Introducing the F-Stop Gear Lotus Core - Smaller Package, Same Awesomeness

As a photographer or filmmaker carrying your gear is something that gets talked about a lot. Just about every photographer I know has thoughts on what bag is the right bag, and no one ever seems to have a consensus on this. Needless to say this means that there are often a series of bags sitting gathering dust in our respective offices and studios, because no one has found the perfect bag.

Needless to say, a reliable and versatile camera bag, capable of safeguarding precious equipment while offering ease of access and comfort during long shoots is essential. For a long time I have used F-Stop Gear, which when they started, opened up a whole new category of camera-bag solutions with their separate internal compartments and rugged shells. It’s a formula that’s been much copied, and for good reason; because is works (you can read my thoughts on living and traveling with an F-Stop bag here).  

The Core with a Medium Slope and a Large accessory pouch.

I personally own a Sukha and a Tilopa (the older styles) and pretty much the full range of Internal Camera Units (ICU for short). One of these bags is always with me on a shoot, but I often find myself lamenting it’s size. The Lotus which has been a favourite among a plethora of action and mountain sports photographers was still too close to the Tilopa that I own to justify buying another bag. Enter F-Stop Gear’s new design; The Lotus Core.

The Lotus Core represents a significant advancement over its predecessor, the beloved Lotus bag, incorporating several enhancements and refinements similar to the upgrade that the larger Tilopa has received. Most important for a lot of photographers though, is its smaller design.

Although small, it's still capable of carrying enough kit for a day out shooting along with other necessary paraphernalia.

Design and Build Quality

One of the most noticeable improvements in the Lotus Core is its new materials to enhance durability and comfort. Water-resistant fabrics (their new water resistance DuraDiamond fabric)  and robust zippers with fold over skirting help the bag offer protection against the elements, so that your gear stays safe and secure even in inclement weather conditions. The ergonomic design and adjustable harness system guarantee optimal comfort, allowing photographers to carry their equipment with ease during extended shooting sessions. One of the things I really like about the F-Stop design is that they seem to fit taller photographers slightly better. A case in point is the diminutive Kashmir which fits me comfortably (I am 6ft), but also fits a female photographer I know who carries her gear in one and she’s closer to 5ft3.  
The Lotus Core becomes the smallest of the ‘Mountain Series’ bags. These bags all have more durable materials, with the bottom sections made of hypalon, which is the same material that rubber duck boats are made from. Basically the bottoms are virtually indestructible. These are bags that are made to last. Yet it’s still really light at 1.3kg.

I shouldn’t need to, but I’ll point out that the bag is very obviously airline carryon compatible. The whole point of the Lotus Core is that it is a tough, but small, carry anywhere camera backpack made with the same ethos and principle of all the F-Stop bags.

Accessibility and Convenience

Like all F-Stop bags the standout feature of the Lotus Core is its innovative Internal Camera Unit system, which allows photographers to seamlessly integrate removable camera inserts into the bag. This modular approach enables photographers to customize the bag according to their specific needs. You can max out on the camera carrying capability, or if you prefer a lighter setup for everyday use you can opt for a smaller ICU and give over space for clothing… or your lunchbox. Moreover, the bag's back and top-loading design and ensure convenient and dirt free access to gear. My biggest bugbear with conventional access designs is that the bags straps end up in the dirt. All of the the F-Stop bags have back panel access, meaning that the back of the back sits in the dirt, not you straps or any access point to the camera itself.

Like the rest if the F-Stop bag designs, the Core has a back panel access so that when you put your bag down to access gear, dirt doesn't get onto your straps or anywhere near the camera compartment for that matter.

Versatility and Storage Capacity

Critically, the Lotus Core is smaller and narrower than the original Lotus. The original had 32l capacity while the new Core is 28l. 4l makes a big difference. Some might bemoan a sudden lack of space, but if you are looking for a smaller, less conspicuous bag for street carry or quick shooting trips, the smaller bag makes sense. The Lotus and the Ajna are both larger bags, looking more similar to the Tilopa. My problem with these bags is that they have the thinner padding on the straps, which can make carrying all that kit a little uncomfortable. The Tilopa, Sukha and Shinn have thicker padding, so are more comfortable with heavy weigh, but that also makes them bulkier. My personal opinion is that the Lotus Core is the right size for quick shoots and lightweight carry.  

That’s not to say that the Core can’t fit a bunch of kit.  It’s optimised for the Medium Slope ICU. F-Stop themselves say that the Pro ICU’s aren’t compatible. However, a Large Pro ICU actually does fit, although it’s a tight fit. This means that you can use the bag purely for camera kit and stuff the Large Pro ICU full (and that takes a fair amount of gear…mine will swallow a Nikon D850, 70-200mm f2.8, 16-35mm f4, D780 with 40mm f2 and a Laowa 12mm along with a full 100mm square filter kit). At the back there’s also a padded slim compartment that will fit a 13in Macbook Pro.

The usual plethora of loops and and pockets means carrying a tripod and other paraphernalia is made simple. Additional gatekeeper straps can still be added if you really want to stretch the carrying capacity of the bag - but that’s not really what it’s for. If that’s the case plump for the Tilopa so you can carry the kitchen sink with you.
Ideal for Photographers who want a smaller more streamlined F-Stop.

To this day I find that the F-Stop tripod carrying solution is the best way to strap the tripod to the bag. the newer design also has locking clamps so that the straps don't lenghthen due to weight or friction.

The F-Stop Gear Lotus Core is ideally suited for photographers who prioritize mobility and versatility. I can see a lot of existing F-Stop bag users getting excited about getting a smaller bag to add to their F-Stop systems. At first glance this is not a cheap bag. In fact if you are starting with F-Stop system, it’s quite pricey. If on the other hand, you already have an F-Stop and want a smaller shell, then it suddenly becomes a very compelling purchase. As I mentioned, I have the full range of ICU’s and two of the larger shells. Adding a smaller shell makes a lot of sense for those times I don’t need to carry a large conspicuous bag. Think of it is a mini version of the existing big guns.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the F-Stop Gear Lotus Core is an excellent addition to the F-Stop lineup of bags. It’s perfect for photographers wanting a smaller bag, but with all the features of the larger Mountain Series F-Stop bags. This means it’s tougher than the Ultralight Series of bags (Kashmir, Guru and Loka), but only fractionally heavier. Having the water-resistant DuraDiamond fabric and hypalon bottoms makes a difference, that will allow photographers to abuse their bags that much more.

The Lotus Core shell sells for R7495 from both Nature's Light and LandscapeGear in South Africa. Combining the shell with a Medium Slope or Shallow ICU, rain cover and large Accessory Pouch tallies up to R10,895. You can contact Nature's Light to order any of the available F-Stop packs by emailing [email protected], or simply getting hold of us on +27845849959 (WhatsApp).