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F-Stop Modularity
by Kenton Krueger
In an October blog post we highlighted F-Stop camera packs as being superior for adventure photographers like us. In this post we’ll take a closer look at the Internal Camera Units (ICUs) that are an essential part of an F-Stop camera pack setup.
The ICU is the heavy duty foam padded case that keeps camera gear safe and organized inside the pack. If you recall from the earlier post, F-Stop designs their packs to be compatible with a series of Internal Camera Units (ICUs) that are sold separately so that the user can tailor their setup towards specific needs. These units then fit within the body of whichever pack you choose.
F-Stop recommends beginning your hunt for the correct ICU by considering first the size and number of camera bodies you are using. Then add the number of lenses, and you will have a good idea of what ICU you’ll want to go with.
Having this kind of flexibility allows for easy and individualized storage, stacking, and even switching out one for the other if you have a large amount of gear intended for different shooting circumstances.
So, perhaps more than one ICU will be necessary.
For instance, if you have a series of lenses and a camera body for your landscape shoots, you might store all of those in an orderly fashion in one ICU. Then, when the time comes for your Backcountry Journeys Monsoons of Grand Canyon Country trip, you’ll just grab your Landscape ICU and you’re essentially packed.
Then, in another (slightly larger) ICU, you might have your 100-400mm telephoto, 16-35mm wide angle, as well as your macro lens and flash for wildlife pursuits, like the Brown Bears of Katmai adventure!
Your packs can be completely filled by ICUs, or you can use one that allows for added space for other things you may need to have with you such as clothing, gloves, snacks, whatever it may be.
Perhaps you prefer to always carry your entire set up in one ICU. If you have a serious amount of gear, the Pro Large is one of F-Stop’s most popular sizes. This ICU offers an ability to store multiple bodies and lenses ranging from primes to telephotos.
The ICU is the heavy duty foam padded case that keeps camera gear safe and organized inside the pack. If you recall from the earlier post, F-Stop designs their packs to be compatible with a series of Internal Camera Units (ICUs) that are sold separately so that the user can tailor their setup towards specific needs. These units then fit within the body of whichever pack you choose.
F-Stop recommends beginning your hunt for the correct ICU by considering first the size and number of camera bodies you are using. Then add the number of lenses, and you will have a good idea of what ICU you’ll want to go with.
Having this kind of flexibility allows for easy and individualized storage, stacking, and even switching out one for the other if you have a large amount of gear intended for different shooting circumstances.
So, perhaps more than one ICU will be necessary.
For instance, if you have a series of lenses and a camera body for your landscape shoots, you might store all of those in an orderly fashion in one ICU. Then, when the time comes for your Backcountry Journeys Monsoons of Grand Canyon Country trip, you’ll just grab your Landscape ICU and you’re essentially packed.
Then, in another (slightly larger) ICU, you might have your 100-400mm telephoto, 16-35mm wide angle, as well as your macro lens and flash for wildlife pursuits, like the Brown Bears of Katmai adventure!
Your packs can be completely filled by ICUs, or you can use one that allows for added space for other things you may need to have with you such as clothing, gloves, snacks, whatever it may be.
Perhaps you prefer to always carry your entire set up in one ICU. If you have a serious amount of gear, the Pro Large is one of F-Stop’s most popular sizes. This ICU offers an ability to store multiple bodies and lenses ranging from primes to telephotos.
Pro Large ICU
The Medium Slope is dubbed a ‘performance oriented’ ICU, and is designed specifically for gripped bodies with attached optics. This ICU is also fashioned to rest the attached glass and body in a level manner and so the bulk of the weight sits closer to the your back. This is an easy detail to underestimate, but is important, as anyone who has ever carried a heavy pack around for hours at a time will tell you.
Medium Slope ICU
Other options are available, as well, and F-Stop’s website is convenient and easy to follow as it talks you through how to choose.
Pro XL
Regardless of which ICU you deem right for you, a good camera pack setup is essential to protecting, organizing and carrying your photography investments, which as we all know are typically substantial. Why would we want to invest tens of thousands of dollars on something and then carry it around in a bag that doesn’t protect it? Or one that doesn’t fit well, or gets things unorganized? We wouldn’t
Many companies are more than likely doing good work with regard to providing good pack options, however, we at BCJ have found F-Stop to be doing it the best, and highly recommend looking into their pack systems. We hope this closer look at F-Stop’s ICUs will be helpful, if you do.
Many companies are more than likely doing good work with regard to providing good pack options, however, we at BCJ have found F-Stop to be doing it the best, and highly recommend looking into their pack systems. We hope this closer look at F-Stop’s ICUs will be helpful, if you do.
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BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations include Yosemite, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Hawaii, Utah as well as Botswana & Costa Rica."
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.