Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I got this bag for a trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia, and it proved to be worth every penny I paid for it. One of the things I really like about this bag is that it is shaped like any other day pack you find in the market and as I chose the black version, it is very discreet. If you are paranoid, remove the small tag and it doesn't at first glance appears to be a camera bag at all. I did not face any problem taking the bag on as hand-carry, and the bag fits nicely under the seat in front.
I am a beginner DSLR user and I don't have a big kit, and the bottom component of the bag holds all the below with space to spare:
* Nikon D90 with the 18-105 mm lens attached;
* Tokina 11-16 lens;
* a big bunch of Cokins filters held in a filters bag
* a Holga 120;
* 4 unexposed rolls of 120 B+W film
* a pop-up flash diffuser
* a Optec filter holder that holds a B+W 110 ND filter and a polarising filter
* a blower
* extra memory cards
The upper compartment of the bag holds extra batteries, sunglasses, my Blackberry, an Ipod, a pen, a small notebook, a towel, a small torch, a light short-sleeve shirt (rolled up), sunblock, tea tree oil and a hand sanitiser. When I am catching the plane, the upper compartment also holds a small book and my passport.
The mesh side pocket holds my water bottle (essential in Cambodia). My tripod, a Slik Sprint Pro EZ fits into the mesh pocket in front, and is held straight with a buckle strap I got that I looped through the carry handle of the bag and the tripod itself. Not only is that perfect for clambering up and down uneven stone steps at the temple ruins with my hands free, it also deters pickpockets since you have to remove the tripod in order to access the zippers of the bag.
The side access flap is weather-sealed but the zipper is not difficult to pull open or shut. It also makes taking out or keeping the camera a breeze. In fact, for much of the trip I was simply putting the camera back into the bag once I am done with it rather than having the camera hanging around my neck, or being held in my hand.
The bag is touted to be weather resistent and I think that is correct. I was walking towards my bus parked at the end of a road leading to the back entrance of Angkor Wat when it began to pour. Heavily. As I was caught in the open, between the bus and the any other shelter, I was SOAKED by the time I got to the bus, but the bag successfully kept all its contents dry.
For those of you who carry laptops, this may not be the bag for you as it does not have a laptop compartment - you need the bigger version of the bag for that. I chose this model despite the lack of laptop holding capability because I am a small size person (5"2) and a bigger bag will just overwhelm me. In any case, I usually leave my laptop in the hotel or guesthouse when I travel, so the inconvenience is minimal.
The other weakness of this bag is that it lacks sternum straps and a hip/waist strap - the first can be remedied by purchasing strenum straps separately and attaching them to the shoulder straps through some loops there, or using a pair of carabringers. However, as I wasn't carrying anything too heavy, I did not find this to be necessary and it is not a big deal for me.
I had tried the Lowepro Fastpack 250 prior to this, but in terms of ease of use, and design, the Tamrac beats the Lowepro flat. The Lowepro was just too boxy. Also, while the Lowepro has side-access as well, the quality of the zipper cannot compare with that of the Tamrac. The advantages the Lowepro has over the Tamrac is that the Lowepro holds a laptop and I think it is slightly cheaper than the Tamrac.
All in all, a very good bag that I highly recommend for travel.
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Tamrac 3375 Aero Speed Pack 75 Dual Access Photo Backpack (Rust)Tamrac's Speed Pack 75 Dual Access Photo Backpack is the perfect carrying solution for the photographer who prefers the comfort of a backpack, but doesn't want to sacrifice the ability to quickly and easily access photo gear. To accomplish this, Tamrac developed an innovative Dual Access System that allows fast access through the side door when the pack is worn over one shoulder. Like a traditional photo backpack, equipment can also be accessed through the front panel with the pack is removed. This versatile backpack holds and protects a DSLR with up to a 7½-Inch lens attached, 1-2 additional lenses and accessories. For weather protection, the side door is equipped with a water-resistant zipper while the front panel has a weather flap. Inside the side door, accessory pockets hold memory cards, lens caps and other accessories. In addition to the completely foam padded bottom compartment, the pack has a large top compartment perfect for personal items, such as a lunch or light jacket. An elasticized mesh side pocket provides convenient access to a water bottle. The pack features a carrying handle and a comfortable, foam-padded backpack harness contoured to distribute the weight of the camera gear across the shoulders. Two lash tabs on the bottom allow a tripod to be carried (requires accessory straps, Model S-113, sold separately).
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