stop Tilopa 50L Duradiamond is a high-end modular bag for the latter camp The best camera bag Available.
The F-Stop Tilopa 50L Duradiamond has been in use for a few years and is an updated, tougher version of the original Tilopa. This is a large bag with 50 liter capacity that can be paired with a large ICU, mainly carrying camera gear with other items in other compartments, or with a smaller ICU, which can be used for less photography gear and many outdoor kits, including camping equipment for one or two nights of outdoor camping trips.
This sponge bag is built very high standards and also has versatility – as well as compatibility with the F-Stop Icus, and there are plenty of pockets and compartments to store your essentials, including space for a triple-liter hydrated bladder and up to 16-inch laptops. The bag also has an internal frame, such as a traditional hiking backpack, and is made of a sturdy waterproof material.
I’ve been an outdoor photographer for years, more than I could calculate, exploring tough terrain in bad weather, and the F-Stop Tilopa 50L Duradiamond has always been a reliable and versatile backpack. It may cost a lot of money, but to me it’s worth a lot of value.
F-Stop Tilopa 50L Duradiamond: Price and Availability
- Several kit options
- Three colors available
- Available directly and third parties
The F-Stop Tilopa 50L Duradiamond has been used directly from the F-Stop website for many years Amazon and other online retailers. Prices on the F-Stop website are USD and Euro, and the packaging comes in three colors: anthracite black, cypress green and magma red. You can only buy packaging/packages, if you already have an F-Stop ICU, you can buy packaging/packages, or in three bundles including Essentials, Elite and Master. Alternatively, you can buy only the packaging/package and then purchase the required ICU separately.
The package costs only $399.99/€399.99, while the Essentials bundle costs $499.99/€499.99, and also includes a Pro large ICU, goalkeeper belt and heavy rain cover. From essentials to elite bundles ($579.99/€579.99), you also get a shallow small ICU, while the large bundle costs $769.99/€769.99, and further add a ramped medium ICU, large accessories bags, large accessories bags and packaging kits.
Mindshift backlight 26L: Specifications
|
capacity |
50L |
|
weight |
4.2 lbs/1.9 kg (empty without ICU) |
|
Laptop sleeve |
Yes, up to 16 inches |
F-Stop Tilopa 50L Duradiamond: Design
- Very comfortable
- Built for outdoor
- Modular design
The F-Stop Tilopa 50L Duradiamond is a modular backpack so you can change the ICU according to your photography needs. There are many other accessories available, including packaging units, belts and accessory bags, so you can build the perfect bag system for you and outdoor photography adventures.
It’s a big backpack – not the biggest F-Stop option, but at 50 liters the Tilopa offers plenty of storage. Just to give you an idea of its size, the bag is 62.3 x 34.8 x 24.4cm / 24.5 x 13.7 x 11.1in and the empty weight is 4.2 lbs / 1.9 kg.
The empty weight is as heavy as some traditional outdoor backpacks that are half the capacity of the Tilopa with a fixed camera cabin, but obviously depends on the increase in the ICU you use. They are not big, but I tend to use a large range of occupations, weighing 1.71 lbs/0.76 kg.
When you consider weight in this case, the tilopa will be lightweight given the capacity of the bag. The overall capacity is obviously fixed, but you can use a smaller ICU to expand the extra space for personal/outdoor items. The bag also has pockets on the lid and sides, with a bladder that can hold three liters of hydrated and comes with a tube hole for maintaining waterproofness.
There is also a large front pocket on the bag with further compartments. This is large and can accommodate a variety of items including jackets. There is a slot to accommodate the 16-inch laptop in the padded rear-style rear panel, as well as two larger pockets and four magnetically secured memory card slots.
In the front of the bag, there are accessories for two walking poles or ice shafts, and the ability to carry a tripod on the front or side of the bag. There are also pockets and mesh belts on the waist and shoulder straps, and there are many loops to connect the belts to carry items like tents outside the bags.
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The bag is manufactured very well and the proprietary Duradimond material is very strong and water resistant. In some areas where additional strength is required and a larger comfortable zipper is used, a stronger high haper-style material is used as a reinforcement material with weatherproofing to prevent moisture from extinguishing.
Inside, the Tilopa has an aluminum frame, such as a traditional hiking backpack for added rigidity and comfort. I have to say that this helps make the tilopa incredibly comfortable to wear.
To do this test, I paired the Tilopa with a Pro large ICU that provided enough storage space for my standard suite; Complete camera Objects with 70-200mm f/4 and 16-35mm f/2.8 lenses, a third lens, square filter, shutter remote and lens cleaning accessories. If the lens is not fixed to the camera body, you can reconfigure more, but this is a setup that works perfectly for me.
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The only negative thing about Tilopa is that it doesn’t have small pouches/pockets that can carry water bottles, such as the side pockets on the smaller 37-liter F-Stop Ajna. This is not the end of the world, as you can put the bottle in the main front pocket and one of the side pockets is designed to work with the hydrated bladder. You can also purchase Mano water bottle bags separately, which will carry 17 oz/500ml bottles.
One of my favorite features of the bag, as well as the versatility of the ICU and the comfort of its use, you can access the gear without completely removing the bag and placing it on the ground. This is ideal when shooting in water or muddy places. To do this, you just remove the strap and rotate the tilopa to the front at the waistline you are using. This allows you to access the kit via the back panel – perfect for outdoor photography.
Should I buy the F-Stop Tilopa 50L Duradiamond?
If…buy it
if…
How do I test the F-Stop Tilopa 50L Duradiamond
- Long-term review based on several years of hands-on use
- All functions tested
- Used for outdoor locations including mountains and coasts
I have owned an F-Stop Tilopa for a few years, use it when I’m on a wild camping photography trip or when I need to carry more kits with my outdoor gear. Tilopa has been tested over a long period of time, all its advantages and disadvantages have been exposed and have been used in all weather conditions on hills, mountains and coasts. Although Tilopa works perfectly in urban settings, I usually use lower backpacks in cities.
First reviewed March 2025
