Digital SLR Reviews Blog

Tamrac Explorer 1 DSLR Camera Bag Black

The Explorer 1 carries and protects a digital or film SLR (like Canon’s 20D or Nikon’s D70s) with a lens attached, an additional lens and accessories.The main compartment features Tamrac’s Dual Foam Technology for shock protection and a custom fit to equipment. An external front pocket features Tamrac’s patented Memory & Battery Management System, which uses red flags to identify which memory cards and batteries are available and which ones are used up. A Speed Pocketon the front flap secures and provides quick access to small accessories. A Total Coverage Top with quick-release buckle and zipper closures provides weather protection. Inside the lid is a smooth nylon pocket for holding lens cleaning paper and an open pocket in the back holds an instruction manual. An adjustable, BioCurve non-slip shoulder strap, and an EasyGrip carrying handle provide convenient carrying options for the Explorer 1.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great starter bag
This bag is great. It’s sturdy, protects our camera well, has lots of pockets for storage of extras, and is easy to carry and lightweight. It is small, though, which is perfect for us. We just have the camera body and one lens (a Canon Rebel XS with the kit lens – 18-55mm). The camera fits snugly in the bag with the lens attached, and the case would probably fit one more lens and a flash. Right now, we use the extra space in the bag to fit our point-and-shoot, which is pretty handy. We also have our memory cards, battery pack, and USB cords for the camera stored in the front pocket. If you’ve got any more than just the basics, though, you’ll want a bigger bag. I suggest going to the Tamrac website, where they have all the specs on all their bags, plus diagrams with about how much each bag will fit. We did that, and ended up with the perfect bag for what we need!

5 Stars Nice Camera Bag
Nice construction. I use it for my Nikon D40. Holds charger unit and a couple filters. Don’t expect room for another lens.

3 Stars A little bit too small for Nikon D200
This bag is in good quality, but a little bit too samll for Nikon D200 or similar. If you have just one lens with your camera, it should be ok. However, if you have more than one lens and a speedlight, choose a different one.

4 Stars The Explorer 2 (Tamrac 5502) is roomier and costs only $5 more
I’ve been using an Explorer 1 to carry a Nikon D40x+lens, two extra lenses, and a flash. Everything “kind of” fits, but the bag’s overstuffed, so the camera sticks up above the zipper. The bag closes, but bulges, with the LCD pressed against the top flap. A Nikon D90 is just a teeny bit taller & wider, so it sticks up even more… too much more for my peace of mind.

The Explorer 2 is just a little bigger in all dimensions than the Explorer 1… big enough to comfortably hold all the same equipment for the D90, and the camera does not protrude. The “2″ also comes with a pair of horizontal dividers to let you stack things on top of each other, on either side of the camera. Getting to a lower lens might be a little challenging, and my gear doesn’t need these; but they could be useful for some people.

The Explorer 2 is only $5 more than the Explorer 1, and I wish I’d gotten it in the first place, only because it’s roomier. The construction and extra pockets are the same for both bags: excellent workmanship, good protection, and places for lots of little things.

5 Stars Nice Bag – Perfect for Nikon D40!
This bag is the perfect go anywhere companion to the Nikon D40. Small enough to grab and go – I looked at the next size smaller, but based on reviews chose the Explorer 1. It is the perfect size to carry camera w/ 18-55 lens attached, a flash on one side (I use the SB 400), charger & cables or zoom lens on the other. Front pocket is perfect for extra batteries memory, etc. Excellent quality!

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