Tamrac Adventure 9 - My Review

goatee wrote in post #3088622
I'm looking at the Adventure 9 and the Lowepro Compurover (I have a Lowepro S&F belt, and a couple of lens cases, though it's no biggie). My main concern about the Adventure 9, is that it looks much easier to get the camera compartment open, so I'd be worried about security.

With the Orion Trekker which I currently have, whilst someone could open the camera compartment with the bag on my back, they couldn't get in easily, as the whole bag folds down - with the Adventure 9 it looks like the flap just folds down. Is this the case?

Plus, the zippers are pretty sturdy, if you didn't feel the zipper being opened while it's on your back then you have worse problems then someone taking your gear.

Seriously, that shouldn't be a concern, they have heavy duty zippers.

Thanks for the reassurance guys - this bag is $100 cheaper than the Compurover, so I think I may pick up one of these - anyone want to sell one?

goatee wrote in post #3094459
Thanks for the reassurance guys - this bag is $100 cheaper than the Compurover, so I think I may pick up one of these - anyone want to sell one?

I have the Expedition 4 and LOVE it.I am going to get a bigger bag later in the year but I carry a 70-200, a few lenses, external battery pack, 580 ex flash and 20d body and it fits fine.

Plus, I have room to pack other thing into it.

The only complaint is that when it's that full, it does get heavy and better support on the shoulders would be nice.

I've been looking at the Tamrac Adventure 6 backapck.... Would anyone recomend that one? Or would you recomend the Lowerpro Orion Trekker II?

I'm looking for the one with bigger upper compartment space for a raincoat/hoody.

Thanks

In the end, I got a Compurover - got a good deal, and the larger upper compartment won me over.

I haven't seen the Adventure 6 - if you like it, go for it. I really like the Orion Trekker - it has space for a 20D+walkaround (e.g. 24-105), plus another lens or two, and flash, all in the bottom compartment. The top compartment is plenty big for lunch + raincoat + other odds and sods. It's a really light, handy bag.

How much did you pay for your Adventure 9? And where did you get it?

Amnesia180 wrote in post #3324714
I've been looking at the Tamrac Adventure 6 backapck.... Would anyone recomend that one? Or would you recomend the Lowerpro Orion Trekker II?

I'm looking for the one with bigger upper compartment space for a raincoat/hoody.

Thanks

Amnesia.
I would recommend the Adventure 7. It has more room especilly up top for normal storage.

Big W.
The Adventure 9 is on my list of upgrade bags. The only thing that scares me is the velcro which is attached to the inside top which the cameras LCD is stored against while in the bag. Do you notice any scratching from the coarse velcro on your LCD?
I could always cover the velcro with another piece of fabric or nylon if needed.
Thanks.

I'm thinking of buying one next week.
One important question though before i go for it: How comfortable, ergonomic and easy is it to carry a tripod with/in it??

Could you post some pictures of the bag with the acessory straps, please?

Thanks alot

Does anyone use this bag with a 1D series camera? Can it fit a 1D+24-70, 70-200 AND the 300/f4?

Or 1D+24-70, 70-200 and the 50/1.4 or 85/1.8 and a flash?

I have this bag and currently looking to upgrade. The thing I like about this bag is that it's light weight. I had this when I first got into Digital photography with Nikon gears. I was able to fit the D200 body, 12-24mm, 18-200mm, 50mm, Flash, and other small accessories. Overall it's a good bag. Here's why I'm looking to upgrade. For one, this bag doesn't have a tripod holder. Second, here's a warning for those that think about adding a laptop with this bag. I had my 15" MacBook Pro in the bag and took it with me oversea. When I got to my destination, I realized that the top corner of my laptop got scratched pretty badly. I quickly discovered that this was caused by the zipper. Please be extra careful when carrying your laptop with this bag. You may want to protect it first with some cloth cover before putting it in.

Wow, this thread hasn't been relegated to the archives! Let me try to respond to some of the questions.

Coreypolis's pictures on the first page of this thread show exactly how I pack my gear. Great minds think alike?

I've been using this bag for a year now and absolutely love it! It holds three lenses with ease (Tamron 28-75 f2.8 attached to the Rebel XT, Tokina 12-24 stored "horizontally", and the Canon 70-200 f4). Still room in there for a hotshoe flash, as well.

Ease of use of the bag continues to be a strong point. It lays flat without rocking, and provides a good work surface for field lens changes. It's sturdy and tough, no rips or tears at any seam, and I do use it fairly regularly.

Laptop compartment: It's a TIGHT fit for my HP zx5000 (15" widescreen), but it goes in. MR2 nice, perhaps its a different fit than your laptop, but I have no scratching up of the surface of my laptop. Maybe I'm just lucky on that one?

Nick5, no scratches at all on the LCD. If you're worried about that, an LCD protector or a small piece of microfiber cloth would protect that LCD while stored.

Hoomer, I have a small "tabletop" tripod that fits in the top compartment, along with the PC connection stuff (USB reader, USB cable, laptop power supply, etc.), a small umbrella, light jacket, and a lunch! It'll hold a lot. A full size tripod can be strapped to the bottom. The strap attachment points are rubberized plastic (I think) instead of nylon, so they are a bit tougher. The tripod straps are sold separately.

Goatee, to get the camera compartment open would require undoing three Fast-Ex fasteners and two zippers. I'm pretty sure i would feel or hear someone undoing all that if they were trying to get at it while on my back, and I move around a lot, so they would have a tough go at it.

4x4rock, that might be a lens too far. Fitting two "tall" lenses would not work, I don't think, unless you really squeezed everything in. The only way I could safely think of would be to put one of them in the top compartment. Your second combination *might* work, but it would take some creative engineering.

A year later, still a great bag. Highly recommended!

BW

I have had the Adventure 9 for a couple of months now. I love it.

It fits my 30D with 24-70 2.8L attached w/hood reversed, 70-200 2.8L, 10-22, 100 2.8Macro, 50 1.8, 1.4x and 2x TCs, spare cards and batteries all in the main compartment. In the top I fit my 430EX flash, a gorillapod, Kenko tubes and still have room for wallet, keys, phone etc. I don't have a laptop, so only store filter cases in that compartment. This is nearly all my gear, and probably a little excessive/impractical.

If I was hiking I would drop some of the gear not needed and have more room in the top for lunch and drinks. I haven't done it yet, but I plan to get some extra straps to connect my tripod.

In 2 weeks I am going to Europe for a month holiday. I plan to use the bag as my carry on luggage with passports, wallet, phone, and light jumper in the top. In the main compartment I plan to take 30D, 24-70, 70-200, 10-22, and nifty50. I want to travel "light".

4x4rock wrote in post #3726670
Does anyone use this bag with a 1D series camera? Can it fit a 1D+24-70, 70-200 AND the 300/f4?

Or 1D+24-70, 70-200 and the 50/1.4 or 85/1.8 and a flash?

I have this backpack and it holds my 1D MKIII with a 24-70 attached. It also holds my 70-200 2.8IS and my 16-35. I stick the hoods and flash in the top compartment. I think you would struggle to get the 300 f/4 in there though with your other lenses.

How tall is everybody who has this bag? I have purchased similar backpacks and the waist straps seem to be really high on me. I.E. the bag is made for a person who's 5'7" and not 6'3"