Tamrac Adventure 6 Photo Backpack

RyuRyu
edited February 2009 in Products & DIY
At one time, Brandon mentioned that he used this backpack to tote around his DSLR and I finally got around to ordering one for myself. It arrived this morning and I loaded it with my D60 with lens attached, extra zoom lens, batteries, memory cards, charger and tripod. I still have so much room to spare! When I tried it on, it was super lightweight so I would feel fine taking it hiking.

So far, I love it. Thanks for the suggestion Brandon!

Comments

  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited February 2009
    I love that bag, glad you like it to. It was great on vacation with the water bottle holders and room for extra things in the top compartment.
  • RyuRyu
    edited November -1
    I like that it holds a lot of stuff I need but still isn't bulky. But then again... Tim will be the one carrying it so I guess that shouldn't matter! LOL
  • sunyatasunyata
    edited November -1
    I was actually looking at the LowePro Fastpack. It seems to have an easier access to the camera. I may order it sometime next month. The only problem with all of the camera back packs is that they do not have a place for a hydration pack. :-/
  • *JackBurton**JackBurton*
    edited November -1
    I have this backpack and love it. I keep my nikon d40, 18-55, and 70-300vr lens in the pack. In the upper pouch I can back a fair amount of stuff. As far as hydration packs go, I have a small one that I am able to lace in between the back of the backpack and my back. That combination works great. As far as easy access goes, I find the oversized clip is strong enough to keep the camera secured.
  • CrimsonO2CrimsonO2
    edited November -1
    I needed a combo laptop/dSLR pack/carry-on for when I went to the Philippines. I ended up getting this backpack and it worked great (dispite how heavy the sucker got). I should look into getting one that's strictly camera only...

    Vertex 100 AW

    image

    Jesse
  • *JackBurton**JackBurton*
    edited November -1
    If you need to carry more than one camera body and lens then the Tamrac isn't that good of an idea. I like that I can cram enough camera crud for almost any weekend jaunt. If I had more equipment, I would go with Jesse's setup.
  • cmmookiecmmookie
    edited November -1
    I know the pictures are just to show you what can fit in the bags, but the lenses w/o lens caps or anything totally makes me cringe!! :O
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited November -1
    Personally, I use the Lowepro slingshot 200. It stores my Canon 450d, 70-300mm f/4.5, 18-55mm kit, 50mm f/1.4, plus wallet, cell, etc. with room for another lens or flash. The reason I chose this bag is because you can take the camera out without taking the whole bag off. It also has a weatherproof cover.~

    image
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    I've got the Tamrac Adventure 7 (slightly bigger than the 6). I like it a lot for day outings when I know what I'll be shooting, it is a little too small for me to take enough stuff when I'm not sure what to expect though. My 17-55 is 77mm diameter so when I add in the lens hood it takes up half the bag. By the time I add the body with my 28-135 with lens hood (58mm diameter IIRC) and my flash, I'm already busting at the seams. If I put the lens hoods in the top compartment it works a little better.

    Before going to Hawai'i, I bought the Lowepro Computreker AW to carry *all* of my camera gear (including an old 70-300 that I gave to my mom and she lent back to me) and my laptop. I picked the Computreker because it was one of the only bags that I found that carried the laptop against my back (rather than in the part of the bag that swings open to reveal the camera gear), it fit my 15" Macbook Pro, and it fits in the overheard compartment of airplanes. I'm *really* happy with it.
  • cmmookiecmmookie
    edited November -1
    Hey Dave, you know you can mount the hoods on backwards for storage right? Saves a lot of room. The Computreker AW is a great bag though!
  • HeidiHeidi
    edited November -1
    Wow, what a great thread for me to read! I'm considering getting the Tamrac and the slingshot - I just haven't decided which! So far I only have a camera body and two lenses, but I plan to have more. I have a shoulder strap bag, but I don't really like it. Mainly because it only carries one camera body and one lense, nothing else. I want something for longer outings, too, and I like the idea of the bag carrying extra stuff.
  • CrimsonO2CrimsonO2
    edited February 2009
    Hey Dave,
    Does the Computrekker have waist straps? I can't seem to tell from the product pictures? The waste straps saved my shoulders considerably after a few long hikes. I think the more robust waist straps won me over to the Vertex.

    Here's a few pictures of the Philippines where I was glad I had my camera.
    Taal Volcano


    Chocolate Hills of Bohol


    Jesse
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    Melissa: Yes, I do store my lens hoods mounted backwards. The issue is width, not length.

    Jesse: Yes, the Computrekker has a waist belt. I don't use it because my torso is too long for it to rest comfortably on my hips. If you have a reasonably long torso, you might want to try to the computreker plus (it's a few inches longer, but it may not fit in airplane overhead compartments). It does have really comfortably padded shoulder straps though. I had probably close to 20 pounds of gear in it and I was perfectly comfortable carrying it around all day without the waste belt.
  • sunyatasunyata
    edited November -1
    In my quest to upgrade some of my older lenses, I have been thinking about getting a hard case for my gear for storage/tough travel. We have some Pelican cases for scuba and kayaking gear, and I was wondering if anyone has used them for camera gear. A backpack is great for day hikes and even short plane trips, but for something longer or where I may need to check my camera, I would really like to have a hard case.

    Any suggestions?

    Sorry to semi thread-jack!
  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1
    Check your camera? Haha, you crazy?

    I took my camera, lenses, flash, portable hard drive, chargers, batteries, and other stuff in my Tamarac all the way to Bangkok, through Vietnam and Cambodia. Then all the way back. Everything survived in great shape, on the plane, the bus, and in boats.

    However if you really want to check your camera gear, a hard case would be a great idea, but I've never used one.


    Also, I can keep the Tamarac on one shoulder, swing it around and get my camera out, it's not terribly difficult.
  • RyuRyu
    edited November -1
    I'm excited to put the bag to some use today. I'll have some spam and more reviews later!
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    I haven't had any experience with hard sided cases. I went into a local shop to ask about cases before leaving on my trip, and they told me I would be crazy for checking my camera (not that I was thinking about doing that). Cameras have a way of disappearing or getting damaged when in checked baggage. If you do go that route, make sure to insure your gear. I just got a no deductible, replacement cost policy for all of my camera gear and laptop for $100/year. Well worth it in my book.

    If you do go with a hard sided case, I would suggest finding a local pro shop and asking there. I went to this place and they were really cool and very knowledgeable.
  • sunyatasunyata
    edited November -1
    I doubt I would ever WANT to check my gear, but at some point, I may have to. Airlines are getting pretty ridiculous. When we flew to Florida last year, the airline we were flying made us check our scuba regulators because they did not feel it was safe as carry-on. (WTF????) Some people who work for TSA can be quite ignorant.

    The main reason I would want a hard case is for lugging gear in not so friendly conditions. I am trying to plan a trip to either Bali or Costa Rica for late this year or early next year, and having a waterproof, shockproof, and dirt/sand proof case would probably be beneficial. That is why I am thinking about the Pelican Cases. Unfortunately, I live in a ridiculous town with no camera shops (with the exception of Best Buy, which, IMO, does not really count, sorry Osy). I may take a trip up north and see if I can find some additional info.

    Oh, I all my camera gear is covered under a rider with our homeowner's insurance along with my music stuff too. It was actually rather inexpensive.
    Dave, does the policy you recently got cover just travel? Or does it cover normal use also?

    Pam, let us know how your hike went!
  • RyuRyu
    edited November -1
    Alrighty, I put the bag to some use today! I packed it with the D60, two lenses, hood, flexi tripod, two extra batteries, remote, the Coolpix (for video), bag of treats, wet wipes, two bottles of water, water bowl, my keys and phone. It worked perfectly for a day trip. I was able to hook my Coolpix to one of the shoulder straps and let it dangle for easy access. I could access the camera compartment pretty easily by swinging it over my shoulder and unzipping it. However, when I needed to change lenses and get the tripod out, I had to take the pack completely off. For trips that we take (day hikes and meetups), the bag is perfect. I'm a happy customer!

    Also, I like that the shoulder straps are heavily padded even though it's not a huge bag. Makes for a very comfortable hike!
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    Casey, it covers theft and damage. "Normal use" is a bit of a gray area that I can't get a definite answer on. From what I can tell, any damage during normal use that can be shown was not a result of my negligence will be covered. I can't interpret the policy and my agent can't explain it in terms I'm satisfied with. In any case, it's better than nothing.
  • sunyatasunyata
    edited November -1
    Dave - LOL, gotta love insurance agents!

    Pam, I have a kinda gross question for you. You said it got fairly warm today, how did the pack do as far as letting your back breathe? Back sweat or no?
  • RyuRyu
    edited November -1
    not a gross question at all! On a warm summer day on a mountainous hike, my back would definitely be drenched. I wear backpacks pretty snug and up high but it's not a terribly wide backpack so it wasn't uncomfortably hot. On a warm but breezy day, I had some back sweat - not enough to want to take it off though.
  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1
    In SouthEast Asia, I was wearing some pretty serious back sweat after a day of wearing the pack. However it was always about 90 out, everyone but the locals was sweating like crazy.

    I have a "Personal Property" plan for my camera gear. It's attached to our renters insurance. I can break my camera (drop, throw, whatever), lose it, or get it stolen and it's all covered. Actually what's insured is my camera bag and it's contents. Like $20 a year.
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited February 2009
    All my camera body & kit through the protection plans @ Best Buy. Covers accidental damage, battery replacement when that starts to die, & I get a cleaning [ inside & outside ] once a year, as well as any manufacturer defects. If I have to bring the camera / lens for any reason 4 times, I get a new one as it's considered a lemon.

    Sadly, I did NOT buy protection for my 70-300mm lens...& I dropped it about a foot a week ago...& it's now broken...*cries* My $600 lens that I use 90% of the time! ~
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