Tamrac Adventure 4 -REVIEW-

[Tumeg]

I just got this bag, and noticed there is no official review of it in the bag reviews sticky.
So, I decided to right one :)
So please add this to the list for others who need it.
I will add pictures later.

I have been on the search for a 200DG replacement bag, one that could barely fit all my gear:
-Rebel XTi Gripped, with 50mm f/1.4 Mounted
-Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6
-Canon 430EX flash

I was going to go for the Domke F-5XB, but wanted to try out similar sizes to see if everything would fit. So I found this bag, 1" longer, 1" taller, 0.5" thinner, than the F-5XB. I got home, and put my stuff in it, and just about perfect, with room for one more small lens (Kit lens or smaller).

This bag is smaller then my Canon 200DG, but a huge step up. I was looking for something that was much smaller, low key, and not as flashy, or camera bag like. This bag looks more like a small book bag, then a camera bag. Since it does not say Nikon, Canon, or Sony on it, it is even less of a camera bag.
Here is exactly what I have in the bag right now:

-Rebel XTi Gripped w/ 50mm f/1.4 Mounted : In the center of the bag, facing down (under it has room for another small lens)
-Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 : To the right of the camera
-Canon 430ex : To the left of the camera
-10 AA Batteries
-AA Battery Slot w/ 6 AA Batteries in it
-Wallet
-Sharpie

and that is it (there is room for manuals)

The one thing I disliked at first, was an awkward bulge on the side. I thought this was from my 4.5" camera (thats with grip) in a 4" bag. But then I figured it might be the AA battery holder that comes with the grip. So I took the slot\holder out of the front, accessory compartment and moved it to the side with the phone\mp3 pocket. It barely slid in, but it did, and the flap hides it nicely. So now, there is no awkward bulge!
The 4.5"-5" camera, does not bulge out of this 4" bag (well, I can't tell).

One thing I like with this bag, and not my Canon 200DG is it is comfortable!
The padding on the neck strap slides around, so when you move the bag, you always have the pad on your shoulder\neck.
Also, with my 200DG, when walking the huge bag would lean, and slide to either the front of me, or behind me, and my legs would keep hitting it. This required me to have my hand on the handle at all times, adjusting it.
This tamrac bag is amazing! When behind me, it wont hit my legs, even when running! and when I have it to my side, it stays there. It does not drift to my front, or back, it stays.
One thing I dislike with it, along with my 200DG, is when crouching, you have to grab a hold of your bag and guide it down, otherwise it will swing to your front and you will look like an idiot (hard to describe).

This bag is very low profile, low key, small, and I like it that way. The strap does not detach, so if you plan on attaching pouches to the strap for more storage room, they better be Velcro or you better have some sort of hook.

Overall, for what I need it for, I give this bag a nice 9/10


Pictures will be coming soon!

[Tumeg]

One more good thing with this bag, is on the inside it is 9" tall. So, when I upgrade my 70-300 4-5.6 to canon's 70-200 f/4 IS, or 2.8 non-is, it will be able to fit.

[Tsmith]

I picked up one of these last week from my local Circuit City for $47.95 + tax. Been looking for a narrow bag to use as a general walk around type. Used this weekend in New Orleans and worked great.

Holds my EOS 40D + either 17-40 or 24-105 attached, either of those lens unattached, 70-200 f/4L and numerous accessories in the front pocket area. It would not hold my 430 EX Speedlite with the above gear but would if one lens could be eliminated. It might would fit in the front pocket area.

[Tumeg]

Tsmith, $47.95+Tax????
Mine was $57.95 with tax! Hmmm, I wonder how I can prove that price at your circuit city to get a refund :-p

[Tsmith]

Tsmith, $47.95+Tax????
Mine was $57.95 with tax! Hmmm, I wonder how I can prove that price at your circuit city to get a refund :-p

I stand corrected it was $49.95 < click the link (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Tamrac-Adventure-Messenger-4-Camera-Bag-Gray-5534/sem/rpsm/oid/149177/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do)_ the store cleck matched their on line price. It was maked $54.95 in store.

[Tumeg]

I guess I will save myself some money, and have them match their own price... haha,

[Tsmith]

I guess I will save myself some money, and have them match their own price... haha,

They should without an issue. I bought my son a 23" Sony HDTV last Christmas and 3 weeks later they had it on their web site $100 cheaper so they gladly credited the difference in store.

I always check the store web sites as they sometimes have better pricing that they will price match.

[_aravena]

ALWAYS ASK THEM TO CHECK THE SITE!!!

They won't do it for you, although I did to get many many sells.

[HighLife]

I just picked up this bag on close out at my local Rtiz/Wolf camera for 40$.

I have to admit its a pretty nice bag for its size...has 2 MAS strap and 2 SAS straps to add on more storage later. I have everything listed in my sig in this bag right now...minus my cheesy tripod of course.

Here is a brief view of this bag pro-con..PS i hope you dont get mad im adding to your review, would of posted my own, but would be stupid to have 2 of the same threads going.

Pros-

Great build, great zippers
Very nice looking, not a very camera bag look to it
Lots of room, small package
Front zipper pockets, quick access to manuals or whatever
1xMAS and 2xSAS straps for added storage later
wonderful size, not to big, not small at all...just right for 2-3 lens, a flash unit, your body...tons of accessories (for me, a rocket blower, all manuals, all wires and cords, a CF card reader, remote release, lens cleaning kit, paper bounce cards in the back..the list goes on)
Padded strap, which slides to adjust with the shoulder strap
Unlike quick packs like slingshot or velocity, can swap shoulders to hold bag
(small, but great) The Handle is connected to the back of the bag, not on the top of the flap. This is a big issue for me, people who have had the 200DG knows what happens when you pick up the bag with the handle and your buckles are not connected. Yep, everything falls out. I can, by accident, pick up this bag and the contents stay =)

Cons-

Strap pad could be better
No swivels on the shoulder strap
Shoulder strap cannot be removed
the small inserts are hard to deal with, not a huge problem
no zipper to cover the main compartment (just a flap covering your gear, held by velcro and a plastic buckle) would like to see a water resistant zipper
color choices are ....EH...Black/gray, black/red, black/camo. I would of loved to see a tan or khaki color like their other bags.
remove the cellphone pocket and give us another MAS strap
cellphone pocket is TINY and tight...i dunno how small your cell phones are, but DAM
No adjust for the close flap buckle. The tiny buckle that connects the flap to the bottem of the bag. There is no adjustment for it, so if you want to hold something fat in the front pocket its almost impossible to close.
Another small issue, however i found a quick fix...the bag doesnt stand up byitself, it will tend to lean over and fall...what i do is use the shoulder strap pad and place it underneath the front pocket, right under the buckle. This gives it a brace and should keep your bag standing upright the whole time.

Here are some pics....my camera goes into the middle, my 430ex goes off to the right where my camera strap is also. Can easily fit any of my lens connected to the camera...the other 2 are stack on top of each other on the left side, with the foam divider in between them. Holds my 28-80 and my 55-200 on top.
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7172/img0220smallkc6.jpg

Here you can see the little square inserts that sits under the lens cap when i store the camera...i actually have stuff below that insert...my stock canon strap (just in case something happens to mine) and my lens cleaning kit.
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/2881/img0221smallbj3.jpg

All closed up and ready to go..also you can see how you use the shoulder pad to keep the bag upright.
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1847/img0223smallcc5.jpg

[hybridbanana]

How deep does the bag go? I'm trying to fit an XSi with a Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 in a bag.

[purpletiger]

It fits my Xsi with 18-200 IS lens so it shouldnt be a problem for your lens. One thing i have to mention about this bag is the 'piggy back' pocket at the back. You can slip it over your carry on roller/trolley bag. That was a MAJOR PLUS for me. That and it being super light with 5 year warranty did it for me.

[chris21908]

this is definitely the type/style of bag for me, but im afraid it might be too small or tight. i would have in the bag:
canon 40d with tamron 28-75 2.8
2 speedlights
sigma 50mm 1.4
tokina 12-24 f/4
cybersync triggers
extra batteries...etc....

i might need 2 get the adventure 5 instead of the 4. any suggestions??
by the way....great review!!