Kiboko update

Back in August I wrote a long piece about my latest camera bag, the Gura Gear Kiboko. At that time I’d used it but not in any great anger or for an extended period of time. At the time I promised an update once I’d had the chance to put it through its paces. Well, that chance came the other week when I was asked to go on a two week trip for a film shoot.

With a large amount of gear to carry, including an EF500mm f/4L IS USM lens, that I wanted to get onto the plane as carry-on, the Kiboko was the bag of choice. I started packing my kit into it and like before, was amazed at how much went in there. I just seemed to keep adding kit and the bag didn’t seem to fill. 

Getting it onto the plane was the first task, but the check-in staff at BA didn’t even bat an eyelid. It is airline carry-on size, but the weight may have been an issue! With that done, it was down to two weeks of daily use. And it passed with flying colours! On one day I was in a safari vehicle and the butterfly opening proved its worth as I didn’t need to open a huge flap in confined space, I just lifted one side to access what I needed. 

The weight saving due to lightweight materials was certainly noticeable when trekking too, and the harness was as comfortable on long hikes as I’d hoped it may be.

Here is a kit list of what went in it – I’ve probably missed a couple of small items, but you should get an idea of the cavernous nature of the badg:

EOS 5D Mark II (x2)

EF16-35 f/2.8L

EF24-105 f/4L IS

EF70-200 f/4L IS

EF100mm f/2.8 Macro with tripod ring

EF1.4x II

EF500 f/4L IS

EF extension tubes

2x 580EX II

PocketWizard Mini TT1 and Flex TT5 (x2)

Hoodman HoodLoupe

Zoom H4n recorder and windscreen

TC-80N3

Lots of CF cards

Several spare LP-E6 batteries and AA batteries

First aid kit

Lee filter kit with polariser (105mm) and grads

Fader Vari ND

2x Gorillapods – Focus and SLR

Pocket reflector

Flash gels

Lens and sensor cleaning kits

LED torch

So, what are the views after two solid weeks of use? It is still my favourite bag for this kind of work when I don’t need a laptop with me. It’s proved itself comfortable, cavernous and durable. Is it perfect? Not quite. There are a couple of little things I’d change, but then that could easily be the subjectivity of the way I work and use my bags.

If you don’t believe how durable it is despite the light weight? Well, it’s certainly “Marmoset proof”!