Reviews
5
A Great, affordable camera backpack!
I am a professional photographer and I spend a lot of time out on commercial fishing boats here in Maine - my search for a bag that could hold my gear safely and not be obnoxious to use has been long and pricey. I randomly found this bag in my Amazon search one day - and I am so glad! This bag was worth it.I recently did a 3 day tour out on two Maine islands with several boats. This bag survived a few lobster hauls and a kelp harvest - but more importantly - NOTHING was wrong or even damp in my gear (except from what water I got on them while shooting). The bottom structure could use slightly stickier velcro on the bottom pull out tray, but it wasn't a problem during use, just a note. I set a small SLR bag inside the open roll top area for a second big SLR and used the bottom tray for my DSLR and a Nikonos V (film dive camera). I was able to fit film, a light meter, 2 large SLRs, a dive camera (about the size of a mirrorless with lens), and some rain covers for gear. I did carry my laptop in it on the trip to the islands, and that worked well, I just removed it for the shoots on the water. It was also very easy to access my gear - no fiddling around and feeling like the bag was slowing me down. It was also really comfortable to wear. I'm a small person, and I carried heavy gear up and down ramps at low tide (that's a 20' climb), over the sides of boats, in and out of skiffs, and through some trails to get down to the shoreline and never really had to readjust or shift the bag.One notable thing about this bag is the exterior material. It was really tough. I really abused this thing and it was ok. It got bait spilled on it, lots of sea water splashed on it, kelp was stuck to it, I dragged it across a rough lobster trap when I was in a hurry to move ... nothing damaged it and it wiped clean really easily, so it doesn't stink like a lot of my other bags still do after similar abuse. The clasp on the roll top is arguably one of the toughest ones I've ever used. It's a really great feature.Survival story: On my 2nd haul, they dumped the tank they keep their lobsters on deck at the lobster pound so they could weigh them, and I had forgotten my bag down at the stern (where it drains). The water rushed down and the bag was sitting right in 3" of water for several seconds - nothing got wet except the fabric straps on the exterior and the padded back. Also, earlier some bait splashed up onto it, and it was pretty ripe. I emptied it out (removed the tray) and threw it in the tub in cold water with some castile soap and vinegar at home and it dried out easily and has no stink on it.Bottom line - don't submerge it - as the description says, it's not a true dry bag. But, it's pretty dang close. If a bag can protect gear easily and make it through a 3 day marathon of lobstering and kelp harvesting in Maine, I think it's a solid purchase.
14/07/2020