I bought the Tamrac Evolution 8 about a year ago and I have to say it's the most useful backpack I've ever owned. I call it my Batpack, because it holds my camera, laptop and all my little trinkets with quick access... and it's black.
DESIGN
Kuhn Rikon
As the name implies, the Tamrac Evolution 8 is an evolution in the design of photo bags. There has arrived a popular new genre of backpack: the sling/side access bag. There are literally hundreds of variations of photo bags, and most of them fall into general genres, but from my experience something started happening a few years ago in the bag world: sling bags became their own form. I don't know if this was the first bag to start it all, but I'm sure the Lowepro Slingshot was the sling bag heard round the world, because of its immense popularity. Since then I've noticed other manufacturers pick up this idea in various forms. In essence a sling bag is a backpack that you can slide to the side and get access to your stuff/camera without taking the bag off. Brilliant! I can't tell you how long I've wanted a bag that could carry more than toploader or satchel, but carry it on my back instead of putting all that weight on one shoulder. The big three all have forms of sling packs and sling backpacks: Lowepro Fastpack, Kata 3n1 & 123, and the Tamrac Evolution 8 5788.
A quick glance at the good and the bad before we dive in:
GOOD
Side access to camera compartment - means not needing to take off the bag to pull out your camera.
Top compartment holds miscellaneous items or accessories
Can remove the camera dividers and use the bag as a regular backpack
Hold everything I need to keep on my person on a trip - laptop, camera, lenses, electronics, documents, snacks.
BAD
The top compartment is pretty small - can't hold a water bottle or large book.
Only DSLRs without battery grips.
If you want to take a long lens, you're gonna have to mount it on your camera.
No water bottle holder
FEATURES
The Tamrac Evolution 8 holds a 15 inch laptop (I have actually squeezed in one of the new 17 inch macbook pros also), a DSLR without grip, 2-4 lenses, a flash, various accessories in flaps and compartments, it has a rain cover, tripod hook, and can be carried as a sling bag or backpack.
The "three ways to access" your gear is where this bag is interesting. You can put your DSLR in one of the side compartments and sling it up and get access to it without taking off the pack. Also, as I do, you can put a second camera of smaller size (like a Holga film camera) on the other side and sling that up to get access to it. This is a huge advantage as compared to the Lowepro Fastpack or Kata which only has one side access. You also have access to the gear from the top flap, which is a little small for my tastes, but it does the job.
The Three-Way Harness system is common to this and the Kata bags-it allows you to set it up as a backpack with two straps, or a sling bag with a strap over the right or left side. (Depending on which side you want to get at.) Personally I never use this feature as it's easy enough to just slip off one of the straps and sling the bag up to get access. Another boon to that method is you can get at either side of the bag instead of being limited to one or the other. But you have the option. The Kata does an interesting thing with an X system, whereby both straps cross over you're chest. I haven't tried it out, but am interested to look into it.
There are two pockets on either side above the camera compartment entry panels that can hold accessories. One holds the rain cover by default, and I keep my Flip-type HD video camera in the other. The flaps on either entry panel holds various accessories like flash cards and fliters. Though I've found them to spit out my stuff if I don't pack it carefully. The top compartment I use to hold my flashlight, laptop power supply, Leatherman, batteries in the outer flap (not really the best use), pills, protein bars, pretty much anything that is less than 8×8 inches I will throw in there... it gets messy despite the mesh holder.
The shoulder straps, while thin, are comfortable and there is a waist strap, which is absolutely necessary on any backpack. Half of the weight, if not more, should rest on your hips. And the sternum strap is also a necessity for me, as I am a 6 foot man with moderately wide shoulders.
The bag is available in Black or Brown/Tan.
CONCLUSION
This bag is definitely a compromise. If you're a professional photographer looking for a location bag this is not it. It really sucks at that. I'm telling you from experience it just doesn't hold enough of the type of gear you need and you can't get at it quickly enough. Though one caveat is that it's great for street photography, especially if it's raining. This bag is for daily, multipurpose use. If you're looking for a travel bag, something to hold your laptop and camera and fit int he overhead bin, you might have just found your One Bag to rule them all. This bag works for me because I only use a DSLR without a battery grip, I don't own any large lenses (e.g. 70-200 f/4L), and I have a 15 inch laptop. It's a little light on how much stuff you can put in it, but to me thats a good thing because I'm always trying to travel lighter. After a year with this bag I can say that I'm definitely satisfied. However, I will be looking for another bag to carry more equipment for my photography shoots and if I end up getting a camera with a battery grip, I will definitely look into the Kata 3N1 or 123.
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