Customer Reviews

Tamrac 574501 Velocity 5 Photo Hip Pack Convertible (Black)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is my first dedicated camera bag I've bought. I got this bag to hold my recently-purchased Canon 300D Digital Rebel SLR. The bag is just big enough to hold the camera (with an attached lens) and two other lenses. You should take a look at Tamrac's website to see the internal diagrams of this bag. I have the Canon 28-135mm lens, which is a pretty hefty lens, and the fit is a bit too cozy for my taste. If I keep the lens attached to my camera and place the camera in the main compartment, pulling out the camera occasionally knocks off the lens cap if it isn't very firmly attached.

Additionally, there isn't much room for other material. There are three other compartments. One is in a small plastic zippered housing in the lift-top, another is in a large zippered compartment on the front of the bag, and the last is in some webbing in the front. All in all, there is just enough room to keep some spare memory cards/film and batteries. However, when I go travelling on foot, I tend to keep a lot of extra papers with me, including maps, guide books, and other junk, and it looks like there isn't much room for that. Behind the bag is a snap-buttoned lining for holding the attached belt. I use this enclosure for keeping my compact 10" tripod.

Other than that, this is a fine bag as long as you keep your accessories and other personal items to a minimum. There were other things I liked. One, inside the bag there is a good 1" of clearing between the camera and the lid. This is good, because I don't want anything touching (and potentially scratching) the LCD on the back of my camera. Second, the internal compartments are very well padded. Finally, the bag doesn't look like a camera bag. It looks like a typical daypack (with a nice blue colour to boot), so this will minimise the potential for mugging!

I'm using this to carry my Digital Rebel 350 XT, the 17-85 EFS IS USM lens, B&W MRC UV Filter, sunpak grip strap, and the EW73B petal hood. When everything is attached/assembled it slips in fine. however, with the petal hood reversed for storage, the hood tends to snag on the velcro on it's way up. this causes the lens to zoom out. it doesn't happen every time you reach for the camera, but it does happen.
the simple solution is to just live with it, or don't store the hood on the lens. (which is probably better with this lens since the hood obstructs the zoom ring quite a bit)
I'm able to store the following in this bag with space for more.

1) Rebel XT w/ EFS 17-85 IS USM lens + B&W MRC UV Filter + EW73BII petal hood reversed on the lens + Sunpak grip strap
2) body cap and back lens cap tucked into the space on one side of lens
3) B&W filter box tucked on the other side of the lens. (no it doesn't sit flat against the bottom or side. instead it divides the space into 2 triangles.)
4) memory cards and batteries in the turbo top clear pocket.
5) USB2 and Video cable in front pocket
6) battery charger and CF PCMCIA adapter in front pocket
7) pen in the pen holder in front pocket
8) cheap blower brush in front pocket
9) microfiber cloth in front pocket
10) nothing in the front mesh pocket.

the strap has 2 Strap attachment slots. it is also fairly comfortable. I'm sure neoprene straps are better/more comfy.

the turbo top itself is semi useful. you need to get used to opening and closing the top. opening it means having a grip on the left side of the bag, and then pulling, as the zippers have some resistance to them. closing the top is a little easier. reason being, there's no need to grip the right side due to the buckle being located there. in the field, i tend to keep the turbo top half zipped for quicker egress of the camera.

the hip straps work great. very pleased with them. I've got a 31" waist. there is a lot of slack when adjusted.

this bag doesn't have tamrac's red flag digital organizer system. but the clear top works great for storing batteries and cards. it won't hold a 67mm B&W filter though.

no camera bag is perfect. I'm still searching for my version of it. for some, this bag will be their perfect fit.

UPDATE - 6/24/5
I'm able to fit the following in this bag...
It the main compartment, with only 1 foam divider
a Sigma 70-200 EX HSM with hood reversed and the tripod colar attached.
Canon Digital Rebel 350D XT with EFS 17-85 IS USM with hood reversed.
In the front gear catcher area, the charger, giottos rocket blower, giottos brush, PCMCIA CF Card reader, body and lens caps, and a pen.
In the clear turbo pocket, giottos micro fiber cloth, spare CF card, spare battery.

It packs in REALLY tight but it does fit. the Sigma lens and the canon rebel 350D body fit very cozy. Would probably not work if i tried to fit a 20D or a 300D.

I generally agree w/ other positive reviews about this bag. I've owned one for nearly 3 years now and still like it though I have finally outgrown its cozy size/fit w/ my Nikon D200. I originally did a lot of shopping before choosing this bag for my then Canon Powershot G3 kit, which included tele and wide lens converters and a 420EX speedlight, w/ expectation that I would keep using it when I eventually upgrade to a D-SLR. And when I did upgrade to a Nikon D70 (upon its initial release back in 3/04), the bag continued to serve me well though yes it was a very tight fit w/ the D70 + a small-to-mid-size lens attached pointed down and Sigma 70-200 EX f/2.8 next to it -- the tightness was mainly between the width of the D70 body and the width of the 70-200 f/2.8 telezoom. FWIW, I also briefly had a Nikon D50 that fit quite a bit easier and comfortably cozy w/ the same configuration.

Still, I like that the bag also offers these side notches for attaching additional small bags/cases/pouches, which Tamrac calls their MAS system (and Lowepro calls Slip-lock), and I usually use that to attach a Lowepro D-Res 25 to carry an additional small-to-mid-size lens (eg. Nikon 85mm f/1.8, 35mm f/2, 18-70mm DX). I like this configuration partly because I could also quickly detach the D-Res 25 bag and go lightweight w/ just my D-SLR out in the open w/ its neckstrap plus an extra lens in the D-Res 25, which I do quite often.

The waist belt might be useful for a bigger person, but for me, the bag is really too tall to be worn around the waist (and probably too heavy also w/ D-SLR gear) although it worked ok for brief periods on a couple occasions back when I was still using it for my Canon G3 kit. Some might also find the waist belt useful w/ the bag worn behind (instead of in front) when riding a bike I guess.

Anyway, now that I have a Nikon D200, I'm again shopping for a new bag as I can no longer squeeze that in the bag next to the 70-200mm f/2.8 telezoom. The top candidates right now are the Lowepro Slingshot 200 and the Tamrac Velocity 8 and 9 as I prefer to get a sling-like bag that doesn't require removal for quick, reliable access. I'd also consider another hip bag that's just like the Velocity 5, but a bit bigger to fit the D200, but alas, there doesn't seem to be one that quite fits the bill -- the Adorama Slinger comes close, but it doesn't look as well designed nor have an equiv to the Tamrac MAS system that I find essential for bags of this size. The Lowepro Slingshot seems almost perfect to me, except I'm not too sure it'll work well for me ergonomically speaking since I much prefer wearing the strap on my left shoulder, instead of right shoulder like most other folks I guess, and slung across to my lower right side.

Addendum: For anyone looking for a moderately bigger slingbag (for D-SLR use), there's now also the increasingly popular Kata T-214 GDC Torso-Pack that I recently bought and love. I find that compares favorably to the other slingbags I mentioned above, especially if you prefer slinging over the left shoulder (though it works fine both ways unlike the Lowepro Slingshot).

I purchased the Tamrac Velocity 5 for myself to use with my digital camera equipment. I needed something that would allow me to carry everything, including "stuff" from my purse.

I received the bag and my son took one look at it and claimed it as his own for use with his slr, lens and whatever else he needs to carry. The bag is perfect to take to soccer games when he is coaching - he can put it around his waist and not worry about it.

The bag is light enough so it can be filled and not weigh you down. It balances perfectly whether carrying it with the shoulder strap or using it as a hip pack.

Now I just need to buy another one for myself!

I have back problems and was looking for a hip pack. I found the Tamrac 5745 on Tamrac's website and looked at the in use illustration which showed an SLR with a 4" lens mounted, a flash on one side of the mounted lens and two short lenses on the otehr side of the mounted lens.

When it arrived, I found that I could only fit my Nikon D-70s with it's lens mounted and one other short Nikon AF lens in the case. To be fair, you could squeeze a couple of rolls of 35mm film in on the side opporsite the mounted lens. Tamrack must have used an old Nikon FG SLR with manual focus lenses when the did the illustration. It was VERY misleading!

This is not the sellers fault, it it Tamrac's miss representation of the product. I won't buy one of their products unless I can touch it first!

The best hip pack out there. I have a Sony CD500 digital camera. The case has two little removable sectioners, two big removable secioners, and the shoulder strap. I wear it around my waist, and it's comfy and sits on me perfect. I can also fit my PDA phone, wallet, and other little necessities in the front zip pouch when I'm about town. Also, looks just like a fanny pack and not a big camera bag like I had been carrying, so wouldn't be as quick a target for thieves. I'm thrilled!

Tamrac makes good stuff, and this pack is no exception. Good accessability choices and carrying configurations, including a sturdy waist strap that can be used by people who have a waist size larger than your typical model, even downright hefty types like myself. Nice padded shoulder strap with good ergonomics.

The pack material is very soft and might not stand up for years of exposure, but too early to tell. Due to it's tall, narrow look you can't tell it's a camera bag unless you are familiar with the brand, unlike other bags which scream "Steal Me!" such as the nice Canon pro bag with "Canon" blazoned on the front. Gee, wonder what's in that? The Tamrac has some subtlety to it.

I have a couple of high speed telephotos and this bag can't handle those with the camera in place, but makes a great replacement for the surprisingly useless bag that came with my wife's Sigma.

Great bag for smaller systems and basic to intermediate shooters, or as an accessory bag. Go bigger for more advanced systems.

I bought this bag a while ago, and it had since gone to London with me. I could not have made a better choice. Firstly, it feels surprisingly light, even when full. It is comfortable to carry with the shoulder strap (well-padded) or the waist strap (wide and adjustable for larger waists.) It has 4 moveable sectioners to enable you to organize your gear.
I carry the following in the main compartment of my bag:
Kodak Z470 digital camera
Filter set
Cleaning kit
Wide angle lens
Telephoto lens
Pocket tripod

The front zipper compartment has room for my wallet, credit cards & keys. Tamrac sells add-on pockets which attach securely. I have added a cell phone pocket and a water-bottle holster to mine. Even with the add-ons, it is comfortable to wear or carry.

Lastly, it looks like a large fanny pack, not a camera bag. This makes it less likely to tempt a thief. It's a rugged, practical bag and I am thrilled with it.

This is a well constructed pack with nice belt and shoulder strap, but it didn't work for me. I bought it to carry my FZ28 with lens hood attached. There are two velcro straps along the length of the internal walls of the pack to fasten the dividers. The lens hood caught on these straps when I would try to insert the camera in the bag making it a 2 handed and slow operation, so I returned the bag.

I am very impressed with the quality and durability of this product. I keep my Pentax digital SLR, Tamron 28-300mm Lens, Pentax Extermal Flash, and rapid battery charger. I don't think you can get smaller than this and still fit all those items, nor bigger without becoming too bulky. It is very comfortable to wear with shoulder strap and has gel pad where it lies against the hip. The clips that attach strap to bag are thick, sturdy, metal. I don't feel like the camera is going to pop out if the cover isn't snapped properly, like it had with 2 other cases. The camera is very easy to access when the cover is on. This is a really great case. I did much research in looking for the best case which is small enough, big enough, safe, comfortable, and durable. I feel like I made a great choice. My dad had just bought a case and already has this one ordered to replace it!