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Tamrac's Speed Pack 85 Dual Access Photo/Laptop Backpack is the perfect carrying solution for the photographer who prefers the comfort of a backpack, but doesn't want to sacrifice the ability to quickly and easily access photo gear. To accomplish this, Tamrac developed an innovative Dual Access System that allows fast access through the side door when the pack is worn over one shoulder. Like a traditional photo backpack, equipment can also be accessed through the front panel with the pack is removed. This versatile backpack holds and protects a DSLR with a grip and lens attached (including most 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lenses), 2-3 additional lenses and accessories. A separate, foam-padded laptop compartment holds most 17-Inch screen laptops. For weather protection, the side door is equipped with a water-resistant zipper while the front panel has a weather flap. Inside the side door, accessory pockets hold memory cards, lens caps and other accessories. In addition to the completely foam padded bottom compartment, the pack has a large top compartment perfect for personal items, such as a lunch or light jacket. An elasticized mesh side pocket provides convenient access to a water bottle. The pack features a carrying handle and a comfortable, foam-padded backpack harness contoured to distribute the weight of the camera gear across the shoulders. Two lash tabs on the bottom allow a tripod to be carried (requires accessory straps, Model S-113, sold separately).
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Technical Details
- Dual Access Photo/Laptop Backpack is ideal for the photographer who prefers the comfort of a backpack- Holds and protects a DSLR with a grip and lens attached (including most 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses)
- Dual Access System allows fast access to camera gear through a side door while the pack is worn over
- In addition to the completely foam-padded bottom photo compartment
- Inside the side door, accessory pockets hold memory cards and lens caps
See more technical details
By bdgilfry@wildchildpublishing.com (California)
My review is based upon my one-time use of this backpack.
For you reading this review; to buy, or not to buy: that is the question. Yes? I have attempted to include specific information to facilitate your decision.
Pros:
sturdy,
well-balanced,
made of quality materials,
good looking, and
efficient.
Cons:
Too few pockets, and (maybe)
one too many zippers?
First, let me say (and this is just a personal observation) that many people hope to get more than what they pay for. We all love a bargain, but don't expect a Jeep to have all the features of a Hummer. This is a relatively inexpensive backpack; you could spend $300 or more for a fancier item. However, in this case at least, inexpensive does not mean cheap. This is quality merchandise.
Second, I believe that a review should be based upon whether or not the item is as advertised. This item is at least as good as advertised, so it deserves five stars.
I like this pack a lot. I used it yesterday at its max capacity, carrying a 15.4" laptop, a reflector, a camera with lens attached, an extra battery, filters, cords, three extra lenses and a full-size tripod: 26.4 pounds.
That was a HEAVY load, but there is no question in my mind the pack could have managed more. It is well constructed, and the straps, even holding all that weight, remained comfortable.
However, I don't plan to carry that much of a load every time I go out with this pack, and I don't think you would either.
There are six noteworthy points that may not be clear from the advertising and specs for this pack, yet that are crucial to a purchasing decision:
6- This pack does not sport a hip strap, which is a necessity when carrying heavier loads.
5- This pack has no cell phone pocket.
4- The water bottle can fall out when you sling this pack off one shoulder in order to access your camera from the side compartment on the other side.
3- The zippers on two of the four zippered compartments close water-tight. That makes them a little harder to operate than a regular zipper.
2- Too few pockets/pouches exist. Those included are: One for a water bottle on the side (holds a liter bottle or a canteen easily), one for cords and miscellaneous on the back outside (five inches by six inches), two stretch pockets inside the upper "personal" compartment, two zippered pockets approximately 3" by 5" on the inside flap of the main camera/lens compartment, and three Velcro-closing compartments on the ready-camera side flap, one that is 3" by 4", big enough for a spare filter (in its case), and two more that measure about 2" x 2" for memory cards.
1- Your camera can fly out the side access door, or your lenses can spew from the back door (if you forget to zip up).
The only item above that matters a great deal to me is the last one. I don't plan to carry a heavy load all the time, I won't have my cell phone with me on a photo expedition, I can lash down the water bottle with the built-in elastic strap, and I can deal with the slow zippers (if you're in an area where photo ops abound, you should have your camera around your neck anyway, not in your backpack). While I'd appreciate more built-in pockets, there is enough room in this pack to carry a small multi-pocketed pouch to hold extra filters and other gizmos.
So, the NUMBER ONE reason you may want to reconsider purchasing this backpack:
Yesterday, after returning home from a photo field trip using my new backpack, I carefully zipped up the rear compartment and said to my model as I slung the pack from the trunk of the car, "Wow, I could really screw up my lenses if they fell out because I forgot to close the zipper." At that moment, my camera flew from the side compartment, fell three feet and landed on a hard, cold and unforgiving concrete slab.
If you are forgetful, perhaps sometimes a little daft like me, don't buy a pack with more doors than you need. The side-door access is a great feature. You can access your camera while still holding the backpack on one shoulder. But you must remember to close it!
Fortunately--and this is hard to believe--my camera and lens escaped unscathed. Amazing. So, when you hear that stupid is as stupid does, consider that even stupid sometimes gets lucky.
In closing, I'll address some of the comments I have read and add a few points that may not have been covered:
The zippers work well in California beach weather. I can see them becoming stiffer as the temperature drops, but this is not because the zippers are flawed; it's just a matter of physics. This pack contains four zippered compartments in all. Two of those--the one that protects your laptop and the one that gives you access to your camera with lens attached--have rubber faces that meet to hold out water. They stiffen as the temperature drops.
I am 5'8" and this pack is not too long for me.
I bought the S-113 straps so I can carry a bedroll or tripod beneath the pack. It makes you a wide load, yes, but there is no easy way to attach a full-size tripod to this pack vertically.
BEWARE: My laptop (a Hell Inspiron 1520 with 15.4" screen) fits safely and snugly, but it barely fits. Dell's battery protrudes at the back, increasing that dimension from a normal 10 3/4" to 11 3/8". If your computer is a 17", it won't fit if exceeds 1 1/2" thick and is deeper (from front to back) than 11 5/8".
If you work from the trunk of your car as I sometimes do, you will be opening and closing this pack like you would a regular camera bag; but a regular camera bag doesn't have secret side doors. If you suddenly pick a regular camera bag up by the handles, you won't spill your equipment. With this pack, you might.
These things having been said, if you are of at least normal intelligence and take care to zip up your zippers, this is a fantastic and fun item; by far more convenient than any camera bag. It feels good and looks good. It is efficient and sturdy, and will carry a couple of camera bodies plus a flash or two, with lots of those precious and expensive pieces of glass, plus your lunch, a laptop, a reflector and a tripod.
This is a very good product; and I do feel that I got a lot more than I paid for.
By S. Ponder (Santa Barbara, CA)
The bag is well constructed, lightweight but sturdy enough for the daily commute. The computer compartment easily holds a 17" laptop and there is plenty of romm for a camera w/ lens attached plus several additional lenses.Tamrac 3385 Aero Speed Pack 85 Dual Access Photo/Laptop Backpack (Rust)
By brittanw (New York, NY)
The backpack had high quality construction, both inside and out...but the rubberized zippers are very difficult to open! Other reviews indicated this was only a problem in cold temps, but I found it to be very inconvenient at room temp (~75F). I had concerns about the delay from the zipper causing me to miss shots, so I returned it. Also, ladies beware: the bag is very large!
By D. Andrews (Estes Park, CO, USA)
Tamrac 3385 Aero Speed Pack 85 Dual Access Photo/Laptop Backpack (Rust)
This is a great camera/equipment backpack with one problem (more about that later). The pack is well designed and carries a great amount of camera and equipment in the field and has room for a laptop and a jacket/lunch (or whatever).
When hiking the pack when loaded is comfortable and does provide quick access from the side to your camera body and attached lens. There is one problem that limits the use of the pack's design for quick acccess during colder temperatures (20 degrees f and below):
The side quick access flap and the laptop access zippers have a vinyl zipper cover that is designed to waterproof the zippers--works well for waterproofing and during warmer temperatures, while stiff to operate, does allow quick access to your camera. However, when temperatures are on the cool side the zipper(s) get so stiff that in order to access yur camera equipment you have to take the pack off and access the equipment from the from access panel which has a convential zipper and a normal pack-cloth flap for weatherproofing. The result is that when hiking or snowshoeing in colder temperatures, one of the pack's finest features is useless.
So if cold weather is part of your use for this otherwise great pack--beware--you will need to give up on the quick access the side access panel is designed to give you. Let's hope Tamrac corrects this problem.
DPA
Colorado
By Antonio Alba (Lawndale, CA USA)
It is roomy and very comfortable to carry, even with all your glass in it.
There is plenty of room for your 17" laptop also.
One thing you want to be careful with: remember to zip the side pocket before you lift the bag with the camera in it, otherwise it may fall out because there is no strap to secure it. (it almost happened to me ...)
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