Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Photo/Laptop Backpack (Black)

by Tamrac

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13 x 13.5 x 19.5 inches ; 6.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00148RMR6
• Item model number: 558701
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

The Expedition 7x is a large pack for a full complement of photo equipment. The main compartment is completely foam padded with numerous adjustable, foam-padded dividers to protect multiple pro-size digital and film SLRs with lenses attached, a full range of lenses, and flashes. A foam-padded front pocket with a water-resistant zipper holds most 15.4" screen laptops. Two "wing" accessory pockets with water-resistant zippers organize and provide quick access to important accessories without disturbing the photo gear. These "wing" accessory pockets also feature Tamrac's patented Memory & Battery Management System that uses red flags to identify available memory cards and batteries from ones that have been used up. A tripod is carried between these pockets with Tamrac's QuickClip tripod attachment system. Inside, the camera with a long zoom lens attached is suspended on two vertical, foam-padded dividers that are internally reinforced with rigid plastic. A restraint strap holds lens firmly in place. A Dual-Hinge Divider System allows a second SLR to be carried with a lens attached. Three Windowpane-Mesh pockets inside the front flap visibly organize filters, film and other accessories. A plastic, foam-padded platform in the bottom provides shock protection while the LockDown Rain Flap protects the zipper from the elements. The state-of-the-art harness system with Dual-Density Comfort Pads provides maximum carrying comfort while Air Flow Channels help keep you cool and dry during extended use. The pack is also equipped with a BioCurve dual-pivoting waist belt and an expandable sternum strap. Internal Dimensions: 11W x 6.25D x 16H. External Dimensions: 13W x 13.5D x 19.5H. Weight: 6 lbs. 6 oz.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a MONSTER but a good one!, May 28, 2008

By 

Stuart Floyd (Cohoes, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Photo/Laptop Backpack (Black) (Electronics)

I actually didn't expect this bag/backpack to be so big. However, it makes sense and it holds allot of equipment and the Sony 15.4" laptop all in one bag with good solid construction and padding along with some light rain guard on the outer areas. It fits well, is very adjustable, comfy but heavy especially when filled. However, to me that is a no brainer. If you are looking for light weight this is NOT it. It does what it should and does it well and it moves well with you when hiking or on uneven terrain it doesn't throw you off balance as some other more stiffly attached ones do. Remember this bag/backpack comes in a larger one (Expedition 9x) and 2-3 smaller ones (Expedition 3x & 5x). These are usually on display at larger camera specialty shops, so go check it out before you buy it. Do search around as you can find good prices as with most items prices change often.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A solid bag - well built for travel, July 25, 2009

By 

Joe (Midwest, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Photo/Laptop Backpack (Black) (Electronics)

I would describe myself as an enthusiastic amateur photographer/videographer who frequently travels with a lot of equipment.

This series of backpacks has been given high ratings by a number of users which prompted my initial interest. I live in a small town and was unable to get a "hands on" look at this backpack, although my local vendor did carry the Aero series of packs.

Prior to purchase I was looking for:
1) Protection for my 2008 15in MacBook Pro (LED series)
2) Protection for my Canon EOS 40D with multiple lenses
3) The ability to bring my Sony HDV Handycam
4) Plenty of room for accessories and additional small items
5) A sturdy external construction that would survive travel and hiking
6) A bag would serve as a carry-on for flights

This bag meets and exceeds my expectations. I am able to fit the bag under the seat of regional and large jets. On regional jets, it won't always fit in an overhead compartment...but I'm sure that this can vary among airlines.

In addition to the expectations above there are several other pluses:
1) The waste-strap provides plenty of extra support when you load up this bag
2) The inside may be customized in a number of configurations to suit your equipment needs with well designed velcro pads (keeps wasted space to a minimum)
3) There is room for later expansion with Tamrac's SAS and MAS systems

Be Aware:
1) This is a large backpack as others have suggested. Though it would appear to work well in a plane, it barely makes it under some seats. When there is a tight fit in an airplane you will have some difficulty getting access to your laptop without a bit of work.
2) This is probably not a bag to be used for short trips with a small amount of stuff...this bag is designed to be a carry-all.
3) It would appear that the zippers on laptop access portion of this bag are similar to the waterproof/rubberized zippers that have been given low ratings on other Tamrac bags in the past. I have not experienced any issues with these so far, though my time with this bag has been short to date.

I highly recommend this bag to those that have expectations similar to mine.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Backpack, backpack, April 19, 2009

By 

J. Summers "Baseball Epistemologist" (Chandler, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Photo/Laptop Backpack (Black) (Electronics)

I am not sure how it happened but the amount of photographic equipment and accessories I've accumulated has blossomed like a mushroom cloud. I found myself carrying two or three bags of equipment with me when I went out on a photo shoot. This became cumbersome and frustrating. I decided what I needed was a bag that could hold my gear and keep it protected while I was out in the field. I looked at several before finally deciding on the Tamrac 5587 photo backpack.

Part of the problem with buying a bag over the Internet is that you never quite know how big it really is. I read the description of this bag but still did not have a clear vision of the size. I placed an order thinking I knew how big it was but when it arrived I was slightly stunned. This is by no means a small bag. It is large enough to require a waist belt and for good reason. The bag itself is capable of holding quite a lot of equipment. To give you an idea let me share with you what I had in the bag during my last assignment.

I was able to include a Nikon D300 camera with a Nikkor 80-400mm lens, a Nikon D200 camera with a Nikkor 18-200mm lens, a Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 lens, two Nikon SB800 flash units, a Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 lens, a Gitzo GM3551 monopod (strapped to the outside), an assortment of batteries, filters, lens caps, cleaning supplies, 12 Compact Flash memory cards, an Apple MacBook Pro 15", and the power cables and connections for the computer. All of this gear fit comfortably in the backpack. Once loaded it was by no means lightweight but I at least felt like the gear was protected and I could carry everything I needed in 1 bag.

The construction of the bag is first rate. The zippers are heavy duty and the velcro seems to be top notch. There are several adjustments that can be made to make the bag fit well. Fully loaded the weight seems to be distributed well so it was not overly painful to carry it. I would not want to hike for days with this on my back but over the course of several hours covering a soccer tournament it worked pretty well. The base is fairly square so it stands up on the ground pretty well. While I like the waist strap for carrying it, it does get in the way when you are not wearing the backpack. I wish there was a way of removing the waist strap but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be possible. Overall I like the idea, just be aware that it is pretty large so don't be too surprised by the large box it is delivered in.