This medium size pack offers foam-padded protection and quick access to multiple SLRs, lenses, flash and accessories. The main compartment is completely foam padded with numerous adjustable, foam-padded dividers to protect digital or film SLRs, 5-7 lenses, and a flash. The camera with a long zoom lens attached is suspended on two vertical, foam-padded dividers that are internally reinforced with rigid plastic. A restraint strap holds the lens firmly in place. Two Windowpane-Mesh™ pockets inside the front flap visibly organize filters, film and other accessories. A plastic, foam-padded platform in the bottom provides shock protection while a LockDown™ rain flap protects the zipper from the elements. A large front pocket with a water-resistant zipper holds a light jacket or extra gear.
digital or film SLRs, 5-7 lenses, and a flash
I was looking for a bag that would hold two Canon 5D's (without grips) PLUS lenses attached. It fits perfectly. The bag wears very comfortably due to the sturdy, but well padded shoulder straps. The interior of the bag is very flexible in customizing. It comes with lots of dividers and there is velcro all around. I also like all the little pockets on the inside and outside of the bag. Lots of room for memory cards, batteries, filters, etc. There is also a large front pocket that will hold lunch or a piece of clothing. Unfortunately it is just too small for my Macbook. Build quality is good. Although I find it hard to reach for the main zippers because of the rain flap. The zippers are also a bit stiff.
Comfortable to wear, perfect fit for two bodies with (small/medium sized) lenses attached, arranging of interior very flexible, lots of pockets, good build quality
Main zippers are hard to reach and a bit stiff, no room for laptop (front pocket is just too small for my Macbook)
Photo with Tripod Attached You can't really see it, but there's another compartment here where I keep my lens hoods, USB cables and computer software. Other compartment contains extra compact flash cards
In my Tamrac backpack, I can carry just about every piece of gear that I own, though I usually don't. The items to the left of the bag aren't usually with me, but all those filters will fit in the little Tamrac attachment. The items to the right of the bag fit in the front zipper pockets. Lid: Quick release tripod mount. 52-55mm step-up ring for filters Compact mirror, in case my subject wants to check his/hair, eyebrows, or whatever. Left outside of bag: Tamrac Model 342 accessory pack. It's perfectly attachable to the main backpack, and is the right size for either my Sigma 18-125mm or Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM. (Right now, I'm keeping these eight filters in it.) Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Kit Lens Various Filters Right outside of bag: Promaster softcase for lens -- it's the perfect size for my 75-300mm lens, but right now I'm using it to hold the Canon 420EX Speedlite. Canon 420EX Speedlite flash. Two spare batteries (NB-2LH) and a charger. The other battery is in the camera. Attachable slave module for the Promaster 5550DX flash. RC-1 Wireless Remote CF Cards Promaster 5550DX flash. Swivel-head flash Thanks to Wil C. Fry for photos / info
Notes: 1) As the bags get larger they also get deeper, so it's possible to orient short lenses in either direction, or put something additional on top of them (you can use some of the extra dividers if necessary). 2) As the bags get larger you may be excited because you can carry more, but remember that all those lenses, batteries, image tanks, etc. add up to extra weight. 3) Don't carry the bag low on your back. It may seem more comfortable at first but will be more tiring in the long run. The lumbar support is quite helpful, at least for those of us who aren't 20 anymore. Cinch the backpack relatively tightly to your body. Not so tight that it resticts you or makes you uncomfortable, but not so loose that it moves around. thanks to Steve Johnson for comments & photos.
I just got this Tamrac Expedition 5 backpack today. i also got the add on side bags that can be installed or detached as needed. it allows me to carry my photo set up in a compact backpack in addition to my non-photography items in the padded side bags. also has several internal and external accessory pockets and tripod mount. Update: You can attach or detach padded side bags as needed. the side bags are sold separately. i find this back pack to be working out very well for me. the build quality is excellent. So far from what i've seen all the backpack offerings from various major companies are equally good to Tamrac. The Expedition 5 is still quite compact but holds all i would ever need to carry even without the side bags and you can attach a tripod/monopod to the front center like other photo backpacks. Shown here with my F4s w/70-200mm VR f/2.8. (i had to use my D70s to take the pic) and other lenses and flashes.
