National Geographic Medium Shoulder Bag Review

I was out at some waterfalls yesterday, and I had to explain to about 10 different people that, no - I don't shoot for National Geographic, LoL.

I also catch a lot of crap from fellow photographers at school for the logo, LoL.

Another thing I could see wrong, is that in the bad part of town, or a 3rd world county - people will recognize National Geographic, and think there a lot of really expensive stuff inside (and usually there is!) If there was something else, or no patch at all - it would just look like a regular courier bag. I'm thinking of covering mine.

<AkulA> wrote in post #3297925
Another thing I could see wrong, is that in the bad part of town, or a 3rd world county - people will recognize National Geographic, and think there a lot of really expensive stuff inside (and usually there is!)

Just say that it's full of old National Geographic magazines.

Citizensmith wrote in post #3296925
Actually this was something that was discussed earlier in the thread.

Must have missed that one somewhere along the line. My apologies.

Citizensmith wrote in post #3296925
My solution was put the pouch that comes in the bag at one end and use the spare divider at the other

The one I had did not come with any dividers other than the 'box' insert.

71kgb wrote in post #3312320
The one I had did not come with any dividers other than the 'box' insert.

Mine was the same as yours...

71kgb wrote in post #3312320
Must have missed that one somewhere along the line. My apologies.

The one I had did not come with any dividers other than the 'box' insert.

I think the OP was referring to extra dividers left over from other bags. I have done the same on different bags.

I have been eyeing this bag for a few weeks because of this thread. (Originally I had my sight set on the Crumpler 7 million dollar home.) I found the National Geographic medium shoulder bag at adorama through amazon yesterday for only $85. It was $100 everywhere else I looked. So I made the purchase today. I can't wait for it to arrive!

spyraling wrote in post #3543642
I have been eyeing this bag for a few weeks because of this thread. (Originally I had my sight set on the Crumpler 7 million dollar home.) I found the National Geographic medium shoulder bag at adorama through amazon yesterday for only $85. It was $100 everywhere else I looked. So I made the purchase today. I can't wait for it to arrive!

I too have been looking at this bag for awhile. I have the small and the midi and like them both. I hope however, that you are aware that people who have ordered this bag report that the 16.5"X7.8"X11.8" dimensions that are published everywhere are incorrect, and the actual dimensions are 13"x 8"x 11".

I've been looking at this bag myself. I currently have a Lowepro Micro Trekker 200 and it's great but I've discovered over time that the backpack really only works for me if I'm hiking or out on a walk as opposed to shooting an event, parade, fair, etc. I change lenses quite a bit and the backpack just doesn't cut it for that.

So now I'm in search of a bag and since my gear has changed and grown in size I have different needs.

There are so many bags out there and the problem is I like to touch and feel things before buying. I do have a local store that has some bags but not the assortment I would want to check out. They do have NG and Lowepro primarily.

Trying to find the right bag is so hard. The NG bags keep catching my eye. I don't know how I'll decide, but I'm not in a real hurry, so I'll keep on reading and see what other people think. I've read so many "what bag to get" threads it's a little overwhelming.

Been using my NatGeo Medium on vacation and its been great. I've had my camera, 24 2.8 and 85 1.8 in the pouch, and then vacationy stuff (kids jackets, souvenirs, snacks, drinks, whatever) in the other part of the main body. Maps, passports, tickets and such went in the big back pocket, and then 1st aid kit, pens, phone, in the front zip pockets.

It really did work great, and was left untouched by a group of Paris pickpockets that got two wallets from our group. The only negative with the bag is that the shoulder strap does get uncomfortable with heavy weights. I added a padded strap from my Crumpler bag and it made a big difference and perfectly manageable.

Pinto wrote in post #3545772
...the 16.5"X7.8"X11.8" dimensions that are published everywhere are incorrect, and the actual dimensions are 13"x 8"x 11".

Yeah, I came across that info while researching the bag. I'm looking at a tape measurer in front of me right now and the 13" to 16.5" is kind of a big difference. However, looking at all the pictures I've found here and elsewhere of the bag loaded with gear, I'm pretty happy with what it looks like it can hold. One of the main reasons I chose this bag over the Crumpler is all the pockets it has. I like pockets.

Citizensmith wrote in post #3549297
Been using my NatGeo Medium on vacation and its been great. I've had my camera, 24 2.8 and 85 1.8 in the pouch, and then vacationy stuff (kids jackets, souvenirs, snacks, drinks, whatever) in the other part of the main body. Maps, passports, tickets and such went in the big back pocket, and then 1st aid kit, pens, phone, in the front zip pockets.

It really did work great, and was left untouched by a group of Paris pickpockets that got two wallets from our group. The only negative with the bag is that the shoulder strap does get uncomfortable with heavy weights. I added a padded strap from my Crumpler bag and it made a big difference and perfectly manageable.

Glad you like it. I ordered one before I discovered the dimensions error. Should be here tomorrow. I have the small and the midi, figured I'd get the entire set.
Bags will be the death of me.

Because of this post, I went and bought one. I love it. It's a little big for my needs but it gets the job done in a pinch.

I live in Oregon and was a little leary about it surviving with the weather here. Needless to say, after yesterday, all worries are completely gone. I was out at one of the local waterfalls taking pictures out on the rocks, and slipped in with it unzipped. I walked away pretty banged up, but the camera and lenses worked great. Not a scratch anywhere. A little water splashed on, but nothing that will do long term damage.

pooky125 wrote in post #3719592
Because of this post, I went and bought one. I love it. It's a little big for my needs but it gets the job done in a pinch.

I live in Oregon and was a little leary about it surviving with the weather here. Needless to say, after yesterday, all worries are completely gone. I was out at one of the local waterfalls taking pictures out on the rocks, and slipped in with it unzipped. I walked away pretty banged up, but the camera and lenses worked great. Not a scratch anywhere. A little water splashed on, but nothing that will do long term damage.

Good to hear, glad you and your kit are OK too.

pooky125 wrote in post #3719592
Because of this post, I went and bought one.

Me, too! I will soon be broke if I continue reading these forums here.

I've had my bag for several weeks now, and I absolutely love it! It is a little roomy when I don't carry all of my kit with me, but currently that spare bit of room is occupied by some Cup O'Noodles, a can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup and an 8-pack of mini Reese's Crispy Crunchy Bars. It's nice having room for other things sometimes.

I just want to chime in and sing praises for this camera bag. I brought it out for the first time this past Friday and it worked beautifully. In it I carried a 20D w/grip, 70-200 F/2.8L IS, 1.4x Canon Tele, 16-35 2.8L II, and miscellaneous gear all day with no problems at all. After about six or seven hours of walking around the weight of the gear did start to take it's toll on my shoulder, but the well padded strap did its part very nicely.

I also managed to test out the padding of this bag when the bag with all the above mentioned contents in it tipped and fell approx 4 feet to the asphalt ground. I carry the bag with the main flap flipped over and against my body for easy access to the main compartments and this is how the bag was when it fell, landing flap down. Everything survived as though nothing had happened so even though the bag appears to be somewhat sparsely padded, it was more than adequate to save me from a potentially expensive "oh ****" moment.

Great bag, highly recommended.

K