After the huge success of Nomatic McKinnon’s 25L, it was no surprise that Peter Mckinnon and Nomatic are teaming up again for a project—the Nomatic Luma Collection. The new line includes an 18L backpack and two sling bags in 12L and 9L sizes.
Their slogan is “Camera bags that don’t look like camera bags.” This is true, especially for the sling bags—partly from the design, but the stylish color selection helps, too.
The editorial staff chose the Nomatic McKinnon 25L as one of the best bags in our extensive review of camera backpacks. Let’s see if the Luma Collection can be a worthy successor.
I’ll go through the backpack and sling bags together, but I’ll score them separately at the end.
The backpack I have on me is in the color Rust, which has caught my eye during my tests on various shoots. First the unusual color caught the eye, then the design itself.
We are used to camera bags always being black and bulky, but the Luma’s slim design is great. At first, I was curious about the sling bags because, at first glance, true to the slogan, they really don’t look like camera bags. They look like soft coolers you take out to the park for a picnic, but instead of sandwiches, you find EVA-molded dividers.
There is not much difference between the two sling bags. The 12L has a padded strap, but the 9L doesn’t. And the 12L has a more special divider to shelve your gear because of the height of the bag.
The pivot rivet strap on the sides is a really good design but can cause some discomfort. But I’ll talk more about those later.
These bags are available in four colors. Three of these are very modern pastel colors (Rust, Sage, Stone), and the fourth is Black.
The nylon webbing that runs through each bag is a highly recognizable design element. This design serves a visual as well as functional purpose.
At first glance, the material of the bag may seem easily tearable, but this is not the case at all. The zippers are also very strong, instilling confidence that this bag will last a long time.
If you touch any part of the bag, you’ll feel the quality. And the sturdy metal frame gives the bag a rugged feel while its weight remains surprisingly light and portable.
The exterior of each bag is made of Durable 900D Polyester. This makes the bag not only strong but also waterproof.
For those who like bags that just stay clean on their own, this is not going to be their friend. The white neylon webbing gets dirty very quickly. This part is a bit harder to clean, but with a little detergent and rubbing, it can be made new again.
Thanks to the bright colour, the rest of the bag attracts dirt too, but you can easily sweep it off with your hands and make it clean again.
Both the backpack and the sling bags are waterproof. You don’t have to worry about the integrity of your gear in a small rainstorm, but for heavier downpours, you can buy the Nomatic Rainfly rain cover separately.
Inside the backpack, you’ll find a fine, soft Nylex material and EVA-molded dividers. The interior of the bag is greyish-black, but there is a touch of color on the back.
At the top of the back panel, we find minimalist branding. And underneath, we find a mesh fabric pocket section, which is the same color as the zipper threads on the bag.
The sling bags are also made with the same materials. The main compartment is the same soft Nylex material, the dividers are also EVA Molded, and you can also find the small mesh pockets with the YKK zippers in the top compartment.
The backpack strap is 900D durable polyester on the outside and breathable padding on the inside. It’s quite stiff to the touch, but when put on, it’s very comfortable. The back is the same material as the strap inside but much softer.
I have worn the bag for several hours and it felt comfortable the entire time. The strap of the 12L bag is nylon webbing, like the material on the front of the bag. Here, you’ll find a padded section that adds even more comfort.
The 9L also has the same material, but there is no padded section. This makes the bag slightly uncomfortable after a while. Also, the material is quite slippery, so you have to adjust the strap a lot when wearing it on your shoulder.
As much as I like the straps on the backpack, I don’t like them as much on the sling bags.
An example: for a shoot with smaller equipment requirements, I took the 12L sling bag with me. It was just a camera and two lens combo with an extra battery or two.
When I bent down to take a low angle shot, the bag stopped flattening against my back and started “flipping over” because of the rivet pivot strap.
The top of the bag came to my back and it looked like the bag was sticking out of it. This happened regularly
Even if you adjust it, it still feels like it wants to turn over after a while. I don’t really recommend carrying the bag on your back. Wearing the 9L version on your shoulder is more comfortable, but I recommend the 12L version because of the extra padding.
All the bag’s seams are very strong, except in a few places. However, at the end of the zipper handles and the nylon webbing, there were some areas that I couldn’t tell if they were design decisions or sewing errors.
The stitching on the zipper handles gives a slightly scrappy effect. It looks a bit like it has been re-sewn before. It’s a divisive design. If you like the grungy look you’ll like it, but it doesn’t really fit this minimalist, urban look.
The stitching on the nylon webbing on the front of the bag on the side was starting to come apart a bit. This is strange because you’ll find very solid seams and stitching everywhere else.
I am a big fan of the Nomatic dividers. I really like that we don’t get the usual tiny dividers but longer, bendable ones. This storage system allows us to create lots of combinations to store our devices.
All the bags I have used have used typical large, thick, soft dividers. This is different. The dividers are long, but not too thick. Nevertheless, they give an absolute feeling of security, and they feel very soft and pleasant to the touch, so I’m not afraid to put my lens back in the bag without the lens cap even if I’m in a rush.
When you reach inside, the laptop pocket feels padded. But I would have preferred to see the plush, soft material used for the small top pocket and the main compartment.
Every zipper on this bag is YKK brand, which is the highest-quality zipper you can use. They are strong and waterproof.
The only annoying issue I find with the zippers is that it’s difficult to distinguish which zipper is for the main compartment and which is for the laptop pocket. But this feels more like a personal shortcoming rather than Nomatic’s.
Compared to the original Peter McKinnon backpack, the new Luma is much smaller on the outside, but on the inside, it’s still just as roomy for our gear.
The 18L bag weighs 2.6lb (1.2kg) when empty, which is extremely light. But that’s to be expected. Compared to the original McKinnon bag, the new Luma Backpack is about two inches thinner, which is about 23% less.
That might not sound like a huge difference, but it is. And it’s an advantage in lots of situations! The slim design makes it easy to maneuver in crowded subways or narrow streets.
You won’t accidentally knock anyone or something over. And because of this slim design, the Luma has become my absolute go-to camera bag.
And if you want something smaller and lighter, the 12L sling bag weighs 2.6lb (1179g), the 9L bag weighs 1.6lb (726g).
The exterior of the 18L backpack is 18 inches tall, 11.5 inches wide, and 7 inches deep ( 45.7 x 29.2 x 17.8 cm). The interior is 16.5 inches tall, 10.5 inches wide, and 4.5 deep (41.9 x 26.7 x 11.4 cm)
The exterior of the 12L sling is 9.5 inches tall, 13 inches wide, and 6 inches deep ( 24.1 x 33 x 15.2 cm). The interior is 7 inches tall, 11.5 inches wide, and 5 deep (17.8 x 29.2 x 12.7 cm).
The exterior of the 9L sling is 7 inches tall, 13 inches wide, and 6 inches deep ( 17.8 x 33 x 15.2 cm). The interior is 5 inches tall, 11.5 inches wide, and 5 deep (12.7 x 29.2 x 12.7 cm)
The capacity of the backpack is 18L, which at first seems small, especially compared to the 25L of the original bag. But I never once felt it was too small during my entire test.
The main compartment is roomy, and the small additional pockets offer plenty of space. I can confidently say that it can handle almost any job.
The small top pocket is also quite big, although you can’t put very tall items in it, but you can fit a sd card holder for example.
I haven’t seen sling bags with so much space in a long time.
As I mentioned, I am a big fan of Nomatic dividers. When you open the backpack, you will find two compartments—a top shelf and a camera section.
Since each divider is movable and even removable, you can customize the layout to your liking.
The top shelf divider can even be lowered to give more space for everyday carry. This makes for a versatile bag that can adapt to any work or outing.
On the back of the bag, you’ll find three pockets separated by two zippers that open up two pockets—one at the top and a larger mesh pocket at the bottom.
The small top pocket is also very soft to the touch and can be used for a phone, AirPods, or accessories.
The only difference between the 12L and 9L sling, apart from the padded strap, is that the 12L is taller, so you get a shelf divider. This means that you can put it in a way that you can divide a section in half so you can stack your gear on top of each other. This is a clever solution that photographers will like.
Open it up, and you’ll also find a zipped pocket at the top for batteries and cables. There’s also a top pocket on the outside, which is quite roomy for its size.
You can access the backpack in three ways. The usual way for camera bags is by opening the back of the bag. On the top, you can access the top shelf, or you can access the cameras from the side with a pocket.
Both slings open from the top, which is the only access point, but you don’t need more than one in a sling bag.
In my opinion, a good camera sling allows you to access your valuable equipment by opening the back of the bag. That’s why I was glad that Nomatic chose this solution here.
An Airtag pocket would be a great feature to have, but unfortunately, it’s not part of the Luma line.
The zippers are strong and have a distinctive sound when they open. So if a pickpocket tried to open your sling, you’d almost definitely notice. I appreciate this a lot, as I don’t feel worried about the content of my bags.
Also, the magnetic insert is quite strong, so if you accidentally leave your zippers open, your gear won’t fall out immediately.
The backpack’s most interesting feature is the tripod holder. It comes with a fastening device that you can slip over the nylon webbing and connect.
From the bottom of the bag, you can crimp out a tripod leg holder and attach it to the top with the small tool.
Nomatic says it’s compatible with most tripod stands and generally holds two feet securely in the small pocket, which is plenty of room to carry your tripod safely.
There’s a water bottle/tripod holder pocket with this nylon webbing, so you can secure your stuff there, too. What I really liked about this holder is that it’s not velcroed or zipped. And thanks to the magnetic pocket, we can simply close it when not in use.
The Camera Pack also has a laptop sleeve on the back that’s padded enough to hold a 16-inch 2022 MacBook, but there isn’t a separate tablet holder.
This magnet is also found on the sling bags and is probably their best feature. The top of the bag can be zipped fully closed, but the magnets hold it firmly, which is super convenient for quick unpacking on a film set.
Although the backpack is rather spacious, as I mentioned, I can only recommend it for smaller cameras confidently. If you have a full-frame setup, you may need something bigger because it may not fit all the lenses.
The same goes for the sling bags. The 9L can be enough for a small hike, but if you want to take more lenses with you, the 12L is a better choice.
For a test, I took a Sony FX30 with me. My lenses were a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 and a Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8, and I threw in a Sigma 16mm f/1.4 lens a couple of times.
These are famously small lenses, except maybe the 16mm. So there was plenty of room even for microphones and filters.
The Sony was outfitted with the SmallRig cage, and it still fits in there. I also put the top handle in the small top compartment.
On one shoot, I was able to comfortably fit a DJI Mavic 2 Pro with four extra batteries, a remote, and a charger.
I would venture to say that a DSLR camera with multiple lenses could fit, but this would require some creative organization.
The sling bags, especially the 12L, also offer a surprising amount of space. The Sony FX30 and 18-50 combo fit in here, along with a DJI Wireless Mic.
For “run and gun” reporting, it could be perfect. Especially if you hang up a small bouncer with your little tripod mount rope. (Not included with the sling.)
The 9L can be a perfect choice for hikes and city trips… if you can live with the odd carrying strap.
The back of the backpack has a suitcase handle sleep that allows you to easily attach the bag to the handle of your suitcase for longer trips.
There is also a handle on top of the bag, so you can carry it in your hand with ease. Unfortunately, there are none on the sides or bottom. We can also carry the sling by hand with the handle on the back, which is also the luggage pass-thru.
Each sling has a handle on the side of the bag. This can be suitable for hand-carrying, although it does make the bag look a bit odd, but it is also a luggage pass-thru.
The backpack did not disappoint. For the price, you get a sturdy, waterproof, yet lightweight and slim bag that can be a good companion for the long haul.
If you leave aside the odd stitching and sewing, you get a stylish, modern, roomy bag for your gear.
I can’t say the same about the sling bags, though–or at least not at this price point. They are cumbersome to carry, and the 9L could even be described as uncomfortable in the long run.
I can’t fault the quality, only the design of the bag. It’s not the look but the wearing that makes it inconvenient. The sling bags may be a good choice for those who like to carry these bags on their shoulders and don’t usually sling them over their back.
The Luma collection comes with a 10-year warranty. It is not a lifetime warranty, but it is a rather generous one. In 10 years, you’ll see many new cameras, lenses, and other accessories in these bags, which will push the materials to the limit.
I couldn’t find out much about Nomatic’s sustainability approach. What I did find, however, is that all Nomatic products are made from synthetic materials, making sure that no animal is harmed in the process.
While the original NOMATIC wallet features a leather pull tab, the V2 line offers an alternative with pull tabs made from synthetic materials.
If you’re looking for a roll-top camera backpack, we love the Wandrd Prvke. It has excellent weatherproofing and is one of the best bags in terms of versatility, access, and capacity.
It’s also simple to turn it into a non-camera day bag. And it has the flexibility of different sizes of camera cubes. They feature excellent-quality padding and a good range of dividers.
The camera cube can be used as a standalone bag. But the bag also features easy side access. Impressive. In fact, I’ve just taken it on a two-week holiday with me. And I like it even more now.
The Freeline BP 350 AW is a great choice if you’re looking for something slightly bigger. The extra size and space allow you to use it for longer trips
But it’s also a great day bag, thanks to its functionality and protection. It’s sleek and stylish, too.
One of Lowepro Freeline’s biggest selling points is its side-access points. They are some of the best we’ve experienced. It’s easy to get your camera in and out because they are wide and spacious.
There’s a small padded pouch at the bottom of the bag. This is a handy place to store a camera and other small accessories. You can even remove it and wear it as a sling bag for impressive versatility.
Excellent external materials are complemented by plenty of padding on the inside to keep your gear safe. It’s even big enough to take full frame cameras with battery packs attached, so size is no issue.
These are some of the many reasons we highly recommend the Freeline. It’s beautifully made and sure to last well.
The Gura Gear Kiboko City Commuter 18L+ camera backpack is a product of photographers’ insights. And it’s an ideal travel companion.
It’s lightweight, made from high-tech weatherproof materials, and offers superior protection for camera gear. It’s designed to accommodate mirrorless cameras but can also fit a full-frame DSLR.
This backpack is not just about protection. It’s also about convenience and organization. It has various dividers, allowing you to customize the interior space according to your needs.
It also features a laptop and tablet section. Both are padded for extra protection.
But the Gura Gear Kiboko City Commuter isn’t just about functionality. It’s about responsibility, too. The main component, the external fabric, is produced in a carbon-neutral factory, making it a great choice for the eco-conscious photographer.
But, like most products, it’s not perfect. Some may find its design a bit mundane.
Also, accessing the main flap requires removing the bag, which can be inconvenient for some. But these are minor issues and don’t overshadow its overall performance.
When scoring, I don’t evaluate the collection as a whole, but the products individually. Starting with the Nomatic Luma Camera Pack 18L:
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As I said before, the sling didn’t become my personal favorite, but I can’t give them a bad score because every part of them shows that they’ve been thought about and are of very good quality.
The 12L Sling still has some creativity with the shelf divider and the padded strap.
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I recommend trying the 9L Sling Bag in person before making a purchase. Its lack of a padded strap and slippery material (which sometimes makes you feel really uncomfortable when it touches your neck) don’t allow for long-term wear in my experience.
But if you carry it on your shoulders, it can be a pretty good companion for some urban photography.
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