Latest Review
March 12, 2024 
It’s hard to be in a big metropolis like New York City and not feel inspired to take photos. The sights you encounter day in and day out sometimes just need to be captured. We recently caught up with two photography enthusiasts for a photo walk through Lower Manhattan. Gabby and Jean are both creatives living in NYC who came to the hobby of photography at roughly the same time. They became pals through work connections and are both now doing more and more camera collecting and photography in their spare time, with more freelance opportunities as well. All of the sudden, what once was a hobby is quickly becoming a real passion and even a way to generate some additional income. Enter the new Luma Collection by NOMATIC x Peter McKinnon.
NOMATIC has been developing high-quality, essential travel and carry solutions for content creators for a decade. Founded on the principle of enabling, innovating, and incorporating time-saving solutions right into each and every one of their products, they have refined their offerings into pro-level gear for life on the move. The Luma Collection by NOMATIC x Peter McKinnon is custom-designed specifically for hobbyists on the verge of turning pro.
The Luma Collection is all about giving you just what you need—nothing more, nothing less. The line is designed with the exact same robust levels of construction quality as their more professionally-tuned products, but are simply honed in and focused on the essentials. Striking this balance is key when creating a less-is-more approach for the budding photographer. But there are some important differentiators that make the Luma Collection stand out from the rest of the NOMATIC camera-carry lineup.
Bright is the New Black
Let’s speak to the most obvious standout differentiator first. NOMATIC has been well-known for its murdered-out colorways since its inception in 2014. This has been a solid approach to help establish the brand as a staple of the professional content creator community—black enables creators to disappear into the backdrops of both events and sets. But the Luma line is all about embracing the fun of this new found passion and purpose. To celebrate that vibe, color is key. The Luma Collection can be found in three bright new colorways: an arresting rust, a stunning stone, and a striking sage, all in addition to their classic black.
Streamlined Style for Miles
There are three different styles of bags within the Luma lineup, each with the same thoughtful approach to clean lines. The flagship of the collection is the 18L Camera Pack backpack, complemented by 12L and 9L Camera Slings. All feature cavernous interiors with sturdy, yet flexible module dividers to accommodate an extremely wide variety of gear configurations on the inside—all while maintaining a sleek and compact silhouette on the outside. A minimalistic exterior is ideal for urban life, especially when you spend a solid part of each day avoiding snags on the subway.
Pro-Level Materials Meet Enthusiast-Tuned Innovations
Crafted from water-resistant polyester Oxford fabric, the Luma Camera Pack sports a unique and useful full-zippered entry that leverages a designated 16″ laptop sleeve as the primary opening panel. Two zippered pockets on an additional top-access lid hold and organize your smaller accessories. The exterior has a cleverly integrated tuck-away boot for carrying a tripod and the side-mounted water bottle holder stows quickly with a magnetic flap when not in use. An external attachment system with integrated loops is handy for lashing on extra accessories and the whole pack becomes wildly easy to travel with thanks to an integrated luggage passthrough strap. Don’t forget the bonus side access panel that brings a whole new dimension to the notion of grab and go.
If a backpack isn’t your cup of tea, or you’re looking for some additional carrying capacity, you’ll then want to consider the 12L and 9L Camera Slings. What you’ll find most interesting about the Luma Camera Slings in both sizes is that not only do they measure up to the backpack, in terms of their fit and finish—they bring even more innovation to the table. Once the main opening flap is unzipped, it magically stays right in place. This nifty trick is accomplished by sets of integrated magnets, ensuring that your gear isn’t spilling or visible, while still being easily accessible.
The Luma Collection by NOMATIC x Peter McKinnon does something few camera carry solutions can—marry pro-grade functionality with consumer-grade styling. With Luma, you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. It’s a lineup that feels right at home for a hobbyist getting more serious, or a freelancer dabbling in more and more paid gigs. So if you’re feeling inspired to bring your kit daily to capture your environments with a little more street cred—consider the Luma Collection as your carry companion.
