Owner contribution
The Quamtum comes with a small SLR pouch that can be accessed via the top flap. Mountainsmith bags are SUPER comfortable and very well built. This bag is no different. Quality is above Tamrac and about on par with Lowepro but more comfortable. The great thing with this bag is its versatility. Because the inner bags are removable, it can function as a normal day pack. Bag will easily accommodate a midsized tripod using the water bottle side pouches and the side compression straps. There is a waterproof rain cover integrated into the bag and easily accessible. Link to Mnfd website: www.mountainsmith.com The only issue with this bag is the included SLR pouch is pretty small, it will only really hold an SLR with a small prime lens like a 50mm. The best solution is to add one of Mountainsmith's Beacon bags. I added their Beacon Large pouch which easily swallows a full sized SLR and lens. This bag I purchased for $50 and had two buckles mounted so that it could be used with the Quantum. Everything looks and functions perfectly. Mountainsmith no longer makes the Beacon Large size but still make the Small and Med which will hold a decent sized lens and body. Link to Mnfd website for the Beacon: www.mountainsmith.com To hold yet more gear and to allow for even greater flexibility, I added a 3rd bag, Mountain smith's Reflex Large. Inside this bag I fit a Canon 70-200 F4L, a Tokina 12-24 F4, a Canon 1.4x II Extender, a Canon 50 1.8, a Sigma DG500 Flash, ad 2 camera hoods. I also had room for batteries and filters which are not pictured. The Large SLR pouch holds my Canon Rebel XTi with attached 24-105 F4L IS lens with room to spare. Bag will easily be able to hold a 20d/30d with attached mid-range zoom. It will NOT hold a body and a 70-200. If you have an attached grip that will fit too. Overall the review is on the Quantum, but to make the bag useful to hold more than just a P&S or a body w/ an attached Prime, you need to buy other bags to fit within the backpack. Overall I was very happy with the bag.
What works
Wears like a real backpack, good straps, safe from theft because of rear entry, quick access top panel, flexibility due to design
Room for improvement
Storage limited unless you buy more bags (Recommend Reflex Large and Beacon Large both $50 each)
