for Canon 350D & 400D XT
Photos contain:
Canon 400D Rebel XTi with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens attached
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM separate.
The bag will easily fit
those, plus a lens hood or something else in the main compartment, and
additional gear (like batteries, etc.) in the pockets.
To carry a growing stash of photo gear, I’d been researching camera bags and found one I liked, the Tamrac 5534 Messenger Camera bag. (Technically it is the “Adventure Camera Bag”, so prepare yourself - for adventures!) A couple weeks ago I picked it up and here’s my initial impression:
- It is large enough to carry a dSLR plus long (6”) lens attached, and another 2 smaller lens, or 1 lens and a flash and some other items. The inside padding is fully adjustable, as long as you don’t mind fighting the velcro panels for a bit. There is always some tension between how much gear to lug around and how cumbersome it is. This has a good balance for what I want.
- There is a large pocket in the flap, another set of deeper pockets on the front, a slot for a mobile phone and a thin sleeve on the back for a map. Plenty of space for extra batteries, another memory card, other filters and physical film (if digital isn’t your thing).
- Aside from not looking like a camera bag, the messenger bag design works well since it is easy to slide around to get at your camera quickly. Much simpler to grab the camera, shoot and put it back than a backpack style bag. My biggest complaint is that the latch on the main flap is a difficult to close one-handed.
- I like having a place for my mobile phone, but the slot is very tight. The phone won’t fall out, but it isn’t easy to pull out either (and my Motorola PEBL isn’t that large).
- In the most recent issue of JPG Magazine there was a positive review (oddly not online) of the Crumpler “6 Million Dollar Home” Photo bag. Looks like a nice choice at about twice the price of the Tamrac.
Thanks to Mike Champion for review.
Reviews for Nikon D70 / D100 / D200 / D300 / D700
Review #1
Equipment list in bag :
Nikon D70s
Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX
Nikon 50mm
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6D HSM
Nikon SB-600 x2
Assorted Items
Though I've owned several bags over the years, like a typical photographer, I'm always adding more and searching for the perfect bag. Of course this is a misnomer in itself. Anyway, recently I've decided to go the two bag route, one bag for all my gear and travel (to get my gear where I'm going) and one day bag for when I get there, something that can be packed empty into a suitcase.
After much research I thought I had settled on the perfect combination, a Domke F-803 for day use and a Think Tank Airport Antidote for all my gear and as a carry-on (I've not ordered this yet but all reviews point to satisfaction!). The first bit of the plan was to pick up the Domke F-803.
I had looked at one briefly in a store and knew I liked the simplicity and utilitarianism, both big plusses to me. I ordered it and was fairly disappointed. The Domke was pretty much everything I had anticipated except for a couple things; it's too thin (front to back) and the included insert is too tall. Both of these variables negated using my Nikon D70s lens down,
the bag does not accommodate the height of the camera (front to back) nor the thickness (the body sticks out of the top of the bag). Obviously some
of this could be remedied by a shorter insert, it would still however be a tight squeeze front to back.
This led me to another search and I found the Tamrac Adventure Messenger 4. The dimensions were similar to the Domke with the exception that the Tamrac
was at least an additional 1.5" front to back. This difference alone was enough to make a considerable difference. Also, in contrast to the single
insert included with the Domke, the Tamrac has a multiple segmented divider system, typical of Tamrac bags, this made it very easy to adjust the bag to
fit my D70s with 18-70mm lens down with ample room on either side for additional lenses or other gear. The build on the Tamrac is not as simple
or utilitarian as the Domke's canvas, but it serves the same purpose being very pliable, still looking fairly non-descript (it looks like a standard
messenger bag) and lighter than the canvas to boot.
So far I've easily packed the following:
- D70s w. 18-70mm lens down center
- 50mm 1.8
- Medium Rocket blower
- Several filters 67-77mm range in cases
- 2x SB-600 strobes
- Cleaning gear, cloths, etc.
- Memory cards
I could fit at least 1-2 additional lenses plus other smaller gear as I've
not used either the front zipper pouch nor the back pouch. There is also a
cell phone size pouch on the right side of the bag that I've not used yet.
Plusses:
- Small enough for a day bag but big enough to carry quite a lot.
- Nice fabric, supple, conforms to body
- long strap for wearing cross shoulder
- good padding, not too thick though (i.e. low bulk factor)
- quick release buckle, easy one-handed operation
- small amount of velcro on flap, keeps the bag shut but isn't obtrusive
- price, half the price of the Domke
- covert, doesn't really look like a camera bag
Neutrals (I don't really have any minuses), there are only a few:
- the buckle works well but I prefer the brass snap of the Domke
- probably not as tough as canvas but time will tell
- not as utilitarian as I like, I prefer the Plain Jane Domke look and feel
That's it. Overall, I'd have to say this is as good a bag as I've found in a long time. For people who like shoulder bags I'm glad the makers are
finally sidling up to thinner deeper bags in the messenger style. For additional reference I've also owned a Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home which
was, to me, over padded, heavy and very stiff.
Likes about the bag: Price, design, simplicity, thin profile
Dislikes about the bag: None so far.
Thanks to FJ Abraham for review.
