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Anyone used a F-Stop ICU for camera protection while traveling?

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ChoomaChad
Posts: 194 - Karma: 669
Looking for people with experience using the F-Stop ICU on a 3 week international trip.

1. How well does it work in a non-F-Stop bag?
2. Which ICU fits best for Canon 7D Mark II, Canon 70-200 f/2.8L, Sigma 18-35 f/1.8, Tokina 11-20 f/2.8?
3. Any other recommendations or gear I should use instead?

Thanks!
May 1 2018 12:14AM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
FStop gear is legit, pretty much the industry standard. Their shipping and inventory is pretty bad though, so plan ahead.

I have the Guru with a Small-Shallow ICU.
My standard kit is:
7d2 with 70-200 f4 non-is (this is always mounted when in my bag)
17-40
11-16

You might need to size up you ICU for the bigger 70-200, maybe just call FStop and ask, they are pretty good about knowing things like that.

I just got back from a trip where I used this ICU in a Black Diamond Dawn Patrol 32 ski backpack. It worked pretty well, but bigger ICUs can definitely have a hard time in non-camera backpacks. In general, camera bags are built very blocky (to fit ICUs) while non-camera bags taper (this is why the ski and carry better). For instance, the BD bag gets skinnier towards the bottom, which makes a bit of an awkward space at the very bottom of the bag where the ICU is fatter than the inside compartment.
May 1 2018 1:39PM
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gravel
Posts: 5520 - Karma: 42,295
I have almost the same cam+lenses as you and I've used the fstop medium shallow ICU for about 5yr now and it hasn't let me down.
May 1 2018 2:45PM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9217 - Karma: 5,399
I was thinking of getting on of these to put in a patagonia bag I have but it would be kind of annoying to to have to take the whole ICU out any time I wanted something, especially if there's stuff on top of it. If I just needed transport I'd get one of those. But if I wanted a photo backpack that I may want to change lenses from or something, I'd probably get a dedicated bag. I'm near B&H so I guess I can just go look. F-stops look nice but are hella $$$. I've got an XT2, fuji 18-55, canon fd 300mm f/4 and 50mm f/1.8, and hoping to get a fuji 23mm f/2 WR soon.
May 3 2018 10:50PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
a_pla5tic_bagI was thinking of getting on of these to put in a patagonia bag I have but it would be kind of annoying to to have to take the whole ICU out any time I wanted something, especially if there's stuff on top of it. If I just needed transport I'd get one of those. But if I wanted a photo backpack that I may want to change lenses from or something, I'd probably get a dedicated bag. I'm near B&H so I guess I can just go look. F-stops look nice but are hella $$$. I've got an XT2, fuji 18-55, canon fd 300mm f/4 and 50mm f/1.8, and hoping to get a fuji 23mm f/2 WR soon.


Some of Patagonia's ski bags have back panel access
May 4 2018 12:45AM
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