There have been a couple of landmark moments in my life: assembly my spouse and lady of my desires, the beginning of my youngsters, the Bulldogs’ grand ultimate victory in 2016 (it’s an Australian factor), and my first Wotancraft bag.
Okay, the final one could also be an exaggeration, even for a digicam bag fanatic like myself. What I’m attempting to say is that Wotancraft luggage are the sort of luggage that you simply keep in mind. They’re premium digicam luggage, and people who have them, love them.
It’s been some time since I final reviewed a Wotancraft bag, however I’ve the most recent Wotancraft Scout in my arms and a chance to place my ideas on paper. It’s a bag that Wotancraft calls the “New Metropolis Explorer” – a messenger-style digicam/laptop computer bag, and model 3 of the unique Scout that was launched ten years in the past.
Extremely Really useful
Tremendous-durable, trendy, and providing easy accessibility to your gear, this can be a versatile messenger you should use every single day.
Backpacks are extra commonplace for photographers, however I’m nonetheless an enormous fan of digicam messengers. They pressure you to go lighter than typical.
For those who’ve ever gone out for a photograph session and found you didn’t use many of the gear you introduced alongside, that’s the scenario I’m speaking about.
A messenger doesn’t give you that luxurious of carrying digicam gear simply in case you want it. As an alternative, it forces you to consider what you wish to {photograph} and the way you propose on doing it earlier than you enterprise out.
So, if the thought of buying and selling in your backpack for a messenger or including a messenger to your bag assortment looks like a good suggestion, learn on.
Wotancraft Scout Specs
- High quality of building and materials
- Gentle weight
- Aesthetics
- Customisation with inner modules
- No tripod holder
- No water bottle holder
- Inner pouches not included
- Capability: 9L
- Exterior: 35 x 27 x 12cm (W x H x D)
- Predominant Compartment: 34 x 24.5 x 11cm (W x H x D)
- Laptop computer Compartment: 32 x 24cm (W x H)
- Entrance Pockets x 2: 12.5 x 16 x 2cm (W x H x D)
- Again Zipper Pocket: 30 x 16.5cm (W x H)
- Baggage Strap Opening: 21cm
- Weight: 1250g
- Content material: Scout Bag x 1
- Shoulder Strap + Padding x 1
- Divider (L) x 1
- Divider with Lid (L) x 2
Construct & Look
The bag is an efficient measurement and never too massive for carrying on brief hikes.
Like the whole lot else from Wotancraft, the Scout digicam bag incorporates a design with a WWII classic aesthetic.
Nonetheless, anybody who has owned or used a Wotancraft will know that while the luggage are classic, the standard and supplies are something however.
The Wotancraft Scout is offered in both olive inexperienced or charcoal black Cordura 500D with leather-based accents. The charcoal black has black leather-based accents, whereas the olive inexperienced has brown leather-based.
The unique Wotancraft Scout was waxed canvas. Wotancraft upgraded it to Cordura with V2 (in round 2014), so there was no must improve the fabric with this mannequin. That mentioned, it’s nonetheless lighter than the mannequin it supersedes.
The Wotancraft Scout is a handsome bag, aesthetically talking. I like that the aesthetics of the model are distinctive and unmistakenly Wotancraft.
Wotancraft maintains the purist strategy, which is refreshing. Black is extra suited to an on a regular basis carry bag (EDC) for work, however each colors look equally good.
The finger loop design discovered on the flaps and exterior pockets makes it simple to shut them with out placing stress on the contents of the bag.
Your Wotancraft expertise sometimes begins with an unbagging, as Wotancraft provides their luggage in a stunning cotton bag that’s nice for defense whereas in storage.
Though I’m not 100% positive why, the Wotancraft Scout feels a bit lighter than it’s. Wotancraft lists a weight of 1.25 kg with out dividers, however the bag feels considerably lighter than the ONA Prince leather-based version, which supposedly solely weighs 150 grams extra.
The standard of the fabric and building on the Wotancraft Scout is excellent, as you’d count on in a premium bag. I inspected it in a good quantity of element, and it’s onerous to search out something to nitpick.
All the pieces from the studs used, to the buckles, leather-based high quality, and padding on the bag is just impeccable and ties in properly with the bag’s aesthetics.
The studs have a distressed high quality that matches the metals and the leather-based.
Exterior Options
All fittings are top quality as you’d count on for a bag of this sort.
The outside traces of the Scout are clear, however I believe that fits the type of the bag.
The Wotancraft Scout is an on a regular basis bag greater than a devoted images bag. In consequence, some stuff you would take with no consideration on a full-time images bag don’t exist on the Wotancraft.
It’s lacking a tripod holder; nevertheless, it’s not necessary on an on a regular basis bag as many customers gained’t want it. I had one on my earlier on a regular basis bag and it’s by no means been used.
A big flap protects the digicam bag from the weather and makes it more durable for prying arms to entry the contents. It covers all entry factors, apart from a small rear pocket sometimes positioned in opposition to the physique.
The flaps have a novel loop closure design that makes them simple to lock with out placing stress on the bag’s contents. I just like the design and need extra luggage integrated it. The 40-degree entrance opening makes it simpler to identify, entry and retailer your gear in the principle compartment.
On the rear of the bag, there’s a zippered pocket. It presents an easy accessibility level suited to passports or different objects that require quick entry. Wotancraft signifies it’s massive sufficient for a 9.7″ iPad.
The rear pocket is simply too small for an iPad however ought to match an iPad mini with out issues.
You’ll discover two exterior pockets on the entrance, which have the identical type of closures as the principle flap. They’re sizeable and would match an LED mild however not a full-sized Speedlight like a Godox V860. (The Godox V860 suits within the pocket, however you’ll be able to’t shut the flap.)
Neither of the pockets has any pen holders or the myriad of different pockets and hooks that some digicam luggage embody. I can’t think about this can be a showstopper for anybody, however it’s value noting in case it’s.
The entrance pockets observe the identical finger loop closure design because the flap.
The Scout digicam bag has a carry deal with, though I might class this as solely suited to short-term carrying. It’s padded however not extensively, neither is it ergonomically formed. In consequence, it’s not appropriate for prolonged durations.
There isn’t any water bottle pocket, which is likely to be a deal-breaker for some. Nonetheless, Wotancraft has included a loop below one of many shoulder strap attachment factors, which is able to enable a water bottle to be connected.
Inside Options
The inside digicam compartment is sizeable and suits a gripped full-frame mirrorless digicam. The pockets are deep sufficient for skilled full-frame lenses. The lens within the high proper is an 85mm f/1.4 and it nonetheless has loads of house on high.
The inside of the Wotancraft Scout is mild on options merely as a result of minimalist type of the bag. There’s a laptop computer part that can match a 13″ Macbook Professional or different 13″ laptops. The laptop computer space is padded sufficiently to guard the laptop computer from knocks.
Other than that, you even have the inside digicam gear space. In contrast to some earlier Wotancraft digicam luggage, this isn’t a separate insert. As an alternative, the dividers connect on to the bag itself.
Wotancraft consists of three dividers, two of that are folding designs permitting you to stack extra lenses on high.
As talked about beforehand, the standard of the dividers is superb. These have the same divider type to Shimoda’s – a thinner, high-density foam design. I want this over ONA’s type, which frays over time and appears extra tattered after prolonged use.
Whereas the inside could appear naked, it comes into its personal once you add inner modules masking the whole lot from cable administration to coin pouches. The divider-ready velcro inside makes use of the identical velcro for attaching modules.
Wotancraft gives modules with particular functions in thoughts, together with modules for managing digicam batteries and SD playing cards, or carrying laptop computer chargers and cables. There are additionally pouches for carrying cash or telephones.
You may also use the exterior pockets for organising content material, so should you’re carrying one thing like a laptop computer charger and mouse, these will match within the entrance pockets of the digicam bag.
Storage Capability
The Wotancraft Scout has sufficient storage for on a regular basis carry necessities.
The storage capability of the Wotancraft Scout is what I might classify as mid-tier for a digicam bag of this type. The bag can maintain a professional physique and three mid-size professional lenses like an 85mm f/1.4.
For those who carry a smaller physique and lenses, like an APSC physique or f/1.8 lenses, it might be potential to take 5 lenses should you stack them, though I wouldn’t suggest this.
It’ll carry a 13″ laptop computer, some equipment within the entrance pockets, and a ten″ iPad within the rear pocket.
Wotancraft says it suits a ten″, however it’s extra suited to an iPad Mini than an iPad. In case you have a bigger than 10″ iPad, it must be an iPad or laptop computer except you propose on dropping the digicam part of your bag.
The laptop computer pocket is tight with a 13″ MacBook Professional or HP Dragonfly, so I don’t assume it would match a 14″ Macbook Professional, however I didn’t have one readily available to check.
Storage isn’t extraordinary from a capability perspective, however this isn’t a devoted digicam bag; it’s an on a regular basis bag with the flexibility to hold a digicam. Overloading a bag every single day will lead to long-term discomfort.
Ease of Use/Consolation
The strap has studs making it simple to take away or regulate when required. The neoprene padded design ensures that the padding grips your shoulder and doesn’t slip.
The character of a messenger is that ease of use improves and luxury decreases barely. Sadly, it’s the value you pay for simple entry to your gear.
Wotancraft has completed a couple of issues to enhance the bag’s usability. The loop design of the fasteners on each the bag flap and the entrance pockets is implausible. The flap takes a short while for the leather-based to melt, which is typical for leather-based.
Wotancraft has additionally offered an extra laptop computer entry level straight above the laptop computer pocket. The extra entry level ensures customers don’t should unzip the entire compartment and develop the inside to entry the laptop computer compartment.
One characteristic Wotancraft added with the V3 is a baggage pass-through. It’s a necessary characteristic for an on a regular basis bag should you do airport journey.
From a consolation perspective, the strap is superb. Padding is smooth and cozy however has enough grip to forestall it from sliding round. It gained’t match a backpack however it’s nice for a digicam bag of this sort.
Options
Wotancraft sells extra inside modules which can be suitable throughout the bag vary. These inner modules are from my Wotancraft Lighting Rider. They velcro to the inside of the bag.
Relating to messengers, there aren’t numerous alternate options in the identical class or high quality.
- The ONA Brixton is priced round $50 extra for the canvas bag. Nonetheless, the standard of building and supplies on the Wotancraft is best. The ONA can be extra a digicam bag than an on a regular basis bag.
- The Peak Design On a regular basis Messenger is round $50 cheaper. It beats the Wotancraft Scout on options, however the design is extra prone to date. I additionally really feel that Wotancraft has much more sturdy building and gained’t present the identical diploma of wear and tear and tear.
- The ThinkTank Retrospective 30 V2 is nearer in retro aesthetics and round $80 cheaper however doesn’t match the development or supplies, with waxed canvas as a substitute of Cordura. It additionally falls into being extra of a digicam bag than an on a regular basis bag. So, this selection could also be extra suited to somebody on a decent finances.
Worth for Cash
The entrance pockets can match a full-sized Speedlight and water bottle however this can pose some challenges in closing the bag. The dearth of a water bottle holder could also be a deal-breaker for some.
They are saying you get what you pay for, and within the case of the Wotancraft Scout, that’s true. The Wotancraft Scout isn’t low-cost, however it’s an amazing high quality bag.
With a worth of US$299, it’s priced marginally greater than different luggage – however it’s not unreasonable. It’s on a par with what I might count on from a superb premium bag.
The sturdiness of the bag will see it outliving many different premium digicam luggage in the identical worth vary and one has to think about this when evaluating pricing.
It’s vital to notice that the interior modules aren’t included within the bag price. These should be chosen at an added price.
Wotancraft Scout Overview | Conclusion
The Scout isn’t my first journey with Wotancraft. My Wotancraft Nomad, for instance, is my first alternative of a backpack when I’m out with digicam gear.
Reviewing the Scout additionally hasn’t modified my view of Wotancraft. As an alternative, it’s strengthened the attitude that their success isn’t an accident.
Wotancraft continues to have a powerful following as a result of they don’t compromise on their luggage’ high quality and keep true to their design aesthetics.
This isn’t simply my opinion. For those who take a look at Wotancraft digicam bag critiques, there are only a few detrimental ones. That in itself ought to inform you one thing.
I like that Wotancrafts designs are completely different. They’re not attempting to be anybody besides Wotancraft. In a world the place imitatin is commonplace, being unique is an admirable trait.
Extremely Really useful
Tremendous-durable, trendy, and providing easy accessibility to your gear, this can be a versatile messenger you should use every single day.
