Hermann Groeneveld / SilvergrainClassics

For traveling and trekking tours you need a voluminous camera bag: for several camera bodies and lenses, long telephoto lenses, accessories, plenty of film material and a sturdy tripod strapped to the outside. A shoulder bag is hardly a suitable option here. High carrying comfort, protection of your own body resources and maximum safety for your valuable photographic equipment are at the top of the list of selection criteria.

For example, the BackLight 36L from the Think Tank series (Transcontinenta Group, Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands) comes into question. Ralph Oehlmann from Oehlmann Photography, Straßlach, Germany tested it on a tour in the Bavarian Alpine foothills for SilvergrainClassics: “My first focus was on the sophisticated body support. Good ventilation of the entire back area is important for long hours of carrying. The extra padding in the lumbar vertebrae area has proven to be an indispensable body protector. It absorbs shocks well, especially when hiking on uneven, rugged terrain.”

Positioned horizontally in front of the wearer’s stomach, the lid can be opened and fixed in place and the entire photographic equipment is clearly organized. “However, this function is limited by the weight of the photographic equipment. Swinging the rucksack forwards and backwards is absolutely safe. However, it can become a feat of strength if it is very heavy,” states Oehlmann.

Oehlmann misses one small thing about our test candidate: “I would like to see a separate pocket for small accessories that has a fixed place in the rucksack but is removable. In fixed zippered compartments, as with the BackLight, you have to rummage around blindly and awkwardly in search of the right item. Something can easily fall out unnoticed.”

“For me as a landscape photographer, this is a high-quality, safe trekking backpack that is very comfortable to carry. The rain cover included makes it suitable for all weather conditions,” says Oehlmann, praising the BackLight 36L from Think Tank.