Michael, you're at harne in the deserts of the world. Travel, the outdoors and photography are as synonymous to you as sand is to deserts. What journeys would you normally take a camera backpack an?

I switched from camera bags to camera backpacks a lang time ago, not just because they are so much more comfortable to carry but also because of the better organization and practicality they offer.

What features and characteristics da you look for in a camera backpack?

lt has to be easy to carry, simple to take off and stand an the ground without tipping over or allow full access to the contents when lying down. And of course, it has to protect all my expensive camera gear effectively.

How many camera bodies and lenses should your camera backpack have space for?

I only use one camera body with its own standard 2!..i/70 mm zoom lens. But then I also need to pack five further lenses and other accessories like batteries etc. Anything I don't need to access as frequently, 1 pack separately so save an weight. And sometimes I don't even bring my tablet with me.

How heavy does your camera backpack tend to be?

That depends. When l'm flying somewhere then I pack in with everything. In those situations, it might sometimes weigh over 20 kg. But on location 1'11 get away with 12 kg, because I usually carry my tripod and super-telephoto lens separately.

Do you find you get back pain from carrying your camera gear on your back?

No, l've never suffered from that. 0f course, as photographers we all have to carry around a lot of gear. But sitting at a desk 40 hours a week is much worse for your back, in the end.

How do you like to distribute the weight in your backpack?

In the classical way, with heavy items at the bottom and lighter ones up top. The only exception here is the camera itself, which I keep at the top for quick access.

How important is it to access your equipment quickly?

Having quick, easy access is critical. Sometimes 1'11 need to open my backpack and grab for the camera and lens over 100 times in a day. So, if the zipper gets stuck or anything eise gets in the way, it would be a serious drawback.

0utdoor camera backpacks not only have to take care of requirements for photography, but they also have to be up to the job of sports like hiking, climbing, biking, motorbiking etc. What kind of performance does a backpack like that need to have for those kinds of sports?

lt has to offer the best of both worlds. So there's always a compromise to be struck. Forme, when it comes to a camera backpack, the requirements for photography are the most important. The rest is less relevant. 0thers might view it differently. The photography might be secondary for them. But one thing we would all agree on is that a camera backpack has to be weil made, protect the equipment and be easy to use.

What are your thoughts on combining a regular hiking/ bike/ ski backpack with a padded, dustproof Camera Box insert?

That's a really good idea for a specific target audience and for certain uses. Having the option to use a 'normal' backpack for camera gear is a really flexible solution, especially for photographers who might just be starting out, when their camera gear isn't as extensive or voluminous yet. 1 have too much equipment to use a system like that, however.

You worked together with deuter on their new camera backpacks. What details and features were you especially keen on including?

Quick access was the main priority forme. lnitially, there were plans to use clip-secured openings, but I advised against that. 1 was also able to give input on how to organize the internals and I encouraged the deuter team to give it back-panel access, so you don't have to place it on the deck and end up with a dirty back. And then it was the materials they used, the dimensions and the colors.

Where will you be taking your new Joypack next? What trips have you got planned?

Next week l'm off to the Arctic, to Spitzbergen. And 1'11 be taking a prototype model of the deuter Jaypack with me.