The moment I unpacked this photo backpack and unzipped the main flap, I had a sense of déjà vu. I’d seen this bag before.

Then I took a look at my Think Tank Photo StreetWalker and realized where I’d seen this design. 

​The new TrailScape largely mimics the interior of the StreetWalker, or perhaps more correctly the StreetWalker Pro, since the dimensions more closely match that pack. But there are substantive differences. What are they? Read on.

The TrailScape – On the Outside
Gone are the two zippered side pockets found on the StreetWalker. They are wisely replaced by two roomier stretch pockets. Granted, some may lament the loss of these zip pockets, but I always found them a bit too cramped for my taste.
 
Instead, you now have room for a 32-oz. Nalgene water bottle on one side, counterbalanced by your tripod snugly secured by compression straps, with two feet (spikes retracted) resting inside the opposite stretch pocket.
 
On the front, there is a very spacious pocket that will hold a 13” laptop and a 10” tablet, not that I ever carry either into the field. But I do make use of these sleeves for maps, pads, and various accessories. There are also organizer pockets in this section.
 
In front of this large pocket sits another pocket, diminutive by comparison, designed to carry your sunglasses, with a very softly textured fabric lining that shouldn’t scratch. I’ve got a pair of those sunglasses that are so bulbous when closed that they require a custom case. They fit here. But I was so afraid they’d get crushed at some point, that I removed them and put them back in their hard case. In their place went my Giotto’s rocket blower.
 
The zippers run very smoothly. However, I would have preferred contrasting colors for the zipper pulls on the front pocket. Yes, the zip pulls, which are designed to be easily handled with gloves, are smaller on the pocket. But I did manage to grab them by accident. So my solution was to rest them on the side, with the main zips up top. Problem solved.
 
Because this is a trail pack, in contrast to the zips on the StreetWalker, the zippers are not interlocking (for the purpose of inserting a TSA lock). Besides, locking a bag only makes it that much more tempting to those looking to steal it.
 
There are four lash points on the front of the bag, but you’ll have to supply your own rope or bungee cord. If you need to carry stuff inside the front pocket to keep it safe from the elements, you can lash a jacket to the front of the bag. I keep a light jacket inside this pocket.
 
There’s a carrying handle on top – more of a strap, really, coming to rest on the back of the pack. While not nearly as substantial as the one on the StreetWalker, such straps have been used on other packs (I believe also from MindShift or Think Tank), and I’ve never known them to fail. Besides, in contrast to that other bag, this handle doesn’t add to the height of the bag – which could make a difference when you’re trying to squeeze into a tight overhead bin or under a seat. (By the way, if you’re going to carry the pack for any distance, by any means other than fully on your back with both straps, use one of the shoulder straps, not the carrying handle.)

​On the Inside
This pack is not nearly as deep as even the original StreetWalker. What does that mean? Forget about carrying a pro-grip camera, unless you insert it face-up sans lens. That said, my Nikon D610 rides much more secure in this bag, because it’s less of a bouncy house (although, I must admit, I always secure the camera with a Velcro band over the dividers or I’ll seat another divider over the lens for a snug fit).
 
There are plenty of padded dividers. As is, this pack is fitted for a slew of lenses, accessories, and a flash. My dividers never sit in one place for very long, however. That’s the beauty of a customizable system.
 
There are also two mesh pockets inside the front lid for small, chiefly flat items.
 
In Use
The first thing I have to comment on is the backpack harness system and airflow/lumbar padding. In a trail pack, this is of utmost importance for your comfort and safety during long treks, especially over arduous terrain. While this pack is not meant for such outings, by its very nature, still, it’s comforting to know it will stand the test.
 
The harness system on the TrailScape feels better than the one found on the StreetWalker. The straps are wider at the shoulder. The straps on both packs are contoured top to bottom to fit the body nicely, but this one is decidedly a better fit.
 
As with the StreetWalker, the unpadded waist strap is removable. (Keep it inside the bag, or you’ll lose it. Better yet, leave it attached – reattaching can be a chore if you didn’t take notes on how the straps originally attached to the bag).
 
The sternum (chest) strap on the TrailScape is longer and a bit stretchy for larger chests or someone wearing lots of winter layers. On my initial outing, I didn’t find it necessary to use either the waist belt or chest strap. The pack rode comfortably on my back without requiring constant adjustments.
 
By the way, when you first get the pack, it’s important to loosen all straps. Tighten them when the pack is on your back, and adjust them once on the trail.
 
You’re probably thinking that it’s odd this pack doesn’t allow for a hydration bladder, whereas the more compact SidePath, which is essentially an enhanced daypack, will accommodate a bladder. I’m guessing, that, when you start with one basic design, namely the StreetWalker, it would be difficult to create a custom passageway for a drinking tube without destroying the solid fabric of that pack. And frankly, I’m not a fan of bladders, so this doesn’t bother me in the least. If you must use a bladder, MindShift has several alternatives available, currently the rotation 180 packs.

​Back at Abraham Lincoln High School, in Brooklyn, I was captain of the AV Squad – might have only been for one semester, or for the full year. It’s a faint memory. But any way you slice it, yup, I was a geek or nerd, or whatever term was popular at the time. I didn’t really enjoy it. Mostly we were responsible for setting up film projectors. Admittedly, I was terrible at threading the projector, so I’d try to send someone out other than myself when that job was required. I don’t remember using a slide projector back then, but I’m sure that was woven into the fabric of the AV Squad.
 
It wasn’t till years later, as a professional photographer, that I started working with a slide projector in earnest – a Kodak Ektagraphic, to be precise. I became a whiz at running that projector. After all, I didn’t have to thread anything. And I didn’t have a bunch of strangers looking on making me nervous.
 
Fast forward to the 21st century and the digital age. Projecting digital files now required a digital projector. So when I tried my hand at conducting my own photo workshops, I turned to Epson. Little did I realize what a painless experience running a digital projector would prove to be. In fact, one might say it was fun.
 
When I sent Epson pics of the space I’d be using initially, they recommended a brighter projector than I’d at first requested. The projector they sent me on temporary loan was the EX9200. Along with it, they sent a screen. Again, they found a more suitable choice than the one I’d originally requested. They sent the ES3000 Ultra Portable Projector Screen.

​Setting Up and Using the EX9200 Projector and ES3000 Screen
I removed the projector from its soft, padded case. (Note: if you’ll be carrying this around extensively, you might want to look into a more substantial case, with a better carrying strap system). Then I plugged the AC cord into an outlet at one end, the projector at the other.
 
With the projector turned on, the rest seemed to happen as if by magic. I connected the EX9200 to my iMac via USB and everything went smoothly after that. Absolutely no bumps or hiccups to report. Using the projector with a flash drive for that first workshop proceeded flawlessly. The only thing worthy of note: I recommend you get a separate laser pointer. The laser pointer built into the remote drags across the screen and proved counterproductive. Other than that, working with the wireless remote was a breeze.
 
Setting up the screen seemed more intimidating. It had been a very long time since I’d last set up a projection screen. This one was big and clunky, and the illustration that served as the only instructions that came with it didn’t help. But this thing is built so tough that it’s hard to do any damage, and eventually it stood tall and facing the projector squarely. For a test run, I’d set the projector up on a small step stool, making sure to leave room for the cooling air vents.
 
Since it was a sample, the screen arrived without its roller case. Luckily, the classroom I’d be using for my first workshop was right across the street. So schlepping it there was easy enough – and I had help bringing it back.