Cheap Manfrotto MB LB050-5BB PRO V Backpack (Black)

Customer Ratings:

This bag looks and feels fabulous. It is expensive but the quality materials used probably justify this. I have owned mine for over a year now so I reckon I am well qualified to comment here and rate this bag. If I was back a year ago I would have opted for something else and this is only because of a couple of niggly little things about the bag that I hate. I am probably a little annoyed with the manufacturers more than anything because of all the spin and advertising rubbish they spew out and the video reviews. These should be ignored completely as they are probably paid for by someone somewhere. Here are my views and they're straight up and truthful and I have photos to prove it so if you're the manufacturer then take note and rectify the problems.

First: If you're going to buy this bag then buy yourself some cable ties. The reason is simple: the zipper toggles may look good with the red manfrotto logo on but they are rubbish quality. I had only had my bag a few weeks when the first one broke off. The zipper part works still so I attached a cable tie and closed it in to form a loop about 4 inches long. Now I can put my finger in the loop and close the zipper easily. On examination, I noticed that the reason it probably broke was because of the water proofing membrane used on the zippers. This may waterproof the bag somewhat but it also makes it very hard to close the zippers. I suppose that's called compromise.

Second problem: The zippers on the two side pockets are the wrong way round. Did someone from manfrotto actually use this bag in the field or was it designed for show?

When you lay this bag down on its back to get at your gear through the large opening (not through the top) the zippers on the side pockets are underneath which means that if you open either one when the bag is on its back then the contents can easily fall on the ground and may be damaged. Again, this could easily have been rectified by the manufacturer if they had used it in the field as all they would have to do was ensure the zippers opened the opposite direction.

So lesson 2....Don't open this expensive bag's side pockets when you lay it down on its back (you could lay it on it's front side but the padding which protects your back would soon get destroyed with muck and wet)

Will I go on?

Oh how about the ridiculous placing of the tripod straps? If these were on the side then it would have been much better all round as You cant place the tripod on the back and then stand the bag upright. The tripod slides down when you walk with the bag on your back so the legs prevent the upright positioning of the bag when you take it off.

Whilst some may think that I am being very pernickety here, I have my reasons and all I will say to you is this; Buy the bag for its beauty and perhaps the prestige or even for the fact that it holds a ton of gear but buy yourself a very small tripod and a waterproof blanket to lay the bag on in the wet and definitely buy yourself some cable ties for when the zipper toggles break off because they will in time. If anyone wants photos then I am more than willing to send them.

Overall the bag is beautiful and holds so much gear that it truly amazed me. Carrying 20kg was no problem even over rough terrain with this on my back but all the while I was thinking of how I would protect it from getting damaged when I took it off. Yes there is a rain cover provided but what do you do when that cover gets dirty and you have to try and cover your bag from the rain?

As I said... My opinions after owning this for 12 months

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Great bag a pocket for everything and very well made with heavy duty materials

Lots of room for accessory items

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My best backpack from three others. Light, easy to use and comfortable. Good product of Manfrotto like their tripods. Together they are very good company for each photographer.

Honest reviews on Manfrotto MB LB050-5BB PRO V Backpack (Black)

If I paid full price for the bag, I wouldn't be satisfied with this purchase. But with Amazon's discounted price plus the $150 rebate from Manfrotto, I'm happy with this bag. It's so big it holds all of my camera equipment.

I wouldn't carry this bag around though. It's too big. I purchased the sling bag version when I need to carry my camera.