A Multi-Functional Working Photographer’s Camera Bag: Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader Review

While most camera bag manufacturers are focused on making the ideal carrying solutions for travelers, this transforming camera backpack from Manfrotto seems to have the working professionals in mind.

In recent years, the goal for any camera bag brand has been to produce the thinnest and most portable camera bag that will make traveling with your camera gear as easy as possible. And let’s face it, a lot of these have been possible because camera gear has also been getting more and more portable. However, if you’re a professional who isn’t necessarily going on a long trip but instead needs a bag that can carry everything you need in the most efficient way, this variant of the Manfrotto Pro Light camera backpack might be an option for you.

The Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader

The Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader is a 26-liter backpack with highly customizable compartments housed in a ripstop nylon shell with probably the most number of access points you’ll ever see on a camera backpack. The exterior is covered by a dark grey moisture-resistant surface that gives the Manfrotto Pro Light series its unique look. This bag is equipped with a number of mounting options for the carrying (shoulder) strap and the many options for accessory straps.

On the upper front part of the bag is the top compartment that has its own zippered access door. This compartment by default comes with a Velcro-mounted divider that separates it from the rest of the main compartment. With the top divider, the top compartment can fit a full frame camera and 1-2 standard-sized lenses. If the divider is removed or partially opened, the top compartment opens up to the entire main compartment as another point of access.

The three other access points all open into the main compartment as alternative options to each other. The left side access opens the flap halfway from the bottom to reveal the nearest piece of gear placed on that side while the upper part is lined with another small zippered accessory pocket. The right side opens wider almost entirely to reveal the entire side of the compartment. All-in-all, the main compartment can hold 1-2 full frame camera bodies and 4-6 standard-sized lenses depending on arrangement.

Both side flaps are lined with flex pockets that can be used for slim tripods and/or water bottles. Each corner of the side surfaces are attachment points for the straps. Close to the top corner of the right side is a built-in TSA-approved lock with a flexible steel loop that connects to the loops of each of the zippers for reinforced safety.

Attachment Points and Straps

The front surface of the backpack is lined by a zipper that continues from the zippers of the side doors. This means that once the zipper stoppers are disengaged, the entire main compartment can actually be fully exposed from three sides. The front flap, of course, covers the largest surface of the main compartment and is best to be accessed for when the bag is set down. The front surface of the flap is equipped with four accessory loops with red accents. Right below the top right accessory loop is a small zippered pocket for small accessories such as keys, pocket tools, or even a small wallet. On the inner surface of the front flap are two semi-flexible pockets for accessories like batteries or filters.

Right behind the zipper of the top compartment is another zippered access for the rear laptop compartment. This laptop sleeve was made for 15-inch laptops, as the spec sheets suggest; however, some 16-inch laptops can actually fit (my ProArt Studiobook 16 fits with extra room).

Right behind the laptop compartment is a ladder of loops where the thick-padded shoulder straps connect. There are three height options to choose from depending on the user’s height and comfort preferences. These attachment loops are partially covered by considerably thick padding that doubles both as a strap keeper sleeve for when the user prefers alternative carrying modes, and additional back padding for comfort. Each shoulder strap comes with two sets of chest straps for better fitting. Below the thick rear panel are two thin waist straps that are by default stored vertically with an elastic loop. This optional waist belt does not detach entirely but is thin enough for it not to be an obstruction when not in use.

Carrying Configurations

In addition to the multiple access points, the reason why this backpack is called the Pro Light Multiloader is because of the multiple options of carrying styles. By default, it is a backpack with two shoulder straps connected on the top rear attachment points and the rear corner attachment points. However, when one of the straps is removed (stored inside the bag or left elsewhere), the remaining shoulder strap can be reconfigured for other carrying styles.

When connected to one shoulder attachment point and the bottom attachment point of the opposite side, the bag can be worn as a crossbody sling bag. However, because this is a 26-liter bag, it can only be carried comfortably this way if not entirely loaded with heavy gear.

Alternatively, when the strap is moved from the top-rear attachment point onto the top-side attachment point and the other end on the front-bottom corner attachment point, the bag can be worn as a loose shoulder bag or a duffel bag depending on the strap length. Carrying the bag this way provides the easiest access to the side access points. When the upper end of the strap is connected to the contralateral side’s shoulder attachment points, the bag in duffel mode can actually be opened from the front access door without setting the bag down.

Application and User Experience

Off the bat, the Pro Light Multiloader offers quite an impressive use of the 26-liter capacity. Because of the fully customizable divider system, the user can either designate the top compartment for smaller personal items or use the entire volume of the bag for camera gear. When maxed out, the bag can carry up to 3 camera bodies and 6 lenses depending on the size and mounting arrangement. This is in addition to a number of accessory pockets and the large padded laptop sleeve.

Given the entire capacity, the configuration of the bag and its access points makes it viable as either a bag that is set down at a designated space to hold all the gear or as a bag that is constantly carried by the photographer while moving about a shoot location. The different access point options allow the user to strategically place pieces of gear that might be needed quickly and even reach for a camera or a lens on the sides without having to set the bag down, unlike how one would have to do with a bag with a rear access point.

The various possible ways to carry the bag are also an impressive convenience factor; however, since it mainly makes use of the padded straps optimized for using it as a backpack, the contour of the strap may not be the most ideal for carrying the bag as a sling or as a duffel bag. It might have been better if there were alternative straps as well for the different carrying configurations of the bag. While the rear surface provides a considerable amount of comfort through the thick padding, this additional layer that doubles as padding and as a strap storage sleeve contributes a lot to the overall bulk of the bag. Personally, for the sake of a more sleek design and generally for the sake of reducing the bulk, the rear padding could have been reduced.

Overall, while the Manfrotto Pro Light Multiloader may not be the thinnest option, it certainly offers convenient carrying options that will allow the user to be more versatile while shooting on-the-go. Depending on their workflow and the strategic placement of their gear, using this bag can certainly allow a working photographer to have more seamless movements even while adapting to the challenges of a shoot.

What I Liked

• Minimalist design
• Multiple access points
• Modular carrying configurations

What I Didn’t Like

• Thick rear panel
• Strap contour can be awkward for alternative carrying options