Customer Reviews

Tamrac 5588 Expedition 8x Photo/Laptop Backpack (Black)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got this backpack as a Father's Day present. I'd been looking for a large backpack to combine the camera gear and the laptop, and this seemed like an ideal bag to carry all my stuff for the weekend getaways.

Unfortunately, my experience with the backpack did not survive the first encounter. I loaded the backpack up with my camera gear (2 D/SLRs, 5 lenses, three flashes, batteries and PSD and other gear) and the laptop. The total weight including the backpack itself was 30.2lb. The first time I tried to heft up the pack to wear it, the top of the left strap began to tear from the bag. That was it. That was all it took to convince me to return it to Amazon. I'm sorry, if something as fundamental as the shoulder strap of the backpack can't hold the weight, then I have no confidence in the durability or the workmanship of the pack.

For those interested, I've uploaded a photo of the damaged strap.

Like alot of things people buy on Amazon I think camera bags and backpacks are largely a matter of preference. If you buy a Lowepro, Tamrac, Kata, Think Tank or any of the other well known brands you will get excellent quality. They each have their strengths and differentiators that really depend on how important those things are to individuals. I have tried several backpacks and finally settled on the Tamrac. It is a big bag, and when it's packed it is heavy...but then again anything in this size class will be; it's a tradeoff between weight and not wanting to get caught in the field having made a tradeoff and leaving something home that you ended up wishing you had. I found this bag not quite as big and bulky as the Kata that I originially ordered and returned. It has good build quality, is very customizable, and can carry alot of gear (meaning I could get all the gear I own in it, including my Macbook pro). I have both a D80 and D700 body, the 14-24, 24-70, 70-200 and 105 f/2.8 lenses as well as the 300 f/4 (all bulky and heavy). Then I have a 50mm, 2 teleconverters, two SB flashes, several filters, batteries, charger and miscellaneous accessories. I also found the tripod holder more functional, secure and to have better weight distribution and balance than some of the other bags I tried. Fully loaded with tripod on board I am at 36 pounds with this bag.

This bag also fit my frame better than the others I tried. One thing I highly recommend is to go to a local camera store and try the bag on before you order it on Amazon. Make sure it fits you well because these things are bulky and costly to ship back if you want to return it. A return will quickly offset the significant cost savings you find on these bags on Amazon over reatil store prices (can be as much as 25% cheaper than retail).

I recommend this bag. A couple of minor things I would change, hence the 4 stars, but for me this bag works well and meets the need.

I have the Expedition 8 (not 8x) but the only difference is that the 8x adds padding in the outer pocket for a laptop (I have padded sleeves from my laptop so I don't miss that).

In the main compartment, I store two D300's with battery grips on, with a 70-200mm f/2.8 on one and an 17-55mm f/2.8 mounted on the other, along with 3 other lenses, a TC, 3 extra battery packs for the grips, bulky (Black Rapid and UPstrap) straps, 2 speedlights, and I STILL have some room I haven't used.

On the inside of the large flap that covers the main compartment, there are 3 rows of clear pockets that hold all of my accessories - filters, expodisc, demb diffuser, rocket blower, lens pens, gels.....

Finally, on the outside of the pack there are two long pockets that hold a ton of batteries (easily 48) & many memory cards (there are four little pockets in each side that could easily hold 3 CF cards each, so that is 24 CF cards...or maybe some more batteries). Between these two pockets there are straps that can hold a tripod, with a bottom pocket/pouch to support the tripod. There are also straps on the sides of the pack to attach additional M.A.S. (or LowePro, or Think Tank) modular components.

The shoulder straps and waist belt are well padded, very durably constructed (IDK what happened with the guy who's strap tore, bad luck, I'd assume), and very comfortable.

The only drawback I can see to it (assuming you need a bag this big), is that it doesn't come with a rain cover. The main compartment zipper has a rain flap to go over it, but I would have liked to have an integrated rain cover like many of the LowePro and Think Tank products do. You can by a separate rain cover to add to it, however.

Overall, an excellent very large back pack.

I recently went to California and back with my Tamrac expedition 8x back pack. I carried my Nikon D-90 a 400mm sigma, a 70-300mm Nikor a 55-200mm Nikor, a 18-55 Nikor, a 50mm Nikor, an Sb600 flash, assorted filters,spare batteries and an apple macbook.

It was easy to carry and fit easily in the overhead on all the planes includeing a Brazillian biult 50 seat regional jet from Houston to Florida. The computer was easily reached for the security inspection and for use.

I would rate this highly it has excellent padding.

Cons a little heavy.

I loaded it down with a DSLR, 2 lenses, small under water camera, pro. video camera, audio gear, laptop, extra batteries, and all the gear for a 2 week field trip. Bag preformed great through 50 hours of airline flights numerous plane changes being stuffed in and out of the overhead bins. It was great to have all your gear on your back especially when your out in the middle of nowhere.

I am very happy with this product. I've loaded it with up to 45 pounds of camera gear (500mm, 200-400mm, large body, and numerous other lens, laptop, etc), and it does hold a lot of gear. It gets uncomfortable although still supports the gear fine over about 30-35 pounds worth of gear, but quite comfortable with loads below 25 pounds. The tripod straps and pocket work well although I wish the tripod foot pocket came out more when open and the straps were sewn in so the buckles didn't slide out of reach and also not so long. The side attachment points are handy if you use Tamrac's accessories, but not really needed other than a water bottle holder, as the back pockets for cards, batteries, etc are pretty handy although one does have to worry about a card slipping out if you have the pocket open when opening the main compartment. I did loose a battery this way. I wish the pack opened from the inside (against back) instead of outside/back of the pack so it was more secure from prying hands and also so the back pad and straps didn't have to get laid onto the dirt every time its opened, as you lay it down on them and then the dirt transfers from the back pad to you shirt. I also wish the laptop pouch was between the back and camera gear instead of on the outside which adds weight to the top and gets banged every time its opened. Also a built in water bottle holder or attachment point, also pockets on the straps for phone, battery and memory cards would be a nice touch. The main compartment does have velcro everywhere to adjust the pads where you need them, and there are just the right number of pads. Overall, this pack is very well made, well designed, of high quality materials and has good padding that is easily adjusted to match your equipment. Some minor refinements would make this pack even better.

If you have a number of cameras, the usual assortment of lenses, equipment, and supplies.... And you need to take your computer into the field with you, this is the bag. It holds everything even the tripods. I have tried four other bags and this one in the best bag for the fully independent and working field photographer.

This bag is very big and thus far very durable. I have had mine for two and a half years, no complaints about the construction or workmanship.


The good:

It can carry a TON of stuff. Two or three camera bodies (with motor drives / battery packs attached) depending on how you pack them, 200 or 300mm lens on their sides (or attached to a body) as well as a slew of primes and smaller zooms (24-105 etc.) on their ends. Filters, batteries, straps, flash, chargers, manuals, film and memory cards - and a lot more.

Even when fully loaded with camera gear, you can stuff some of the largest "laptop" workstations in to the computer slot.

The bag has been very durable for me even when heavily loaded - like 40lbs. I have carried it for hundreds of miles through all kinds of brush, forest, and sand. When cleaned it still ends up looking almost new. I have bounced it around in the back of pickup trucks and jeeps for thousands of miles. Best of all, no damaged gear to date.

Very thick and well padded wide straps - they don't cut in to your shoulders or make your arms go numb.

Excellent padding for your back and lower back, very comfortable to wear for long periods of time (over 6 hours at a stretch).

It has places on the sides to attach even more stuff - I have a couple of 400+ mm lens that I can strap one per side, and a tripod down the center (two quick connect straps). I have never carried the thing that way for more than 25 feet around the house to go to the scale and weigh it - nearly 75lbs...

There are even attachment locations on the straps for things like phones, film, batteries, and flashlights.

Light rain, wet trees, and morning dew is no big deal, no extra covers or wraps needed.



The not so great:

Its hot - when carrying the bag for long periods of time, the bag does create hot spots on your back and shoulders/chest.

I hate to say, but its so large you can put too much in it - it gets very heavy, and its easy to get lazy and just "take it all" instead of selecting the proper lens kit for the task at hand.

In today's airline travel environment, it can be flagged as "must be checked" - I have had to refuse to board one carrier because they would not let the bag in the cabin with me and it was my only carry-on item.

In heavy rain you need some sort of augmented waterproofing cover.

The bag is definitely designed for large framed humans like myself. Smaller folks may find the bag uncomfortable to wear - certainly for long periods of time.


Overall, this bag does what I want it to do which is allow me to carry a lot of stuff in a well protected bag in somewhat hostile environments.

CM

After a long search for the perfect backpack I have finally found it. It is comfortable roomy and well constructed. I can't think of one thing I would do to improve it. It holds 3 cameras (2 Olympus, 1 Nikon & lenses easily. with room to spare for a point and shoot. I don't have a ton of lenses, but this item has room to spare for flashes and extra lenses should you desire them. The rain flap over the zipper is well designed. The seaming is well made. I heard some that critisized the zippers and difficulty operating them. I did not find this to be true. You have to keep the flap away when zipping up, but that is a small inconveinience to pay when you consider its protection. It is very roomy. I was able to strap not only my tripod, but also my monopod on the back without trouble. Some may consider it heavy, but that is the price you pay when you carry so much equipment. Personally mine serves mainly as a method to store all of my equipment when traveling by car and I then segregate into a smaller expedition pack when I am going on location. I tried several packs prior to this and they weren't as comfortable or well made. I recommend the pack without any reservation. You will not be disappointed.

I have been looking at this backpack for a while now and because my holiday was coming up I wanted to get a backpack that would carry my camera equipment & my big laptop. I looked into this backpack for a while looking into all of its features makeing sure it was big enough to fit all my gear. The only thing that I was wondering was, - can my laptop fit in side the front pocket? since my laptop is 18.4 inch in screen size (Acer Aspire 8943G). I messured my laptop and it is 17.2" in length so there was a possibility it wouldn't fit. I had trouble finding that out since I didn't want to buy it and have to return it while pay the postage. Eventually I bought it and just had to find out,- Tamrac said that I could return it if it wasn't right. All I can say is it only just fits if I dont pack the inside with too much stuff and I mean bulky, full and I dont think I can get anymore in it full lol.

One thing I would say about this packpack is dont expect it to be light. Its 3.2 KG without anything in it and now with my stuff in it its 13KG, but if you need a backpack to fit it all with quality protection then this is the backpack for you.

Chris

www.creatingdvds4u.co.uk