Digital SLR Reviews Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Sling Bag’

Tamrac Explorer 2 DSLR Camera Bag Black

The Explorer 2 is ideal for carrying most digital or film SLRs (like Canon’s 20D) with a grip and zoom lens attached, several additional lenses, a flash 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 2.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars camera bag
much too small for my use–perfect for one camera, flash and an extra lens–very well made–

5 Stars Excellent Bag…better than expected!!
This bag has received some excellent reviews, and everything I wanted to say about this bag has already been said by others, so I will keep this short. I was quite impressed with the construction of this bag. The quality of the materials and workmanship was better than expected. The bag fits my Sony Alpha 350 with battery pack and Sigma 18-250mm lens attached perfectly. It has enough room remaining to store my Sony SAL 1118 (11-18mm lens) along with the Sony HVL-F56AM (which is a large flash). There is also enough room to fit extra batteries, lens filters and some cleaning supplies. I bought this bag to act as my “day bag” for walking around town when my larger sling bag is just not practical. For this, the Tamrac Explorer 2 is perfect.

4 Stars Decent Camera Bag
This is a decent camera bag. It holds all the camera equipment I have so far. I have a Nikon D60, SB-600, 18-55mm lens, a 55-200mm lens on camera and a lens hood. All these fit in the main compartments and my spare battery and cleaning stuff fits in the front pocket. It is a decent buy and I would recommend it if you have about the same amount of camera equipment.

3 Stars Camera Bag was too big
This camera bag was a little too big for my Nikon D80 with lens attached. I couldn’t put the camera in lens down (as the illustration showed) because I felt there wasn’t enough support from the form dividers. Putting it in camera down made it awkward getting the camera out. I tried putting the camera in sideways, but I couldn’t get the form divides positioned properly to support the lens.

5 Stars Roomier than Explorer 1 (Tamrac 5501) for a DSLR with extra lenses
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.

This 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.

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Nikon CF DC1 Semi Soft Case for Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera 25355

The Nikon CF-DC1 semi-soft case is an ever-ready style camera case made to carry a Nikon D40 digital SLR camera body and lenses up to 18-135mm Zoom Nikkor. It is an ideal way to protect your camera during travel.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars consider the cf-d80 first
I own a D60 and went with the CF-D80. It’s nice soft “pleather” and according to the reviews it can accomodate the D80/D90 with a Nikkor 18-200mm lens. I figure this should also accomodate my D60 with the same lens (which I plan on getting soon). So check out that case before deciding on this one.

5 Stars perfect for Nikon D40
It’s a perfect fit with the D40 and the 18-200mm lens. padded enough to provide protection in my sling bag. exactly what I was looking for.

2 Stars VERY soft, not semi soft
I just bought this product. I hoped the case would be a form fitting, minimalist, durable case to protect my camera from being bumped while in the case. Although the case is perhaps more aesthetic, two socks would probably accomplish the same end. Be advised that by “semi soft”, Nikon really does mean soft. There is little semi-ness about its softness.

The manufacturing quality also seems poor, with flimsy stitching on the hinge and a puny velcro latch. The lid fits on loosely to the body of the case. I don’t expect this case to last more than a few years.

On a positive note, the appearance isn’t terrible (although baggier than I hoped). The camera fits in easily, and it’s not hard to fit it with telescopic lens attached to the camera. The case can connect to the neck strap, so you needn’t hold it when you take it out.

All in all, I wouldn’t recommend this item. I would recommend you go to your local camera shop and try fitting your camera into the cases they have and buy one that you can touch and feel. I was disappointed when this arrived.

4 Stars Nikon CF-DC1
I think this product is great. I want a small case that I will be able to throw into a back pack while traveling. This fits the mold perfectly. It does have a snap so it stays attached to the strap while taking photos with is nice. My 55-200 lense fits VERY snug, but it’s not built for it. The only reason I give it a 4 is because it could use just a little more padding. I would recommend to anyone needing a holster case. We’ll see how it works on my trip to San Fran next week.

4 Stars Fits Nikon D60 well
This camera case fits the Nikon D60 well. It is a little awkward to take the camera out of, but still better than bulkier bags. It holds only teh camera and maybe an extra memory card, but not much else. It uses the camera strap itself and does not have a strap of its own.

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Caselogic SLRC 205 SLR Camera Sling Black

SLR camera sling wears like a backpack but allows for instant access to your SLR and accessoriesHolds SLR camera body with attached standard lensPatent pending hammock system suspends your SLR above the bottom of case, providing superior impact protectionLarge zippered compartment stores an additional lens or flashThree additional zippered pockets store memory cards and other small itemsAdjustable shoulder strap with waist strap prevents the sling from jostling around during activityMemory foam on interior helps protect your delicate LCD screenIndustrial strength hook and loop strap holds your tripod

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Love it, though some adjustment is required.
I spent days looking for a sling bag before I bought this one. I travel light, but have a Canon 5D, plus a 28-135mm lens and a 70-300mm telephoto lens. I wanted a sling pack to slide my small amount of other personal stuff into while traveling in (potentially shady) areas (and non-shady ones).

Verdict: I love this bag. It is so awesome. The hammock is so cool. But there are some other things to consider:

1. It is going to be very annoying to constantly stop, slide the bag around and take photos. The bag needs some breaking in at the beginning; it is very stiff (and that is a GOOD thing). If buying it for a vacation, take it out for a romp BEFORE your trip to soften it up and get used to the maneuvers required to load and unload your camera. I only say that because it has an usual design.

2. The height of my 5D (from the bottom, set down, to the top near where the flash module would hook into) seems uncomfortable fit-wise into the hammock compartment. I am not sure if an EOS 1- or 5D with one of those battery pack grippers would be able to fit into this compartment. My 5d JUST fits. However, a camera with a full telephoto lens might fit in here without disassembly. There is a lot of space in the hammock for a longer lens than my 28-135mm lens.

3. In order to use this, it is really optimal to remove any other protection: ie, camera armor (which I had) and the strap. To keep the strap on while storing the camera in the bag is to add serious and repetitive frustration to your life when you unload- and load the camera back into the bag. There is just not space for the strap in the compartment.

4. There is limited space for much else if you have a telephoto & default lens. The small side pocket has space for my mini tripod, my folded strap and a few lens caps. The flat pocket over the camera hammock fits something flat, like a manual and some papers or whatever. There are a few other nooks and crannies but don’t expect this to double as a backpack for personal items if you have a lot of stuff. It will fit a camera, a manual, a mini tripod, some other various doo-dads, 2 lenses (one on, one off), and a small variety of whatever else.

Regardless of the above items, I think this is a fantastic bag and is totally worth the money. I hope it lasts long enough to carry my camera to the Southwestern USA, Denmark, Norway, Bermuda and throughout my winter of snowshoeing and winter sports! The padding is awesome and it is very sturdy. When this bag dies, I hope I can buy another one. Perfect for an on-the-go photographer.

4 Stars Perfect for travel
Fits my Canon 5DMarkII with a 28-80 lens attached in the clever hammock compartment. Room for 70-300 lens AND a 420Ex flash in side pouch, and a couple of filters, etc. in the small front pouch. Attaching a Canon monopod to the outside, while slightly awkward, works well enough. Could probably fit a couple more pouches on it somewhere, but at some point you start entering backpack territory, I guess. I really like this sling.

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