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(More customer reviews)My criteria for bags is non-negotiable, and finding a bag that fits this criteria took a long time. First, it has to be top loading. Second, it needs to have at least one side pocket, and one front pocket. Third, a bright interior is a huge plus. Fourth, it needs to be reasonably weather-proofed. Finally, it needs to be well-padded.
I was pleasantly surprised when I found this bag online after hours of searching. I had spent several more hours at camera shops around the city, and the prices they were asking, for bags that did not meet all of my criteria, was not justifiable for me. So, I thought taking a chance on the Ape Case was a measured risk. I'm probably not the only one who has had that experience. Frankly, I looked at the price of this case and wondered why they were charging so little when all other bags were double the price. But, I ordered anyway.
I ordered the medium instead of the large, as the internal dimensions are identical in length and width. The medium bag is about one inch shorter in height. Ultimately, internal dimensions are the most important to me, and I didn't think that missing one inch of height would be a big deal. So, I went with the medium. (Sidenote: If the internal dimensions of the large are really almost exactly the same, as all the websites I found suggested, the large bag can certainly not be considered large.)
Now for the bag itself. The side pocket is a little "tight." It has spots for extra memory cards, and several elastic loops for pens, etc. But, this side pocket can't really be stuffed full. Over time the material may relax to give more flexibility. The front pocket is the same, so don't buy this bag expecting to be able to jam those pockets full of goodies.
One of my favorite features is the zip pocket on the front flap, just above where the Ape Case logo is sewn on. That is ideal when traveling for putting flight tickets and passports in. On that note, the first week I got this bag I got caught in monsoon-type weather. Despite having an umbrella, my bag got soaked as I walked. Inside my bag was my camera, lens, battery, and my passport. Once I was inside the train station I opened up my case to assess the damage. But, there wasn't any. Not a single drop had gotten through, and the bag had been exposed to more than a reasonable amount of rain.
The following week I was on the street, and dropped my fully loaded bag onto the concrete. Again, I sat down and opened up the case to assess the damage. Again, there wasn't any. Everything was exactly where I had put it when I packed for that day.
The interior is obviously bright yellow, and it makes opening the bag a joy in itself.
The only thing I changed on the bag was with the clasps that hang off each side of the bag. In total, there are three. One clasp closes the front flap. Then, there are two more, one on the left and one on the right, used to keep the bag more tightly shut, I guess. I cut off the two on the sides of the bag off. I'll never use them, they're clunky, and they make it needlessly difficult to get into the bag. Also, the clasps are made of very light weight plastic. I'm not sure how long the remaining clasp will last. But, I assume it serves a dual purpose: it cuts weight and cost.
Overall, this bag meets and exceeds my criteria for a camera case. Don't let the price deter you. It might be half the price of a lot of other camera bags, but it is not half the camera bag. In the few short weeks I've had it, it's been put through more than it's fair share of abuse, and has performed better than I would have ever expected. Ultimately, this bag gives me what I most expect from a bag: security. I can put my camera and travel documents inside, and know that they are safe and sound.
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APE CASE MEDIUM Digital
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