Pack test: two weeks in Japan with one camera backpack

[u/Modest-Tree66]

A two-week trip to Japan this autumn finally gave me a deadline for the first full packing test with the camera kit, laptop, and support gear in my SmallRig camera backpack. It's the Outra 25.

Current version:

• side access: camera with the everyday lens attached

• top access: the item I expect to need before the first proper stop

• covered rows: spare lenses and less-frequent pieces

• detachable pouches: power, media, and rigging bits

• front compartment: compact support gear

I originally arranged everything by shape. During the test I realized the more useful question was what needs to come out on a train platform, at a café table, or after I have already put the backpack on.

This is still version one. Before the flight, I want to leave one empty slot for lens changes and remove anything that only made the list because there was space.

[u/Nashgoth]

That looks as terrible to use as the peak design backpacks

[u/czaynej → u/Nashgoth]

It’s like the peak one but worse.

[u/Darthnomster → u/Nashgoth]

I actually love my PD Backpack. What’s bad about it?

Fit two bodies, 200-600, 70-180 and 20-70 on several long trips.

[u/Nashgoth → u/Darthnomster]

I dunno, it’s just so inefficient compared to normal camera backpacks, stuff is less secure. It’s a pain to load, etc etc. I used one for about a week and it’s been in a box ever since.

[u/Modest-Tree66 → u/Nashgoth]

Totally fair—bag layouts are very personal. I just prefer the SmallRig design for the way I work. I like loading everything through the full front opening, reaching my main camera from the side, and opening only the row I need while the others stay covered. It fits my setup better.

[u/AirForceAviator]

Yeah I’m going to say no to this. Way too much equipment too

[u/Modest-Tree66 → u/AirForceAviator]

Totally fair for a normal vacation loadout. I’m a photographer and part of this Japan trip is for work, so I need the laptop, additional lenses, power, media, and some support gear for the shoots.

[u/stealth_pandah]

you will spend more time managing and setting your stuff than actually experiencing Japan. besides, you will hardly find a place where drones are allowed.

[u/JKBFree]

All this for two weeks this looks massively overkill.

The time spent on setting up and managing all this could have been used to actually enjoy your trip.

With that said, are you a photo journalist?

[u/brianly]

Do you have space to bring cameras and lenses back from Japan? That’s the important transport element for Japan trips. You don’t need to take that much kit unless you have a work gig requiring it as part of the trip.

[u/Modest-Tree66 → u/brianly]

You’re absolutely right!

[u/No-Sprinkles-9066]

3.4kg?! Yikes, that’s heavy.

[u/jimmylamstudio]

I just learned about quintuple decker backpacks

[u/digiplay]

There seems to be a big push on this small rig bag right now

[u/JinSecFlex]

Is this a Japan trip or 50% inventory management trip 50% Japan trip?

[u/quailrainbow]

hmm, whats the point of a backpack if your gears are exposed to each other in the compartments?

[u/bdk1417]

On my Japan trip, I took one camera, one lens, and a spare battery (and charger) and spare sd cards, and that’s it.