Tamrac 5546 Adventure 6 Backpack (Grey with Black Trim)

Comments about Tamrac 5546 Adventure 6 Backpack (Grey):

confortable

Comments about Tamrac 5546 Adventure 6 Backpack (Grey):

Hello Everyone,

I am going to start with the weakness of the bag and then go over my uses and pluses. That way you will know the weakness right away before getting bored with my information:

Weakness, the bottom bag when loaded and top portion when loaded with camera can be awkward to close/open due to the weight on both ends. The access to the bottom is to unsnap the connector and then open the zipper.

I have purchased the Tamrac 3385 since then and you will find my comparisons in this review and you can find my review of the Tamrac 3385 on the B&H appropriate page (black version).

I bought the 5546 several years ago and I have taken it everywhere (eg Chicago, Disneyland, Texas, backwoods, etc). It has served me well. I have utilized it by loading it up with two cameras and my sunglasses and flight information, etc.

You can find me using it with my Nikon D80 (Digital), Nikon N80 (Film), Mamiya 6 (with two lenses), Baldax (Folder camera), Rolleiflex, Fuji 645, Mamiya 645 with several lenses, several folders, etc.

This is a very good bag and it is great that it has a pouch in front for such things such as lens cleaners, film, scotch tape (I use it to tape the end of the medium format film), pens, lens filters, etc. The Tamrac 3385 pouch is inside the flap and not as usefull. The Tamrac 3385 was designed with the digital camera in mind. I have had to pack the lens filters in the areas where I could have packed lenses instead (for the Tamrac 3385).

I have found the ability to use the space efficiently and it is a small enough bag to take everywhere. The 3385 is a bit bigger and I have not taken it on an airplane yet (but I plan to in July to Colorado Springs) and then on a trip to Vegas in July as well.

I like having water bottles on the sides for drinks and I have been able to take most of my shots (the bag has slowed down only a few shots and I missed a coyote going to attack some wild turkeys due to the need to access the camera in the lower bag. I may have been able to get that shot with the 3385 due to the design have side zipper to get to one camera by design (I can get to two cameras by the way I have loaded and the type of cameras I have put on the side zipper).

I believe that most people do not think I have cameras in the bag (because it looks like a normal backpack) and therefore they have not tried to steal it. But, I am extra vigilant with the bag and would not let it out of my body's tcuch.

The bottom pouch is very difficult to get to for a thief and therefore they would have to steal the bag before getting to anything valuable from there. They will not be able to open a zipper and get to something valuable down below. They could open the top portion without you knowing (experts) and steal something, but that is very unlikely due to the way I hold it (with one strap versus two) and its movements would be hard for them to get at it.

I am keeping the 5546 and the Tamrac 3385. I have found them both usefull as I have found medium, 35mm, digital cameras and camcorders usefull. Everything has its own positives and negatives.

Comments about Tamrac 5546 Adventure 6 Backpack (Grey):

Well made, nice looking, functional product. However, for our lifestyle, the extra compartments aren't big enough. We have 2 kids and always have diapers, sweatshirts, sunscreen, etc. to cart around with us, along with the usual cell phone, sunglasses, and the like. We should've gone with the bigger model. However, the extra compartments are plenty big for an adult without kids.

Comments about Tamrac 5546 Adventure 6 Backpack (Grey):

I was looking for something compact but with enough protection for my camera. I also wanted space to bring other items, separate from where I would put my camera. This is great for this dual purpose.

Comments about Tamrac 5546 Adventure 6 Backpack (Grey):

I got this backpack to trek across Europe with and it held up well, is very well padded and perfect for daytrips!

Comments about Tamrac 5546 Adventure 6 Backpack (Grey):

I bought this bag after seeing it in person, and fitting mycamera stuff into it. It is small, but about perfect for thebeginning DSLR user. Without the optional grip on my CanonRebel XTi, it fits very nicely. I actually like the size,but my camera is getting bigger and bigger, with anotherlens, and battery grip. It's a very tight fit now. I'mplanning on replacing this bag with another that has similarfeatures. I don't know how big the Adventure 7 is, but I maygive it a shot. The top compartment is only big enough for,as Tamrac puts it, A light Jacket. That's the truth. Iwanted to be able to carry some more stuff, but with aMag-Lite, and my camera books and stuff that wouldn't fit inthe bottom compartment, it's just not big enough anymore. Itserved its purpose well, though.

Problems Encountered: The bag isn't really too small, Tamrac designed it for smallDSLRs and small lenses and accessories, my stuff is growingall the time. it's time for an upgrade. Get it only if youhave a Nikon D40 or D50, a Canon Rebel XTi or Xt, and if youaren't planning on adding much to your camera (battery grip,large lens, or really anything else that is going to stay onyour camera most of the time) I even have to take off mystrap to put my camera in the bag, now.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: None.

Items I Recommend: Well, I guess the accessory lash straps for a tripod.

Comments about Tamrac 5546 Adventure 6 Backpack (Grey):

I went to store thinking I was going to buy the Tenbabackpack, the salesman convinced me otherwise with theweight of the Tenba, when I got home I realized it barelyfit my 5D and I should have gone with the Tenba--betterdesign to slick

Comments about Tamrac 5546 Adventure 6 Backpack (Grey):

I was shocked at how small this bag was when I received it... I'm returning it ASAP to try again for something bigger. I shoot with a D200 w/grip and it wasn't even close to fitting (and it says I should be able to fit another lens and a flash??? )

Comments about Tamrac 5546 Adventure 6 Backpack (Grey):

Looks OK on the website, but in real size it is ridiculouslysmall. I had quite a shock when I received. It should bepresented next to another object for reference - forexample, a standard bottle of wine or something like that,since you cannot put any photo gear for comparison, sincethat would imply trademark issues.It has chest and waist straps for better grip to your body(although you don't really need them - there isn't muchweight you can pack in)It says there that in the bottom compartment you can pack acamera with a standard lens, another lens, and a flash -yeah, if you want to damage your focus or zoom quickly,since you have to pull them like heck if you put all this inthe same compartment. I only pack a Canon XTi + 18-50, andin the top compartment the 70-300 (in its own carryingcase), the card reader and the filter pouch. It's rather acompromise, but works.I recommend you go for the Adventure 7, it only costs a fewbucks more and is much better sized.

Problems Encountered: Too small

Comments about Tamrac 5546 Adventure 6 Backpack (Grey):

Size does matter, at least when it comes to how much you can carry and the 5546 just did not measure up to what my needs are. However if you are looking for a sturdy bag for a point and shoot this could be a good fit. It is just small.

Problems Encountered: Too small.