I was faced with a problem many photographers have when trying to figure out what camera bag to use. This is the problem of owning a high quality bag not explicitly made for cameras. Suddenly this bag that you know every feature and detail of is not getting as much use because it does not accommodate or protect your camera assets. The bag in question for me was a Bailey Works messenger bag that my little brother gave to me as a gift 5 years ago (Thanks Kevin, I love this bag). I have taken the Bailey Works on trips to Italy and Morocco, multiple camping trips, and have used it to cart drum equipment around my hometown of Columbus. It's a lifetime bag that can accommodate almost anything, so why stop using such a high quality piece of gear? I discovered the Snoop Camera Insert from Timbuk2 which I believe to be a great solution for converting your "anything' bag into a camera bag.
The Snoop comes in three sizes, XS, S, and M. I went with the small version, even though from pictures and looking at the dimensions on the Timbuk2 site, I still was not totally confident of its size (hopefully this review helps illustrate how large or small it is). The small has worked out great because it leaves ample room in the main pocket of my messenger bag for a laptop in a sleeve, a folded reflector, and small articles of clothing in addition to holding the Snoop (see photo below).
The Snoop is made of a gunmetal colored nylon fabric with a rugged single zipper enclosure, and features a single handle for easy lifting. The inside of the bag is lined with an anti-scratch tricot lining (meaning: SOFT) that has walls that velcro to the sides of the bag to configure a variety of shapes. I found the velcro very robust and hard to disattach from the lining, both good features of this insert and surprisingly something other bag makers pay little attention to. The Snoop seems durable enough from every angle to keep your gear protected inside of a larger bag.
Here are photos depicting the interior of the bag. The top picture shows how I used the inserts to create extra padding for my gear. The bottom gives you a good idea of what the inserts look like partially removed. The Snoop is great for transporting a minimal array of gear. I fit my full frame DSLR with lens attached in the center compartment, my rangefinder film camera to the left, and an extra lens for my DSLR in the compartment to the right. It's possible to fit a tiny bit more gear in here, but it would have to sit on top of other gear which is not ideal. My messenger bag has ample pockets and stowaway spots for other photo accessories like batteries, memory cards, and rolls of film and because of the design, Timbuk2 assumes you will use your messenger bag in this way too.
So my feeling is that the Snoop is great for a lot of reasons. First off, it's affordability is unparalleled in the world of camera bags (the SM is 49.99 from Timbuk2's website.) The Snoop is ideal for those who simply cannot afford some next level bag, or otherwise do not need it. Secondly, it gets the job done in a compact and secure package. If the Snoop is zippered inside your messenger, someone sticking their hand in your bag would just find another bag that they could not secretly remove. The bag's padding and inserts will keep your camera safe in most situations, adding a necessary layer to your piece of mind. Thirdly, the Snoop could possibly be named after a rapper, which anyone listening to hip hop since the 90's will appreciate. The Snoop would NOT be good for: 1. Photographers with lots of gear. The Snoop just isn't made to be the end all design for that purpose. 2. Photographers with telephoto lenses. Again, this little guy is just not made for Terminator type glass. 3. Photographers who relish the ability to pull their camera out of their bag with lighting speed. Get a sling pack for that. All in all, I commend Timbuk2 on a very cool product that is well suited for it's intended design. Don't hesitate to snag a Snoop for transporting a minimal (but still important) amount of camera gear in a bag that you already know and love.
I photographed Sam and Dustin last summer for the first time. It was a magical day of shooting in a forest during a rainstorm, and trudging through a lake to capture some of my favorite photos of all time. Two of the photos lead off the portfolio section of my website. So last week when I got the chance to meet up for another photo session, this time shot at night, in an apartment...I couldn't say no. The majority of the photos for this session are extremely colorful, lots of pinks and bright light. I've decided to limit this post to the black and white edits I've drawn out from all the wild color, to create a small, focused set. Fun fact, Sam and Dustin met at our shoot last summer for the first time.
This is my first ever camera bag, the Tamrac Expedition 3. I bought it used on Ebay for 22 dollars in an uncontested auction. I didn't premeditate this purchase at all, I just knew that my recently purchased DSLR needed a padded enclosure with space for a battery and a memory card. For 22 dollars this is probably the best bag I could have bought. I really like this bag for a lot of reasons.
The Expedition is a small pack, weighing in at 2lbs (according the Tamrac's website. This is also an older pack so weight may vary), perfect for day trips and hobbyist photographic outings. I find I can comfortably carry my full frame Canon 6d with lens attached, 2 unattached lenses, my Contax G1 with lens attached, and all the accessories I need including batteries, extra rolls of film, flashlight, memory cards, lens caps, and depending on the intensity of the "bag Tetris", maybe even an extra shirt. Tamrac says the Expedition should hold a DSLR with lens attached up to 7'' long, and 3-4 additional lenses. What this bag does not hold, very importantly, is a laptop. This is my primary reason for looking for a bag that is not the Expedition. Carrying our computers and cameras at the same time has become a necessity for many working photographers, and I'm no exception. That said, this bag is designed for lightness and portability, and getting to a shoot encumbered. At this task, the Expedition succeeds.
So yeah, I shot these photos in a minor snowstorm, which explains all the spotting in the photos. But I thought the trade off of looking like an extremely rustic dude who photographs in the snow was a plus. And I think we want our bags to be rugged, durable, well made, and worthy of all we can throw at it. So hopefully I win one for authentic winter photos.
One of the features I really like about this bag is a series of straps on the outside of the main flap to hold a compact tripod. This has come in handy many, many times. But these straps are duel threat. Not only working well for portable sized tripods or monopods, they work excellently for holding an extra layer when you get too hot, or anticipate getting too cold. Pictured here is my waxed Canadian Military jacket I bought up North many years ago, clinched inside the tripod straps.
As far as materials used in the construction of the Expedition 3 the Tamrac website offers very few details. Nowadays, I expect every company to tout their design and their materials. What I can garner by touching the bag is that is maintains a rigid shape with the help of foam padding and has a canvas exterior, with a slight amount of extra padding on the back of the bag (pictured below) so it's easy on the lumbar regions. The canvas extends over the zippers, I assume to shield water from the porous zipper...there is probably a word for this type of design, but hey it's my first bag review! I would say that Expedition is very well made. After a year of use I see almost zero signs of wear....no holes, serious scuffs, tears, rips, or threads coming undone. The padding seems very 'cushiony' and would definitely protect the gear inside if it fell off a table or small ledge. You can just throw this in your car, literally.
The bag has a two compartment design, both accessed by a zipper closure. The front pocket is the smaller of the two, and I use it for an extra battery, battery charger, multiple rolls of film, my small Contax flash, memory cards, and flash triggers.
As you can see from the packed picture above, there is more room left in the pocket...for a hat, an ipod, or maybe a headlamp. I also sometimes keep the power cords for my strobes in this pocket. My Canon battery charger slides in for a snug fit in the built-in pocket to the right (pictured above). Next to that is a slot for a pen or pencil. The last interesting feature of this front compartment is the slot for memory cards. There are two slots vertically alined, just big enough for a single SDHC card in a plastic case ...these pockets are marked by a piece of red cloth at the opening. This is a patented system Tamrac has developed as a way for you to identify which memory cards are available for use. It's a feature that I respect from a design standpoint, but rarely ever used. I personally just don't have that many memory cards to lose track of. Props to Tamrac for a creative solution to a problem many photographers must experience.
Now onto the main compartment of the bag where your camera and lenses go. The bag comes with a variety of foam inserts that let you customize your bag to your needs. So keep in mind that this part of the bag is set to the gear I carry and the design that I enjoy in a bag this size. I'm using many less inserts then the average person...trying to keep things simple and light.
So I've run into my first problem reviewing camera bags, I have to use my camera to photograph things so it can't be in the bag as I photograph it! So I've left space in this photo where my Canon 6D would reside with a lens attached. I decided to snap an Iphone photo of my real camera in the packed bag that I'll include at the end of the review (so that way only people REALLY interested will have to see my not so good Iphone shots).
So the way the bag is packed, it can hold my DSLR with the Canon 85mm 1.8 attached (in the empty space not pictured), a little Canon 35mm 2.0, the giant and heavy Sigma 35mm 1.4, a flashlight (the blue thing on the right), My Contax G1 rangefinder with strap, and a roll of Fuji film on top of the camera. I don't think this bag could easily hold a lens as large as the Canon 70-200 2.8, but it just might be possible. I think Tamrac's claim that the bag can hold a camera and 4 plus lenses is only feasible if you are using at least a few compact lens models (the Canon nifty Fifty comes to mind) but is not totally misleading. Anyone using a Fuji or Panasonic mirrorless system could put their whole life in here and probably have room left over for a sandwich and a book. Those of us using bulkier gear can still get a few big L series pieces with our camera inside.
The lid of the main compartment has three pockets constructed of a see through mesh plastic material that Tamrac calls 'Windowpane Mesh'. I use these pockets every time I pack for a trip, usually as a second home for batteries, or for the extra stuff I take to photo shoots including small props, Cliff Bars, and paperwork (maps, directions, model release). If I had something important and compact, this is the go to spot to keep it safe, secure, and dry.
Now on to the other features that I enjoy about this bag. The first is a mesh pocket at the bottom of the front of the bag. I jammed a pair of Submarine Socks from Best Made Co. into the space to test it's capacity. I always have cold feet, so on a winter photo adventure I would bring extra socks every single time.
The pocket is not huge, and might best work as a place to stow something you'll need to find easily again later. For example, lens caps, a small lens, a Pocket wizard, or even some snacks could all find a good home in this pocket. Or giant wool socks :)
Some of these other attachments on the outside of the bag I don't totally understand. There is a loop on each side of the Expedition. I can only surmise that they are loops for whatever you can think of...carabiners, rope, extra clothing, monopods, machetes, or to tie your dog to. Maybe they are just for improvising? Also, there is a plastic loop attached to each of the padded straps that I know have a function but can't figure out. If you have any ideas, please feel free to comment on my lack of formal backpack knowledge.
I really do like this pack. It's been durable, water resistant, roomy enough for the amount of gear I currently have, and not terrible looking. I know it's not a 400 dollar leather camera satchel, but I don't want it to be. For the price that I paid, it's really one of the best camera bags I'll own. It's a great size to pack your camera and one lens and use the rest of its space for clothing or layers on a day trip. It's also good for the amount of gear a hobbyist would employ...or a professional who travels light. If you're frustrated by the amount of bag options in the world, or the high prices to get a camera bag that you think you might need, maybe just grab an Expedition so you can forget the noise and just go shoot. That's what's most important.
I'll leave you with a few more photos, including the Iphone photos I shot of the contents I packed in the Expedition. Thanks for reading!
