I offered the Tamrac Evolution eight about a year in the past, and I even have to say it is the most functional backpack I’ve ever owned. I name it my Batpack, as it holds my camera, laptop, and all my little trinkets with brief get admission to… And it is black.
DESIGN
As the name implies, the Tamrac Evolution 8 is an evolution in the layout of image bags. There has arrived a famous new style of the backpack: the sling/facet admission to the bag. There are literally hundreds of variations of image baggage, and most of them fall into trendy genres. Still, from my revel in, something started a few years ago inside the bag world: sling bags became their personal shape. I do not know if this turned into the primary bag to start it all. However, I’m confident the Lowepro Slingshot changed into the sling bag heard spherical the world due to its immense popularity. Since then, I’ve observed different manufacturers choose up this idea in diverse bureaucracies. In essence, a sling bag is a backpack that you can slide to the side and get entry to on your stuff/digicam without taking the load off. Brilliant! I can’t tell you how long I’ve desired a bag that could convey greater than top-loader or satchel; however, bring it on my back instead of placing all that weight on one shoulder. The large 3 all have kinds of sling packs and sling backpacks: Lowepro Fastpack, Kata 3n1 & 123, and the Tamrac Evolution eight 5788.
The Tamrac Evolution 8 holds a 15-inch computer (I actually have sincerely squeezed in one of the new 17 inch MacBook pros additionally), a DSLR without grip, 2-four lenses, a flash, numerous add-ons in flaps and compartments, it has a rain cowl, tripod hook, and can be carried as a sling bag or backpack.
The “three ways to get right of entry to” your gear is where this bag is attractive. You can put your DSLR in one of the facet compartments and sling it up and get entry to it without starting the %. Also, as I do, you may position the second camera of smaller size (like a Holga movie digital camera) on the other aspect and sling that as much as getting entry to it. This is a significant benefit compared to the Lowepro Fastpack or Kata, which most effective has one side access. You additionally have access to the gear from the top flap, which is a little small for my tastes, but it does the job.
The Three-Way Harness gadget is commonplace to this, and the Kata baggage-it lets you set it up as a backpack with two straps or a sling bag with a strap over the proper or left facet. (Depending on which aspect you need to get at.) Personally, I by no means use this selection because it’s smooth enough to slip off one of the straps and sling the bag as much as getting access. Another boon to that technique is you can get at both aspects of the pack in preference to being constrained to 1 or the opposite. But you have the choice. The Kata does an interesting element with an X machine, whereby both straps cross over you are chest. I have not attempted it out but am involved in checking it out.
There are two pockets on either facet above the digicam compartment access panels that may hold add-ons. One has the drain cover using the default, and I keep my Flip-type HD video camera inside the other. The flaps on either entry panel hold diverse accessories like flashcards and filters. However, I’ve found them to spit out my stuff if I don’t % it cautiously. The top compartment I use to maintain my flashlight, laptop electricity delivers, Leatherman, batteries in the outer flap (not honestly the first-rate use), pills, protein bars, pretty a whole lot something that is less than eight×8 inches I will throw in there… It receives messy no matter the mesh holder.
The shoulder straps, whilst skinny, are relaxed, and there’s a waist strap, which is absolutely vital on any backpack. Half of the burden, if not extra, needs to rest on your hips. And the sternum strap is likewise a need for me, as I am a 6-foot man with reasonably extensive shoulders.
This bag is genuinely a compromise. If you’re an expert photographer searching out an area bag, this isn’t always it. It simply sucks at that. I’m telling you from experience it simply does not preserve enough of the form of gear you want, and you cannot get at it quickly sufficient. However, one caveat is that it is splendid for road photography, in particular, if it is raining. This bag is for each day, multipurpose use. If you’re seeking out a journey bag, something to preserve your laptop and digicam and healthy in the overhead bin, you might have just observed your One Bag to rule all of them. This bag works for me because I simplest use a DSLR without a battery grip, I don’t very own any large lenses (e.G. 70-200 f/4L), and I actually have a fifteen-inch laptop. It’s a little light on how good deal stuff you can put in it, but to me, that’s a terrific aspect because I’m continually looking to tour lighter. After a yr with this bag, I can say that I’m delighted. However, I can be looking for some other bag to hold more systems for my picture shoots, and if I become getting a digital camera with a battery grip, I will certainly look at the Kata 3N1 or 123.
