Holy smokes, this is an awesome bag for the money! I got the Wanderer and it fits all my gear perfectly, is fairly comfortable to wear with 15lbs of gear, and looks very streamlined to boot.
I'm a 5'5" female so I wanted something cute that would hold all my stuff and not overwhelm me; this fits the bill so perfectly that I have retired my $200 camera purse (which was a pain in the neck, literally!)
Gear list:
-Canon 5D
-50mm, 85mm, 100mm, 28-130mm, 70-300mm lenses
-flash
-lightosphere
-plus extra batteries, charger, cf cards, cf reader, folded reflector, and the front pocket is still empty to toss in my keys/wallet/cell phone.
I seriously can't recommend this enough!
I bought this bag for a trip to Alaska. After reviewing A LOT of camera bags I pulled the trigger and purchased this one and am glad I did.
This bag held my Nikon D500, Tamron 150-600mm G2, Tamron 70-200mm G2, Sigma 17-55mm along with batteries, chargers and memory cards as well as a tablet. This bag was seriously weighted down and I was concerned about the seams. No worries, the bag held up like a champ and was comfortable to wear. I'm a big guy @ 6'0" 300 lbs and the straps fit fine.
If you are on the fence, purchase this bag. Great value for the features.
I really want to love this bag. It is well designed and fits my needs exactly. I am using it to carry my itx computer to and from work and I plan to use it as a carry-on to fly with the computer. I wanted a durable, protective but compact backpack I could securely and comfortably carry my build in.
Comfortable... Check.
Secure... Check.
Compact... Check.
Protective... Check.
Durable...ehhh.
The main canvas-like material the bag is made from seems to be holding up ok for the week and a half I've been using it. It seems like pretty decent quality. The top seams on the straps however look to be a little overmatched to the weight of my components and I've begun to use the handle at the top as much as possible. The straps haven't broke or anything but when grabbed by one strap to pull the bag on my shoulders the stitching pulls and I'm not convinced it's not going to fail.
When on my back, the bag feels great. Cushions are supportive and well placed, and the weight distribution is wonderful.
The purple zipper lining throughout the bag is complete garbage however. There is no other way to describe it. It's sewed on with the weakest stitching I've ever seen and it frays with the slightest touch. Zipper catch? Massive fray. Velcro strap touch it? Rips off and frays to the point of failure. I've started to burn the frays its gotten so bad, just to keep it under control. I even ran my finger over it to brush something off and it frayed. No joke.
I really want to keep this bag and it's a testament to how great everything else about the bag is that I haven't sent it back for the inside seam liner. I'll update this review if anything changes. It's really too bad about the zipper lining because everything else is good to excellent quality.
*Update*
Customer service contacted me and was willing to find a way to resolve my issues with the bag. They also made it known my complaints were forwarded to the manufacturer which made me feel like my opinion was valued. Hopefully they will improve the material used for the lining in the future.
I am still using the same bag i ordered despite the shortcomings of the lining. I occasionally have to get out a lighter and melt the frays down to keep them from getting worse but it looks like the issue is only bad in areas where it comes in contact with the zipper or heaven forbid, Velcro. It has otherwise performed great on a daily basis and I'm not willing to junk this one just because of the lining when it fits my needs perfectly.
*Update*
I have changed my review to 5 stars based both on the customer service I experienced, and the fact I clearly received a defective bag. I was sent a replacement bag and was able to compare the lining material of both. It's obvious the first bag's lining I was shipped is inferior. I tried to stick the Velcro strap on both, the first instantly snagged and was destroyed when I pulled the Velcro off. The second resisted the Velcro and never snagged.
By far the best customer service I've ever experienced and now this bag has no short comings. I love it. Thank you.
You won't go wrong purchasing this camera bag. It is truly perfect for my needs. It holds more than I anticipated. I brought it on vacation and fit a DSLR with a 150-600mm lens attached along with 2 other cameras (1 mirrorless & 1 Bridge camera) 4 extra lenses, batteries, 2 battery chargers, and other accessories. I brought it on on boat trip where we got soaked, and the waterproof cover certainly came in handy and did its job. The removable inserts are very adjustable to accommodate whatever you have to put in there. There is also compartments on the front and side of this bag with a cleaver holder for a tripod. i haven't used it all that much, but it seems to be really sturdy. I had a lot of weight in this bag and the handles held up fine. The thing I like the most about this bag is that is was able to fit my 150-600mm lens inside the bag while it was still attached to the camera. I am including a photo so you can see how much stuff fits in this bag. I ordered the black with purple and I am happy with the color too :)
***Update 9/27/2018***
So I was contacted by Digital Goja and they were nice enough to send a new backpack out to me. They have +A customer service! I hope the new bag last longer then the last one. It could have been part of a bad batch. I bumped my review back up to 4 stars as its a great bag but my have problems. Will update again if I have anymore issues with the new one.
This bag is nice but I have only had it 5 months and its falling apart. The top of the bag when the straps attach is detaching from the main bag and you can see inside it. I had to stop using it because I am afraid it will fail and all my camera gear will fall out. I am not ruff with the bag and only use it on the weekends when I travel to where I am taking pictures that day.
Feature Product
- DURABLE AND WATER REPELLANT: Water-repellant nylon, heavily reinforced stitching, and expedition-grade harnesses and wide, padded, shoulder straps.
- ADJUSTABLE STORAGE: 12.5" x 8.5" x 18.5" (L x W x H). Stores and carries 1-2 DSLR cameras, 4-6 lenses, flash, and other photo essentials in whatever configuration you need.
- LAPTOP POCKET: Dedicated pockets for carrying 13" laptops and 10" tablets.
- VERSATILE EXTERIOR: Tripod/Monopod storage. Multiple attachment loops for carabiners and other clip-on accessories. Mesh side pocket for water bottle.
- COMPLETE SATISFACTION: Backed with Digital Goja 90-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Description
Altura Photo 'The Great Explorer' DSLR Camera and 13-Inch Laptop Backpack
ADAPTABLE STORAGE
Altura Photo's all new The Great Explorer Backpack is our top of the line, high capacity, all-in-one DSLR camera and laptop backpack. The Great Explorer has been crafted from carefully selected materials for long-term durability. The main compartment has adjustable compartments to meet your unique needs, storing up to 2 DSLR cameras, 4 to 6 lenses, a flash, and an array of photographic essentials depending on the configuration you choose. Not sure which camera and lenses to choose? Don't. The Explorer can take you from city to city without forcing you to play favorites.
BONUS STORAGE
No need to travel with two bags. In addition to storing a ton of camera equipment, The Great Explorer offers the added bonus of allowing road warriors to stash a laptop up to 13" and a tablet up to 10". A tripod or monopod can also be secured to the side panel on the exterior using the flip-out boot and attached support strap. And with our detachable rain cover, all your electronic treasures will be protected in the event of a sudden downpour!
Features
- Included detachable rain cover provides added protection against a sudden downpour
- The padded main compartment lid accommodates a 13" laptop. The secondary compartment stores small items and a 10" tablet
- Ergonomic, padded, shoulder harness and waist belt provide excellent support and even weight distribution for all day shooting.
- Spacious main compartment that stores up to 2 DSLRs, 4-6 lenses or flash, and other photo essentials.
- Adjustable dividers can be customized for multiple camera and lens configurations.
- A flip out pocket and integrated support strap secures either a tripod or monopod to the case for easy transport.
- Breathable 3D padded back panel for improved comfort in hot weather.
I spent some time searching for a bag for my trip to Costa Rica. I wanted something that was durable, would carry my most important photography gear, and could be a carryon bag for my flight. This did not disappoint. Since my gear was somewhat heavy, I paid particular attention to the point where the backpack straps are sewn into the top of the bag. I walked miles with this bag up mountains, through towns, and along beaches. It held up perfectly and shows no sign of weakening or wear. I was able to get all of the following into the bag:
Canon EOS 6D Camera
Canon 24-105mm full frame lens
Canon 50 mm 1.8 lens
Rokinon 14mm wide angle lens
2 batteries and charger
UV lenses, Intervalometer, SD card holder, etc
DJI Mavic Air drone
Remote
3 drone batteries with charger
Case of ND filters
RavPower 26800 portable charger
Apple MacBook
Apple charger cable
Really impressed, and have no regrets buying.
I originally ordered the wanderer backpack for a two week trip to Europe. I was torn between the wanderer and the larger great explorer because I wanted to keep the size and weight down so it could be used as a carry-on while being able to take all my gear. The wanderer was just too small so I ordered the great explorer with the thought of returning the wanderer. The larger bag was large enough to carry my Nikon D5200 with stock lens plus a 70-200, a 90mm macro and all my filters and misc chargers and such with plenty of room to spare. I ended up keeping both bags because the wanderer is perfect for a walk in the park or family function. Following is a description of each bag.
The wanderer is light weight and slim in profile. There is no waist belt but it does have a sternum strap, a small zippered pocket large enough for a few batteries and means to strap on a tripod. It seems well built and is comfortable for a smaller load even with me being a larger guy at 6'-0", 225lbs.
The great explorer bag is far more robust to handle the weight of more gear. It has a nice waist strap and a wider and more cushioned shoulder straps with a sternum strap. There are plenty of external storage pockets with a large front zippered pocket for an iPad and misc small items, a second small zippered front pocket, a good-size side zippered pocket for batteries and filters, a side mesh pocket and a place to secure a tripod. It even comes with a rain cover. The only odd thing with this bag is the main compartment that hold your valuables is against your back whch means it has to be taken off to change lenses. Of course with all the extra compartments and waist belt it gets heavy when filled. It was small enough to use as a carry-on (except for the smaller commuter jet which forced me to check it at the gate). Like its smaller brother, it seems well made and it held up well on this trip.
Great bag for the money.
This backpack has a very clean design.. not a lot of pockets/zippers, etc but it is plenty large to hold all of my gear and the construction is very strong. A few reviews spoke of the seams being weak and the straps too weak or unpadded. Mine is well sewn and the straps have reasonable padding and strong nylon straps. I carry a DSLR body, two long lenses, a 50mm prime lens, a Canon ex430 speedlight flash, several extra batteries, a video camera, chargers for everything and a pile of small accessories. There is still extra room for more stuff! If I had any complaint it would be that I wish the zippers all around had string/loop zipper pulls. I am going to drill the zipper pulls and add my own but it would have been nice if they came that way. Also, although there are a few pockets (fewer than I expected) the pockets are pretty deep so if you dump a bunch of small items into the pockets you should plan on fishing to get the thing you are looking for. The main pocket inside is at least transparent/plastic so you can see what you are looking for. The tripod strap and fold down pouch is pretty cool and the entire inside of the case can be reconfigured. I turned mine around so the camera with a large lens attached sits on the bottom of the pack, for weight distribution. It comes with the padding for the body to be on top... I suppose you could get your camera out quicker on the top but I am rarely in a hurry and having the weight at the bottom of the pack helps the pack stand up more stable. No camera bag is perfect for every situation but I like this one.
Spaciously attractive and durable daily camera backpack. I bought this bag for my daily work carry of go pros, 13' mac, bamboo tablet, two lenses, accessories, and my Mirrorless camera.
It has plenty of space for all of it and feels very padded/secure.
I like the strong tripod holder and extra pocket space on the outside.
The zippers are big and strong, unlike the cheap bags.
Has loop holes on the shoulders for extra carabiner stuff and a chest buckle strap.
The purple and black also is a nice touch.
Great day back for work and adventuring, not to bulky
This bag is great. I returned the smaller sling bag to something larger and got this one.
Well made, everything is secure and feels sturdy. All the velcro dividers are clean with good stitching. They install well and hold their location. Placement is easy, they don't really snag as you install them as there is enough flex/give in the walls to allow you to place them exactly where you want.
I was able to store the following:
1. D7100 with battery grip and 50mm prime lens w/hood.
2. D40 w/ 35-55mm lens
3. 70-300mm telephoto zoom
4. 55-200mm telephoto
5. 500mm manual lens with 2x converter
The mid-middle between the two camera bodies and I had about a 4" open "bay". I filled it with the extra dividers and my glare hood for the 300mm lens. Plenty of room in this backpack.
I was able to stow my Macrem tripod easily on the side sleeve/strapped carrying pocket. I broke it down to just a monopod, but can take the fill tripod if i needed to. My cleaning kit, power cord for battery charger and other misc gear was fit inside the main pocket. There is room for 2 tablets to store as well, front and back have a interior pouch for these if you need it.
I tried it on and it is comfortable. I've traveled all over the world with backpacks (never with photography gear), but it feels the same. I have maybe 10-15lbs of gear fully loaded, and I usually travel with a 20-25lb carry on, so this will be a breeze when I finally get to just go hiking with my camera gear.
Small mesh/elastic pouch opposite of the tripod, so it can easily fit a large water bottle or similar sized piece of gear, or just a quick place to stash something you may need to grab later on.
The only "con" I would have to give it is maybe a few extra little sections on the outside to help sort the misc gear, but that is not a show-stopper by any means. The bag looks clean without a lot of straps and buckles dangling everywhere, so it is nice trade-off.
Great Bag!!
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