GEAR
MINI TESTS
SHIMODA ACTION X70 HD STARTER KIT £535/$530 shimodadesigns.com
SPECIFICATIONS Maximum volume: 77 litres/20.3 gallons Carry/transport options:
Backpack straps with sternum strap, handle, trolley sleeve and waist belt Pockets for: Water bottle, tripod Main compartment: Insert with adjustable dividers (hook and loop) Laptop storage: Up to 16in Dimensions (wxhxl): Exterior: 31x59x23cm/ 12.2x23.2x9.1in. Interior: 30.5x58.5x22.5cm/12x23x8.9in Weight: 3.9kg/8.6lb
inserts are easy to adjust and can even be organised to hold a cinema camera like a Sony FX6 with a 70-200mm lens on it. You don’t have to tear everything down and put it back together for each shot. Of course, it swallows up a whole mirrorless kit with ease. However, fill it to the brim with kit and it’ll be incredibly heavy. It’s best to pack wisely. The backpack does adjust to fit lots of different-size users as it has four height options with around four inches of vertical adjustment to provide a custom fit for those with short or tall torsos. There are lots of adjustments to help get a perfect fit, which does reduce strain on your back. Our 5ft 7in female tester didn’t find it ideal across her chest, though. The bag has a trendy roll top that expands the pack capacity by up to seven litres if you need to cram more in. The zip is a YKK Splashguard, an industry standard, which provides easy access to your gear and some protection in the wet weather. But Shimoda doesn’t promise weather sealing. It does come with a separate
Shimoda’s bag range includes several which are modular, so you can select specific internals and switch them between bags. As an example, the Shimoda Action X70 backpack we tested has the same dimensions as the DV Roller, so you can use the same internals and swap them out. The Action X70 HD is the brand’s biggest backpack, and is designed to accommodate large cine cameras and super-telephoto camera kits. It is the perfect choice for cinematographers and long lens wildlife shooters. You can specify your own inserts from DV series Core Units (Large, Extra Large and XXL), although the pack can be used with any Core Unit. If you use a shallower DSLR or Mirrorless Core Unit you need to fill some space by cinching down the compression straps on the side of the bag, or fill it with more kit like clothing. But it’s easiest to buy the Action X70 HD Starter Kit, which comes with the XL DV (Digital Video) Core Unit insert, which is ideal for a video kit or even a very long lens like a 600mm. The
CAVERN CLUB A roomy interior swallows up lots of gear (above), but the bag is rather large (top right)
rain cover, so it’s best to stretch this over if you are caught in anything more than a gentle rain shower. Shimoda has also listened to the technology needs of most filmmakers. The bag has a hidden sleeve to hold an Airtag or Tile Pro tracker and a phone sleeve big enough to hold even the largest iPhone Pro Max devices. There are lots of accessory mounting points and pockets to hold your essentials, such as a water bladder. The twin top handles are excellent for lifting the bag up when full. It also works on top of a roller bag with a loop to pass the handle through. PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 A big backpack with lots of nicely designed features Pros: Large, modular build Cons: Pricey, the roll top might not be to everyone’s taste
“The Action X70 HD Starter Kit comes with Digital Video Core Unit insert, which is ideal for video”
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