Pumba - ready backpack for super telephoto lenses with hip belt

Pumba standby backpack, your mobile quick-draw quiver for super‑telephoto lenses

With the Pumba standby backpack for super‑telephoto lenses, you’ll practically never miss a moment outdoors again. You know how it is: the geese suddenly take off, the fox briefly peeks over the edge of the field, or the striker runs alone towards the goal, and you’re still busy screwing together camera, teleconverter and lens hood. This is exactly where Pumba comes in and works like an oversized, padded quick‑draw quiver in which your complete telephoto setup is ready to grab at any time.

The backpack is specially designed for large super‑telephoto lenses with a camera attached. A typical setup: a 400 mm f/2.8 super‑telephoto with mounted camera, optional 2x or 1.4x teleconverter and lens hood attached in working position. You open the backpack, grab it and can start shooting immediately. No tinkering, no fumbling.

The transport of a 600 mm f/4 super‑telephoto lens is equally well thought out. Here too, your 600 with attached camera, 2x or 1.4x teleconverter and reversed lens hood in transport position finds its fixed place. The interior is dimensioned so that even a somewhat bulky tripod foot or additional protective covers are not in the way and packing and unpacking remains pleasantly smooth.

Extremely stable, robust body for demanding use

Pumba is built for real outdoor use, not for the display cabinet. The dimensionally stable body reliably protects your equipment, even when things get a bit rough in the field. Hard‑wearing Cordura is used inside and out, known for its abrasion resistance and durability. This keeps the backpack in good condition even with frequent hiking, at sporting events or on photo trips.

The construction is designed so that your super‑telephoto is securely padded and fixed in place. Nothing rattles, nothing bangs against anything. At the same time, the interior is so smooth and cleanly finished that you can very easily slide your lens with camera in and out again. Especially with large lenses that you can’t just twist around one‑handed, this smooth movement makes a noticeable difference in everyday use.

The materials used are not only robust, but also selected with a smaller ecological footprint in mind. Around 90% of the raw materials come from Germany and the Netherlands, which reduces transport routes and ensures reliable quality.

Molle system integrated, maximum flexibility for accessories

Around the backpack you’ll find an integrated Molle system that turns Pumba into a truly “Molle‑ready” workhorse. For you this means: you can attach additional outer pockets, pouches or mounts as needed, for example for more lenses, filters, macro accessories, radio triggers or a second camera body. This way the backpack grows with your requirements instead of forcing you into a rigid layout.

Transporting a tripod can also be handled flexibly via the Molle system and suitable straps. Whether you’re taking along a lightweight travel tripod or a massive three‑legged support for your 600, you can adapt the attachment to your gear. This is particularly practical when you switch between wildlife, sports and landscape photography and your setup always looks a little different.

Fast access, from backpack to subject in seconds

The central point of a standby backpack is quick access. Pumba is designed precisely so that you can pull out your super‑telephoto with attached camera in one smooth motion. You open the backpack, grab the tripod foot or the camera and are practically ready to shoot immediately. Often only a few seconds pass between opening the zipper and the first shot.

Because the inner lining is smooth yet stable, your lens slides very easily when taking it out and putting it away. Even with the lens hood mounted or a teleconverter in between, handling remains pleasant. Protective covers you might use for rain or dust have been consciously taken into account so that you don’t have to remove everything every time just to stow the lens again.

Especially in spontaneous situations—birds in flight, fast game scenes, short light windows at sunrise or sunset—this quick access makes the difference between “I wish I’d taken that shot” and “I’ve got it in the bag.”

Made in Germany, developed by us for tough everyday photo use

Pumba is manufactured in Germany and developed by us with a clear focus on the needs of photographers working with large super‑telephoto lenses. You can feel this in many small details that are simply practical in everyday use. The seams are clean and strong, the padding is reinforced where it really counts, and the carrying system is optimized for longer distances.

We place great value on production where quality and durability come first. Instead of making as many compromises as possible, Pumba is deliberately conceived as a specialist for large telephoto lenses. So if you regularly work with a 400 mm f/2.8 or 600 mm f/4, you get a tool that is precisely tailored to this task.

Hip belt for ideal weight distribution, relaxed carrying even with 600 mm

A large super‑telephoto with camera and converter puts a fair amount of weight on the scales. So that you don’t have to carry this weight permanently on your shoulders, Pumba is equipped with a hip belt for ideal weight distribution. The removable hip belt transfers a large part of the load to your hips, which significantly relieves your back and shoulders, especially on longer tours or hikes.

The proven backpack carrying system ensures a high level of comfort overall. The load sits close to the body, the backpack is stable and doesn’t wobble unnecessarily. If you don’t need the hip belt, you can remove it and use Pumba a bit slimmer, for example for short distances from the car to the sideline or the hide.

Please note for the version with belt: the length of the supplied hip belt is about 85 to 102 cm. It’s best to measure the belt length you need before you decide. If you require a larger circumference, optional belt extensions are available so that the backpack also fits comfortably with a stronger build.

Compatible with leading super‑telephoto lenses, 400 mm and 600 mm in focus

Pumba is designed for a whole range of professional super‑telephoto lenses that are frequently used in wildlife, sports and nature photography. For Nikon F lenses, for example, the Nikon 400 mm f/2.8E FL ED VR AF‑S NIKKOR and the Nikon 600 mm f/4E FL ED VR AF‑S NIKKOR fit with attached camera, teleconverter (2x or 1.4x) and the appropriate lens hood, depending on transport or working position.

The backpack is also suitable for Canon EF lenses, including the Canon EF 400 mm f/2.8 L IS II, Canon EF 600 mm f/4L IS II USM, Canon EF 600 mm f/4 L IS USM, Canon EF 400 mm f/2.8 L IS, Canon EF 400 mm f/2.8 L IS III, Canon EF 600 mm f/4 L IS III USM, Canon EF 600 mm f/4 L USM (non‑IS) and Canon EF 400 mm f/2.8 II USM (non‑IS). These lenses can be stored safely yet quickly accessible with mounted camera and teleconverter.

Pumba is also interesting for Sony photographers. The Sony 400 mm f/2.8 GM OSS FE [SEL400F28GM] (2018) and the Sony 600 mm f/4 GM OSS FE [SEL600F40GM] (2019) find their place with attached camera and typical accessories. This lets you keep your super‑telephoto at the ready in the Sony FE system as well, without having to constantly reconfigure.

In the Canon RF system, the backpack is designed, among others, for the Canon RF 400 mm f/2.8L IS USM (2021) and the Canon RF 600 mm f/4L IS USM (2021). For Nikon Z users, the Nikon Z 400 mm f/2.8 TC VR S NIKKOR (2022) and the Nikon Z 600 mm f/4 TC VR S NIKKOR (2022) are relevant candidates that can be transported comfortably including camera and teleconverter.

Practice‑oriented design for hiking, wildlife and sports

Pumba is not only intended for the way from the car to the stadium, but also for longer tours when hiking or for wildlife photography in the field. Thanks to the combination of a stable body, comfortable carrying system and flexible Molle configuration, you can adapt the backpack to very different uses. Sometimes more minimalist, with just telephoto and camera, sometimes with additional accessories for a whole day in the field.

The included MIL‑TEC backpack cover serves as protection against rain and dust (up to about 80 liters volume, approx. 60 x 80 cm) and protects your backpack in bad weather or on dusty paths. This keeps your equipment reliably protected even in changeable conditions while you concentrate on your subject.

Interior and exterior dimensions, thoughtfully designed for large tele setups

The interior dimensions of the Pumba standby backpack are approximately 55 x 21 x 22 cm (H x W x D). This provides sufficient space for a 400 mm f/2.8 or 600 mm f/4 super‑telephoto with attached camera, teleconverter and lens hood, depending on position. The exterior dimensions are roughly 65 x 25 x 26 cm (H x W x D), which gives a good balance between storage space and portability.

In terms of weight, you’re at around 2.67 kg with belt and about 2.37 kg without belt. For a dimensionally stable, heavily padded standby backpack of this size, this is a well‑balanced value that carries well in everyday use, especially with the supportive hip belt.

The interplay of dimensions, padding and material creates an interior that is very pleasant to use. Packing and unpacking is easy, without constantly getting caught somewhere or feeling like you have to force the lens through an opening that’s too tight.