Disclaimer: I am not a huge fan of backpacks — camera bags or otherwise. However, I fully recognize their practicality and comfort over shoulder bags, so when I recently had the opportunity to take F-Stop Gear’s Kenti bag on a 2-week trip involving urban, architecture and landscape photography, I jumped at the chance to use it extensively in the field. I had taken it for a spin a few times over the last couple of months, both around town and in Gatineau park, but nothing tests bags, footwear, relationships, etc. like travel 

Before we get into the review proper, full disclosure: while the hubs is sponsored by F-Stop, I personally am not affiliated with the company and I was not asked to write this review. All opinions are my own.

At 25L, the Kenti is F-Stop’s smallest pack in the Mountain Series. Unlike other bags in the line, it has two side-accessed compartments instead of back access and does not utilize the Internal Camera Unit (ICU) system. I’m not going to write down all the specs – you can check them out here – but suffice it to say that the bag has many of the awesome features and great design that one has come to expect from F-Stop.

Obviously this review is heavily coloured by how *I* shoot on a day to day basis. I rarely just transport my gear somewhere, set up and photograph. I like to take impromptu shots along the way and, as such, being able to access my gear fast and easily is very important to me. I also get cranky if I’m hauling around a too-heavy bag which in turn affects my quality of shooting (yeah, I’m a wimp), so comfort is a huge factor.

What I liked

• The Kenti is extremely comfortable to wear all day. The proportions are great for smaller frames as well as taller peeps – I’m 5’4″ and it sits well on me.
• The pack is light (1.5 kg)  and not at all bulky, yet well-padded enough for peace of mind.
• Moreover, it does not scream “I’m a camera bag!”, which makes it a great fit for urban environment and travel.
• The side access means you don’t have to fully take off the pack to get to your gear, making the process faster, cleaner and safer.
• The Kenti holds a fair amount for its size. On the trip I carried my (non-pro-sized) D90 with up to 4 lenses of varying size, as well as a film camera.
• The pack comes with lots of interior dividers that are all removable, allowing for customization within.
• The jersey laminate back-panel eliminates the sweaty-back-syndrome that so many packs induce.
• The front flap has a dozen little pockets for memory cards, spare batteries, chapstick (what?), camera remote,  etc. and what’s best is that they don’t. fall. out.
• the roll-top is super handy and allows for adjustable volume. I like to use it for stowing away a jacket, snack or any extra gear  I might need.
• A small-to-medium-sized tripod can be attached to the side of bag using the compression straps. According to the website, a larger tripod can be attached using F-Stop’s optional gatekeeper system.

What I liked not-so-much

• When carrying a tripod on the side, it makes the side compartment not so easy to get out gear.
• The Kenti has an internal laptop sleeve that fits up to a 13″ laptop, but it is kind of hard to access, especially if you have gear in the bag (which, duh) or are using the roll top compartment to stow stuff.
• The zippers can be hard to find. This minor quibble is probably unique to the black pack, as they tend to get lost amongst all the buckles.
• While you can get a pro body with lens into the side compartment  (I tried with a D700 + 70-200 f/2.8)  it is definitely a snug fit. For someone who is constantly taking their camera in and out of their bag, this could be irksome.

Conclusion

Like all F-Stop gear bags, the Kenti is as much a hiking pack as it is a camera bag, meaning that it is meant to be worn for extended periods of time and is durable enough to stand up to the worst elements. As the smallest bag in the line, it is not intended for jobs requiring tons of equipment, but is great for a hike or travelling with a limited kit.

Despite my bias against backpacks, the Kenti won me over. In short, it is a fantastic bag: good-looking, sturdy, practical, versatile. Even packed to the gills, I had no trouble carrying the Kenti around all day. Much attention has been paid to the ergonomics as well as the size and location of all the pockets and compartments, and the proof is in the pudding – I love using it.

I would recommend the Kenti to any photographer looking for a smaller backpack rugged enough for any outdoor activity yet sleek enough for city use.

Now this is by no means supposed to be a quantitative analysis with MTF charts and reports. There are several sources out there on the net that are better equipped and qualified to provide you with those. What I aim to do is offer a real world assessment following my testing on the field; something that MTF charts often fail to do.

The Bottom Line:

If you are interested in the bottom line, here it is: while this is not Sigma’s most stellar optical performer, there was not a single moment when I thought it couldn’t do the job (both from an optical and physical perspective). In the one-month period I got to try it, I took it on two consecutive assignments for editorial clients, where I relied on it almost exclusively and it didn’t let me down. In fact, I thought it was the best lens in my arsenal for the tasks at hand. The build, size, fast aperture and the fact it cost almost half of the price and is lighter than its Nikon equivalent make it a very attractive proposition. For me the extra 4mm at the wide end alone, make it more appealing than my 28-70.

The Specs and Handling:

As usual, Sigma has here a very solidly built zoom lens that really inspires confidence. While it is a fast zoom with a max aperture of 2.8, this lens is much more compact (less than 4 inches in length) and lighter than my old Nikon 28-70 f/2.8 (and incidentally than the newer 24-70 f/2.8). It still weighs in at 790g, but that’s significantly less than the 900g the Nikon throws around, which makes it a great companion for walk-around (I often feel my 28-70 is out to break my neck, I swear). The autofocus is very fast and quiet and accurate. The focus and zoom rings are very easy to locate and are nice and smooth. The minimum focusing distance is 38cm, which is considerably closer than my Nikon 28-70 and which comes in really handy at times. On the negative side, the lens sports a 82mm filter thread size, which I find quite annoying. This is a rather non-standard size, as most pro lenses tend to have a 77mm filter thread, meaning you would likely have to get a new set of filters for it. Good filters already don’t come cheap at 77mm, but at 82mm they are prohibitively expensive.

The Performance:

This area is where I was initially disappointed by the lens. I had previously read Darwin Wiggett’s review of the lens which demonstrates that in several instances it is clearly superior to the Canon counterpart. Therefore, my expectations were fairly high. Not owning that (or any) Canon lens, I couldn’t replicate what Darwin reported, but could only make a comparison to my venerable Nikon 28-70 f/2.8.

When it comes to sharpness, the Sigma image’s borders were very noticeably soft from f/2.8 all the way to f/8 at all focal lengths, but especially between 24 and 35mm. The borders are acceptably sharp from f/8 to f/11, until diffraction kicks in at f/16 or so, but they still remain under par on the sample I tried. The centre performance is very decent across the board. When it comes to vignetting, it is quite noticeable until f/4, when it starts to fade away (this is specially the case at 24mm, vignetting is barely noticeable at 70mm). That said, it is nothing that your RAW converter can’t take care of without a problem. The bokeh isn’t spectacular and is somewhat rough on the edges, though it isn’t a deal breaker for me.

Despite these issues, when you look closer, the disappointment is not long lived. Is the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 the best lens in this focal range? Probably not. If you are a pixel-peeper and/or edge-to-edge sharpness wide-open and stellar optical performance is what you need, this is not the lens for you [I will be reviewing the Sigma 85 f/1.4 and 70-200 f/2.8 in the future and they will rock you off your socks in that department). However, in my case, I find myself using this focal range in two possible ways:

- when shooting portraits I will often be shooting wide-open (or almost), and in this case, my subjects are often located somewhat centrally in the frame, such that corner optical performance is for all intents and purposes irrelevant;

- when shooting landscapes, I am likely to be shooting at f/11 or greater, such that the lens is in its optimal range, thus allowing me to obtain the edge-to-edge sharpness performance I need in these circumstances.

Therefore, for most uses, the lens will be more than adequate to deliver the desired results, both from a mechanical and optical standpoint, and the optical shortcomings will be merely an afterthought. The lens produces very pleasant images with crisp contrast and a slightly warmer tones than my Nikon (I incidentally tend to prefer the warmer tones). As I said above, not once during the assignments with the Sigma 24-70 did I not think it could do the job. So all in all, if you need a lens in this focal range with an f/2.8 max aperture and budget is a consideration, then this lens merits your attention. At roughly $1000 less than its Nikon and Canon counterparts its price/performance ratio is rather appealing.

To sum up:

Cons:

- Subpar optical performance wide-open

- Unusual 82 mm filter thread

Pros:

- Beautiful and solid construction

- Accurate and fast autofocus

- Small and lighter than the competition

- Fast aperture zoom at a very reasonable price.

I was approached by Sigma and asked if I was interested in a sponsorship. In essence, Sigma provides me with their lenses and, in return, I will give them access to some of the images I will make with those lenses.

What this means to you is that I now get to test a number of their offerings in the market firsthand and review them for you, providing you with additional information to make your purchasing decisions.

Now, like it is the case with all my sponsorships, I have every intention to remain objective and honest in my assessments. Sigma have assured me that I remain free to say what I truly think about their products. No questions asked. I greatly value honesty and will never recommend a product I cannot stand behind. I have used several Sigma lenses in the past and have enjoyed their strong build and quality, but rest assured that my reviews will always be direct and transparent.

Now, to promote their website, Sigma Canada has launched a contest with a prize package worth $1000. To get a chance to win and claim the goods, you only have to join the Sigma Canada website (http://www.sigmacanada.ca/mailing-list/) or upload Sigma photos to the Sigma User Gallery (http://www.sigmacanada.ca/sigma-user-gallery/) . The contest runs from now until December 31st.

As you may know, these lenses offer an extreme angle of view that covers a whopping 180 degrees. The main effect of these lenses is that the edges of the frame are significantly curved, while the centre remains essentially untouched, giving a definitely unique look to your images.

Note that I am in no way sponsored by either Gentec International or Sigma and that I have been given carte blanche to offer unbiased and fair reviews. While I have not purchased the reviewed lens, it was only provided to me as a loan for the duration of the testing.

The large field of view of the lens and fast speed (f/2.8) allow you make funky looking images in dim light.

Lens specifications:

Optimized Diagonal Fisheye AF Lens
Minimum Focusing Distance: 15cm
Filter Size: Rear (Gelatin)
Lens Construction: 7 Elements in 6 Groups
Angle of View: 180 degrees
Number of Diaphragm Blades: 7 Blades
Minimum Aperture: F22
Dimensions Diameter: 2.9″ x 2.6″ Length
Weight: 370g

Handling
As is my experience with all the Sigma lenses I’ve tried so far, the lens is very solidly built. It is very small and light, which makes it a great companion for when you need to carry a small kit. The autofocus is very fast and quiet and works like it is supposed to. For those who prefer manual focusing, the focus ring, while small, is very easy to locate and is nice and smooth. That said, I have to admit I used it rarely as I had a lot of trouble seeing if I had actually achieved focus through my viewfinder. I think that was likely due to the fact I wasn’t very used to the curvature of the frame.

I really like the very close focusing distance on this lens (15cm). You can pretty much put your lens right against your subject and still cover an incredible field of view. I have to say that is just mindboggling. This is particularly useful when you need to fill the frame with your subject. As this can only happen when you are very close to the subject, the close focusing distance is critical.

Here I am practically at the base of the columns, yet, my field of view allows me to capture an incredibly wide shot.

Performance
I have to admit I am very impressed with the sharpness of the lens from edge to edge, and even wide-open. Peak sharpness is between f/5.6 and f/11, but you have to look real (and I mean REAL) close to tell the difference with f/2.8. Having read several reviews about the lens previously, I expected the vignetting to be overwhelming at f/2.8, but I have to say it is more than manageable. While it is definitely noticeable at f/2.8, it is much less so at 5.6 and completely disappears by f/8. From an image perspective, the lens is very contrasty and has a very nice color rendition.

Another great feature of the lens is its flare resistance. Given the fairly prominent and bulbous front element, I expected it to be a flare disaster. Interestingly, I have not managed to have see flare at all with this lens, even shooting straight at the sun (to be fair, I haven’t pushed it to its limit, but I have tried enough to be very impressed).

On the less impressive side is something that I didn’t expect: chromatic aberration. I have not seen a single review mention this problem on this lens. However, the sample I tested displayed some pretty ugly chromatic aberration at the edges at f/2.8. At f/8, there was still some CA, but it was more acceptable.

To Recap
Pros:

• Very sharp
• Close focusing distance
• Flare resistant
• Solid build and smooth operation

Cons:

• Chromatic aberration wide-open, and to a lesser extent at smaller apertures
• Price. With the recent increase in price, it is only $100 less expensive than its Nikon counterpart, which makes it less of the no-brainer it once was.

Overall
While I consider this to be more of a specialty lens than a mainstay in my kit, I think Sigma has a definite winner in their hands with this model. It is a very solid performer in a compact and light package that will extend your toolkit and allow you to go for a different look in your images.

Your turn

Do you have cool fisheye images to share on the blog? Please post them (or links) in the comments section below.

In my case, I have a lot of requirements that are seemingly incompatible. I hike a lot, sometime deep into the woods, meaning I need something light, comfortable and that can carry my gear, while allowing space for food, extra layers of clothing and other stuff like snowshoes. I Also travel a fair bit and need something that can fit in airplane compartments while carrying most of my gear, my travel documents and a laptop. I also do a fair amount of shooting in cities, where the same requirements hold but with the added element that I don’t want my bag to scream “EXPENSIVE PHOTO EQUIPMENT, PLEASE ROB ME”.

So far, the closest I had gotten was the ThinkTank ShapeShifter. This is a fantastic bag, super light and compact, pretty discrete, packs a laptop and takes a LOT of gear. However, it’s not really suitable for long hikes (little waist/back support and no real harness system) and it has no space for extra food or clothing.

When F-Stop Gear offered to let me test their new Tilopa BC backpack I was really excited as I had heard a lot of good things about them and had been contemplating the purchase of this bag in the very near future. I would also like to take the opportunity to announce that F-Stop Gear is now sponsoring me and my workshops. So keep on the lookout for goodies on this blog and on the workshop in the near future.

While I am indeed sponsored by F-Stop, I would definitely hold no information from my readers and hope to make as honest a review as I can. In fact, I have been holding on this announcement and review for some time. I have received the pack a while ago now, but felt like in order to endorse it and give it a fair and honest review, I had to test it enough to make an informed opinion. Now after a couple of months of carrying it around town and on long-ish hikes in nature, I am ready to spill the story .

So, how about this bag? If you don’t feel like reading until the end, the Tilopa BC gets a big thumbs up from me. Is it the bag that replaces all bags? Well I have to say that it gets very, very close. as this is a very strong and impressive product from F-Stop Gear.

The F-Stop Gear Tilopa BC in its "grey mist" look. If that's not slick design, I don't know what is .

The novelty of the F-Stop Gear bags, and the Tilopa in particular is that they are modular bags made up of two main parts: first, a real solid backpack that has been specially modified to accommodate the photographer; second, an independent and modular compartment, Internal Camera Unit (ICU), which holds your photo gear.

The Pack

First, let’s talk about the pack. Now, for the first time in my experience as a photographer, what I have here is a real backpack designed first and foremost to be a backpack. Not only does it have a super slick, great looking design, but it is solidly built and has a wonderful suspension system that balances the pack beautifully on your waist, such that you barely feel it when walking around. The waist belt is nicely padded and doesn’t rub the skin off your waist like so many packs have done before! The pack has no shortage of well thought-out straps and pockets that can accommodate just about every need you may ever have. Need to attach your tripod? Check. Have hiking poles too? Check? How about your snowboard/skis/snowshoes on top of that? Check. Yes. Really. And the pack remains superbly balanced through all of this (Never tried snowboard or skis, but check the snowshoe contraption in the photo below).

Testing the Tilopa BC on a snowshoe hike. The extensive strap system allows me to keep the snowshoes secured and out of the way, while shooting.

One of the really cool features of the pack is its back panel access. Instead of accessing the pack from the front, the pack in fact opens up from the back. The beauty here is that, if like me you carry your gear into snowy, muddy, wet places, you no longer have to end up with wet, muddy, snowy back! As you lower your pack to the ground to pull out your gear, it is the front of the bag that is exposed, while the back panel remains untouched. This has the added benefit to keep your gear protected from thieves if you’re travelling in really busy places.

Here you can see the inside of the pack with a medium ICU holding my gear. Notice how much space is left for just about anything you may need.

Last but not least, if you’re traveling or just wandering around town, the pack has an internal pocket to accommodate a 15” laptop. The pack is large enough to accommodate all your gear and more, but is quite compact and is meant to be airport friendly.

In all honesty, the pack is near perfect and I have no real complaint other than the small pockets in the back panel. These pockets are designed to carry memory cards, documents or maps, but frankly, they are way too tight to have any real usefulness (for me at least). Other than that, it is a photographer’s dream allying great support system, practicality and more room than you can dream of.

The Internal Camera Unit (ICU)

The back panel opens to give you access to the ICU (the large model is shown here). The ICU is F-Stop's modular camera system that allows you to modify your pack according to your needs. It is hard to see here, but my Gore-Tex jacket is sitting above the ICU, with plenty of room to spare.

The ICU is really the heart of the camera aspect of the bag. And when you see it, your first thought is “why the heck did nobody think of it before?”. It is simply genius. It comes in several sizes from small to extra large to fit just about every possible need you have. Going for a long hike and need extra clothes and food but not a lot of gear? Get a small  ICU, which can hold a pro-body, a couple of lenses and accessories and use your Tilopa to carry the food and/clothes. The medium ICU holds just about every piece of gear I own without taking that much more space than the small ICU. Working not too far from your car, or need a lot of lenses? Put the large ICU in and don’t worry about a thing.

Here I have placed the Large, Medium and Small ICU side by side to give you an idea of their relative sizes.

I first really liked the size of the small ICU as it is small, light and leaves a lot of room in the bag. However, I have just tried the medium ICU and it wins hands down, in one word: perfect. It is barely larger than its smaller sister but fits my pro-body with a lens, 3 extra lenses and some room to spare, I think that if I try hard enough I may even fit a second body in there. The best part is that you have most of the pack left for just about anything, food, extra clothes, etc. Here it is no longer a compromise between gear or extras, you can have both at the same time. If I absolutely need more gear, I simply switch to the Large ICU, which is really the largest I’ll likely ever need as it has room for a pro-body with a telephoto attached, plus room for 4-5 more lenses, flash and accessories or a second body. While it is significantly larger than its siblings, it still leaves some room for food and/or clothing.

A close-up of my medium ICU with literally ALL my gear: 2 pro-bodies, 4 lenses, filters and accessories. This is my go-to ICU that I will likely have 90% of the time. I normally replace one of the bodies with a flash when I am not travelling.

Overall, the ICUs are really fantastically built with solid materials through and through, they are very well padded (the pads are thick enough for protection but thin enough to save weight), very modular (you can move the padding around), and interchangeable to fit your needs.

Conclusion

This is the large ICU open and closed, notice how much gear fits comfortably here.

I really had to think long and hard to identify real dislikes for this bag, and they are quite minor in fact

-  As I mentioned above, the small pockets in the rear panel are not very useful, but these are balanced by the fact there are many other more useful pockets available in the bag.

- Also, while quite compact, the bag may seem a bit bulky in an urban setting, where I prefer smaller bags.

My likes:

- The pack. Everything here just plain rocks: the suspension system, the looks,  the support, the build, the waist belt, the laptop pocket, the molle attachment system, the roominess. I have a very short back and always have trouble finding a pack that fits. Well, this one fits me just nicely.

- The strap system combined with the Molle system is very extensive and allows you to attach just about anything you can think of.

- The modularity. The ICU system is simply genius. Your pack can be adjusted to fit just about any application. More than that. You’re going on a multiday trip? Use your regular backpack (I own an Arc’Teryx Bora 65L) and throw in an ICU for good measure. The possibilities are endless.

- The laptop compartment.

- The rear panel: not only is it great to keep your back clean and your gear protected, it is actually designed to leave some breathing room between the pack and your back to try and prevent those uncomfortable sweaty backs.

Overall, as I said before, this is a pretty darn good bag that I would highly recommend to anyone who does adventure sports/nature/travel photography. It is in many, many ways a dream bag.

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