Reviews of Tamrac 3370 Aero 70 Photo Backpack (Rust)

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $94.95
Sale Price: $74.95
Today's Bonus: 21% Off

I am giving this review shortly after receiving my bag so feel free to take it with a grain of salt (afterall the honeymoon period hasn't even really started yet.) Anyway, I researched several different bags before deciding on the Tamrac 3370. I also looked at the Lowepro Fastpack 200 (Black) and the Tenba 638-651 Mixx Photo Daypack (Black/Black) (Those were the only comparable backpacks available to view at local retailers. I decided that I didn't care for the Lowepro Fastpack 200 because the top compartment was just too small. The rest of the bag seemed like it was pretty good but we have a 1 year old daughter and I wanted to be able to use the top compartment as a small diaper bag for day hikes and other short trips. The Tenba Mixx Daypack looked like a real contender with it's comparably sized top compartment and the nifty access panels on each side of the bag but upon inspection, the top compartment didn't open in a logical way (to me, someone else might disagree) and I just didn't like the way it fit when I tried it on. But just like Goldilocks and the three bears, the third bag was juuuust riiight! I loved to top compartment, and the bottom camera area just made sense to me. I have taken several pictures of this bag with and without my stuff in it and it can really hold alot of stuff. If you are a beginner I would definitely recommend this bag, but a professional or advanced amateur would probably want to move up to the 3375 or 3385. That's it for now. I will post an update after I've had a chance to lug this thing around for a while and put it through it's paces. I just wanted to get a review up since there were no pictures and no reviews for this particular item. Hope this helps!

Update 6-19-12

I have used this for quite a few trips. I haven't been able to do any hiking with it yet but if I do, I'll let you know. This backpack is exactly what I wanted it to be. We've used it for day trips with our daughter and it has been perfect. We can easily fit a day's worth of baby/toddler gear in the top compartment of this bag and I still have no problems with the camera part. If I were to make any negative comments it would be that the straps did start to bother my shoulders while in Chicago after a full weekend of lugging it around. In that regard a hip strap might have been helpful but for most situations I've found myself in I don't need a hip strap.

Update 3-5-13

I've come to the conclusion I just don't do much hiking because I still haven't been able to use it for that. What I have been able to use it for is everyday carrying. I take this thing to work everyday and it has been great. When I do go out to shoot it is great. I just took some pictures in the snow the other day and found a random metal fence post to hook the top handle on and was able to access everything in my bag without anything falling out. I've climbed over fences and foraged through the woods in search of the perfect shot. I've also used it for our original purpose (to double as a diaper bag) on trips to the zoo and farmer's market. It has worked perfect in every situation I've asked of it. In response to one of the pictures posted by Webtrance that states a 70-200 2.8 lens would fit, I believe they are mistaken. The bag is 5 3/4" deep and even the shortest 70-200 by Sigma is 7.2" long. It would probably fit if you gave it the entire side and laid it on it's side but that is the only way.

Anyway, I still love this bag and I still recommend it to anyone considering it.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

After reading other reviews and falling in love with the picture, I purchased the pack and took it to Maui, Hawaii. This was the best purchase for the trip! The pack is the perfect size to carry all my gear (Canon T1i with 28-135mm lens on it, 50mm lens, 18-55mm lens, and a 70-300mm lens. I can even fit in a small video recorder, and point and shoot camera! (with strategic adjustment of the compartment dividers). I'm a small female (5'4") so I don't know how larger people would enjoy it, but for me it was perfect.

Besides camera gear, the small-medium sized compartment allowed me to carry what I needed for the day from an extra layer, to 4 small books, chargers, wallet, phone,...its a nice size. The mesh pockets on the sides and front are small, but worked great for me (sun screen, face wipes, maps).

I have used this pack on short hikes, driving trips, overnight bag, and as a carry on for flights. It is so easy to get into and grab what you need fast. I love this bag. I know my gear is safe and secure. Just make a habit of closing the zipper on the camera compartment. I put on the pack once with it open. I had organized the compartment such that everything fit snugly and would have difficulty just falling out, but checking never hurts.

I recommend getting this bag for long trips, and the tamrac rally 4 small formal functions. These two packs take care of every event I have done so far from hiking around a volcano in Maui Hawaii to attending a military function in Service Dress blues with the Rally 4 over my shoulder.

Best Deals for Tamrac 3370 Aero 70 Photo Backpack (Rust)

I like this bag because it's secure...

One time I was walking and i had the whole bottom flap completely open with my t4i and 3 lens strapped in. The secure straps (regardless of it being completely open) the straps held all the parts in place across a trek through a parking lot until a good soul pointed out that my camera bag was completely open.

cons:

I took it on a very light hike and it got REALLY uncomfortable after hour 2.

Honest reviews on Tamrac 3370 Aero 70 Photo Backpack (Rust)

I wrote the review below, thinking I had this model: the 3370. I actually have the TAMRAC 3380. My advice, if you want room enough for a laptop, get the 3380. I got mine for $69.99 online, which is strange because Amazon usually has the best or equal to the best prices. Anyway, the following is for the 3380:

If you are on a budget and want a good camera backpack, think about getting this one. Although it's not waterproof, I am at a loss to know what a $269 backpack would have over this one. You can buy aerosol spray waterproofing media in shoe supply stores that would probably do the trick (spray without equipment in backpack ; ) Maybe for difficult treks, the pricey ones have advantages, but I've carried mine through Costa Rica and Panama without any trouble. The shoulder straps are thick and comfortable and it lies smoothly on the back as you walk. The middle compartment carries my laptop. Here's what I carry:

1 Nikon D200

1 Nikon D40

with two zoom lenses; one 50mm prime lens

1 laptop

1 AC laptop adaptor

Loads of extra batteries, filters, doo-dads, and dad-doos.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Tamrac 3370 Aero 70 Photo Backpack (Rust)

I just got back from three weeks in Europe. I bought this specifically for the trip. I wanted something that held enough gear to be functional, also had room for normal travel odds and ends, and didn't make me a target for thieves.

This did all those things very well. It fits a DSLR (with or without a battery grip) and 3 lenses (or 2 if you are bringing a telephoto along.) I was very impressed by the design. It isn't a large backpack, but fits a lot of stuff, plus is padded enough to make me feel comfortable that bumps wouldn't break my filters, etc. It don't fit snug on my back because of the shape, and it did get heavy, but the straps are padded, and the back is, too. I carried it around day after day, all day long, and though it made me sweat, I wasn't uncomfortable due to the backpack. Often packs leave hot spots, or shift my balance too much, but this one is well balanced in all those regards.

I have a lot of gear, but wanted to go light for this trip. This pack gave me enough room to have what I needed in a small package, but also forced me to cut out all the extras. I went without a batter grip in exchange for a macro lens, and had room for some filters and a 50mm prime. Since it is a backpack, it is meant for carrying on your back while you are shooting. I used a sling-style camera strap (over one shoulder and under the arm,) while I had the backpack on, and neither interfered with the other; a great discovery.

Shoulder bags do not work for all day walk-arounds, or with many camera straps, and the big backpacks are more for location shooting. I am actually surprised by the lack of options for this size/purposed of pack, but am also super happy that this one is an option. It bridged the gap perfectly.

It doen'st look like a camera bag (security alway thought they were searching the whole thing by just opening the top.) It also is fairly accesible. I could usually swap lenses by swinging it around onto my chest while sitting/squatting, and opening the front load camera compartment. I was always a little nervous opening it up while having it on, but due to the shape and design, even when its open all the contents stay in place. The compartment is titled toward the back slightly, so the small items slide in rather than out, witch is a nice feature. The colors are, OK, neither standing out or looking like the all black "steal me" packs. The gray color inside isn't great for low light digging around, but it also serves the same purpose as the outside colors; not drawing attention the the thousands of dollars of gear inside.

The top compartment holds a ton of stuff, and the side elastic pouches hold water bottles well. I can't say this enough: it holds a lot, and even when totally loaded down (30+ pounds maybe) it didn't dig in. Plus, stayed balanced.

Awesome product for a specific task: walk around all day travel shooting. There are a million bag designs, and everyone wants something different (all too often, the one that does everything; like an SUV, and always bound to disappoint), but I have to say this one is the best, for the job it was designed for, of the many that I have, and the many, many that I have used and owned.