Light weight, flexibility, lots of storage for a small bag, balance, provides more protection than you'd think, handy grip on the top of the bag to lift it.

The plastic latches aren't great, and the hook-and-loop fasteners sometimes make it awkward to get at a small lens or converter in the bottom of the bag.

I wanted a bag that was small, light, carried a moderate amount of gear, and provided easy access to that gear while shooting. I'm something of an old curmudgeon who'd used a Nikon hard case with an old Nikkormat and 5 MF single focal-length lenses for many years. When I finally decided to go digital, I decided to see what bag would work best for the shooting I bought the camera for--kids' soccer. After looking at a minimum of 50 cases, I ruled out backpacks as they are awkward to get at, even though they are easy to carry, and cases that hold the camera and lens horizontal, as that is awkward with the 80-200 f2.8 lens that I use most often while I am actually carrying the bag. The Tamrac carries everything I need, and provides convenient access to that gear. The bag easily carries my Nikon D70 with mounted Nikkor 80-200 f2.8 zoom, 18-70mm kit lens, Kenko 2X teleconverter, and has room for another lens or flash in the main part of the bag. The top can be fastened over the camera with mounted 80-200 and teleconverter. The pockets carry spare and used CF cards, tripod mounts, charger and AV cables, filters, remote, lens cleaner, and a cheat sheet, all segregated in handy compartments. The thing I like best about the bag is the vertical positioning of the camera: the camera is easy to remove and replace, it's protected from the elements even with the flap unfastened, and the weight of the zoom is toward the bottom of the bag. As the previous reviewer noted, the inner dividers do sometimes catch on the edges of cameras and lenses, but that's the price you pay for flexibility and light weight.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon hard case with bayonet lens mounts.

Size format (vertical). Nice to have the slip are to go over a handle. Plastic buckle caused me to choose this over the Domke with heavy metal clasps.

1) The velcro on the inside has an edge that grabs a hold of the lens caps...it will not hurt the lens...just tends to snag. 2) The back of the bag allowing for it to be slipped over a handle could have had velco to double as a pocket when not being carried over a handle. Top pocket could have been bigger.

I had a very difficult time finding a bag that would fit a Nikon 70-200, a Nikon 28-70, a Sigma 15-30 and the D100 with a MB-100 attached. This is the ONLY bag I could find after looking over dozens of others. What I really like about this bag is that it is upright and should serve well during an event when it is necessary to switch lenses on the fly. It is ALMOST big enough to totally replace my wider style, Tamrac 608, yet it is small enough to not look over loaded...and it fits well over the sholder. I am still working on getting everything figure out, but so far, am pleased with how it will carry what I need it. I plan to use this at weddings mostly.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Tamrac 608 and 517