First test
Alpha Globetrotter XC £264 Tested by Roger Payne
All in all, I’m sorry to see the bag go. It’s a backpack that doesn’t scream ‘I’m carrying loads of expensive photo gear!’ but instead offers quiet assurance of comfort, longevity and protection. We could all do with that in our lives.
distributed and there are both waist and chest straps to lighten the load further. The bag has tripod straps on the bottom, too, but don’t be too ambitious here – anything more than a modestly sized carbon fibre number will get unwieldy.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the latest iteration of Langly’s best- selling backpack, and after a couple of weeks in its company, it’s easy to see why the XC is popular. For starters, it exudes durability. The 840D nylon outer (with waterproof TPU coating) feels like a wax jacket. But without the smell. The lockable waterproofed zips are chunky, the clasps well designed and the straps are thick and comfy. The main section claims to offer enough space for a camera body and five lenses, but there aren’t enough dividers to achieve that without lens-on-lens chafing. Better to have a body with one lens attached in the large compartment, then give three lenses a section each. The top portion, meanwhile, gives access to the 16-inch laptop sleeve and space for waterproofs, lunch and other miscellany. Two side pockets provide extra room for a flashgun, a portable hard drive and a share-size bag of crisps. Once on the back and adjusted for your torso, the AGXC is a comfortable carry. Weight is well
DAY TRIPPER Weight-bearing straps and comfortable materials make this a great bag for those day-long shoots with lots of walking involved – wildlife and landscape photographers, take note!
Weekender Backpack with Camera Cube £228
Verdict The PN team enjoyed its time with this quartet of Langly carrying solutions. We all agreed that they are universally well-made, with neat design touches to boot. Buy one of these offerings and you will be able to get at your gear quickly, configure the internals to your specific kit requirements and move around safe understated design (with the exception of Lee’s hi- vis Sierra backpack) also means you’re less likely to attract unwanted attention. PROS Impressive build quality, easy to configure to your own kit, smart design touches, understated CONS Tripod-carrying configuration could be improved, price may put some off in the knowledge that any precious cargo is well looked after. An
Tested by Samara Husbands
The Weekender Backpack is understated, stylish and durable. I took it on a trip to London to film and photograph a competition. Packing my trusty Canon EOS 2000D (with lens), a Sony ZV-1 with Rode VideoMic II and a charger, the protective Camera Cube section quickly filled up, but it was exceptionally easy to configure to my needs. My 13-inch MacBook Pro also went neatly in the dedicated compartment. The Fidlock Magnetic V-Locks impressed me most, used to secure the roll-top opening. After a puzzling few seconds, it clicked – they’re easily operated one-handed, snapping back into place to close. Similarly, the cube is removeable with a handy strap and can be used as a standalone bag if required. The main issue I ran into was lack of space to carry a tripod. I own a rather bulky one, which remains fairly cumbersome when collapsed. I tried stuffing it in one of the side pockets, which worked, but was precarious; a strap just above the pocket would improve things. I expect a smaller model would fit in the cube, or even in the upper compartment. Tripod issues aside, the Weekender worked well for me and was comfortable to wear through a long day. Recommended. PN
BAG WITHIN A BAG The internal Camera Cube can be removed and used as a bag in its own right
Issue 103 | Photography News 45
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