light weight, taller, narrow construction

not as padded as lowepro

i found a brand new 1992 model for sale on ebay. paid 95 plus shipping. i came from the lowepro nature trekker AW. i like the taller dimensions, 300 more cu in. all of my gear fits, ALL OF IT. although i was very scepical when i first saw it. i will have to buy a seperate rain cover, and the straps are not as comfy. the bag is overall much lighter than lowepro's. i think with stronger shoulders, this is the one for me, until i get one more lens...

go for the nature trekker first, you'll love it! dont even try to carry a tripod on either bag...if it fits, your tripod is WAY TOO SMALL. :)

Customer Service

not had to use yet.

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lowepro nature trekker aw

Extremely strong construction. Comfortable. Holds a ton of stuff. Excellent tripod straps. Modular side pocket system -- neato!!

Expensive. Needs foam inserts to work with large format. Colors too dark.

I needed a large bag to protect my 4x5 gear on long hikes. Originally I was somewhat skeptical about the 787 because it is always shown with 35mm equipment. Opening the thing up, you will immediately notice that the "default settings" for the inside compartments are completely impossible for large format. Despite the 787''s obvious utility for large format equipment (there is even a funny little icon that they put on their web site), Tamrac apparently makes no effort to make this bag work "off the shelf" for lf photographers. It''s strange because I don''t know WHY you would need to carry seven lenses, two bodies, and all that 35mm equipment around with you on a hike... So, this bag WILL require some simple customization (foam cutting, oh yea!!) for it to function properly. But after that''s done, the bag works like a dream. It''s extremely well padded and in all other respects it is extremely well designed. I have used other Tamrac bags for many years and have always been impressed with their construction and durability. The zippers are excellent, especially the one for the main compartment. I carry one 35mm camera with two lenses, a Toyo 4x5AII, four large format lenses, meter, air can, holders, tripod, and various filters and accessories. Fully loaded, the pack is quite heavy -- about 18-20 kilos -- but well-balanced. Hiking with thing over terrain is completely doable -- but it is obviously not possible or safe over very difficult terrain. I attached my tripod (bogen 3021 legs, 410 head) to the back of the pack easily and quickly. The tripod stays snugly on the pack and doesn''t wobble around at all. It is smartly designed so that there is a pocket at the bottom to keep the tripod from falling through. I bought two of the extra-large side pockets for the bag. They attach very easily and amazingly securely. Each one can hold four to five 4x5 film holders in ziplock bags with lots of room to spare. You may consider buying slightly smaller side pockets, just because I get nervous when there''s anything around my film holders... Overall, a great bag, even for large format. I would like to see Tamrac use brighter colors because they would be safer and keep the heat out better. I recommend the grey color because it''s the brightest.

Customer Service

Not dealt with them yet.

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Tamrac Pro System 12, smaller bags, tripod carrying bag

Very well made. Provides excellent protection for lens. I pack two Contax bodies and five lens, including a 180mm and 300mm lens. The case is extremely well padded. I find accessing my gear with much easier than with a shoulder bag as everything is one one level. I've had no problem on airlines stowing it in overhead compartment.

Heavy but can safely carry all my weighty gear. In some ways it is overengineered if one doesn't actually backpack in the wilderness.

Excellent if you need to have a lot of gear on hand.

Customer Service

Not needed.

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Lowepro Nova 5
Tamrac 613

Good Size, Carries most if not all of my photographic gear needed for a trip. Last trip I took, it fit in the overhead bin, but am planning another trip this year and am worried it will not fit through the size restrictions at the airport! Does not carry really long lenses, they must be packed separately.

Pack wears nicely on your back. Able to carry long distances with only minor discomfort in the shoulders. Good hip belt helps distribute weight.

Pack is very heavy - empty. Only gets heavier when fully loaded. A small person or one with a bad back might not be able to carry this pack when loaded.

Also, might be too big to fit on some airlines overhead bins. I was forced to check this pack flying from King Salmon to
Anchorage in





Alaska.

Tripod is not held securely, or at least I could not figure out how to attach tripod securely. Ended up carrying tripod in my hands.

Good pack, for those who have strong backs. Not for people of slight build! It's simply too heavy to carry when fully loaded.

Customer Service

None yet!

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Looked at Lowepro and Domke Packs, but liked the sturdienss of the Tamrac pack better.

Large enough to carry all my equipment, 2 35mm bodies, with motor drives, 6 lenses, and filters and film. Bogen 3221 tripod secures to the outside of the pack. Sized within tolerances for carry-on on airlines.

Tripod leg ends fit into outside compartment, making that compartment useless for anything other than the tripod.

Great pack. Nice shoulder and waist straps with good padding. I have done alot of hiking and have had several high quality packs, and the straps on this pack are very comfortable for long day hikes ( up to six hours). If you need the space for airline travel, this is the pack to buy. If only using for day hiking or even backpacking trips near home, then I would buy the 777 instead. I purchased this pack from Cameraworld.com, on sale, which makes this an excellent value (30% off regular retail).

Customer Service

None yet.

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None. Used to pack equipment in fanny packs for hikes, or in other luggage for airline travel.

Excellent, well made Backpack. Large enough to hold a Nikon F5, F100 (w/ battery pack MB-15). 80-200 f/2.8 monted on F5, 28-105mm mounted to F100. 20-35mm f/2.8, 28mm f2.8,85mm f/1.8, old 28-200mm, pair (2) of SB-28 flashes, and other asst'd items like extra batteries, filters, Lumiquests etc. It all fits! You can actually get it on your back and carry it. You could never carry it all (or fit it) in a conventional bag, nore carry it without serious damage to your shoulder. Has also a hnadstrap at top and side for casual "moving". Oh yah, it also carries a Bogen Monoped on the front (back). I don't try to get the tripod on for fear of "listing" over backwards with the weight, but it will hold it.
I run one of the large side mount zipper bags on the one side to hold 5 packs of film. Take a plastic bag with you to lay the bag down on wet, dirty soil or get their covers (Lowepro AW comes with it)

The Lowepro Pro Trekker is a little better but usually more expensive. This comes the closest to that "Moose Peterson" designed bag.

For the same price, get the Lowepro Pro Trekker AW. If you find it for less, this is an excellent alternative that works for us less than "proffessionals". I can't prove it, but I think the Lowepro might hold up a little better for everyday proffessional use especially when taken to "extreme" climates. I bought the Tamrac when it was being "closed out" at Camera World at a fraction of the Lowepro cost.

Customer Service

They took care of another bag (610)that I tore a strap on without question. It came back looking like it was new. I thnk they cleaned it while it was there.

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Tamrac 608, 610 and several other small bag combinations when everything does not have to go.

High quality construction.
Fits in airplane overhead compartements.
Good size for comprehensive 35mm kit.
All straps can be easily stowed away.

Main compartement zip needs regular replacement. I've had to replace mine four times in the last eight years. The high quality of construction unfortunately means than the zips are stitched from the inside wall of the bag. Although this hides the stitches it also means that the bag has to be completely unstitched in order to replace the zip - very costly. I would recommend that when the zip goes and the bag is out of warranty, just take it to your local menders and get them to stitch a new zip onto the fabric of the old zip - it works just as well.
Older models need the thicker harness straps found on the latest version.

I often carry up to 50 pounds of gear in this pack and find it reasonably comfortable. I am sure that the latest version is considerably better. Mine lasted eight years before the outer fabric wore out. It protected my equipment well during that time and proved very resistant to water. The only difficulty with a bag like this is that it is often difficult to put it down in wet/sandy/dusty conditions.

Customer Service

Very helpfull with no quibble over warranty claims. Speedy service.

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Lowepro photo trekker looks better value.