Tamrac Adventure 9 Photo/Computer Backpack (Grey/Black)

Other products by Tamrac

Product Details

• Item Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000F31KLA
• Item model number: 5549 Gray/Black
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 29, 2006

Product Description

Manufacturer Description
The Adventure 9 is a modern backpack designed for the SLR photographer with a pro digital or film SLR (such as Canon's EOS 1D Series or Nikon's D2 Series) with a grip and 5-inch lens attached, several additional lenses, a flash, accessories, and a laptop. The completely foam-padded lower compartment protects photo equipment, while the large top compartment holds a light jacket, lunch, or other necessary items. Inside the top, a Pop-Off Pocket keeps AC adaptors and laptop cords organized. A separate, completely foam-padded compartment provides quick access to a laptop (such as Apple's PowerBook G4 or others up to 15.5-by-11-by-2-inches in size) without disturbing photo gear.

Double zipper pulls provide quick access to photo gear while a weather flap and quick-release buckle provide security and weather protection. Inside the main compartment, foam pillars support the camera with lens attached, ready for action, while adjustable, foam-padded dividers protect other equipment. Tamrac's patented Memory and Battery Management System uses red flags to identify available memory cards and batteries from ones that are used up. A Windowpane-Mesh pocket organizes filters, cables, and other accessories.

Two mesh side pockets provide quick access to accessories and water bottles. The comfortable, foam-padded backpack harness with sternum strap is contoured to distribute the weight of the camera gear across the shoulders. The harness also features Tamrac's Strap Accessory System attachment points for customizing this pack with optional Tamrac S.A.S. products. Two lash tabs on the bottom allow a tripod to be carried (requires accessory straps).

Memory and Battery Management System
Many of our camera bags feature the patented Memory and Battery Management System, which provides quick access to memory cards, batteries and accessories. This unique system uses red flags to identify available memory cards and batteries from ones that are used up.

Strap Accessory System (S.A.S.)
Tamrac's Strap Accessory System has components that attach to the shoulder straps of most of our camera bags and backpacks to allow photographers to personalize and customize their carrying systems.

Windowpane-Mesh
A Tamrac innovation developed in the early eighties, Windowpane-Mesh combines clear vinyl and nylon mesh for film and accessory pockets.

Product Description
The Adventure 9 is a modern backpack designed for the SLR photographer with a pro digital or film SLR with a grip and 5 inch lens attached, several additional lenses, a flash, accessories and a laptop. The completely foam-padded lower compartment protects photo equipment, while the large top compartment holds a light jacket, lunch or other necessary items. Inside the top, a Pop-Off Pocket keeps AC adaptors and laptop cords organized. A separate, completely foam-padded compartment provides quick access to a laptop (such as Apple's PowerBook G4 or others up to 15½" x 11" x 2" in size) without disturbing photo gear. Double zipper pulls provide quick access to photo gear while a weather flap and quick-release buckle provide security and weather protection. Inside the main compartment, foam pillars support the camera with lens attached, ready for action, while adjustable, foam-padded dividers protect other equipment. Tamrac's patented Memory & Battery Management System uses red flags to identify available memory cards and batteries from ones that are used up. The comfortable, foam-padded backpack harness with sternum strap is contoured to distribute the weight of the camera gear across the shoulders.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not As Well Designed As Other Tamrac Bags, June 28, 2007

By	D. Bjorgen (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having greatly enjoyed the fine quality and convenience of Tamrac's Adventure 8 Photo Backpack , I eagerly purchased the Adventure 9 as a more versatile travel bag. I was especially interested in being able to consolidate my camera bag and computer bag into one unit.

The Adventure 9 certainly has more room than the Adventure 8, especially in the top compartment. The bag is sturdily designed and comfortable, and Tamrac have introduced some nice extra features. I like the removable inner pocket designed for carrying laptop and electrical cords, although it would be more convenient to have it adhere directly to the bag via Velcro, rather than having the cumbersome Velcro straps that lash to inner loops.

The padded camera compartment is easier to access than the Adventure 8, although one must be careful not to spill lenses and other equipment out on the ground.

The Adventure 9 is not all good, however. The see-through lined compartment has limited uses other than as a "collect all" pocket. Tamrac's special "Memory and Battery Management System" is pretty useless if if you utilize a memory case such as Gepe's CardSafe Watertight Memory Card Case . The memory management compartment just take up otherwise needed space.

Despite its larger size, the Adventure 9 has fewer compartments than the smaller Adventure 8. There are times when I would like extra compartments in order to stash small items and extra goodies, such as small bottles of sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and lens cleaner.

As a word of caution, the padded camera compartment is deeper than it looks in the advertisement photos. If your equipment is of standard size (in other words, not gigantic), you may have to be creative with the padded inserts in order to keep your gear from shifting or flopping around inside the compartment.

When accessing the camera compartment, the top quick release buckle tends to constantly flop down into the compartment. I'm constantly annoyed with it, shoving it out of the way to get to my gear, only to have it flop back into the way.

Both the Adventure 8 and Adventure 9 backpacks have waist straps. However, the Adventure 8 has a rear sleeve in which to stash the waist straps when not in use. For some unknown reason, this sleeve was not included in the Adventure 9 pack, leaving the straps to dangle needlessly below the bag. If it didn't reduce the bag's resale value, I would probably cut the straps off just to be rid of the annoyance.

According to the Tamrac website, the rear computer compartment holds 17" laptops up to 15 1/2" x 11" x 2". Most Apple notebooks run a bit slimmer than that, so access is not a problem. My computer, however, runs those exact dimensions and will not fit due to the compartment's zipper limitations. Tamrac should have designed a wider zipper opening for easier access. I'm fearful of forcing the computer, as it may tear the zipper or the compartment.

In conclusion, I was hoping that upgrading from the Adventure 8 to the Adventure 9 would allow me the same functionality as well as the added bonus of hauling a laptop. In the end, the bags shortcomings left a bad taste in my mouth.

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Backpack for the Digital Photographer, July 23, 2006

By	thenewyorkie "mhatch" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This backpack has it all:
- Padded compartment for laptops up to 17"
- Ample room for large DSLRs and 2-4 lenses/flashes
- Space for other items, guidebook, jacket, etc.
- A discrete non-camera bag appearance for security

It is a great looking bag too. I am going to the Caucasus and don't want to leave any equipment at the hotel. This bag allows you to carry all your gear with you. The straps are very comfortable. I like the grey/black combination, doesn't scream "I have expensive camera equipment. Come mug me."

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great computer / camera backpack, July 27, 2007

By	P. Vo (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Since I got this backpack several weeks ago, I made many trips, including 2 to Singapore. I brought along my Canon XTi (400D), its kit lens (18-55mm), one 28-135mm lens, one 70-200mm / f2.8 lens, one external flash, and a few other small accessories, one 17-in Dell D820 laptop, its charger and mouse. The total weight is over 24 lbs (11 kgs). I find this bag much better than the Tamrac Adventure 7 and the Lowepro CompuDayPack, both of which I outgrew quickly. With the Adventure 9, I can access my camera, lenses and accessories, pretty fast. Yes, I do have to put the bag on the ground to get to the camera; But that's the price I am willing to pay for convenience of carrying so many things in one bag.

When in an airplane, I put this backpack in the overhead bin. It's securely out of the way of legs, feet, service carts, etc. Before leaving home or hotel room in the morning, I will make a decision on what to bring. For example, when I was in Singapore over a weekend, I left my laptop and its accessories in the lock box in the room. My backpack was considerably lighter. I was able to find a way to conveniently secure my monopod on the Adventure 9, went out to enjoy the city and took a good deal of pictures.

This backpack is well made. The quality of its materials and workmanship is very high. Its design makes its usage convenient. The features of this backpack are well thought-out. I feel secure carrying my photographic assets around.

The only issue preventing me from giving it a 5 star is the opening for the laptop. It is barely enough for a 17-in laptop; the zipper interferes with putting in or taking out the laptop, from time to time. It seems that the worst time for this interference to happen is at the airport security line.

Hope my review is of use to you.