MindShift Rotation 180deg. Panorama Backpack, Tahoe Blue

2021-01-25T19:00:00

This bag is excellent...well almost. The only thing I would do different is to shape the shoulder straps so they curve away from the neck a bit before they curve in toward the chest. Or move them out toward the shoulders where they are connected at the top to allow a bit more room around the neck. They have a tendency to rub. The other thing is the hydration pocket. If I fill my 2 liter up completely, it's too heavy on that side and makes the pack all lopsided. I remedied that by carrying my water in the top, larger storage pocket. You can feed the hydration tube out through there so it works perfectly. But if you want to carry other things, there's not much room. You can put lighter things on the side where the hydration spot is, but again, if there is any weight to it, it makes the pack off balance. I'm happy with the water in the top and I don't always need 2 or 3 liters, so that allows room for snacks or extra stuff. Overall, I love this pack for the rotation aspect. I can get to my camera quick and my hands are free whether it's in front or stored away. I also love the tripod holder. I use it for my little tripod stool so I can have a seat when needed. Thanks MindShift Gear!!

Darci R.

Originally posted at

2020-06-13T20:00:00

I tried a lot of bags for hiking with my camera gear. Either the photo compartment was too small, or the personal compartment was too small, or the bag was uncomfortable, etc etc In short: there was always something wrong. This model is absolutely perfect! The ingenious idea of ??this rotating compartment is really a big advantage (my friends were amazed!) In addition, it is very beautiful (I took it in blue, which is more prudent to be seen by hunters) I bought directly the rain cover.

Michel H.

Originally posted at

2019-08-29T20:00:00

This is the best backpack I've used for hiking with my camera gear. It's a good pack, the only think keeping it from being a great pack is the water bladder location. It's on the extreme left side, leading to an unbalanced pack. If the bladder were held centered on the pack it would be perfect.

Eric

Originally posted at

2019-08-24T20:00:00

Being a happy Restrospective 5 (V1) shoulder bag city user from many years now, I was in a big self-struggle since a while between taking my photo gear and just a small backpack with personal stuff each time I went outside the city, being convinced that backpacks for wearing photo gear while walking is an heresy. That was before... Now I just discover the MindShift rotation system and it’s a complete revelation: this is exactly what I always secretly looking for ! I now can take both almost all my mirrorless photo gear while having my personal stuff in just one convenient bag, while still having a fast and practical access to the gear while walking. As a a bonus the belt has an ideal space that fits perfectly for my lens flipper with its belt clip. I now feel like Ironman in the wild. (Though, the only small deception I have is regarding the lack of a zipped plouch inside the main top part instead of a simple net...)

Jeremy

Originally posted at

2019-08-19T20:00:00

My first field test of this bag was a 3.5 week trip to Kenya & I have to say: I LOVE the rotational camera bag. Shooting on the go is so easy thanks to this feature. Like Robert says, things in the top pouch tend to slide around quite a lot so some mesh pockets might help. The location of the water bladder does indeed put the backpack off-balance which can be annoying on longer outings. perhaps integrating it in the back of the bag (and shifting the tripod to the side) would allow it to be better balanced, while simultaneously keeping one of the heavier items (2l of water weighs quite a bit) close to the back for less strain. The hip pouch is good for smaller cameras. My G7 fits great w/kit lens & 35-100mm f2.8 next to it but it bulged a bit w/my A7iii with the 24-70 attached. Something I wish I'd considered before buying the bag: no room for a laptop or iPad Pro. I'm so used to bags having a laptop slot I just assumed there would be one. As I more often do urban photography than nature photography, I love being able to hunker down in a cafe w/a coffee, pull out the iPad Pro & start editing photos while they are fresh. All in all I love the bag, the concept is brilliant, also for urban shooters (especially in a bike-heavy country like the Netherlands). I'm definitely looking to upgrade to the Horizon so I can take my iPad. Saw the Travel Away just now and if it would have a pouch capable of holding a camera with lens, I would give it some serious thought.

Elmer L.

Originally posted at

2019-03-07T19:00:00

A backpack for easy carry with the rotation feature to grab the camera without taking the backpack off is perfect! Love it.

Jasminka

Originally posted at

2019-02-03T19:00:00

I have at least 8 backpacks for my Fuji X-T2 and lenses. None have a tripod sleeve on the back. None have easy access to the camera and lenses. Most are too big and have too many compartments--you know, for DSLRs with 6 lens including monster telephotos. This bag has room for my mirrorless with lens and a second lens. If I want to carry more up top I can. But what makes it so perfect is the fact that it is the only bag I have ever found that is ideal for a mirrorless camera, small, AND has a pocket and straps on back for a full sized tripod. You guys have really done it.

Phillip Z.

Originally posted at

2017-08-01T20:00:00

Let me start by saying I had been searching for a hiking backpack that was made specifically for photographers for a few months. This was the first and only bag that I found that looked like it would accomplish what I was looking for. I carry a Nikon D7000 with a Sigma 18-35mm lens attached, and a Nikkor 10.5mm and Nikkor 85mm alongside, as well as a battery, lens cloth, and 2 filters. All of that gear fits in the camera belt pack well, though my camera body does jut out slightly above what the normal dimensions of the pack (it still zips up, but sometimes needs a little extra love). The tripod mount on the back is great, and I also strap my hammock fly onto it as well since they are a similar shape. The main pocket is large enough to fit my hammock with straps, a power bank, rain protector*, first aid kit, some snacks, and a change of clothes (maybe 1 or 2 extra shirts/underwear/socks). *The rain protector is good, but it's a little tough to get to stay snug on the bag and I'm a little disappointed that it doesn't have its own dedicated pocket or space. The bag isn't very big so every inch matters. The top pocket is nice, but I've found that it's really easy for things to fall out all over the place if it isn't zipped up tight and you go to access the main pocket. Some mesh pockets or an elastic stap would have been nice. My only other criticism is the way the weight is distributed when a water bladder is used. Makes the bag significantly heavier on the left side.

Robert K.

Originally posted at

2017-06-13T20:00:00

I'm not a native English speaker, so sorry for mistakes. The backpack is ideal for one day trips with small or medium sized camera (u4/3 or Nikon d7000). Rotation system is really excellent, easy to use and very handy. You'll never have to put your backpack to the ground any more. It is very comfortable and not heavy at all. Upper compartment is easily accessible (no buckles, just one zipper). I would like it to be a bit bigger (taller). But I cannot object about the bag size, because there are bigger models for that purpose. Why only "very good", and not excellent? 1) Declared weight is false: 1,3kg. It is 1,5kg in reality. Not big difference, but I'm annoyed with wrong data that can be easily measured. 2) There is a small pocket for bottle on the left side. Very small. Extremely small. Like unusable. And it is not made of stretchy material. I can fit 0,25 liter bottle inside. 0,5 liter wont fit. 3) Zippers don't move smoothly, sometimes. The way zippers are sewed (from inside) blocks movement, occasionally. Not a big deal, but it could be better. 4) The little "wings" on the belt could be a bit longer, and small pocket on one of them could be very handy. 5) I miss one big pocket on the back of the backpack, like on bigger models. It could be very hand for thin items, like glows or map.

Danko B.

Originally posted at

2017-01-06T19:00:00

Rotation system seems to work very well. Later on I bought panorama photo insert that can take Panasonic Leica 100-400 f4-6.7 mounted with Panasonic GX8 body in middle of part of insert, but you have to remove lens hood to able to fit it. This bag is perfect solution for me in between two worlds of use (daily and outdoors). I'm happy to able to make it to fit for my needs. Only laptop place would be nice, but I'm no backpack designer and that might make this backpack very different to use.

ephoto

Originally posted at

2016-08-30T20:00:00

Just a quick review that may be of help to others who like me do not live near a stockist. The bag is extremely well made despite being quite light, I had not realised that the openings to the top pocket and compartment allow access without completely removing the bag. The belt pack works as advertised and now the important bit, its tight but it will fit a gripped OM-D EM1 with the 14-40 Pro lens attached vertically in the centre, the 7-14 Pro below the body the left and the 40-150 Pro vertically, to the right. The teleconverter will sit below the 14 40 in the centre compartment if required. The bag carries well even with a tripod attached, it does get rather heavy when fully loaded, with spare clothing food water and tripod, but is good for a few hours hike.

Keith S.

Originally posted at

2016-07-06T20:00:00

I purchased this pack for use on a 9-day trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. I loaded it with my Nikon D500, added a Switch Case for my telephoto lens, and hung my tripod and trekking poles on the back. With my raingear and other extra layers, first aid and other essentials, and four liters of water, it weighed 15kg! Heavy but worth it. The pack fit well and was comfortable despite the weight, and I took nearly 2,000 photos. Overall I am very pleased. It's not perfect, however. When there is a lot of weight in the main compartment (such as 2L of water), the compartment sags and puts pressure on the top of the camera case, making it very difficult to rotate back into the pack. The raincover is not quite adequate. It - is tricky to install - took me a long time to figure out! - doesn?t reliably cover the top pocket, which gets wet, - doesn?t quite cover the side of the camera case, - does not help with the switch case, - has very weak single-stitch attachments of velcro tabs (one pulled off). I wished I had brought a backpacker's poncho for heavy rain.

David K.

Originally posted at

2016-04-08T20:00:00

It is common to leave a positive review when all goes well. When there are "hiccups" then you see the true nature of the company with which you are dealing. I am going to Sicily and wanted to bring my Canon 5D Mark iii, their 24-105 and 24 tilt shift lens. I am older and cannot carry as much as I used to. I spoke with MS (Mindshift) and they recommended this bag. Things were a bit tight so they promptly sent the next larger bag. The camera equipment fit fine but it was heavy and cumbersome for me - especially if I am going to be on the streets of Palermo. I emailed Bryan (Customer Service) and throughout this entire process, he was courteous, helpful and informative. I returned the larger bag and decided to put the t/s lens in the top compartment. The quality of the bag is quite good and the rotating function will be very helpful. Very happy to recommend this company.

Linda S.

Originally posted at

2015-09-13T20:00:00

Without a doubt, this is probably one of the better camera backpacks out there - but there is plenty of room for improvement as noted by some of the more critical reviewers. The pros are well covered, so I'll cover some of the cons in the hope that someone at Mindshift will listen. 1) Usable waterbottle pocket. Not everyone wants to use a hydration bladder. A simple fix by using a stretchier mesh material... 2) Hiking pole harness. While I can fit one pole with the current loop system, fitting a pair of them is tricky. 3) Rain cover - seriously, how much could it cost to include it for an OUTDOOR pack? The current implementation as a separate item as opposed to being stored in a dedicated compartment within the pack for easy instant deployment leaves much to be desired. 4) Pocket on the waist strap - you have it on the Travel Away, why not this? 5) Mesh pockets in the easy access top compartments - prevents things like phones from falling out maybe? And after all this time, why isn't your lens holder available in Tahoe Blue...

Ritchie

Originally posted at

2015-07-20T20:00:00

I looked at many reviews and videos before buying this pack. As many have said, the concept is great and there are a lot of great features. A few things that I have not seen mentioned: 1) (good) The attention to detail is impressive. For example, there is a little lanyard that attaches the pull-out bag to the main bag. It has a clip on one end, but on the other end it is connected to the main bag via a little loop, so the lanyarg is easily removable if you don't want it. Lots of other little touches like this, too. 2) (not great) the carrying handle on the top of the bag is very thin and not padded. It would be very painful to carry a loaded bag any distance via this handle. It should be wrapped in a simple pad that velcros to itself, thus removable for those who don't want the bulk. 3) (not great) The waist pack is not symmetric. The end that goes into the main pack first is smaller than the other end. This limits how the bag can be loaded. I'm sure the pointy end is pointy so that it easily enters its little doghouse but it makes a small bag even smaller. Too bad.

Tinker

Originally posted at

2015-07-01T20:00:00

If you own a medium-sized dslr and tend to climb and hike on your trips, this is the perfect bag. Not designed for big dslr's, but fits Nikon D600-or-similar camera with ease. Beautiful back support is the best I've ever experienced (which means less of a back pain for me, which I'm willing to pay hundreds, if not thousands, dollars for). The bag is relatively small, so it's good for a day hike, if you pack your lunch with you, or as a medium-sized photo bag, on the days you don't want to carry your large and heavy lenses.

Evgeny T.

Originally posted at

2015-05-07T20:00:00

I've been in search for the perfect camera bag for as long as I can remember. With each type of camera system, there is a bag that just works. I like how there is a Mindshift rotation bag for almost every type of shooter (Travel Away for P&S, Trail for fixed compact/m43 shooter, Panorama for DSLR, and Professional for Pro DSLR). Complicating the situation for me now is the fact that I have to care for and chase after a very active 2 yr old. But out of the 20+ bags I've tried, the Panorama is an ideal bag for someone like me. What I like - The top zippered compartment is large enough to hold just the right amount of non-photo gear. I can keep snacks, water bottles, diapers, fruit, etc and keep it seperate from my camera gear. - The beltpack can hold my D810 with 24-120 attached and a prime. They say it can fit a 24-70 attached, it won't fit vertically, and placed horizontally you can't fit any other lenses. I sold the 24-70, replaced it with the smaller 24-120 and can now fit the camera vertically with a prime. - Bag/Straps are very comfortable. 4+ hours are nothing. What I don't like - No pockets on the outside to hold a water bottle. Don't like that if I want to carry a water bottle, I have to store it at the top. - Safety clip is useless, mine broke off the 2nd week I had it. - No rain cover included @ $200. - While it's not terrible, accessing gear with pack off is a little clumsy. Overall though, bag is keeper.

J P.

Originally posted at

2015-03-01T19:00:00

I have been waiting for some day pack manufacturer to design a comfortable day pack that will accommodate photo gear. The pack had to have good support so my shoulders don't get sore, carry a minimum amount of photo gear and a tripod as well as hold items like my lunch, some extra clothing and water. I finally found the right pack in the Panorama 180. I have never had a sore back or shoulders after loading up my Pan 180. I usually take one camera body, a wide angle lens, macro lens and my 100-400mm zoom. I have plenty of room for a lunch and a jacket. The side sleeve holds my 2 liter Platypus bladder for water. The tripod goes on the back of the pack and fits perfectly. Top it off with a rain cover and the optional tripod sling and I am set to go. No other day pack maker has come up with anything close to the Pan 180.

phillip r.

Originally posted at

2014-10-13T20:00:00

This meets my day hiking and event photography needs perfectly. I use Olympus OMD m4/3 compact system cameras, and this carries one body plus 2-3 lenses and cards/batteries in the rotation belt and fits my back and shoulders perfectly (I'm just over 6' tall). I can also comfortably carry a middle-weight tripod, 1L Platypus and waterproofs/gloves/hat. While hiking (especially if I'm using poles) I hang the camera on the front of the left shoulder strap with a Cotton Carrier Strapshot, and everything's immediately and securely available without getting in the way. It's standing up well to regular use, although these days I'm not exactly a backwoods trekker. If you don't want to use an internal water bottle the side compartment will also take a big lens like the Panasonic 100-300 zoom (200-600mm FF equivalent), so it's possible to carry 2 CSC bodies and multiple lenses. This is so much more comfortable than any LowePro or Kata sling bag, but do I recommend trying it with your own particular kit if you intend to use it with full frame or APSC/DX sized gear.

Mark F.

Originally posted at

2014-07-19T20:00:00

I am truly amazed how, when reaching around to unlatch the beltpack, my hand falls naturally where the magnetic release catch can be opened, and one handed too. Excellent construction, I look to be using it for years.

Robert G.

Originally posted at

2014-07-06T20:00:00

Background: I use this pack in conjunction with a Peak Design Capture Clip to carry my Canon 60d usually with 70-200mm F/4L attached. Because of the Capture Clip, I don't need to store my body in the belt pack, freeing it up for a spare lens and a gorillapod. The belt pack is small, but it's big enough for two spare lenses, my gorillapod, and spare memory cards in a thinktank wallet, along with other gadgets. It is not big enough to store the 70-200mm f/4L with hood in shooting position, but it'll hold it snugly with the hood reversed. The rotating beltpack is easy to use, and the magnetic clasp keeps it in place nicely. The back up strap is a very nice touch, for those cases where I forgot to clasp the beltpack in front before I attempted to rotate it. The tuckaway tripod straps are nice--it maintains the pack's clean lines when not in use, but they hold the tripod solidly when engaged. I read a lot of complaints about the purported 3L reservoir pocket, so I got a 2L bag. It fits without any problems. Using a reservoir makes rotating the beltpack back into its hole harder, but MindShift anticipated this and included some loops on the belt for leverage. I wish the upper compartment were bigger for two reasons: 1) it just doesn't hold a lot of stuff. I can fit a lunch for my family in there, or a coat, but not both. 2) I'm 5'9" tall, and the pack feels too short for my torso. It's a well made pack, but they had to make compromises. I wish a rain cover were included.

Nathan F.

Originally posted at

2014-07-02T20:00:00

I remember that days of setting my backpack down and ultimately walking away then having to back to retrieve it. What a boost to have access to camera and lens while still having my backpack on. It is so comfortable that I hardly know I am wearing it. Thanks.

Bob G.

Originally posted at

2014-06-22T20:00:00

Sorry for my bad english, i am from Holland. I really love this bag! I wrote this review from my own perspective. Every photographer has his own needs and there isn't a perfect bag, only a perfect bag for your needs. I do a lot of landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes and this bag makes everything so convienant. I hate to put my bag in the sand when i am on the beach and now it is not necessary annymore. The bag is comfortable on your back so carrying for a long time feels nice. Next to that mindshift thought about the forgettable persons like me. at the beginning i forget to put the belt stuck and i shifted it, Thank god they made a safety clip on the belt. I have to say that the bag isn't really big. In the beltbag i can (just) fit my d7000 with sigma my 12-24 II, 50mm and 70-200 f4 without hood. In the upper compartment i can put some extra clothing, filters, sd cards etc. For me there pleny room. I like to walk a lot during my shoots so i am not looking for a very big bag. I also bought the tripod suspension kit and this is amazing. when i am shooting outdoors i always use my tripod. When i dont use the tripod i just grab my camera and leave the tripod on the suspension kit. Next to that it is still easy to use the rotation belt when the tripod is on the suspension kit. I don't really have complaints about the bag because i really like it. It's comfortable and fits all my needs. This winter i am going for 4 months to Nepal and this is going to be my daybag!

Milan M.

Originally posted at

2014-06-18T20:00:00

The Panorama is a superbly designed, sleekly styled pack that is primarily for the highly active photographer...think LowePro PhotoSport 200, but much better...i.e, a runner's, cyclists, climber's, or traveler's daypack. As a hiking pack it is most suitable for those of shorter stature (i'm 6'0"). Like many photo packs, particularly athlete's packs, it has a short frame. Given that this is a small pack, only 22L, this is understandable. Well-carrying hiking packs tend to be longer so as to balance the load better and allow the load-lifters to work properly. the 180 Pro is better designed in this regard. I'd love to see a 30L version of this pack that was 2-3" taller and possibly 1/2" thicker in the waistbelt, so as to more easily carry a standard size DSLR like a D7100 - and all 10 of the 10 essentials. As it stands, the Pano's waistbag is a better fit for the smaller body DSLRs and u4/3 systems. Given that many photogs are adopting these systems, making the waistbag much bigger would be a mistake. I also found that the bag carried better when no more than a 1.5L water bladder was used, placed in the internal mesh pocket...better balance, closer to the back than in the side pocket. Unfortunately, there isn't a hose hole from the inside of the main compartment like there is from the side pocket. Bottom line, great athlete's day bag. Solid carry, keep the weight in the main compartment light. I eagerly await a true dayhiker's bag - with a pocket on the right side as well.

Shaun S.

Originally posted at

2014-06-16T20:00:00

I bought this pack as soon as it was available and have used it for several months on day hikes. There are nice parts about it, but it doesn't quite meet the expectations I was hoping for. The good: The swivel hip belt section works well. I usually don't tighten the hip belt all the way, but just leave it loose so it's quick and easy to rotate around. It's a well made pack with quality fabrics and high stitch-counts. My main gripes have to do with the volume and the carry. The swivel part of the pack isn't nearly as big as I'd thought, and really can only fit a DSLR body and regular zoom lens. There's little room left over for another lens (unless its a tiny prime), which means you have to carry other lenses in the top part, which means there's little room for anything else (i.e. rain shell, fleece, snacks, etc.). If you're just taking a body and single lens out for the day, it would be fine, anything more and you're screwed. The side water bottle pocket/sleeve is also small, and I'm only able to jam a 1 liter Platypus bottle in there. I don't know why manufacturers keep putting the tripod attachments on the back of the pack rather than the side. The heavy weight back there pulls you backwards. Having it on the side would be much more stable. Lastly, while the should straps are well-padded, they're too narrow and dig into your shoulders with any weight over any distance. I'd consider their other Pro pack if it weren't nearly twice the price and hardly any larger.

J.O

Originally posted at

2014-06-02T20:00:00

The Panorama 180 was exactly the pack I was looking for! It's not too big, and not too small! Holds my D800 with 24-70 in the belt pack, while the upper compartment is huge and can carry a second body and extra lenses. My primary concern was to be able to carry a pro SLR (digital or film!) as well as my 70-200 f/2.8. The Panorama does this easily. Great bag and I look forward to more great products from MindShift!

Rick P.

Originally posted at