There is quite a debate going in the photographic community, which one is more comfy: back packs or shoulder bags. This has been going on every since I can remember and talking strictly from a functional perspective I can see pluses and minuses for both. (if you base your decision on style, which is perfectly ok, then this will not matter to you). Shoulder bags have the benefit of easy access to your gear, while backpacks are easy to carry around. But what if you could have both. Paxis has a nice nifty bag that does some which is as close as it gets.
Paxis bags are backpakcs built in two parts. The top part is similar to any other top part you would expect from a backpack. It is the bottom part that is most interesting.
The bottom part is a small pouch which is usually tacked in just under the top part, making this an ordinary bag. But, it can also swivel forward via a mechanical arm to create a small drawer or sorts that is just right in front of you. I think that a photo will illustrate that best: Here is an top view of the same procedure:
This is not the first bag to offer a moving bottom compartment, both mindshift gear and Thinktank photo have a rotation line, but both have it as kind of a separate pouch, rather than an integral part of the bag. The full bag is 18’’ x 12’’ x 7’’ and the small movable pouch is 11’’ W x 4’’ H x 5.5’’ D. The small pouch supports up to 5 lbs, which is not enough to for a D1 with a 80-200, but will accommodate smaller cameras. I can see how small camera owners who go on field trips will love this one.
