Me and My Shimoda Action X40 V2 - Mark Gilligan

I have been running landscape photography workshops now since days when I had hair.

From film cameras and into the world of digital, I reckon I have had my hands on most of those that were introduced over that time.  

As people began to spend more time in the outdoors, the development of the camera bag as we know it, began to evolve alongside this progression. Whilst a small number of dedicated bags had been produced in the 1960’s, the world of the ‘outdoors, camera rucksack’ didn’t really materialise until the late ‘80’s early 90’s. 

I know because I was always searching for one and was delighted when they began to appear. 

Some people would venture out onto the mountain using the shoulder, ‘messenger’ style bags much favoured by the press, to others who adopted use of the humble rucksack.  

The latter being the one that I used.  

A simple ethos of, “why carry the bag on one shoulder when you can spread the load over two?” Not a perfect solution, but by packing it out with extra socks to make sure nothing got damaged, it worked! 

Like the cameras that have ‘come to market,’ I am sure that I have seen every iteration of the camera bag over the past forty years. 

The choice is so personal, and I cannot stress that enough.

I also feel that there should be quality time taken over which one to choose.

After all, it is the ‘safe keeper’ of all that kit you have bought and my mantra is, “look after the investment.” 

Photography is rarely about standing still.  

Whether you are walking into the landscape before sunrise or scrambling over rough ground to reach the perfect viewpoint, you are travelling with a serious amount of equipment on your back. It becomes part of the experience and a brilliant camera coupled with expensive lenses, along with a tripod, weigh heavily. As the day progresses, you need to feel comfortable as you move around.

What starts out as comfort can soon turn into a bag of bricks, if it isn’t up to the job. That’s why ‘we’ need to fully evaluate the bag that we entrust to carry our kit. Go to the local photography store or The Photography Show and see just what they are really like. You may have read a good review or seen a YouTube video about one you fancy, but nothing beats getting your hands on one. 

Your mate may like ‘brand X’, but what’s sauce for the Goose…. You get my drift! 

Those who know me are aware that I have and continue to endure a spine that I would very much like replaced and so I have been on a journey utilising the best that I could over the years but whilst ok, they always fell short. There was always that ‘something’ missing, and my real need has always been ultimate comfort. 

Whilst mirrorless cameras are fantastic and are in the main lighter, the glass we use isn’t. So, we buy a bag that’s light, but when we load it up…. A couple of years back I noted that several people on the workshops brought a bag that looked appealing to me and in particular, my back!  

On the face of it, it had what you would expect from a modern-day bag, but the straps…. dear me they looked like you could suspend a car from them! I asked one person if I could carry their bag for a bit. Of course, the concept of having their own Sherpa appealed and I duly did that for the rest of the day. 

It was on another level of comfort, literally the best I had ever experienced, and it is the Shimoda Action X40 V2. 

For me, the first thing that stands out is the sheer quality of the carrying system. Those straps are thick, substantial and reassuringly robust. They don't feel like an afterthought added to a camera bag; they feel like one of the central reasons the whole pack works so well. The adjustment level of height, etc. is easy to attain and coupled with the padded waist belt, made for a carrying experience that was unrivalled, in my opinion. 

They are exactly the sort of features you appreciate more and more, the longer you carry a fully loaded backpack.  

Put it on, and you get the impression that the designers understood something fundamental: photographers don't simply carry cameras. They carry everything required to make photographs happen. The straps have to be ready for that reality, being built for photographers who actually go places. This isn't simply a large container with some padding thrown inside: Its design is aimed at photographers, who need to combine camera protection with outdoor practicality. 

One of the biggest advantages is Shimoda's Core Unit system. The Action X40 V2 can accommodate several Core Units and that choice is down to you. I went for the medium, as I like to take extra clothing with me just in case.  The perfect camera bag should not force you to choose between protection and practicality - it should help you organise both. It can have clever pockets, durable fabric and excellent access but if its harness becomes uncomfortable when heavily loaded, the entire experience suffers.

I feel that Shimoda has the balance right: the connection between the photographer and the bag matters enormously. For me, those substantial straps are part of what transforms the pack from merely useful equipment, into something you genuinely want to wear. 

Protection without sacrificing accessibility. 

The best camera bag is ultimately the one that lets you forget about the bag and concentrate on the photograph. To me, those thick straps are almost symbolic of the whole design philosophy, and everything feels as though it has been made with the realities of practical landscape photography in mind. 

You don't need a camera bag to impress you for five minutes in a shop. You need one that still impresses you after several hours on the fells. 

That is the real test. 

It certainly has for me and after two years of using it, I feel like it is ‘my bag for life.’

Explore the Shimoda Action X v2 Series here

See more of Mark's work: Facebook  Wast Water Photography