Tamrac Expedition 8 Review Round-Up
Tamrac’s largest backpack, this new model can easily hold multiple D-SLRs, each with its own accessories, plus a 400mm f/2.8 supertele and a bunch of smaller lenses, with filters, gadgets, and cables. Dual “wing pockets” on either side of its QuickClip tripod harness allow fast access to small but important things like spare CF cards and batteries. The wings incorporate Tamrac’s easy-to-understand Memory & Battery Management System flags, which show what’s fresh and what’s spent (or full). A five-way adjustment harness system customizes the fit for any size photographer. READ FULL REVIEW AT POPPHOTO
If you own or have used this Bag, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.
Get information and user reviews for this bag from Amazon: Tamrac #5278 Expedition 8, Expedition-Sized, Multi-Format Photographic Backpack, Black.
The Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW is the middle-sized model of Lowepro’s Slingshot cases. It is basically the same as the Lowepro Slingshot 100 AW but larger. The AW portion of the product name refers to the “All Weather” protection provided by a just-the-right-size rain jacket stored under the padded section of the back of the case and held in place by hook-and-loop fastener. Pull it out when needed. ? ?The Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW pads and the case itself are very protective – very typical for Lowepro gear. Quality construction is also typical Lowepro. The external material is a strong, durable Nylon. The case itself is light. The Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW is obviously larger than the Slingshot 100 – it better-holds what I typically need. It is better-suited for a serious photographer. The larger amount of gear the Slingshot 200 can hold can also make the pack considerably heavier than the 100 packed full. I found an even modestly loaded Slingshot 200 to become uncomfortable after several hours of carry. The load is not as evenly balanced as a backpack. Toploaders also have an unbalanced carry weight, but this weight is more adjustable – it can hang on either shoulder as well as either shoulder while over your head. The Slingshot 200 has a significant capacity advantage however. ? ?Carrying the 200 for shorter periods of time is not uncomfortable. The thick pad that very adequately insulates your body from the camera body is appreciated. The larger size requires a little more care while maneuvering in a crowd. Accessing the camera is convenient. We all have different preferences and needs when it comes to carrying our gear. The Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW is probably the best-sized of the Slingshots for most serious/pro photographers. 
The Tamrac Adventure 5 is a “messenger” type bag designed to hold a digital SLR with up to 7-inch zoom lens attached, plus several addition lenses, flash and accessories. It also can hold up to a 13-inch laptop in a separate side, zippered compartment. The top is Tamrac’s Speed Flap with an Esay Squeeze buckle. Foam padded, movable dividers hold gear separate and securely. There is also a zippered front poclet and back pocket. The bag has both a padded shoulder strap and carrying handle. To complete the convenience the bag has Tamrac’s Picggy Back Pocket, which allows it to slip over the handle of a Tamrac rolling case. 
The Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW is the largest model of Lowepro’s Slingshot cases. It is similar to the Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW and Lowepro Slingshot 100 AW but significantly larger. There is a lot of room in the 300 – it is essentially a backpack without one of the shoulder straps. The AW portion of the product name refers to the “All Weather” protection provided by a just-the-right-size rain jacket stored under the padded section of the back of the case and held in place by hook-and-loop fastener. Pull it out when needed. ? ?The Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW pads and the case itself are very protective – very typical for Lowepro gear. Quality construction is also typical Lowepro. The external material is a strong, durable Nylon. The case itself is relatively light. ? ?I personally find Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW too large for this style of case – I would rather use a true backpack that distributed the weight better. The 300 can certainly hold a lot, but the size and weight of this configuration is more than I like hanging on one shoulder (the waist belt can help this) or swinging under my arm for accessing. Yes, I can get to the gear without removing the case – this is an advantage. As I’ve said before, we all have different preferences and needs when it comes to carrying our gear. The Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW can carry a large amount of gear, but give serious consideration to a backpack when making your decision. 
The Lowepro Toploader 65 AW is a high quality camera bag with nice features and expandability. A toploader-type case provides great ease of use. Throw the case over your shoulder and go. You have full and easy access to everything without putting the case down. The “AW” designation of the Lowepro Toploader 65 AW indicates “All Weather”. Lowepro includes a rain coat that pulls out of a pouch underneath to provide water protection. The case by itself could be called weather-resistant (not water proof), but the AW rain coat adds to this protection. Basically, the Lowepro Toploader 65 AW is a great compact all-around top-loading camera case. 
The Lowepro Toploader 70 AW is very similar to the Lowepro Toploader 75 AW. It is about two inches shorter. It will hold a Canon 1-Series body with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L Lens with its lens hood reversed. 
It’s a backpack big enough to hold a 17-inch MacBook Pro. It’s a camera bag big enough to hold a photojournalist’s basic kit, including digital SLR, three pro zooms (16-35mm f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8, and 70-200 f/2.8), strobe, CF cards, spare batteries, and a few filters. It’s even a daypack big enough for a fleece jacket and some lunch. A three-in-one bag that won’t set you back a fortune — what more could a college photographer want? An iPod headphone pass-through? Sorry, but Tamrac had to skip that convenience in order to keep the Adventure 9 weatherproof. 
Sometimes choosing a digital SLR is easier than choosing the camera bag to carry it in. The camera case I selected for my primary use bag is the Lowepro Toploader 75 AW. It is a high quality case that fits my needs very well. ? ?I like the ease of use a toploader case provides. I can throw the case over my shoulder and go. I have full and easy access to everything without putting the case down. The “AW” designation of the Lowepro Toploader 75 AW indicates “All Weather”. Lowepro includes a rain coat that pulls out of a pouch underneath to provide water protection. The case by itself could be called weather-resistant (not water proof), but the AW rain coat adds to this protection. ? ?Basically, the Lowepro Toploader 75 AW is a great all-around top-loading camera case. 
The main storage area of the Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Backpack is very configurable as the hook & loop-attached padded dividers are movable/ removable. Many are removed in my sample configuration above including a thick set designed to hug the mount base of a large lens. The other/outer side of the lid has a large zippered pocket that snuggly/just holds my 14″ laptop in a padded neoprene slip case.. This storage area is padded on the inside only – thus I use a neoprene slip case for my notebook. This large zippered pocket can alternatively hold the included Lowepro Trekker DayPack. The daypack may be used alone or attached to the back of the Nature Trekker II. The main storage area of the Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Backpack is very configurable as the hook & loop-attached padded dividers are movable/removable. As shown above, a tripod can be attached to the Nature Trekker II – on either side or in the middle of the back. Large tripods are not the best match for this backpack’s standard attachment pouch – they ride too high. SlipLock cases (such as a Lens Case) can be added to the many side, back and belt SlipLock loops. The Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Backpack does not included the two long/tubular SlipLock cases that come with the larger, more expensive Lowepro Pro Trekker II AW. D-rings, loops and elastic cords with quick-release clips are abundant. Storage is not the only configurable on this camera backpack (and perhaps not the most important). Adjustments are found all over the pack to maximize the support and comfort the Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Backpack provides to each of our unique bodies. Perhaps the biggest and most unique adjustment involves an ingenious device called the Pack Jack. Shaped like a large, flat arrow, the thin, stiff plastic Pack Jack slides down behind the shoulder strap harness to release the hook & loop that holds it in place. Adjust the shoulder harness to your preferred ride height and slide the Pack Jack out. The hook & loop again takes solid hold and the Pack Jack stows out of the way behind the shoulder harness (or can be removed completely). You are left with a pack customized for your back. Adjustments on the shoulder strap, sternum strap and the belt complete a customized-to-you fit. Thick padding surrounds your body, a breathable mesh allows moisture evaporation from your back. Lowepro was generous with the length of belt they provided. ? ?The exterior of the Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Backpack features water-resistant 600D ripstop nylon and 600D Enduraâ„¢ nylon. It is attractive and rugged with a quality feel. Zippers are quiet and water-resistant. A rain coat-like cover is included (stowed in a pouch under the pack) to help keep the backpack dry. ? ?The Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Backpack features a nice rubberized handle on top – Nice for carrying the pack or for assistance when putting it on or taking it off your back. I miss the side handle included on the Pro Trekker II as it makes it easier to remove the pack from your back. An included shoulder strap attaches to one side of the pack. I’ve accumulated a lot of Lowepro bags, cases and accessories over time. Well thought out design, good quality construction, great support and a lifetime warranty keep me coming back. It also helps that many of these items work together as a system. The Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Backpack a great base for this system (though you may never need more). I’m using this pack for carrying small and mid-sized lenses on excursions including air flights (as carry-on of course). 
The Lowepro Vertex 200 AW Backpack, like all the other Lowepro I’ve used to date, is a very good quality case. I ordered this backpack prior to a trip where I required two carry-on sized backpacks. A new Lowepro feature found on the Vertex packs are Glide-Locks. Glide-Locks slide up and down over a nylon-covered piping on both sides and hook-and-loop attach into place. An adjustable strap and buckle grip the tripod. I like the new strap more than the Trekker II straps, but “glide” does not accurately define the hard-to-adjust Glide-Locks. Most likely, you will position them one time and not worry about them again – and in this case, there is no problem. Like many of Lowepro’s camera backpacks, the Lowepro Vertex 200 AW Backpack includes an attached rain cover that elastic-grips around the pack (shown above right). The rain cover stores in a hook-and-loop closed, thin pouch under the pack. ? ?One feature that distinguishes the Lowepro Vertex series from the Lowepro Trekker II series is the padded notebook computer compartment. I sometimes use the zippered compartment on the main Trekker II lids (where the daypack can be stored) for notebook transport (inside a padded sleeve), but the Vertex notebook compartment is a nicer solution if you plan to have the notebook with you most of the time. The size of the 2″ thick notebook storage area varies (mostly in height) across the Vertex line. The Lowepro Vertex 200 AW Backpack very comfortably carries my current Dell Latitude D630 notebook. The main storage compartment lid obviously becomes heavier with a notebook computer stored in it – care should be exercised when opening it. The computer is in a padded section, but you still do not want to subject it to the unnecessary impact of dropping the lid open. If you have used any of Lowepro’s SLR cases, you will not find any surprises in the quality of the Vertex 200 construction. The pads, zippers and zipper pulls are very nice. Provided padding is very protective and the pack is very functional. A handful of Lowepro Slip Lock attachments are provided for additional modular storage. So, there is little to not like about the Lowepro Vertex 200 AW Backpack. 