Tamrac 5549 Adventure 9 Photo/Computer Backpack (Grey/Black)

Since I got this backpack several weeks ago, I made many trips, including 2 to Singapore. I brought along my Canon XTi (400D), its kit lens (18-55mm), one 28-135mm lens, one 70-200mm / f2.8 lens, one external flash, and a few other small accessories, one 17-in Dell D820 laptop, its charger and mouse. The total weight is over 24 lbs (11 kg). I find this bag much better than the Tamrac Adventure 7 and the Lowepro CompuDayPack, both of which I outgrew quickly. With the Adventure 9, I can access my camera, lenses and accessories, pretty fast. Yes, I do have to put the bag on the ground to get to the camera; But that's the price I am willing to pay for convenience of carrying so many things in one bag.When in an airplane, I put this backpack in the overhead bin. It's securely out of the way of legs, feet, service carts, etc. Before leaving home or hotel room in the morning, I will make a decision on what to bring. For example, when I was in Singapore over a weekend, I left my laptop and its accessories in the lock box in the room. My backpack was considerably lighter. I was able to find a way to conveniently secure my monopod on the Adventure 9, went out to enjoy the city and took a good deal of pictures.This backpack is well made. The quality of its materials and workmanship is very high. Its design makes its usage convenient. The features of this backpack are well thought-out. I feel secure carrying my photographic assets around.The only issue preventing me from giving it a 5 star is the opening for the laptop. It is barely enough for a 17-in laptop; the zipper interferes with putting in or taking out the laptop, from time to time. It seems that the worst time for this interference to happen is at the airport security line.Hope my review is of use to you.Update 16 March 2010Since my review above, I made many more trips to Asia & Europe, as well as within the US. I also upgraded my camera to a Canon 50D. And my company entrusted me with a slightly bigger laptop.This Tamrac Adventure 9 I purchased back in 2007 still serves me well. It protected my camera, lenses and accessories through high humidity & high heat of Southeast Asia, high dry heat of the desert Southwest of US, extreme cold winter of the central Europe, and many types of weather in between.In case you like to see the photos I took on my travels, please go to [...].Thank you.

I give the TAMRAC - 5549 Adventure 9 Photo/Computer Backpack five stars but that doesn't mean it's the best one out there. I do believe it's one of the best for the money. For some reason the red/black one was much cheaper than the gray/black one. I'm not particularly fond of red backpacks but the color isn't important. The computer compartment is very large, especially for my little 11.6 inch netbook; leaves room for some paperwork. Most all photo-pack ads show an SLR in the camera gear compartment. I very rarely carry my camera in my backpack. It's usually attached to a beefy L-lens that's mounted on a tripod. Yes, I hike with a camera mounted tripod. In the rare instances that I've hiked with a camera in this pack I've had no trouble finding room for it. I day hike in wilderness areas several times a week and I've found that the more you use this pack the better you learn to pack it. It will really hold a lot although that's not your first impression. I weigh my loaded pack before each hike. With this pack I normally hike with a total weight of 15 to 18 pounds, often 20 to 21 pounds and every now and then up to 25 pounds. Most people consider that heavy for a day hike but big lenses add up quickly. I carry a water bottle in one side pocket and a large folding umbrella in the other. These side pockets are quite shallow so I tie things in with a strong string. I fold a small bath towel length-wise, loop it through the carrying handle and let it hang down the back of the pack. I'm used to lacing stuff to the back of my pack. Many of my packs have extra eyelets sown onto them - I've added two to this one. I have a small karabiner in each small eyelet, two on each side of the pack. The string is laced diagonally forming an X on the back of the pack - holds water bottle, umbrella and towel. I have a glasses case attached to the chest strap and a small GPS case attached to the left strap up near shoulder level. I have no use for the system that has the little red flags - spare batteries and SD cards but the little pockets are nice. BTW - I also have an Adventure 6 and an Adventure 7 - both great packs. All three of these packs are excellent but not designed for rapid extraction of their contents - I don't mind this since I almost always hike with my camera around my neck or on a tripod. TAMRAC is quality U.S. made stuff and competes well with much higher priced gear.

I need a bag to carry computer and DSLR together. Got tired of humping two separate bags! This holds just enough photo gear and my smallish laptop with space for connectors etc in the top.Yes. It is heavy but that's inevitable, with all that stuff packed in. It is big enough to sit reasonably comfortably on the back and its solid flat base is great as it will stand upright when put down. I was a bit nervous of the side-opening laptop pocket - but that feels perfectly safe and secure.A few negatives... The nice wide storm flap over the zip tends to get in the way of zipping it up and down. There are no less than three clips to hold the camera section cover closed - as well as the zip. I don't anticipate using the two side ones a lot!I don't often carry a tripod - but it would have been good to have some way of attaching it vertically. The two slots on the bottom (and the VERY expensive extra straps) will provide a great Boadicea's Chariot effect in a crowd.

Being an amateur photogapher I don't have loads of cameras and equipment, just the basic camera, a couple of lenses and spare battery. Fitted all camera gear in perfectly plus a little bit of extra room for a small cagoule, drinking bottle, sandwiches and a bit of room left over for a couple of things for the dogs. The laptop compartment is very handy for maps and books (and pen).Not as comfortable as a proper hiking rucsack and it is a bit bulky, but a very good compromise between a camera bag and a rucsack.

My general opinion about the back back is that it is a very good compromise between a normal back pack and a camera back pack. I fit for me the most important camera equipment in the bag + a bit of food and a jumper.The camera stuff I get into the bag is for example:Canon 7D with a 17-55 lens on it.70-200 4,0 Lens.35 1,4 Lens.External flash+ some small stuff.The bag is very robust and gives a very high quality feel. It is comfortable, even full packed.

ideal for pro body with lens+Nikon af-s.14-24/2.8g.ed lens, speed light 910 plus other accessories, comfortable well made good for travelling

Excellent kit - remains to be seen whether it sustains with rural India - I will be happy to update on my return