Customer Reviews: Read 809 more reviews...
 Great bag that holds everything! July 14, 2005
R. Wolfinger (Manassas, VA USA)
256 out of 258 found this review helpful
I had so much stuff in my huge LowePro Nova 5AW shoulder bag that it hurt my my shoulder and back to carry it around. Saw the Canon 200EG Backpack and based on reviews ordered one. I am impressed. It was about 1/2 the price of my LowePro bag. Its very well designed with lots of compartments, padding, external straps and quality materials. It holds everything that was in my other bag and I still have more room. I've got a Canon 20D with BGE2 battery grip, 3 zoom lenses (one a telephoto), a Canon 580EX flash, a Slik mini tripod, lens hoods for all the lenses, and a large assortment of filters for all the lenses all inside the main compartment. External compartments hold everything else like spare battery packs, chargers, cables, etc. Its got straps on the bottom to carry my tripod which my old bag didn't have. Its got other straps for carrying all kinds of stuff. And I carry bag this much comfortably. The one thing that the LowePro bag had was an all weather cover that could be zipped out to cover the bag in bad weather. Never used it anyhow so whats the point? The LowePro goes to E-Bay!
Great Features and Value. May 25, 2006
Jerry A. Hazard (Albuquerque, NM)
22 out of 23 found this review helpful
The bag is just shy of a standard sized backpack/bookbag, just slightly shorter. It's black nylon/cordura or whatever that fabric is called now, with an olive accented panel on the front. Two Canon logos are visible from the front, nothing gaudy or obnoxious. It doesn't really scream "camera bag" either - just your run of the mill black backpack I guess.
What I like about the most is that it opens a clam shell fashion. This is a big step up from my previous bag, where you had to undo a flap cover, and then undo a zipper that basically cut the bag in half - not a very speedy or convenient process. The Canon bag is easy access; the camera sits right at the top, and you can remove it without having to totally open the bag up. Another thing I find nice is the amount of useable space. A couple more dividers would be nice, but I can use the leftovers from my previous bag if needed. In the main compartment, I can fit my Drebel body, with 28-105 attached, 28-300, 128mm prime, 16mm zenitar, 8mm Peleng, 50mm Takumar prime, 18-55 kit lens, flash, cheapo slave flash, and two coversion lenses (.24 wide angle, and 1.5 tele - both are junk, but are keen for that lensbaby effect). After all that, I still have a little space leftover for another lens - or battery and charger, or pack of smokes. I could probably even free up some more space if I rearranged the dividers, or leave a couple lenses behind and pack another body. That's just the main compartment.
There are two zipper pockets on the front of the bag, one sort of shallow,
you could fit maybe an envelope in it. The other pocket utilizes the entire
length of the flap - you could fit a few magazines, maps, socks or a t shirt
in there with no problem. There's even a small hook inside the pocket - for keys maybe? If not, there's enough room to hang a Camelback bladder - at least the smaller sized ones. Covering the front pocket is another sort of open laced pocket, with a drawcord that tightens it all up. A windbreaker/pants would fit in there easily, or maybe even a folded up reflector. The front pockets expand outward from the bag, so you can stuff them pretty full and still close it with no issues.
Either side of the bag is flanked by smaller pockets, with a hook/loop closure.
They are not really the `right size' for anything - and I'm not sure I trust the
closure method on them either. Still, at least they are there if you need them,
or if you need to lose something. I have yet to discover any hidden or non
advertised pockets or zippers...
The bag also has plenty of straps all over the place: the main shoulder straps are quite wide - I'm not sure they are actually a bonus - in fact they are admittadly awkward at first, but you get used to them. There's a small breast strap that connect them together on the front, and also a strap for you waist. Two extra straps on the side, not sure what their uses are. Also two straps on the bottom, for a tripod I presume.
Now, for the critical stuff.
Now, $35.00 is pretty cheap for a backpack/camera bag, right? So what's the catch? The first nit I would note is that the build quality - not sub par, but also not on the level of a $150.00 bag. That said, I would note all the seams are sewn completely, no frayed threads, and the zippers align and and work as they should. The material, while being labled as "water repellent" (urethane coated!), is also a lessor grade of nylon than you find on pricier bags. If you own a Camelback, you wold notice a difference in material quality, for instance. The webbed pockets on the inside, seem solidly sewn in place, but I'm not sure I'd want to test just how far you can stretch them, you can sort of feel a "give point" just beyond where everything seems tight. Hmmm, actually the build quality is okay, it's more the materials I have issue with.
I wish there were some tie downs or buckles to keep the loose ends of the straps
under control. Not really a performance issue, just keen attention to details. The main zipper has a small rain flap running its entire length, but some reason is just seems backwards - like maybe it should face the other way. I am concerned about being caught in the rain with it, seems like the water would rush right in. Good thing I'm in the desert.
Last thing, is the shoulder straps. They are about two inches wide. I can see the
logic behind this, potentially heavy weight one's back adds up after a while, but it seems that their width may add to fatique rather than relieve it. I have yet to test this theory though... I may report back in a while with my findings, just because I find them so odd.
But any criticism has to be taken with a grain of salt as well; it is, after all, a $35.00
camera backpack. For the price, it offers convenience and features that far outweigh
nitpicky negatives I've commented on. I only raise them to make people aware - it's not like getting a $200.00 bag for 40 bucks. But it is like getting a really keen bag for 35.
great camera bag at a great price April 28, 2005
Patrick E. Smith (LA CA)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
i got this item a few months ago and what a deal. i
looked around for other camera backpacks, and was
shocked to find some of them costing 100s of dollars.
come on its a back pack with some velcro straps. so
when i found the canon i was very pleased. i was able
to fit my 20D with Bg-e2 grip still attached, 4 lens
and lots of other parts in this pack with no problems.
it looks nice and the build quality is very good. lots
of straps for other stuff, its soft and padded in the
right places. for the money is one of the best out
there.
Pure and simple, this is the best camera bag I've ever owned! November 1, 2005
Michael J. Butler (Southern Connecticut)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
Pure and simple, this is the best camera bag I've ever owned!
It's an extremely well-thought-out bag, and does exactly what I wanted it to. By moving and re-bending some of the dividers, I have been able to carry my EOS 10D edgewise, with the lens on...AND with a Stroboframe Press-T installed with a 420EX speedlight on top with coil-cord connected...ready to use in one grab, with "no assembly required," with the base of the camera at the bottom of the bag and the flash at the top for perfect weight distribution. And there's still room for charger, other lenses, accessories in the main body, to say nothing of the outer compartments and pouches for your other "junk" like cell phone, iPod, GPS and pocket digicam (doesn't every paparazzo need a backup in case somthing happens to his main camera?)
The main zippered compartment on the front of the case has room for two 16.9 oz. bottles of Aquafina plus assorted snackage plus the outer web will hold a rolled-up jacket. It has external straps on each side and a pair on the bottom to attach tripods and other tools of engagement.
The thick padded shoulder straps are great, and the sternum strap and waist strap will keep this securely on your body no matter how strenuous your physical activity. You'll feel ready to roll like a Marine in full battle rattle with this kit.
Since this bag is brand-new, I have no idea how it will hold up over the years, but the fit and finish and level of detail hint that some attention was paid to quality of build. And the price? A giveaway! People, buy this bag, now!
Beware of Zipper! February 27, 2006
jen_u_win (Watkins Glen, NY)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
Beware of the zippers! DO NOT close both zippers to the top of this bag because they will open like a banana peel and expose all of your equipment. On of my lenses fell out and crashed into the ground where it broke in two and the snow got inside the pieces. Luckily it was one of my less expensive lenses, but still a loss. Make sure you close the zippers to either side and/or hook them together with a small clasp to ensure this does not happen to you!
For the price it's a great bag. It holds quite a bit for it's size, as well. I've tried to use it to carry my Bogen tripod and I found it too clumsy...but it's okay because I usually carry the tripod on my shoulder so I'm ready.
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