( 9 reviews )
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: 07-06-2009
I am very happy with this product. I've loaded it with up to 45 pounds of camera gear (500mm, 200-400mm, large body, and numerous other lens, laptop, etc), and it does hold a lot of gear. It gets uncomfortable although still supports the gear fine over about 30-35 pounds worth of gear, but quite comfortable with loads below 25 pounds. The tripod straps and pocket work well although I wish the tripod foot pocket came out more when open and the straps were sewn in so the buckles didn't slide out of reach and also not so long. The side attachment points are handy if you use Tamrac's accessories, but not really needed other than a water bottle holder, as the back pockets for cards, batteries, etc are pretty handy although one does have to worry about a card slipping out if you have the pocket open when opening the main compartment. I did loose a battery this way. I wish the pack opened from the inside (against back) instead of outside/back of the pack so it was more secure from prying hands and also so the back pad and straps didn't have to get laid onto the dirt every time its opened, as you lay it down on them and then the dirt transfers from the back pad to you shirt. I also wish the laptop pouch was between the back and camera gear instead of on the outside which adds weight to the top and gets banged every time its opened. Also a built in water bottle holder or attachment point, also pockets on the straps for phone, battery and memory cards would be a nice touch. The main compartment does have velcro everywhere to adjust the pads where you need them, and there are just the right number of pads. Overall, this pack is very well made, well designed, of high quality materials and has good padding that is easily adjusted to match your equipment. Some minor refinements would make this pack even better.
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: 04-17-2009
Like alot of things people buy on Amazon I think camera bags and backpacks are largely a matter of preference. If you buy a Lowepro, Tamrac, Kata, Think Tank or any of the other well known brands you will get excellent quality. They each have their strengths and differentiators that really depend on how important those things are to individuals. I have tried several backpacks and finally settled on the Tamrac. It is a big bag, and when it's packed it is heavy...but then again anything in this size class will be; it's a tradeoff between weight and not wanting to get caught in the field having made a tradeoff and leaving something home that you ended up wishing you had. I found this bag not quite as big and bulky as the Kata that I originially ordered and returned. It has good build quality, is very customizable, and can carry alot of gear (meaning I could get all the gear I own in it, including my Macbook pro). I have both a D80 and D700 body, the 14-24, 24-70, 70-200 and 105 f/2.8 lenses as well as the 300 f/4 (all bulky and heavy). Then I have a 50mm, 2 teleconverters, two SB flashes, several filters, batteries, charger and miscellaneous accessories. I also found the tripod holder more functional, secure and to have better weight distribution and balance than some of the other bags I tried. Fully loaded with tripod on board I am at 36 pounds with this bag. This bag also fit my frame better than the others I tried. One thing I highly recommend is to go to a local camera store and try the bag on before you order it on Amazon. Make sure it fits you well because these things are bulky and costly to ship back if you want to return it. A return will quickly offset the significant cost savings you find on these bags on Amazon over reatil store prices (can be as much as 25% cheaper than retail). I recommend this bag. A couple of minor things I would change, hence the 4 stars, but for me this bag works well and meets the need.
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Posted: 04-16-2009
I recently went to California and back with my Tamrac expedition 8x back pack. I carried my Nikon D-90 a 400mm sigma, a 70-300mm Nikor a 55-200mm Nikor, a 18-55 Nikor, a 50mm Nikor, an Sb600 flash, assorted filters,spare batteries and an apple macbook. It was easy to carry and fit easily in the overhead on all the planes includeing a Brazillian biult 50 seat regional jet from Houston to Florida. The computer was easily reached for the security inspection and for use. I would rate this highly it has excellent padding. Cons a little heavy.
