The First Light backpacks are also built to carry a laptop or tablet and come with a rain cover designed to double as a ground cloth. They include grab handles on three sides plus a top pocket for fast access to essentials. UK prices and availability have not yet been announced. For details, visit the MindShift Gear website
Press release
SANTA ROSA, CALIF – MindShift Gear’s First Light™ backpack series addresses the most pressing needs of outdoor photographers who travel and trek, especially those who carry their 200mm to 600mm “Big Glass” lenses. These high capacity backpacks come in three sizes and feature contoured, adjustable torso harnesses with 11 adjustment points for extreme comfort whether running through an airport or traversing a mountain. Designed to comply with airline carryon size requirements, First Light backpacks are built with ballistic nylon bottoms for durability, room for a laptop and personal gear, and in the two larger sizes, a dedicated pocket for hydration reservoirs.
“We heard loudly and clearly from outdoor photographers that they wanted dual-purpose backpacks they could use to transport their gear safely on airlines and also for carrying their largest lenses comfortably for hours while deep into their treks,” said MindShift Gear’s CEO and Lead Designer Doug Murdoch. “We were able to design backpacks sized to fit three different camera gear configurations that are the best made, most durable, most comfortable, and most reasonably priced in the market.”
KEY FEATURES
• Dedicated 3L hydration pocket on side (30L & 40L only)
• Tablet or laptop fits into front pocket (20L & 30L = up to 15” laptop; 40L = up to 17” laptop)
• Includes tripod/monopod mounting system on front or side
• Better weight distribution for a more comfortable load enables easier all day use on the trail
• Seamless rain cover (included) doubles as a ground cloth
• When attached, rain cover allows small to medium tripods to be carried on front or side positions
• 2 front stuff pockets for travel or trail essentials; extra layers, a light jacket, headlamp, gloves, chargers
• Adjustable high-density closed-cell foam dividers for large telephoto lenses, traditional photo gear, or personal items
• Large water bottle or accessory pocket with drains and cinch cord for security
• Top zippered pocket for quick access to essentials
• Ballistic nylon bottom panel for durability in harsh environments
• Shaped aluminum torso stay for additional support
• Grab handles on 3 sides make it easy to hoist into an overhead bin, car, or trunk (2 handles on 20L)
• Interior mesh pockets for storing filters, batteries, cables, etc.
• Side compression straps with locking SR buckles for additional lash points
• Shoulder straps and waist belt wrap to front for compact storage in overhead compartment
• Whistle integrated into sternum strap buckle
• Compatible with MindShift Tripod Suspension Kit, Lens Switch Case, and the filter cases
GEAR PROFILE
• FirstLight 20L: Holds 1 standard-size DSLR and 4–6 standard zoom lenses. Holds 2 large Mirrorless DSLRs and 5–7 lenses plus a flash. Maximum lens size: 200–400mm f/4 detached or 300 f/2.8 attached.
• FirstLight 30L: Holds 1 gripped DSLR and 4–6 standard zoom lenses, and 1 flash. Maximum lens size: 500mm f/4 lens detached or 400 f/2.8 attached.
• FirstLight 40L: Holds 2 gripped DSLRs with 6–8 standard zoom lenses and 1–2 flashes. Maximum lens size: 600mm f/4 lens detached or a 500mm f/4 attached.
MATERIALS
Exterior: For superior water resistance, all exterior fabric has a durable water-repellant coating; the underside of the fabric has a polyurethane coating. It also has the highest quality abrasion-resistant YKK® RC-Fuse zippers, 420D velocity nylon, 420D high-density nylon, 1680D ballistic nylon, 210D nylon, 320G DuraStretch mesh, nylon webbing, 350G airmesh, nylon webbing, 3-ply bonded nylon thread.
Interior: 210D silver-toned nylon lining, belly-o mesh pockets, high-density closed-cell foam, PE board reinforcement, 3-ply bonded nylon thread.
SPECIFICATIONS
FirstLight 20L:
Exterior Dimensions: 11.4” W x 18.7” H x 7” D (29 x 47.5 x 17.8 cm)
Interior Dimensions: 10.8” W x 17.5”H x 5.3” D (27.5 x 44.5 x 13.5 cm)
Front Pocket: fits up to 15” laptop
Weight: 4.4lb (1.9kg)
FirstLight 30L:
Exterior Dimensions: 12” W x 19” H x 8.7” D (30.5 x 48.3 x 22 cm)
Interior Dimensions: 11.2” W x 18.1”H x 7.1” D (28.5 x 46 x 18 cm)
Front Pocket: fits up to 15” laptop
Weight: 5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)
FirstLight 40L:
Exterior Dimensions: 13.8” W x 21.7” H x 9” D (35 x 55 x 22.9 cm)
Interior Dimensions: 13.4” W x 20” H x 7.3” D (34 x 51 x 18.5 cm)
Front Pocket: fits up to 17” laptop
Weight: 6.0 lbs (2.7 kg)
