Discount Tamrac 5514 Adventure Zoom 4 (Red/Black)

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List Price: $36.95
Sale Price: $29.95
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The item was the perfect size for my Olympus E510 with either of the zoom lenes I carry. Has zipper and snap for a positive latch.

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Tamrac's Adventure Zoom series cases are triangular shaped holster style bags of various sizes. Fairly typical for Tamrac products, the #5514 Adventure Zoom 4 is solidly constructed using high quality materials, that with one exception, provides good basic protection for a SLR with a small lens attached. The bag has a layer of light padding in the 6.5 inch deep main compartment. Camera sizes vary, but the case will probably accommodate an SLR with a normal strap, with a lens up to about 4 inches long.

Photographers who use an R-Strap, are probably aware that extra space is required to accommodate this setup. While this case probably can accommodate an SLR with an R-Strap attached, the extra space required by the R-Strap means the attached lens would probably need to be quite short. If you do use one of the various versions of the R-Strap, then you might want to take a look at a slighter larger Adventure Zoom 5 holster.

The Zoom 4 has a single accessory compartment located in the front. About four inches high, it has an internal pocket designed to carry a spare memory card or battery. There are no pockets on the sides, instead there are nylon strap provisions for Tamrac's SAS (Strap Accessory System) components. The lid of the main compartment has a set of double zippers, with an overhanging cover for added protection. Tamrac offers the case in two color schemes.

The Zoom 4 has a carrying handle on top, belt loops, and a detachable shoulder strap. Tamrac's standard handle is very secure, with webbing for a better grip. There are two 3 inch high belt loops, which are very securely attached to the case. Although the connector fittings on the bag are metal, the connectors on the shoulder strap are plastic. While the chances that one of these plastic connectors might fail may be small, if it does happen and your camera is damaged, you will probably regret not replacing the standard shoulder strap with one that has metal connectors. Putting the customer's gear at risk, just to save a few bucks, seems to be a questionable decision by Tamrac.

I own a lot of Tamrac products, and the brand seems to have some characteristic traits. One is great build quality. The durability of Tamrac products, is the main reason I choose them. Unfortunately Tamrac products often suffer from some major design flaws, often in some very fundamental areas. In the case of Zoom 4, the belt loops are too loose, and located too low. When the holster is attached to a belt, the location of the belt loops is below the center of gravity of the rig. This causes the top of the holster to lean forward, away from the body, and the lens to dig into the body. This is uncomfortable, and makes getting to the camera more difficult. If you put the holster on your hip, the effect is less severe. However if you put the holster directly in the front of your body, it will angle down toward your groin (not a good thing). Put it in the middle of your back, and it rides into your butt cheeks.

To be fair, the center of gravity issue is common to many holsters, particularly those that are smaller, like this one. Still, the proper thing for Tamrac to do would be to try and minimize the problem and locate the belt loops as close to the top of the holster as possible, and not make them 3 inches wide, which creates excessive play. When I see some of the dumb things that Tamrac's design department comes up with, I really wonder how much research and product testing they really do.

A major advantage of a triangular shaped holster, is that it is usually the smallest case you can carry. While a holster is great for those times when you just need a minimal amount of gear, it unfortunately advertises that you are carrying a camera. If you do need a holster, this one is durable, but is not a good choice for those intend to attach it to a belt, and maybe for those that are R-Strap users. Poor design elements, and cheapo plastic parts reduce my rating to just three stars.

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Fits my Nikon D40 with the 18-105 fine, is a little snug with the 10-24, due to it's 77mm filter size. I use it while mtn biking, and it took a tumble out of my pack while heading down the trail. Camera was ok, shattered the UV filter, otherwise was fine and am still using the camera and bag. (1/2011) I primarily use the quick buckle on the front as the zipper is difficult to use quickly, especially with gloves on. This leaves slight gaps on the sides as the bag isn't stiff enough to keep it covered when unzipped. Otherwise great minimalist bag for the dslr user.

Honest reviews on Tamrac 5514 Adventure Zoom 4 (Red/Black)

I purchased this camera bag and can say that I am glad I did. It can be used with its shoulder strap or you have the option of using it as a camera holster bag with the Tamrac belt that makes up the M.A.S. system. This bag accommodates my Pentax K10D and the DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens with no problem, through it is on the snug side especially if you have the hood cover on the lens mounted. There is plenty of room in the small front pouch for a spare filter, SD card, and spare camera battery.

I have used this bag both as for general store of the camera and when going on places to take snapshots in general. When I go hiking during the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Smokey Mountains National Park I mount it on the Tamrac M.A.S. web belt hostler style along with other pouches for the short half-day hikes.

As a footnote I also own the Tamrac 5513, which is the next size down. This is too small for the above camera/lens set-up. However I believe that it would work if the K10D was coupled with one of the smaller DA limited lens like the DA 40mm f/2.8, DA 70mm F/2.4, or 21mm f/3.2. I cannot guarantee the longer of the two lenses I have mention here, as I do not own any of these. But from what I can tell about the photographs I have seen of the DA 40mm f/2.8 and how short it is when mounted on the camera, this setup should fit fairly nicely in the 5513.

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This bag fits my Olympus E520 perfectly with the 18-180 lens on the camera. It is well cushioned and I am confident it will protect the camera from bumps and other insults. It seems waterproof as well but I don't intend to test that feature. Overall very well constructed.