Camera-Bag Reviews

The bag itself is great. The problem is that it was featured as being compatable with the JVC GRAXM225U Camcorder. Well...It isn't! It is too small. There isn't enough room to hold the camera, the charger, the VHS cartridge, RCA cables and a spare tape. It would be great for those who only want it to hold the camera and the VHS tape cartridge. But then where are you going to keep the rest of your "stuff"!

I bought this bag intentionally for my Pentax SLR, instead of a video cam, and am very satisfied! Room for the body, two lenses and several filters along with half a dozen rolls of film and a few odds and ends.

I bought one of these for my s-10 digital camera, and proceeded to wear it around, somewhat extensively, after 6 or 7 months of owning it though, the stitching along the zipper came totally out, rendering it somewhat useless. I replaced it with a somewhat less fashionable, but more durable Samsonite camera bag.
Also the zippered opening of this bag is prone to slightly scratch or mar plastic, or antireflective coatings such as those on camera LCDs.

It is good and very easy to handle! You can put anything from a PDA to a camera in it! It also looks nice and is protective of what is inside. The Koskin looks also a lot like leather and is an investment well spent.

My biggest complaint with the PhotoMessenger bag is its weight. Even before I put my camera equipment in the bag I noticed the fact that it was very heavy. I had two camera bodies and three lenses in it and it was very difficult to handle. I do like the fact that there is an easy access panel on the top. The expandable pocket on the back is also a nice feature. It is overall a nice looking bag, but it would serve better as a suitcast than a bag you can carry with you at all times. Definitely ot for a photographer who doesn't want a lot of things getting in their way.

When I think of all of the places I've visited for business, I just kick myself for not taking my camera with me. I've tried packing my point-and-shoot autofocus camera (a very fine Olympus 28-80 DLX Wide) as a solution, but it just doesn't give me the control and flexibility of my (Nikon) SLR.

I purchased a Tamrac Photo Messenger Bag in hopes that it could replace my soft-sided briefcase and allow me to quickly access my 35-mm SLR whenever and wherever on a business trip the photo-urge might hit me.

I've since taken my Tamrac Photo Messenger with me on excursions to Chicago, Paris, Hong Kong, Kansas City and Meridian, Mississippi.

I'm happy to report that the bag works very well! Here's what I discovered:

The Tamrac Messenger 8 Camera Bag is very spacious. It easily holds a SLR camera body with lens attached, as well as other accessory lenses (using velcro adjustable partitions inside of the bag's main compartment). I normally pack my Nikon N-90 with a Tamron 28-200 as the primary lens, and either my Nikon 28-105 macro (if there will be flower or nature opportunities), my Sigma 70-300 (if there will be sports or people possibilities), or my Tokina 19-35 (if I'll be visiting cities and walking amongst its tall buildings, such as in Chicago or Hong Kong).

Since I want to travel light, I'll normally take just one lens, along with my dedicated Nikon SB-28 flash (which has a zoom head which adjusts to cover focal lengths from 18-85 mm). If I want to travel even lighter, I'll pack my Nikon N-60 with built in flash, and leave the N-90 and SB-28 at home.

What makes the Tamrac Photo Messenger so convenient is the easy opening "Turbo Top" feature which enables one to access the camera without having to unlatch the bag's front flap. As I'm travelling, I simply carry the Tamrac Photo Messenger over my shoulder (as I would my briefcase) and peel back the Turbo Top when an interesting photo opportunity arises. When I'm done, I simply return the camera to the bag and zip the Turbo Top shut. And with the Tamrac's briefcase-like styling, I look like a typical businessman -- and not like a camera carrying tourist! (Although I'm not quite sure which one is worse.)

I chose the largest-in-the-series Photo Messenger "8" for its exterior (and expandable) laptop computer pocket. Even though I don't take my laptop PC with me on business, I use the space to carry files, magazines or books to read on the plane, (and the expandable gusseted feature can be especially helpful such as the time when I wanted to return home with some extra shirts, er...brochures from a trade show in Hong Kong).

I even borrowed my friend's portable DVD player and Bose Noise Canceling headphones on one occasion for the long flight to Hong Kong, and all of these items fit easily into the Tamrac Photo Messenger (along with my camera) with plenty of room to spare.

The bag has another large interior pocket for more files, and smaller compartments for items such as a checkbook, passport or PDA, as well as slots for pens and pencils.

The front flap has an exterior zippered area (which is perfect for airline tickets) and an interior mesh pocket (which is great for carrying film). The bag is also designed with Tamrac's built-in "Piggy-Back Pocket," which enables the bag to slide on to the handle of a rolling suit case, which really comes in handy when riding a shuttle between terminals or when catching a taxi in the rain (and, in one hand, holding an umbrella).

The Photo Messenger Bag was not without its faults: more pen slots were needed (three is not enough); a place for business cards would be nice; and the relatively large size (being designed for the largest laptop PC's) cause the bag to be a bit lengthy, especially when placed under many airline seats. Lastly, with the Turbo Top design, the bag does not have a separate grab-handle for carrying, which in general is ok, but a little inconvenient particularly when toting and checking the bag through airport security.

I am, overall, very happy! I've returned home with some wonderful photos (many of which were my best): great aerial shots taken from the plane (of the Grand Canyon in the evening and of corn fields in Iowa); of spectacular aiport terminals (such as Hong Kong's newest and United's O'Hare); of great city-scapes such as the Louvre in Paris, Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and the view when crossing Honk Kong Bay by ferry -- at night; and lastly, great close-ups of the dead (and still intact) armadillos which mysteriously litter the highway, legs up, on the interstates around Meridian, Mississippi. (I've heard over a dozen local yarns to explain this phenomenon, most unfortunately not printable on this website).

If you'd like to mix business (travel) with pleasure (photography), the Tamrac Photo Messenger may be your hot ticket!

The only trouble I now have is convincing my wife (after she's seen my photos) that I was actually working -- and not taking a company paid vacation without her! C'est la vie!

This camera bag started to unravel, when i purchased it... It is overpriced...If I had to do all over again... I would not have purchased the item..

I really like this camera bag, the only thing I dislike is there is no pocket in the back to hold my camera book. Instead there is a strap (that tucks inside a flap that snaps shut but the sides are open,) to put this bag around your waist. But if it was full I would find it hard to carry around your waist. Also the strap is attached to the bag and I can't remove it. I can't see that I would ever use this.
But other wise very well made, price is kinda high but it seems all camera bags are, but after looking for awhile for one that would hold my camera, 2 lenses and flash, this is the one to do it.

I bought the smaller version of this bag, but I rapidly outgrew it. In search for a bag that would hold my ever growing list of gadgets I narrowed it down to the 10EG. What helped me choose was that since I already owned the smaller version, I knew the good quality of the bag and how well it protect my gear traveling around. With this new bag, now I feel I dont have enough gagdets to fit in it. It is really spacious but not bulky. In my last trip I fit in an SLR body with a stadard lense, an 80-300 zoom lense, both with hoods; four filters with cases; a lupe, extra batteries, a digital cammera with all the accesories and charger, a camcorder with accesories and charger. It all fit in nicely.

Go to Wal-mart's electronic dept. to get a better bag for much less. I got a good Samsonite bag (which I love) for under $5.00 for my Canon A80!!! The bag I got had 3 compartments with zipper closures and can hold extra memory cards plus a backup supply of batteries. This case is basically useless unless you just want a Canon bag to go with a Canon camera.

I purchased this case to go with a Canon Powershot A80. The camera fits nicely and there is room in the little front pocket for four AA batteries OR a CF card. The problem that I really have with this case is that the sides of it don't go all the way to the closing flap. This would allow water to get into the main compartment, which stores the camera. If you only want a carrying case and aren't worried about the weather--this is a nice little case.

I bought this case for my A80. I did not want something that was waterproof, big, fancy or that had a bunch of extra features. I just wanted a simple case that would protect the camera when traveling and storing. It accomplishes these objectives perfectly.

I like the fact that the belt loop is sewed into the case. When I am at a race or amusement park, I want the assurance that there is no way the camera will come off my belt unless it completely breaks.

The inside of the case is soft and the outside is a water repellant-type material with a large velcro "snap".

You can't see it from the picture, but once opened, the case features a web-like pouch for batteries or a CF card. It will not hold both, but all I care about is batteries since I do not carry a spare CF card.

Overall, I am very satisfied with this case for the price I paid for it. It does what I want in an efficient and compact way. I bought it without seeing it in a store. After receiving it, I would have expected this to have cost around 15-20 dollars. I like it. It's just right.

I went to a sporting goods store, bought a true water proof carry bag thats twice the size and was half the price. Now my Dig. Rebel, PLUS a second point and shoot dig. camera, 2 lenses, Canon's 420 flash, multi filters, charger and cleaning products fit with room to spare. Don't rush out to purchase this bag, you'll regret it.

A well made bag, but the description is misleading....It reads "Waterproof bag holds 1-2 cameras and 3-4 lenses with room for accessories". You could possibly hold four small or medium lenses, without anything else and NO accessories. You could carry two camera bodies and some film but NO lenses. But there is no way to put two bodies, and 3-4 of the smallest lenses without removing all the padding and dividers - Then you'd might as well throw them all in a plastic sack and save your money.

I bought this for a Digital Rebel and regular lens - a flash and one telephoto lens and two batteries. It is busting at the seams, and I have ordered the battery pack/grip to go onto the bottom of the camera so I'll probably have to reorder a larger one.

If you want a good looking canon bag that is small and compact, you'll like it, and it is well made and worth the current cost, just remember it is smaller than the description would lead you to believe.....

I was looking at all of the other reviews before deciding to purchase this bag for myself. When the bag arrived I found that it fit my Canon Digital Rebel w/ battery grip, my 50mm EFS lens, and all the cables that came with the rebel as well as the battery charger. I have used this bag for a month or so now and it has held up well. After purchasing a 75-300mm lens I had to upgrade my bag as the 100EG would not hold everything anymore. If you are looking for a starter bag to hold a camera body, a lens maybe two, and a flash then this bag is perfect. Anything more than this I would recommend something a little bigger like the 10EG or 1EG from Canon.

The camera fits well , but this is not a lether case at all. Not happy after all.

The case that gets sent is not the case shown on web site. The case sent is for the elph size camera. If you can put 10 lbs of crement in a 5 lb bag, than you it will work for you, but I can't do it. This was a waste of time and money.

The product itself fits my needs. PROS- The bag is well made, stitching is consistent and even, the sides are straight and the flap opening has a velco closure to carry extra items and still close. It has a separate compartment for 2 batteries, or a battery and memory card. The opening flap also has a hole to thread the camera's lanyard through so you can strap it around your wrist/hand. It has a loop on the back to place on your belt. The only other thing is the small metalic name plate on the front of the bag.
CONS- nothing really about the bag itself, but I do have one complaint about the actual description which is misleading! The bag is NOT LEATHER! The piping around the bag might be, but the bag itself is NOT LEATHER, it is made out of some blue synthetic vinyl material.
OVERALL-I would buy this product again, even if it ISN'T LEATHER as stated. It's well made/designed. it will protect the camera from small bumps and scrapes, and has extra space for batteries or a memory card.

TIP- Use the hole to thread the camera's lanyard through, when you take pictures, take the camera out, then close the bag up, loop the lanyard's other end around your THUMB,not your wrist. The lanyard will be longer and the bag will hang farther away from you, and the camera is still safely secured to you, just in case you drop it.

As simple as that, if you got a G3 don't buy it, it will not fit. The bottom screw which hold the camera to the case does not aling to the existing threads on the body of the camera. Don't get me wrong here it is a fine product, nice brown leather well crafted, but IT DOES NOT FIT A G-3

This case looks and fits great. I hope Amazon sells this in black. I unknowingl bought a brown from somewhere else (still looks great but it's a bit of a disappointment because silver would look great with black). I am satisfied with this buy overall. A few notes on usage: it's somewhat inconvenient because this thing comes in 2 pieces. so when you take pictures, you'll have to put one piece somewhere else. The piece that is attached to the camera allows you to use the power and other ports/outlets but you'll have to remove it to change the flashcard. i am satisfied over all though.

Yes, the case is dark 'chocolate' brown. I actually like it... It actually adds to the "classic" look to the case.

Yes, the case is in two parts, but this is how standard SLR cameras have been made for years. And contrary to what other are saying, you do not have to 'take one part off and set it aside in order for you to use the camera.' While not recommended during extensive use, you can have the upper part dangle. This is simply how old-style SLR camera cases have been made for years!

And yes, accessibility is limited with the case, but I really don't know how they could have made the case be protective without it limiting some of the access. The ports that are available are the power and the PC connection ports.

Look, the main reason why I bought this is because I don't want the body of the G2 scratched up, and protected from minor bumps and drops. The case does this fine. And it good looking to boot.

This is a very lightweight, standard still camera tripod. The carrying case isn't big enough for much else then a still camera. Take it for a back up if someone gives it to you for free.

Bag: Best deal of the bunch. Reasonable quality. Not too big, but (just) big enough to hold the Sharp digital camcorder, battery, charger, cables, 2 tapes, and a smartmedia case.

Tripod: [Not very good]. Thin aluminum. Somewhat wobbly. Definitely not on par with even a low-end SLIK or other quality tripod.

Cleaning kit: Nice to have some cleaning solution, wipes, and a lens brush. Probably would cost a couple bucks at Wal-Mart, and this was free, but nothing to write home about.

Overall, no complaints because it was free with my camcorder. If the free deal runs out, here's what I'd recommend: Go to your local discount department store. Buy a bag (similar bags go for $10-15). Buy the lens stuff for a couple bucks. With your remaining cash (or for $5-10 more), buy a quality tripod. [Amazon.com] has an Ambico V-0566 57" for $29.99

I wouldn't buy the tripod for any amount of money (it will probably end up in a garage sale - maybe somebody else will pay a couple bucks). I was hoping that the quick release shoe would fit in my SLIK, but it doesn't.

But hey, it was free.

You can't go wrong buying this camera kit. The camera bag is the perfect size for a small camcorder or a SLR camera and all the accoutrements. It is easy to carry- shoulder strap and handle included. It is very well padded to protect your equipment. And it looks good, too! The tripod has three telescoping legs that are sturdy and easy to extend and retract. It does not wobble or tilt and holds the camera or camcorder well. The middle bar is plastic but that piece bears no weight so I doubt it will be a problem. The tripod is light weight and easy to carry. This can be invaluable as camcorders are difficult to steady by hand for any length of time. The cleaning kit (tissue paper, fluid, and air brush) is fine for quickly clearing lenses, eye pieces and screens of dust or light smudges. At the current price this is a steal.