National Geographic NG 5162 Earth Explorer Medium Backpack by National Geographic
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Digital camera reviews of National Geographic NG 5162 Earth Explorer Medium Backpack
Digital camera Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
I just got this in today. My first impression is that I am very impressed it is put together much better than I anticipated. I read the other reviews and was a little worried about the laptop but my older 17" VIAO fit fine through the interior opening. Additionaly it fit my Sony A200 with a 75-300mm lens attached about 8.5" inches total. It looks like even a slighter larger lens would be just fine too maybe up to 9.5". All and all I'm very happy with this purchase. It looks sharp! and much nicer than a lowe pro that would cost twice as much.Digital camera Review: Excellent Bag to Fly With
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are like me, one of the most important questions you have when selecting a bag is, "How does it work on a plane?"
I have travelled with this bag stuffed to the limit a few times now and can happily report that it fits well both in overhead storage, as well as under the seat ahead of you. Security has never even batted an eye when I run this bag through. The last time I travelled I had the following in my bag:
* Dell 15.4" laptop with extended battery (Inspiron 1525)
* Canon 5D Mark II
* Canon 70-200mm 2.8L
* Canon 14-70mm 3.5L
* Canon 50mm 1.8
* Canon 28mm 2.8
* Speedlite 430 EX II
* Various filters
* Kata rain jacket
* Various other small accessories
* A Terrible Towel
* A Bogen carbon fiber tripod attached to the side with the loops *
* A Bogen pan head in the big knapsack compartment
I can't tell you how much I love the all of the pockets and rings. I have a Crumpler Karachi Outpost, but hardly ever use it because this bag makes getting to your gear so easy. The folds out pockets on the side are awesome for your water bottles as you spend the day hiking or site-seeing. I have hiked around NYC, Washington D.C., and Pittsburgh with this bag and wouldn't have changed a thing about the bag.
I will also add that the included rain cover is slick and easy to throw over the bag, buying you some time to get out of the rain. I would depend on it for an all day deluge, but most of us don't spend all day outdoors in the rain with this type of equipment.
Many people have commented about not having enough room for a 15" laptop. I usually put my laptop in the bag form inside the bag through the knapsack pocket versus the outside zipper pocket. Even with the extended battery, it fits nicely.
I am running out of space in this bag and have been considering the larger bag, but the reviews aren't so great about it. I might get it and modify the Velcro in the photo compartment.
* I usually detach the tripod once I get on the plane for ease of storage under the seat. I think you could easily leave it attached in overhead storage.
Digital camera Review: FANTASTIC BAG. perfect size.
Summary: 5 Stars
WHAT A FANTASTIC BAG.
I bought this bag for my boyfriend for Christmas and he absolutely loves it. It EASILY fits his Canon 60D, a Tokina 11-16 2.8 lens (fits both attached to the body and on it's own,) and three nikon prime lenses (24mm, 35mm, 50mm). Those items all sit comfortably in the padded camera equipment pouch, with room to spare. Despite what others have said about the inflexibility of the padded dividers, he has arranged them to fit all these lenses and his body and they all fit easily and securely. No problem, whatsoever, here. On top of all that, he can easily slide in his MacbookPro 13" into the laptop sleeve. He still has room for a sweatshirt and some journals in the top half, not even to mention extra bits and pieces that can be organized conveniently in all the little zipped pouched. When necessary, he has even been able to strap on his steady-cam and clunky tripod using the handy straps included. There are so many usefully palaced loops and clips that the capacity of this bag is endless!
Additionally, despite this bag's large carrying capacity, it is NOT too big so that it looks clunky. My boyfriend is 5"8' and this bag was not overwhelming on him at all. I'm a slim framed 5"6' and I would even buy this bag for myself because it would easily fit well on me too.
One last point, he's gotten so many compliments on it. Everyone is envious of this national geographic bag, and one of his friends even mentioned that he needs to get a girlfriend just so he can get cool camera supplies gifts like this bag. Haha.
Digital camera Review: Good Camera Travel Pack, Misleading "Laptop Compartment"
Summary: 3 Stars
First, I'd like to say that this seems to be a pretty quality bag and has a lot of little touches that are nice. Personally, I was looking for a decent laptop bag with a design that fit me. So, when I saw that this bag could hold a 17" laptop as well as camera stuff and accessories I jumped on it. The market for 17" laptop bags is pretty shallow if you're looking for something that isn't styled for the business set or the college set. The chink in the armor is that while every other manufacturer seems to have understood "holds 17" laptop" to mean that a bag holds a laptop with a 17" screen, BOGEN apparently thought that the phrase meant that the bag must hold a 17" long laptop. This is a problem as my laptops (Inspiron 9300 & e1705) don't fit in the laptop compartment on the back and neither will other 17" laptops.
The bag is quite attractive though, as mentioned, and with the camera folded section removed, the laptop fits in the main compartment, so I am considering hanging onto it. It does a great job of holding my digital camera gear and other various little electronic travel items (power adapters, iPod, earphones, etc). I very much wanted to post this review to warn others that the marketing here doesn't match the reality when it comes to the laptop part of the literature. If this isn't an issue for you then, by all means, seriously consider this bag.
Digital camera Review: Good Sturdy Laptop / SLR Backpack
Summary: 4 Stars
I was looking for a backpack to hold a macbook, SLR, spare lens and a tripod. The NatGeo backpack meets these requirement. The camera compartment has sufficient space for my Canon SLR (with 200 mm lens), a wide angle lens, hoods. Unlike other backpacks, it does come with a velcro strap to strap on a monopod/tripod as well. I can probably get extra heavy-duty velcro straps for use with the backpack. There are extra fixtures at the side of the bags to attach them to. Oh yes, the bag comes with a rain cover as well - although I used the bag in light rainy conditions - no problem.
Other Pros - lots of pockets to add in other stuff like cleaning kits, filters etc. A nicely size main compartment for some book.
Cons - I would personally prefer a plastic buckle to secure the main compartment (rather than the present metal buttons). The laptop compartment seem to be a bit small for macbook. Need to really squeeze it in.
All in all, the bag is a bit expensive but it meets my needs.