How to Choose the Right f-stop Camera Insert: ICU Compatibility Guide

At the heart of each f-stop backpack is the Internal Camera Unit (ICU). Designed to give you ultimate flexibility and ease when packing your camera kit, our range of ICUs (camera inserts) let you mix and match different ICUs to different packs for every adventure. This ICU size guide shows you which ICUs fit each backpack, so you can get the right one for your needs.

ICU Compatibility: Mountain Series

Ajna 37L

Tilopa 50L

Sukha 70L

Shinn 80L

ICU Compatibility: AIR Series

(Coming soon)

ICU Compatibility: Ultra Light Series

Guru 25L

Kashmir 30L

Loka 37L

Tips for choosing the right f-stop ICU

As you can see, each f-stop backpack can hold a variety of ICUs as well as drone/tech pouches, packing cells, and more. When choosing your backpack/ICU combinations, you'll want to consider the following:

1. What's in your camera kit? Many f-stop users get multiple ICUs as as kit organizers for different photography genres and scenarios (wedding, street, landscape, etc.) You don't have to get one ICU and try to make it work for all your equipment. Shutter Muse has helpfully created a guide on choosing the best f-stop camera insert for your needs.
2. How much room do you need for other stuff? If your backpack is meant for day hikes and excursions only, you can go with a smaller pack and the biggest ICU that fits within it. If you're onebagging, you'll want a larger pack that gives you more room for clothing, food, and other essentials.

Organizing and arranging your ICUs

Not every pack is compatible or recommended to go with each Camera Insert. For instance, the Shinn 80 L is designed to accommodate large camera/video equipment. To fulfill this purpose, both the pack as well as the Cine Master insert have greater depth compared to other packs. The Master Cine ICU is significantly deeper than the Pro XL ICU. Therefore, when you are using an XL Camera insert it will not fill out the pack fully.

To avoid any movement of the camera insert in the pack, you should attach it to the side attachment loops inside each backpack (next to the aluminium frame). Learn how to insert and adjust your ICU in your pack (video guide).

Want to make the most of the space in your f-stop backpack? Check out our guide to stacking and hatch-backing.