Tamrac 5606 System 6

I have two problems. The first is, I am one of those round shouldered species of human being, so I like to wear bags across my chest rather than hang it from my shoulder, and secondly, weight is an issue for me - I hate bags that weigh-in as much as my camera gear. So here are a few bullet points to ponder on:

Pros
1. Easy to wear across the chest.
2. Lighter than some bags of the same size.
3. Roomy (with side pockets that will take car keys, eye glasses cell phone etc.
4. Nicely made (I have the Blue version)
5. Easy to work out of.

Cons
This is where I find fault with the bag. Okay, I hate the lens gate system now I have tried it. The flaps get in the way when putting the camera with attached lens away - annoying to say the least. It also throws the camera too high up in the bag, so that the hot shoe -on my eos 5d anyway - rubs against the filter pouch in the lid. I re-configured the inserts to a more traditional style - it works okayish, but I have to sit my camera on its heel with lens facing across the bag to keep it from moving side to side. In many respects I prefer the camera on its heel as that makes it more natural to retrieve and put away by keeping hold of the grip, but I would rather store the camera along the bag rather than across it. A choice of inserts that allowed me to do this would be nice. I contacted Tamrac about purchasing a different set of inserts, but with no reply to date. It makes me wonder if their customer service is up to scratch.

In all, I am pleased with the outer and inner construction and asthetics of the bag. It isn't waterproof, but that's not an issue with my type of photography, and anyway, I always give my bags a spray with fabric waterproofer which works up to a point for me. Will it remain with me for its full life-time? I am a bit of a bagophile, so probably not. However, I will give it a year or two before moving on again. Keep your eye on ebay around 2010, you might bag a bargain.
Cost me £44 GBP so not mega expensive.

Looks; build; roomy; fitted side pouches.

In my opinion, the 'Lens Gate' and bridge; no options for other configurations.

Billingham, Crumpler, Lowepro

Contacted by email with a simple request - three days and still no reply - make from that what you will.

This is a great bag - enough room for body or two plus a couple of lens. It also has a lot of compartments for filters, batteries, memory cards, film, pens and more.

Sling is comfortable. Can change padding / compartments to fit your needs.

Bag handle is only sewn to top bag.

Tamarac Velociy 7

I, unlike others like this bag. It is a good size and the build quality is good.

Build quailty, pockets, pading.

None

Others from various co''''s

NA

I own the 606, which is a older model. It lacks some of the features of the 5606, like lensgate dividers and pocket in the coverflap. When comparing it to the 5606, I find that the builtquality of the 606 is slightly better; also the materials used are a bit more rugged. I think that Tamrac are cost-cutting on their products. I bought a 5275 Expedition-5 backpack, which when delivered, turned out to be different from the one I saw in the catalogue. There was no leather covering on the grip, they added a kind of shoestring on the front and the cloth was less rugged than it used to be on the first release. Also the MAS-pockets and lenscases are now made of a cloth with a different structure; the lenscases are now provided with a rainflap, but the structure of the cloth has changed into a less enduring version. I recommend buying secondhand, older bags rather than new ones.

plenty of room, good internal lay-out of pockets en dividers

when you leave a long lens on the body, it will bump into the other lenses below

Billingham 445 and F4,5; Tamrac Expedition 5 backpack

never contacted

Many of the flaws found in the 5606 seem to be common to other
Tamrac models. With other bags available, like Tenba's, with
superior protection, material and finish, I see no reason to use
a Tamrac.

Plenty of room, quick zippers, latches.

1. Insufficient bottom padding; you can feel shape of items from
outside.
2. Straps links to the case off center; case tilts outwards when
lifted.
3. Not well finished; frayed seams.
4. Links of handle to the case too long, useless; handle
actually lifts the case by the top cover seams.

Tenba

When I reported the problems above, just thanked me for helping
them to improve their products.