Reviews of Aktiv Pak AP400 400 Camera Backpack -Black

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List Price: $69.95
Sale Price: $64.90
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I purchased this piece based on positive reviews and the perceived value for the price. Within 2 weeks, one of the buckles for the shoulder strap split; they are much smaller and of weaker quality than those of other backpacks I have at home. I emailed the company to try and get repair completed and was told I would need to pay for the freight to and back....that's $20 in freight for a $40 backpack that worked for all of 2 weeks...that is not the quality or customer service I was hoping for and thought others should be aware if they choose to purchase.

Good Luck.

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This product is great for the money. However it is big and bulky, there is a lot of room in this bag for several large cameras and lenses. The compartments are adjustable for a custom fit. In the front compartment shown with the magazine sticking out, I can fit a large textbook and notebook with some room left over. Also, my 15.4" laptop fits perfect.

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I bought this for a gift for my husband and he loves it. It has places for his camera (Canon 50D) and several lens and other camera accessories. He's thrilled because he now has a place to put his laptop in the same bag. If you carry both a laptop and a bunch of camera stuff, this bag is for you.

Honest reviews on Aktiv Pak AP400 400 Camera Backpack -Black

If you want a sturdy cam bag, with thick padding and more crevices and pockets to hide your stuff than the Grand Canyon, get this bag.

The bag is exactly how it appears and more.

Craftsmanship. The zippers are solid, with easy action, strong stitching, and large teeth. Exterior zippers have weather flaps to protect contents from the elements. This extra material provides additional protection, as even closed zippers are openings into the camera bag. At times, my bag holds over $1,000 worth of equipment, all of it sensitive to water/snow.

The carrying handle is a finger-gripped rubber-like-handle, anchored by durable webbing. Almost all pockets have depth to the bottom of the bag. Inside the bag, walls are thickly padded, with plenty of Velcro dividers that have strong loops and hooks.

True, the bottom of the bag holds yet another pocket a raincoat for the bag. For me, it serves as extra padding for the bag-bottom.

Bag size. It is big and can easily double as a plane-trip carry-on, holding a cam, lenses, accessories, and a laptop.

While not by design, the bag does not scream 'expensive electronics inside!'. It has a simple logo, a detail I appreciate and one of the reasons for my purchase.

Sure, you can keep reviewing bags I did and still come back to this one. I'm hoping to save you the time.

30 Jan 2010 Update:

Just finished packing for trip to Cali. Bag measurements, packed with camera, lenses, and 16" HP laptop, is 41", well below airline limit of 45" for a carry-on bag. The padded shoulder straps soften the load.

30 Dec 2010 update:

Still very impressed with the bag. Recently went snow shoeing in the parks and packed my camera, lenses, and cell phone for the trip. Bag felt very light, yet I know the goods were protected.

Also, recently purchased 17.3" Toshiba laptop fits neatly in the bag.

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The Aktiv PAK Photo/Laptop Backpack is simply amazing.

This bag is HUGE! It easily fits my Sigma 120-400mm lens attached to my Nikon D90 body with a battery grip. When that lens+body assembly is placed in the middle of the bag, my Nikon 50mm f/1.8, Nikon 18-105mm and 2 sb-800 flashes fit with 4 more slots still available on either side. There are many pockets in the front, and on the sides and comfortably holds a monopod or tripod on the side securely.

The laptop compartment is in the back of the bag and fits my 17" laptop comfortably. Padding around the bag is thick and if it happens to fall with my equipment inside God forbid, (bags go through drama at airport TSA checks by the way) I wouldn't start freaking out. I tuck all of my photography credientials, airline and travel information and camera equipment manuals in the flaps at the very front for fast and easy access. I do wish this bag had a built in dedicated compartment for memory cards but this is nothing a add-on memory card wallet can't fix.

Its extremely easy to configure the inside lens compartments exactly how you need it. At the very bottom of the bag is the weather guard that quickly covers the entire bag and prevents the elements from getting to the bag. My only complaint would have to be that when the weather guard is tucked under the bag, it's difficult to have to back stand up right on its own. That would have to be my only complaint over all.

Finally, this bag is for the photographer who has lots of lenses and works on the road but needs to save money for his Sigma 70-200mm lens (thats me by the way)so cannot afford to purchase bags of similar size for 2x or 3x the price. Here's something to try if you do decide to get this bag (and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU DO) have your photography logo embroidered into it. This personalizes your pack and impresses your clients and there is more than enough blank space at the front of the pack to accomplish this.

Stop thinking JUST GET IT.