Vanguard Alta Sky 51D Reviews
Vanguard Alta Sky 51D Camera Backpack
By Chris
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-07-10
I ordered this pack after countless hours of research on good camera backpack systems. I have set it up to handle my DSLR with a 600mm lens attached, and have access to my secondary DSLR with my wide angle lens through the side access pocket. the whole bag seems to be well thought out and very functional. It feels good on my shoulders while fully loaded, and seems to be sturdy enough for long day hikes. If I had to say one way to improve it, it would be to have more standard dividers, to set up how I wanted I had to get a little creative with the dividers provided.
Awesome
By Pierre
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-08-21
Great photo gear bag. Confortable with all my quipement inside
Below average
By Robert
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2022-03-04
Just based on my functional needs, the back flap doesn't open fully, where the main camera compartment is. buckles get in the way, when trying to close, or open zippers
Works but Needs a Few Tweeks
By Michael
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2022-01-09
I have not been on a hike yet, but I am happy that it holds all my gear and takes the weight off my shoulders (I am at 19lbs total). They need to make the back flap fully open as it's a pain to get you gear out and hold the flap while pushing the shoulder straps away. The need more straps from divider to divider to hold your gear into to place. Overall, it serves its purpose for a backpack.
Wish I had this sooner!
By Carlos
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-12-05
After purchasing several backpacks and trying to find some of the suits me, I finally came across and this Alta sky by Vanguard. It is by far one of the most comfortable backpacks I have ever worn, even fully loaded to the gills. I am an over the road trucker and I am pretty limited on space inside my truck, but this backpack makes it easy for me to organize all my gear, including my larger lenses. It is extremely versatile with plenty of storage space and is extremely easy to rearrange all the compartments within the interior. The added bonus of the exterior tripod carrying system makes it well worth it as well. Definitely one of the best purchases I have ever made.
Champion of camera bags!
By Levan
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-09-25
My first impression was, wow, this thing is just beautiful. Right after I picked it up these positive emotional feelings turned to something disturbing because this thing is heavy!!! It weights almost 3 kilos empty. But I'm not going to lower stars in rating, because I know that this weight does its job in exterior protecting my gear, which in my opinion is missing in other bags on market. I have spent dozens of time in search for good bag which actually not only looks good but protects what's inside. Again, all sides of this bag are made so well and stiff that you can be sure that every piece of equipment will be safe even if you'll throw this bag against a wall.
Wearing it is comfortable but because of its size and loaded weight is not something that you wear everyday walking around, this bag is not for situations where you might spontaneously make decision to go out take some pictures. This is for days when you really travel and wish to have everything you may need with you and don't wish to leave something at home because of the bag limitations.
Talking about other features, one of the reasons why I chose 51D model (by the way, 45D also have this feature) is that it may be configured so that top and bottom compartments will be isolated. This is just huge plus for travel bag, because there are tons of little things which are useful on your way to destination and safe for you but not for your sensitive gear. Separating dangerous things from the camera gear in isolated space is always a good idea. For instance, F-stop makes great looking, really good bags but with top compartment which actually not compartment but an additional space from where you can directly reach an internal camera unit, ICU, which is terrible design flow, because anything may fall there from the top while you're wearing it and moving around.
Zippers are really easy to use, massive and does good job, I like these yellow pod like handles, looks great and stylish.
Because of how Vanguard designed these particular models I have mentioned above, there are just tons of configuration how you can adjust your dividers. Possibilities are really endless, you can remove either top, or bottom, or both compartment dividers and use one big space for something, or just create new dividers that way. Don't wish to use its main sexiest feature to easy access bottom compartment by just unzipping it from the front side? There you have it, just remove the main divider and rearrange small dividers as you like!
There are many different pockets in this bag. Can't say that they are enormous amount but, they are enough. Actually, I'm not going to use its laptop compartment for laptop itself but rather for other stuff don't really know yet. Anyway, I don't think that it's crucial for me to pick my laptop every time for shooting. Well known triangle on the front side is just gorgeous, can't say exactly, but I think it will be useful for many many things and it is by the way, also adjustable.
There are three places where you can mount your tripod. One side, front vertically and front horizontally! Sadly, if you will decide to use side option to secure the tripod, you are automatically disabling water bottle pocket. Alta Sky 53 does have this pocket on both sides, so no problem for their lucky owners.
One big downside, and I thing very big mistake for every single bag out there, is a zipper on quick access door. I think that there must be nothing sharp which may interact with camera or lens. I prefer less pockets rather than chance to damage something that costs a lot, you know. I will definitely do something to eliminate this problem. Good is that it doesn't have anything similar on rear access.
Overall, I'm happy! Great bag and of course, recommend!
Don't take the dividers inside it apart.
By Gary
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-06-04
This bag is awesome! It fits everything a working photographer would carry with room to spare. 1) 28-70, 1) 70-200, 1) 90mm portrait/macro, 1) 12-24, 1) Sony A7IV, 1) AD200, 1) Godox Flash, 1) Gitzo Traveler Tripod, Various chargers, lens cleaners, blower, neck straps, remote control, Macbook pro, iPad (mini or pro) 1) DJI Mavic 2 pro, DJI Rc Remote controller, charger, batteries and reusable baby diapers for cleaning lenses. This bag surprised me. Fully loaded, it is comfortable to walk around in for many hours while hiking to the next spot. That being said, don't you dare remove the dividers unless you want a big headache putting it all back together. Then again, maybe that wouldn't bother you at all. Great bag for the money, I really like it.
Big and spacious
By Phat
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-01-10
I need to fit 200mm F/2.0 FE mounted on Eos R6 and 300mm F2.8 EF mounted on EOS R10, both pre-mounted and I don't need to do that in the field. This bag is the answer.
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