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f-stop Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond: Two-minute review
There are typically two types of outdoor backpacks for photographers: those that follow a traditional photography backpack design and those that are based on hiking backpacks and feature a modular ICU (internal camera unit) design where you can customize the camera storage within the bag. The f-stop Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond is a high-end modular bag that fits into the latter camp and is designed specifically for outdoor photographers like me, for whom it’s one of the best camera bags available.
The f-stop Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond has been available for a few years and is a newer, tougher version of the original Tilopa. It’s a large bag with a 50-liter capacity, and this can be paired with large ICUs for carrying mostly camera gear alongside other items in the additional compartments, or with a smaller ICU for less photo gear and lots of outdoor kit including camping equipment for a one- or two-night wild camping trip.
This cavernous bag is built to an incredibly high standard and it’s versatile too – as well as offering compatibility with f-stop ICUs, there are lots of pockets and compartments to store your essentials, including space for a three-liter hydration bladder and up to a 16-inch laptop. The bag also features an internal frame like traditional hiking backpacks alongside being made of tough waterproof material.
I’ve been an outdoors photographer for more years than I can count, exploring tough terrains in inclement weather, and the f-stop Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond has been a reliable and versatile backpack throughout. It might cost a lot, but for me its decent value given the years of service.
f-stop Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond: price and availability
- Several kit options
- Available in three colors
- Available direct and from third parties
The f-stop Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond has been available for years directly from the f-stop website, Amazon and other online retailers. Pricing on the f-stop website is in US Dollars and Euros, with the bag coming in three colors: Anthracite Black, Cypress Green and Magma Red. You can purchase the pack/bag only, which is ideal if you already own f-stop ICUs, or in three bundles which include Essentials, Elite and Master. You can, alternatively, buy the pack/bag only and purchase the desired ICU separately.
The pack Only costs $399.99 / €399.99, while the Essentials bundle costs $499.99 / €499.99 and also includes a Pro Large ICU, Gatekeeper Straps and Large Rain Cover. Step up from Essentials to the Elite bundle ($579.99 / €579.99) and you’ll also get a Shallow Small ICU, while the Master bundle costs $769.99 / €769.99 and further adds a Slope Medium ICU, Large Accessory Pouch and Packing Cell Kit.
Mindshift Backlight 26L: specs
|
Capacity |
50L |
|
Weight |
4.2lbs / 1.9kg (empty with no ICU) |
|
Laptop sleeve |
Yes, up to 16-inch models |
f-stop Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond: design
- Extremely comfortable
- Built for the outdoors
- Modular design
The f-stop Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond is a modular backpack so you can change the ICUs depending on your photography needs. There are also lots of additional accessories available including packing cells, straps and accessory pouches, so you can build the perfect bag system for you and your outdoor photographic adventures.
This is a large backpack – not the largest f-stop option available, but at 50 liters the Tilopa has a huge amount of storage space on offer. Just to give you an idea of its dimensions, the bag is 62.3 x 34.8 x 24.4cm / 24.5 x 13.7 x 11.1in with an empty weight of 4.2lb / 1.9kg.
That empty weight is as heavy as some traditional outdoor backpacks that are half the capacity of the Tilopa with fixed camera compartments, but obviously increases depending on what ICUs you’re using; they don’t weigh much, but the Pro Large I tend to use weighs 1.71 lbs / 0.76 kgs.
When you consider the weight in this context, the Tilopa is lightweight given the capacity of the bag. The overall capacity is obviously fixed, but you can extend the amount of additional space for personal/outdoor items by using smaller ICUs. There are also pockets in the lid of the bag and on the sides with one able to accommodate a three-liter hydration bladder, complete with a guarded hole for the tube to maintain water resistance.
There’s also a large front pocket on the bag with further compartments in the flap; this is quite large and can hold a wide range of items including a jacket. There’s a slot to accommodate a 16-inch laptop in the padded rear-entry back panel as well as two larger pockets and four memory card slots that secure magnetically.
On the front of the bag, there are attachments for two walking poles or ice axes as well as the ability to carry a tripod on the front or sides of the bag. There are also pockets and netted straps on the waist belt and shoulder straps, while there are plenty of loops for attaching straps to carry items such as a tent outside of the bag.
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The build quality of the bag is excellent and the proprietary DuraDiamond material is both extremely tough and also water-resistant. Tougher Hypalon material is used as reinforcement in a few areas where additional strength is required and the large and comfortable-to-use zippers feature weatherproofing to keep moisture out.
On the inside, the Tilopa features an aluminum frame like traditional hiking backpacks to add rigidity and comfort. This, I have to say helps to make the Tilopa incredibly comfortable to wear.
For the purposes of this test, I paired the Tilopa with the Pro Large ICU which provided enough storage for my standard kit; two full-frame camera bodies with 70-200mm f/4 and 16-35mm f/2.8 lenses attached, a third lens, square filters, shutter remotes and lens cleaning accessories. It could be reconfigured to carry more if lenses weren’t attached to the camera bodies, but this is a setup that works perfectly for me.
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The only negative with the Tilopa is that it doesn’t have a pouch/pocket that can carry a water bottle, like the side pouches on the smaller 37-liter f-stop Ajna. It’s not the end of the world because you can put a bottle in the main front pocket, and one of the side pockets is designed to be used with a hydration bladder. You can also purchase the Mano Water Bottle Pouch separately and this will carry a 17 fl oz / 500ml bottle.
One of my favourite features of the bag, alongside the versatility of the ICUs and its comfort in use, is that you can access gear without fully removing the bag and putting it down on the ground. This is ideal when shooting in water or muddy locations. To do this, you simply remove the shoulder straps and rotate the Tilopa to your front with the waistbelt in use. This allows you to access your kit via the rear panel – perfect for outdoor photography.
Should I buy the f-stop Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
How I tested the f-stop Tilopa 50L DuraDiamond
- Long term review based on several years hands-on use
- All features tested
- Used in outdoor locations, including mountains and coast
I’ve owned the f-stop Tilopa for several years and use it either when I’m on a wild camping photography trip or when I need to carry more kit alongside outdoor gear. The Tilopa has been tested over an extended period where all of its strengths and weaknesses have been exposed, and it has been used in all weather conditions in the hills, mountains and at the coast. While the Tilopa would function perfectly in urban environments, I typically use lower-capacity backpacks in the city.
First reviewed March 2025
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