f-stop camera bags — Dan Yosua

Last updated: December 4th, 2023

A year after my initial review of the f-stop AJNA backpack, my experiences have deepened my understanding of its capabilities and limitations. I've picked up a few new accessories, and after extended use, including a recent road trip to Colorado and last year's flight to Ireland, I'm thrilled with the AJNA and have started to opt for it more often than the TILOPA. However, I still happily use both often and treat these bags as gear storage even between active uses.

Key Considerations:

Durability Reinforced: The DuraDiamond material continues to impress, showing minimal wear after rigorous use and exposure to various environments. This fabric is worthy of the namesake, a testament to the backpack's build quality, and a big reason to choose f-stop over competitor bags.
Mesh Pockets - Surprisingly Resilient: Initially a point of concern, the mesh water bottle pockets have proven more durable than I expected. While they are still likely the weakest point, their ability to retain stretch after a year and withstand regular use for tripod feet has been a positive surprise.
Water Bladder Compatibility and Belt Closure: I still haven't tested a water bladder with this bag, but I'm considering it. The aluminum belt closure remains a preferred feature over the plastic clips found in older models, like my TILOPA. But the brand new Lotus 4 CORE 28L (affiliate) has a redesigned hip belt, so it's possible the aluminum clips won't make the next version of the DuraDiamond series.
Accessory Integration and Versatility: The use of MOLLE pouches for carrying items like water bottles, phones, and GoPro accesories has enhanced the backpack's functionality. My new addition, the Dyota laptop sleeve (affiliate), though too expensive in my opinion, provides much-needed protection for larger laptops like the 16-inch MacBook Pro. f-stop calls it a 15" sleeve, but the M-series 16" MBP fits great!
Pro Small ICU - A Compact Alternative: The Pro Small ICU (affiliate) is a surprisingly efficient option for mirrorless camera owners, offering a balance between equipment storage and space for other essentials, especially when also carrying a laptop in this bag. If you're someone with a Canon RP or Canon R8, and you mainly bring two or three lenses, consider this as an option if you do more serious hiking.
Comfort on Long Hikes: While the shoulder straps are less padded than those on the TILOPA, they are sufficient for most hiking scenarios that I find myself in. However, on longer, more strenuous hikes with heavier loads, the lack of padding becomes noticeable, and a compromise in padding, somewhere in the middle of what we see on the AJNA and TILOPA straps, would be ideal.
Front Pocket, Top Opening, and the "Tippy Top" Pocket: The long front pocket is a convenient space for quick-access items like jackets or layers, while the big top compartment easily holds filters, snacks, and clothes. I miss some visibility and usability in the "tippy top" compared to the TILOPA, but I like the practical design of the 37L size and am happy overall with access.
ICU Flexibility and Storage: The ability to switch between the Pro Large ICU in the TILOPA and the Slope Medium or Pro Small ICU in the AJNA provides tremendous flexibility, catering to different needs across various trips. To me, this is reminiscent of Apple and Peak design – you have to pay somewhat of a premium to get into their ecosystems, but once you have, it's quite nice.
Price Consideration and Sales: The price remains a downside, but f-stop's annual Pack Week offers 20% discounts and presents a great opportunity for purchase. In 2023, Pack Week runs through December 8th, but be on the lookout next year around Black Friday if you still need to commit to f-stop or the AJNA.

Conclusion:

No bag is perfect, and the AJNA is no exception. For me, it's pretty close, and I plan to keep these f-stop bags for a long, long time. It excels in various scenarios, from hiking to road trips, proving to be a reliable companion for a photographer on the move. While it has its limitations, such as the less padded straps and the small mesh pockets, these are minor compared to what I love about this backpack. The AJNA strikes an excellent balance for those needing a durable, versatile, and well-designed backpack for photography gear and travel essentials. Whether you're venturing into the Rockey Mountain National Park or navigating the streets of Dublin, the AJNA remains an excellent choice for photographers seeking quality and functionality in their pack.