Siriusguy
Registered: June 2007
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Fri June 1, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $99.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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exceptionally well made, inconspicuous
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Cons:
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not cheap for size
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I have owned and used a LOT of camera bags over the years. But, I decided I needed one more. I bought the Urban Disguise 20 to complement the Airport Antidote, which I have elsewhere reviewed. The Urban Disguise is a MUCH smaller bag, meant primarily for hand carry, or over a shoulder, though it has a slot for one of the Think Tank waistbelts (which I do not...yet...have.)
Quality of manufacture and features is absolutely top-rank, better than the Lowe-Pro Trail Runner which it will largely replace, and as good as a much larger Billingham, which I had to discard a few years ago, after the rubberized lining on that one stiffened and began to...stink. The bag is a bit smaller than a Lowe Pro Mini-Mag which I used to use when I was still shooting film, but the quality is clearly better. The bag is of course heavier, but more protective than one of the Domke variants; the original of those I have now carries far too much for my usual needs, particularly with digital.
Without altering any of the factory-inserted dividers, I was immediately able to stow my intended working outfit, which is a Nikon D70 with attached 18-200/3.5-5.6 AF-S VRII, an SB-800, and a supplemental 50/1.8 (for available light work.) Instead of the 50/1.8, it might take a lens a bit, but not a lot, bigger; a 12-24/4 Nikkor or Tokina would be doubtful, at least if I were to also carry the (essential) flash. The space for the flash looks like it would alterately take many of the smaller birding fieldguides.
I have also tossed in with the 50/1.8 small extras, including a spare set of four AA's in plastic case, an extra EN-EL3a, the Arca-Swiss plate for the D70, etc. The mesh pockets on either side will take a 16 or 20 oz. water bottle, but I think they are too small for the flash unit. The expandable front pocket, intended for a DSLR body, won't be used by me for that purpose, but seems large enough to hold 8x32 or smaller roof prism binoculars...or a sandwich!
The front flap pocket nicely takes a leather "pocket office" with 3x5 cards for notes.
I'm fairly sure that with the interior dividers rearranged, the bag would carry a Nikkor 80-400/4.5-5.6 VR, plus a 12-24/4, with the camera body in the front expandable pocket, though with that kit one would have to forego the separate electronic flash. I do NOT think the bag is deep enough for even an 80-200/2.8, and certainly not for the 70-200/2.8. Anyone needing those should look at the Urban Disguise 30.
The pair of carrying handles are a great improvement over the single web loop on the Lowe Trail Runner. I'll likely use these much of the time, particularly carrying the bag into social events and the like. The shoulder strap seems nicely padded.
I anticipate using the bag for probably 80% of my work. Even when I travel with the Airport Antidote, likely I'll stuff this bag with miscellaneous items and check it through in my suitcase, for walk-around use at destinations, when I don't need the 400/5.6.
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Anonymous
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Review Date: Sat July 19, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 9
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I won't repeat all the excellent points of this bag. It's replaced three or four that I've dithered with. I have my two favourite lenses in it - something no other bag quite managed comfortably without squeezing or so much space I just lugged around extra kit for the sake of it.
In this bag I have my: Nikon D300, Sigma 18-50 f2.8, Nikon 70-300 VR, SB-600 flash. I can put the camera with either lens in it. It holds those incidenttals: batteries, blower, lens pen, extra cards and the PhotoBert cheatsheets for the body and the flash. And I still have room for passport, tickets in the sleeve - and umbrella and water bottle on the sides.
And it still looks darn small - and nothing like a camera case.
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Registered: November 2005