Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black)

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

WORTH EVERY PENNY

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

I'm a humanitarian photographer that travels the world for my job. I'm on the go at all times, so I need a rugged pack that will hold all my gear and allow me use it as a carry-on with no problems. This solves most of my problems. I almost wish I went with the next size up, but then I probably wouldn't be able to carry it. I'm a small 5'3" woman. When I load up all the gear I can fit into this pack I almost feel like I'm going to fall over, but the support on the pack is fantastic. It's perfect for my height. Sadly, my assistant feels the opposite about the pack. It's not made well for tall people. I read that other reviews had the same issues. My assistant is 6'2" and the support doesn't work with his body. His back gets tired quickly. Keep that in mind if you're a tall person.

As for traveling with the pack I haven't had any issues on the planes. If I have to go on a small plane as in Asian Air then I can see there being a problem. The stowaway areas are much smaller. I loaded up my pack as much as I could and it fit just fine on the planes I've been on lately. I would suggest strapping the bottom support strap around the back of the pack. It helps the pack fit quickly into the stowaway area.

Everything I was able to fit in my pack:
-15.6" Laptop
-Laptop Charger, AA battery charger, camera battery charger
-misc batteries, 5 CF cards
-11-16 2.8 tokina, 14mm 2.8II, 24-70 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 70-200 2.8 isII
-Lav mics
-Manfrotto 561BHDV-1 Monopod
- 2 430ex flases
-portable hard drive, other smaller items

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

I use this product to carry my Panasonic AF100, Panasonic GH2, 4 lens's, mics, cables, laptop, small tripod and several attachments. Let's not forget my canteen when I go out to shoot nature shots. I saw the backpack in an ad and put it on my wish list. I am so happy to own it. It has exceeded expectations. With all the gear i have it's still relatively lightweight and feels very strong. I am confident having all my gear in one place with this backpack. The only con is that depending on what you want out of your backpack it may be a little difficult to reach. But that's the way it goes with all cases you carry on your back.

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

First, i love this backpack. It stores everything I need.
1. 5DmkII w/ batt grip and really right stuff L-Bracket and 24-70 attached
2. 70-200 II
3. 50 1.2
4. 85 1.2
5. 3x 580EX II
6. Laptop (Mac)

Plus all my accessories and so forth! the padding in the shoulders is thick and comfy and so is the hip strap

BUT,

I'm a 6'1" guy so the hipstrap doesn't actually sit on my waist. It rides above it so all the weight is really on my shoulders. It is slightly adjustable, but doesn't really fit my body very well! I wish it did because this is a really cool bag. For this reason I'm giving it 4 stars. I had to give it to my assistant and pursue the LowePro Trekker 400 AW, which has a much more adjustable system (and Peter Lik uses it).

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

The most important feature of this pack is the excellent hip belt and back support. The Pack is very secure and comfortable.
The least important,for me, is the laptop section; however it serves well to carry a jacket or other accessories.
I can easily get 2 SLRs w/drives, numerous lenses, flash and attach a tripod externally.
I have tried various pack arrangements over the years and this one comes to closest to being a perfect gear hauler!

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

All my photo gear fits in nicely. Pack is large, but it is what I expected. Back pack will be wonderful to tranport my gear from shoot to shoot, though for a long trek I would be wise to lighten the load. So far I would order this product again. Very high quality material and workmanship.

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

OK here is the initial review, I have not tested it yet. I spent almost 3 weeks researching a good backpack for my upcoming trip to Scotland. The main question I debated was fast and light or slow and heavy!?

I decided on slow and heavy knowing that most of my time would be driving and light/moderate hiking between shots, no "intent" for long hikes to get the shot. However, I wanted all gear to travel with me in one pack in the overhead.

If you want fast and light, this is not your pack, this pack will hold a lot! My pack-out is: D300, N90s (still love film), Acer TravelMate 6593 laptop, 4 lenses (none over 200mm), 2 flashes, Sony camcorder, light meter, 10 filters, 6 rolls of film, 2 batteries, 2 memory cards, cleaning supplies, 12 AA batteries and tripod (full size). Then I looked at the wires. Now this is where it got interesting, I am able to fit all wires without a home (so they are just "shoved" in the bag), this I don't like, so I will order a pouch for the side.

No matter the how you arrange the pack it will always look like a brick strapped to your back, however it does not feel that way. I like that the computer is not directly against your back, effectively taking all flexibility away. I was concerned about the weight distribution since my laptop is heavy (not sure why it is called TravelMate, should be "HeavyMate with oversized battery") but it is definitely offset by having the weight of the camera gear close to you back. The padding is very generous and the vents help to feel like the pack is lighter, cooler and more flexible.

I would still prefer a rain cover, the bag has water resistant zippers and the main zipper has a flap with a draw string to tighten. The rain in Scotland can come without warning and tends to fall sideways, so I think I will invest in a rain cover!

The shoulder straps are a little short. I am 5'11" and 200lbs. and the torso height of the pack is right on the edge. It is also not adjustable.

Basically I consider this pack good and well made but it all depends on your intend. It does almost exactly what it is intended to (no good place to store wires) carry everything, but I like that I can add pouches and not have to buy a new pack as I add gear.

I leave at the end of the month and plan to update after the trip, hope this helps so far!

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

I can fit all my gear in one bag.

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

We have a 7D and many different lens to go with it as you might imagine - (6 lens, charger, light, 7D, etc). Everything fits inside this backpack. The velcro straps definitely hold everything in place. Nothing moves. Its perfect. When you need to change a lens you bring the bag around in front of you and maybe less than a minute later your done and ready for the next shot. Highly recommended from beginner to advanced.

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

Very pleaseed with the Tamrac Expedition 7X - a large pack, it easily fits my 2 cameras, and extra lense, with room for more then I can plan to carry. Nice lumbar support and fasteners, all clad in a very tough shell. Could be too big for some people.

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

I wanted a travel bag that could hold 2 camera bodies, multiple lenses, long tele zoom lens, mono-pod tri-pod, chargers, batteries, 15" laptop, etc. Basically anything one needs on a photo trip/excursion. This bag does it all. It does get heavy, but that is unavoidable with the amount of equipment it holds. The shoulder straps, with back support and chest strap/snap alleviate much of the strain from the equipment weight. This is one great bag.

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

I owned an Expedition 7 before. Heavy use wore it completely out and I replaced it with a Lowepro model. Quality bag, but the pocket arrrangment, etc. just didn't fit me well. So I ordered my second Expedition 7 and it feels like an old friend. Just the right amount of pockets in handy places where I can use them, just the right size, and well-made.

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

This bag does everything it is supposed to do and does it extremely well

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

This a really good camera bag. I fitted in 1x D1 Mark 1V, 1 x 1 - 400 lens, 1 x wide angle, 1 x 70 - 200 lens, 1 x 28 - 80 lens, second EOS 450 back up camera + a picture down loader, flash and a whole lot, of other accessories and it really held the stuff well. It is great though that it sits well once strapped on as the equipment is excessively heavy. I like the bag because it has got a lot of compartment to keep everything neat and it is really well padded so it can take some rough treatment which is likely to happen when you are out and about in the bush. The Camera equipment is really well protected and the zips are water proof. Thats a great bonus.I always carry a tripod with me and the construction with the outside flap that opens up works well. I really like this bag

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

the bag is a little heavy,but it will handle all my equipment plus more.I wanted a backpack to take my camera gear,nikon d5000,500mm telephoto lens,tripod,flash unit etc. on a cruise to alaska next year and this more than fulfills the requirement

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

This is my second photo backpack. I bought the first as a light duty bag, but find myself adding additional camera bags for big jobs. This is not the biggest backpack Tamrac makes, but it swallowed up more gear than I can actually carry, so it fills the bill perfectly. I like the special features it has for storing gear and accomodating a tripod, and the ability to add compatible pouches. It wears like a very high-end hiking backpack. It is comfortable for extended wear. My only complaint is I thought I could remove the waist band, but apprently that was another brand!

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

This is a sturdy, well-made backpack. It is not as big as it sounds in some reviews, but it is large, mainly in the front-to-back measurement. I have not had it on an airplane, but it could be a challenge in planes with more shallow overheads. It is well designed with good equipment access. I carry a Nikon D300s with three to five lenses, flash, tripod, and many accessories; it all fits and is well protected. The downside is that the pack will tempt you to over-pack and it gets heavy; the pack itself is not light. The harness fits comfortably and is well-padded; it didn't take much adjustment to get it to fit comfortably. I prefer this pack over the Expedition 6x because of the padded waistbelt and better harness.

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

Excellent bag for holding and transporting all of your gear. I am able to fit my two bodies with grips and 5 lenses. Plus filters, cleaning kit, battery chargers, extra batteries and my laptop. I would highly recommend it!

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

This back pack, is very confortable, well strong constructed and durable.
But the thickness is oversized!! it makes impossible or very dificult to fit in the overhead compartmen of airplanes.
The front pouchs and zippers were disigned only for memory cards and batteries, but if you want to put some cables there you would not be able to close the pouchs.

Comments about Tamrac 5587 Expedition 7x Backpack (Black):

I bought this after a lot of research. It is very hard to get a good reference for size from online pic's. This pack is gigantic. It will hold your gear allright, and a laptop, but you better put on flashing light's to warn those around when you make a turn. The tag say's it's airline compatible, I do'nt see how you could get it in an overhead compartment. I sent mine back.