Shimoda Designs has refreshed its adventure camera backpack line. The centerpiece is the Action X v3, and the company has added a new sling bag and updated interior core cubes to round out the release.
Shimoda says professional photographers shaped the changes. The updates focus on sizing, ergonomics, super-telephoto lens support, and a shift to environmentally responsible materials.
Photographers comparing lens options for a pack like this may also want to see Sigma’s compact wide-angle zoom lens for $849, which shows how lighter glass changes what fits inside.
Action X v3 changes
The Action X v3 keeps the rugged build of earlier models. The most significant change is the side-access door, which is now six centimeters wider. Photographers carrying a long lens backpack can pull out camera bodies with long lenses attached without removing the pack in the field.
Other changes include:
- A ventilated air mesh harness for better airflow and comfort
- A wider laptop sleeve that fits 16-inch computers
- Updated hook-and-loop closures and visual alignment guides for faster packing
- Three Peak Design Capture Clip mounting points
- Dedicated mounts for trekking poles or an ice axe
- An integrated hip belt pocket
- A stowable luggage handle
- A color-matched rain cover
- Revised side pockets sized for tripods or water bottles
The release also adds the Action X35. It pairs the height of the X30 with the depth of the X40. Shimoda designed it for photographers with smaller camera bodies and for carry-on travelers.
A five-size adventure camera backpack lineup
With the X35, the core Action X series now spans five sizes: the X25, X30, X35, X40, and X50. The expedition-grade X70 sits apart from that line as a specialized model. Shimoda also updated its Core Units, the interior cube inserts that organize gear inside each pack, to match the new sizes.
The Insider sling is aimed at shorter outings. Shimoda says it suits quick assignments and everyday carry, when a full mountain pack is too much. It holds a camera body without a grip plus two mid-range pro zoom lenses. It also fits a body with a 70-200mm or 100-400mm lens attached.
Shimoda is also moving both the Action X v3 line and the Insider sling to PFAS-free textiles. PFAS are persistent fluorinated chemicals. The company says the change removes them from manufacturing.
The Action X v3 backpacks start at $300. The Insider sling costs $130. Both come in several colors.
If your kit leans toward medium-format bodies rather than standard DSLRs, Smart Tech Upgrades for the Hasselblad 907x looks at ways to get more from a camera that is carried into the field.
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Source: petapixel.com
Frequently asked questions
How much wider is the side-access door on the Shimoda Action X v3?
The side-access door on the Shimoda Action X v3 is six centimeters wider than on earlier models. The wider opening lets photographers pull out camera bodies with long lenses attached without removing the pack in the field.
How much does the Shimoda Action X v3 backpack cost?
The Shimoda Action X v3 backpacks start at $300. They come in several colors.
What is the Shimoda Insider sling and what camera gear fits in it?
The Insider sling is a shorter-outing bag aimed at quick assignments and everyday carry. It holds a camera body without a grip plus two mid-range pro zoom lenses, and it also fits a body with a 70-200mm or 100-400mm lens attached.
Which Shimoda Action X sizes are included in the lineup after the X35 release?
With the new Action X35, the core Action X series spans five sizes: the X25, X30, X35, X40, and X50. The expedition-grade X70 is a specialized model that sits apart from that line.
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