Manni - standby backpack for super-telephoto lenses without hip belt

Manni standby backpack for super-telephoto lenses without hip belt, when every second counts

With the Manni standby backpack you’ll practically never miss a moment outdoors when light, subject and timing happen to come together perfectly. You take the backpack off your shoulder, open it, grab your super-tele and you’re ready to shoot in about one second. No need to first hunt for lens, camera, teleconverter and lens hood. Just pull it out and start shooting.

The Manni is specifically designed for large super-telephoto lenses with camera attached. Your 600 mm f/4 sits in it just as comfortably as an 800 mm f/5.6 or even a 1200 mm f/8, each with the camera mounted and the lens hood in shooting position. A 2x or 1.4x teleconverter can also stay on the camera without snagging when packing or unpacking. So if you’d rather be shooting than tinkering, this is exactly the type of standby backpack you’re looking for.

Standby quiver for large super-teles, suitable for 600mm, 800mm and 1200mm

At its core, Manni is a highly specialized standby quiver for super-telephoto lenses, just in backpack form. The rigid inner shell is dimensioned so that typical pro teles including camera and lens hood slide in easily. These include for example:

• Nikon F: Nikon 600mm f/4E FL ED VR AF-S NIKKOR, Nikon 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR AF-S NIKKOR
• Canon EF: Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM, Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM, Canon EF 600mm f/4 L IS USM, Canon EF 600mm f/4 L IS III USM, Canon EF 600mm f/4 L USM (Non IS)
• Sony FE: Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS FE [SEL600F40GM] (2019)
• Canon RF: Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM (2021), Canon RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM (2022), Canon RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM (2022)
• Nikon Z: Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S NIKKOR (2022)

The internal dimensions of 74 x 21 x 22 cm (H x W x D) are deliberately chosen so that a somewhat bulky tripod foot, protective covers or a mounted lens hood don’t become an issue. The lens slides out smoothly without jamming, and when stowing it away you don’t have to aim with millimetre precision. That may sound trivial, but out in the field it makes a huge difference.

Extremely robust and shape-retaining, protection for your high-end gear

From the outside Manni may look unassuming, but the construction is extremely robust. The rigid body cushions your gear all around and protects it from impacts, pressure and the usual bumps that just happen when hiking, in the car or while travelling. Inside and out we use tough Cordura that has proven itself for years in the pro sector and doesn’t complain when you push through dense undergrowth, thorns or over rocky edges.

The external dimensions of 81 x 25 x 26 cm (H x W x D) are kept as compact as possible without compromising the interior. The weight is about 2.99 kg without belt, which is very moderate considering the massive level of protection. We’d say: as much stability as necessary, as little dead weight as possible.

Molle system integrated, Molle-ready for tripod, add-on pouches and more

The Manni is fully Molle-ready. The Molle system is integrated, so you can attach additional pouches, filter cases, macro accessories, battery pouches or even a small snack pouch to the outside. A tripod can also be securely attached on the outside without constantly slipping or banging into things.

Especially on long photo tours, when hiking or on safari, this modularity is worth its weight in gold. You can adapt the backpack to the job at hand instead of needing a different bag for every trip. Today wildlife photography with a large tripod and two extra bodies, tomorrow landscapes with filters and macro – the basic setup stays the same, only the Molle add-ons change.

Fast access to camera and super-tele, ready to shoot in about one second

Outdoors, when something happens, it usually happens immediately. A bird of prey in a dive, a deer at the edge of the forest, a brief shaft of light between two clouds. With the Manni you have quick access to your camera with mounted super-tele, without first having to remove caps, mount a teleconverter or reverse the lens hood.

You open the backpack, reach into the interior, pull out the lens-and-camera combination and can basically start shooting right away. In about one second you’re ready to take your images. The backpack was developed precisely for these moments when you don’t have time to assemble your gear first.

Made in Germany, durable materials and short supply chain

The Manni is manufactured entirely Made in Germany. We rely on high-quality materials, clean workmanship and short supply routes. Around 90 % of the raw materials used come from Germany and the Netherlands, which not only ensures quality but also results in a comparatively small ecological footprint.

The Cordura material inside and out is designed for durability. It shrugs off rain, dust and the occasional scratch and still looks presentable even after many tours. A MIL-TEC backpack cover is also included, a rain and dust cover for volumes up to about 130 litres (approx. 60 x 95 cm, olive colour). This keeps your gear reliably protected even in really bad weather.

Developed by us for photographers who are serious about shooting outdoors

The Manni was developed by us because we know this situation all too well: you’re out in the field, the subject is there, but your gear is spread across three compartments in your backpack. So we designed a standby backpack that is consistently oriented towards the needs of nature, wildlife and sports photographers.

The proven backpack carrying system ensures that even heavy combinations are still comfortable to carry. The shoulder straps are comfortably padded, and the back panel is designed so that the backpack sits securely without digging in. The inner lining is smooth and low-friction so you can pack and unpack your lens without effort. Protective covers, LensCoats or a slightly wider tripod foot don’t get in the way. It just works, even when you’re tired or need to move fast.

Hip belt for ideal weight distribution, optionally retrofittable if you want more comfort

The Manni is deliberately offered here without hip belt so that you have maximum freedom of movement and fewer buckles, straps and webbing dangling around you. Nevertheless, the carrying system is prepared so that you can retrofit a hip belt for ideal weight distribution if required, for example when planning longer tours or carrying particularly heavy combinations.

If you opt for a version with belt, it’s important that you know the belt length you need. The length of the standard belt is about 85 – 102 cm. If you need a larger circumference, you can choose a suitable belt extension. This ensures that the hip belt really fits and transfers the load from the shoulders to the hips, which is noticeably more comfortable, especially on long marches.

Interior, handling and everyday usability, made for real-world use, not for the catalogue

Inside the backpack, the smooth lining ensures that your gear slides in and out easily and fluidly. You don’t get caught on padding and don’t have to wrestle with dimensions that are too tight. Even if you leave a teleconverter mounted or use a slightly larger lens hood, handling remains straightforward.

The Manni is designed for real everyday use: on the passenger seat in the car, in the boot, on the back seat, on the train, on a plane as special luggage or on multi-hour hikes. The robust construction, Cordura material and rigid body work together to reliably protect your camera-and-lens combination without slowing you down in handling.