Tamrac Adventure 9 Photo/Computer Backpack (Red/Black)

Company : Tamrac List Price : $189.95 Amazon Price : $120.00 Used Price : Average customer review :

Features

• Tamrac's patented Memory & Battery Management System¿ uses red flags to identify available memory cards and batteries from ones that are used up.
• Two mesh side pockets provide quick access to accessories and water bottles.
• Comfortable, foam-padded backpack harness with sternum strap is contoured to distribute the weight of the camera gear across the shoulders.

Product Description

The Adventure 9 is a modern backpack designed for the SLR photographer with a pro digital or film SLR with a grip and 5" lens attached, several additional lenses, a flash, accessories and a laptop. The completely foam-padded lower compartment protects photo equipment, while the large top compartment holds a light jacket, lunch or other necessary items. Inside the top, a Pop-Off Pocket keeps AC adaptors and laptop cords organized. A separate, completely foam-padded compartment provides quick access to a laptop without disturbing photo gear.Double zipper pulls provide quick access to photo gear while a weather flap and quick-release buckle provide security and weather protection. Inside the main compartment, foam pillars support the camera with lens attached, ready for action, while adjustable, foam-padded dividers protect other equipment. Tamrac's Memory & Battery Management System uses red flags to identify available memory cards and batteries from ones that are used up. A Windowpane-Mesh pocket organizes filters, cables and other accessories.Two mesh side pockets provide quick access to accessories and water bottles. The comfortable, foam-padded backpack harness with sternum strap is contoured to distribute the weight of the camera gear across the shoulders. The harness also features Tamrac's Strap Accessory System attachment points for customizing this pack. Two lash tabs on the bottom allow a tripod to be carried (requires accessory straps).

Customer reviews

A little bulky for daytrips, but likely great for the airport
I bought this pack mostly to carry my DSLR and laptop through the airport. The lower camera pouch and laptop sleeve are both very well padded. The dividers for the camera pouch are a little big for my Canon XSi with kit lens but everything seems to be well secured with velcro. A downside to all that padding is the pack feels a little stiff and topheavy when fully loaded. I'm 6 feet and the pack is just barely the right size for me, so it may feel too big for someone shorter. Ditto the previous comments about too many straps. It does seem to be well constructed for long hikes, with both chest and waist straps.

great bag for day hikes
For a "serious amateur" photographer with one body and a couple of lenses, this is probably the best bag out there for day hikes and around-town jaunts. I did quite a bit of research before ultimately deciding on this one. It went up against a couple of Lowepro bags (i.e., Trekker II, Fastpack 100, Flipside 200) and a couple of Kata bags (i.e., DR-465 and DR-467). In shopping for a camera bag, I had a couple of main objectives: I needed a backack-style bag that would safely hold a few pieces of gear (a Canon XTi body, 2-3 lenses, and a SD630 point-and-shoot), a bag that did not scream "I am a camera bag", and one that would be comfortable to wear on relatively challenging day hikes (e.g., up Mt. Mansfield in Vermont) while accommodating a few non-camera items.

The pros:
* separate camera and "miscellaneous" compartments keep your lunch from contaminating your gear
* top "miscellaneous" compartment is generously sized (i.e., holds a couple sandwiches and granola bars, a trail guide, and one tightly balled-up rain slicker)
* mesh side-pockets are nice and stretchy (I've been able to fit a 1L Nalgene in there)
* build quality is very solid
* good padding in the camera compartment; plus the dividers are re-arrangeable to meet your specific needs
* straps are well-padded and the bag is very comfortable to wear over long periods of time (plus the chest and waist straps help to better distribute the load across your torso)
* does not scream "I contain $2000 worth of camera gear"

The cons:
* no tripod loop (depending on how big yours is, you could try to jam it into the mesh side-pocket but you'd still need to jury-rig a stablizing strap around the top)
* access to the camera compartment requires you to take the bag off (this may not be a big deal to you (it wasn't for me) but could be major...)
* not "all weather" (it would do well enough in fog or light rain but if you're expecting a heavy downpour, you might want to reconsider)

Other miscellaneous remarks:
* It was a close call between the Adventure 7 and the Adventure 9. This one (Adventure 9) is a little bit bigger and thus a little bit more expensive. It does (however) have a "slot pocket" in the back for a laptop -- this actually counted as points ~against~ the bag at first but after taking future travel plans into consideration, it made more sense to spend a little more and get that built-in feature.
* As mentioned above, it's a great candidate for day hikes and jaunts around town. That said, you'll want your hiking and/or travel partner to carry a small bag as well. There's enough room here (like I said) for a couple sandwiches, a trail guide, and YOUR jacket but your partner will be on his/her own in that department.

Excellent Pack for SLR Camera+Notebook Computer Use
The only thing against this product would be its size, it's pretty big. But it would have to be for the functionality you get/need in an SLR+Laptop combo pack. I carry a D-200, Apple Macbook Pro, and all the cords/cds/ipod/cellphone stuff I want, and I still have space left over in the top pocket. Very easy removal of the laptop (important at the security screening in Airports). I even carry a tripod in the side pocket (don't bother strapping it to the bottom of the pack).

Plenty of equipment room, low on quality
This backpack has a ton of room for your camera, a handful of lenses and what not. I however, am just starting out, and have but an SLR and 2 lenses, and so the extra room in this bag equals unnecessary bulk for me (the bag is extremely bulky).
The upper compartment is fairly small, but what can you expect, when you purchase a bag specifically designed to protect your camera equipment.

I was disappointed in the quality of the straps and harnesses. From an adventure backpack standpoint, the harness system is poorly constructed, and uses cheap plastic. The bag itself, however, appears sturdy and handsome.

I ultimately returned my bag, due to it's overwhelming bulk for my needs, and a broken plastic buckle on the waist strap assembly. (I ordered it refurbished, so the broken piece may be a result of poor inspection) I may try the smaller Adventure 7.

good product but...
great pack but top part of pack is an open pocket which limits the room for larger lenses or if you have more then 2 lenses you want in the field

Tamrac Adventure 9 Photo/Computer Backpack (Red/Black)