Tamrac 4680 Photo Messenger 8 Camera Bag - Olive

Rating:
Summary: PhotoMessenger 8
Review: My biggest complaint with the PhotoMessenger bag is its weight. Even before I put my camera equipment in the bag I noticed the fact that it was very heavy. I had two camera bodies and three lenses in it and it was very difficult to handle. I do like the fact that there is an easy access panel on the top. The expandable pocket on the back is also a nice feature. It is overall a nice looking bag, but it would serve better as a suitcast than a bag you can carry with you at all times. Definitely ot for a photographer who doesn't want a lot of things getting in their way.

Rating:
Summary: Take Your SLR On Business Trips. No More Excuses!
Review: When I think of all of the places I've visited for business, I just kick myself for not taking my camera with me. I've tried packing my point-and-shoot autofocus camera (a very fine Olympus 28-80 DLX Wide) as a solution, but it just doesn't give me the control and flexibility of my (Nikon) SLR.

I purchased a Tamrac Photo Messenger Bag in hopes that it could replace my soft-sided briefcase and allow me to quickly access my 35-mm SLR whenever and wherever on a business trip the photo-urge might hit me.

I've since taken my Tamrac Photo Messenger with me on excursions to Chicago, Paris, Hong Kong, Kansas City and Meridian, Mississippi.

I'm happy to report that the bag works very well! Here's what I discovered:

The Tamrac Messenger 8 Camera Bag is very spacious. It easily holds a SLR camera body with lens attached, as well as other accessory lenses (using velcro adjustable partitions inside of the bag's main compartment). I normally pack my Nikon N-90 with a Tamron 28-200 as the primary lens, and either my Nikon 28-105 macro (if there will be flower or nature opportunities), my Sigma 70-300 (if there will be sports or people possibilities), or my Tokina 19-35 (if I'll be visiting cities and walking amongst its tall buildings, such as in Chicago or Hong Kong).

Since I want to travel light, I'll normally take just one lens, along with my dedicated Nikon SB-28 flash (which has a zoom head which adjusts to cover focal lengths from 18-85 mm). If I want to travel even lighter, I'll pack my Nikon N-60 with built in flash, and leave the N-90 and SB-28 at home.

What makes the Tamrac Photo Messenger so convenient is the easy opening "Turbo Top" feature which enables one to access the camera without having to unlatch the bag's front flap. As I'm travelling, I simply carry the Tamrac Photo Messenger over my shoulder (as I would my briefcase) and peel back the Turbo Top when an interesting photo opportunity arises. When I'm done, I simply return the camera to the bag and zip the Turbo Top shut. And with the Tamrac's briefcase-like styling, I look like a typical businessman -- and not like a camera carrying tourist! (Although I'm not quite sure which one is worse.)

I chose the largest-in-the-series Photo Messenger "8" for its exterior (and expandable) laptop computer pocket. Even though I don't take my laptop PC with me on business, I use the space to carry files, magazines or books to read on the plane, (and the expandable gusseted feature can be especially helpful such as the time when I wanted to return home with some extra shirts, er...brochures from a trade show in Hong Kong).

I even borrowed my friend's portable DVD player and Bose Noise Canceling headphones on one occasion for the long flight to Hong Kong, and all of these items fit easily into the Tamrac Photo Messenger (along with my camera) with plenty of room to spare.

The bag has another large interior pocket for more files, and smaller compartments for items such as a checkbook, passport or PDA, as well as slots for pens and pencils.

The front flap has an exterior zippered area (which is perfect for airline tickets) and an interior mesh pocket (which is great for carrying film). The bag is also designed with Tamrac's built-in "Piggy-Back Pocket," which enables the bag to slide on to the handle of a rolling suit case, which really comes in handy when riding a shuttle between terminals or when catching a taxi in the rain (and, in one hand, holding an umbrella).

The Photo Messenger Bag was not without its faults: more pen slots were needed (three is not enough); a place for business cards would be nice; and the relatively large size (being designed for the largest laptop PC's) cause the bag to be a bit lengthy, especially when placed under many airline seats. Lastly, with the Turbo Top design, the bag does not have a separate grab-handle for carrying, which in general is ok, but a little inconvenient particularly when toting and checking the bag through airport security.

I am, overall, very happy! I've returned home with some wonderful photos (many of which were my best): great aerial shots taken from the plane (of the Grand Canyon in the evening and of corn fields in Iowa); of spectacular aiport terminals (such as Hong Kong's newest and United's O'Hare); of great city-scapes such as the Louvre in Paris, Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and the view when crossing Honk Kong Bay by ferry -- at night; and lastly, great close-ups of the dead (and still intact) armadillos which mysteriously litter the highway, legs up, on the interstates around Meridian, Mississippi. (I've heard over a dozen local yarns to explain this phenomenon, most unfortunately not printable on this website).

If you'd like to mix business (travel) with pleasure (photography), the Tamrac Photo Messenger may be your hot ticket!

The only trouble I now have is convincing my wife (after she's seen my photos) that I was actually working -- and not taking a company paid vacation without her! C'est la vie!