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List Price: $169.99
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this is by far one of the best messenger style camera bags I have found in a long time. It is well constructed and thoughtfully designed specifically for photography pros.
Interiors:
Roomy and spacious. It fits a considerable amount of lenses, flashes, cables, and a full sized 15 inch laptop. The interiors are a bright construction orange to give a nice contrast to the equipment you need to carry.
The padding is slightly thin but it does the job. The pads are velcro adjustable and accommodates about 6-8 consumer kit lenses; or 4-5 pro-sized lenses. There is a series of 4 padded CF memory card pockets along the top. I have Canon with an extended battery grip. It fits comfortably.
The main compartment is modular and removable. In the front, there's 1 see-through zipper pocket for accessories and series of smaller pockets to hold small items. The bag comes with a small, palm sized padded case that carries loose articles.
Exterior.
The bag has a tough ballistic nylon shell. There's a handy compression-style neoprene stretch pocket on one corner that holds a variety of quick grab and go items like lens caps, keys, and a smartphone.
The bag's top flap is the true genius part of the design. Like a conventional messenger bag, the top flap clips shut with a single plastic clip. There is a zipper along the inside edge of the flap to completely contain the bag's contents (my main beef with other messenger bags is the lack of this zipper to completely seal the bag). The best part is a separate top zipper to access the bag when the flap is shut. Then the bag quickly opens its top for a very quick access. There is even a clever magnetic fastener that keeps the zipper from accidentally opening during normal use.
The bag has straps that help attach itself to roll-on carry-ons at the airport. It also includes a rain fly pocket with a tethered rain fly. And finally, there is an extendable tripod pocket to fit a small tripod. (the fit is tight and snug for a small travel sized tripod.)
Overall, this seems like a thoughtfully appointed bag designed for the active photojournalist. I am very happy with my purchase.
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You know when you've found the wrong bag a lot faster than when you've found the right one. And it's a lot easier to recommend camera gear than it is a camera bag. As much a matter of personal taste and preference as shooting style and gear used, everything about them from looks to layout is completely subjective.
If you're looking here you can count yourself in the minority while well known for other types of gear, Vanguard seems to be flying under the radar when it comes to carry luggage; in the USA anyway. I've owned very few bags since the 70's, they tend to last me and become second nature. I don't even think about them after a while. That's the whole idea. And, that's what makes finding the perfect "companion" a daunting task. I've looked at the old standby brands (many of which I own), and the newer "trendier" ones available. When looking for this bag, I wanted something to carry most of my gear and it had to be a shoulder-style bag. The new style messenger bags held interest for their ability to carry a camera with a large lens mounted for easy access.
At first I was looking at the Vanguard Up-Rise, which has been awarded like crazy in Europe in the last couple of years. It's a great layout, expandable and still relatively narrow. But, it appeared it would fall just a bit short of my desire to be able to haul most of my gear a travel bag. So, I turned to the Haralder 33. I don't have a need to haul a large laptop (15"+), and the difference between this and the 38 as far as camera gear carried is negligible.
The Vanguard is a perfect hybrid between a regular shoulder bag and a messenger/courier bag. Shoulder bags are great for having lots of pockets and easy access to your goodies, but not so great at lugging around. They're best when they're sitting on a table. messenger bags are easier to cart around, but tend to be short on pockets as quick access to gear is the priority. This is fine when you're only carrying the essentials like a camera and lens but I lean towards the boy-scout end of the spectrum when it comes to preparedness.
The design of this bag is brilliant and simple. Topside, there is a zippered and snap top flap to access your gear like a regular shoulder bag. On the very top of this "lid" is another zipper to access your camera and other gear in a flash. There is a small magnetic tab you flip out of the way, which prevents the zipper from accidentally opening. You can grab not only your camera this way, but a lens, a flash or whatever you have in the "main section" qiuckly and easily. Additionally, on the inside of this flap are 2 little easy access pockets for your memory cards (CF and SD fit fine). Pretty much anything you'll need can be accessed instantly and silently.
I've played with other messenger style bags that had zippered top sections, or places to hold laptops etc. but none were as clever and as useful as this. They've figured out a perfect compromise as far as accessibility and safety.
The boxlike "main section" is removable and has the typical Velcro partitions for customizing the shape and size of the interior sections. Outside of this section are other pockets and sections built into the bag itself. Of course there is a padded and zippered removable sleeve for your laptop. This in turn slides into the back section of the bag (the side against your body). It is held firmly in place with Velcro tabs, which is removed quite easily. behind this is yet another zippered section large enough for manuals, cables, or even a kindle or ipad mini.
How big is it? On a recent trip this is what I carried on my flight I would NOT recommend walking around with this as it did get heavy!
Canon 60D with fat Crumpler strap, Canon PowerShot D20 with Olympus floating strap, Sigma 70-200 f2.8 OS with tripod collar and hood, Sigma 17-50 f2.8 and hood, Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 and hood, Nikkor 50 f1.4, Yongnuo YN-565ex (in case), Canon Speedlite 420 (in case), Toshiba Satellite & charger, Kindle Fire, 2 Trigmaster Plus triggers & all cables, 4 snap-packs AA eneloop batteries & charger, Chargers for both cameras, spare batteries, original 60D manual, lenspen, rocket blower, microfiber cloth, assorted papers, checkbook, pens & pencils, meds, first aid kit, business cards etc.
Now, as you've probably guessed this bag was stuffed to the gills at this point! Also to be fair I wouldn't be able to access some things quickly or easily. The camera was carried body only with a cap and that still threw the TSA. I had to put a lens on it to prove it was a camera. Go figure.
On any given day I'll have the camera, 2-3 lenses, 2 flashes, a tablet and assorted sundries. It's quite easy to carry and there's lots of extra room. Plus, it's one of the few bags I could have an f2.8 70-200 mounted to my camera, and still have room for spare lenses without having to stack them.
Pros:
Well built
Well padded
Metal clips and rings NO PLASTIC
Bright orange interior (easy to see tiny black parts)
Easy access top section with magnetic safety catch
Memory card pockets also easily accessible via top zippered section
Useful interior pockets well placed
Useful exterior pockets
Can carry and quickly access camera with 70-200 f2.8 mounted
Understated elegance handsome orange details
Ergonomic curved shoulder strap and extra strap to secure to body
Extra padded case for laptop
Extra padded case for P&S or whatever
Removable interior compartment and re-positionable dividers
Heavy coated bottom (who knows what you'll set it on/in)
Tripod carrying harness (cleverly hidden/placed)
Luggage handle securing velcro strap
Rain Cover
Amazing price considering
Cons:
Looks like camera bag
ID tag isn't standard business card size
If you have an aversion to the color orange...
Some dividers dark gray, not orange (does add contrast however)
Curved shape of top flap makes zippering difficult (there are 2 tabs to hold that make this easier, undocumented but make a difference)
Big (then don't get this model!)
Small (it will be for some!)
Um...
To explain this long-winded review a bit more, I purchased this bag sight unseen. It was based on youtube videos almost exclusively. I handled models by my old standby Lowepro, ThinkTank, Crumpler and Tumbuk2 to name a few, and didn't like any of them for one reason or another. Nobody carried Vanguard locally, so I took a chance. I had no idea the bag would blow those other ones out of the water in so many ways. It's a hard thing to buy a bag, much less one you can't handle yourself.
If your needs are the same for a laptop, but lighter on camera gear I'd recommend looking at the Up-Rise line. Other than that after several months with this bag I like it enough to have written this review. I would not hesitate recommending the Vanguard Bags to anybody regardless of what they're looking for. Well built, well designed and just an all around great bag. Five stars.
*** Update 3/12 ***
Heralder Series wins TIPA 2012 Award for Best Photo Bag.
*** Update 9/21/13 ***
This bag has been in constant use and gone to Hawaii twice, seen rainstorms, been dropped, kicked, dragged and then dropped again. It looks like it did the day I got it. There has been zero wear anyplace. Not even a stain. Cleans right up.
To update the carry list for the latest trip, substitute the 60D for a 6D, the smaller Sigma 17-50 and 10-20 lenses for an EF 24-105 and 17-40 (with hoods), the 420ex for a 600ex-rt (and case), one more trigger, an ipad 4 instead of a kindle, 3 filters and boxes, a charger for the eneloops (just a wall type) in addition to 3 camera battery chargers, iPad charger and phone charger oh, and a sunglasses case. It was actually a bit lighter this time!
This is such a fantastic product I'll be getting the Up-Rise 28, either the I or II. The I is a pretty tempting price right now. I'd like something a little smaller for carry around the II has a harness to use as a backpack. Vanguard continues to impress and innovate.
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I've never owned a camera bag, but I did a ton of research online before purchasing. I never thought of the importance of the bag since I'm used to just holding the camera. With stepping up to the 5D I knew I needed the protection of not only the camera, but the lens and other junk I was going to accumulate to fuel my passion.
Quality of materials very well made, I'll have this bag for at least 10 years.
Space Canon 5D MK III, Tamron 24-70, Canon 50mm, charger, Giotto Rocket Blaster (must buy), LED hotshoe light, cords, headphones, ipad, and there is room for more. The bag gets heavy with this much stuff and gets really heavy when using the tripod straps for my tripod, but that option is there if I need it.
A 15" laptop (at least mine) does not fit in the laptop sleeve and won't fit in the bag with the laptop sleeve, but it will "squeeze" in if I take the sleeve out of the bag. Its doable, just not comfortable. (I have the Messenger 33 bag some reviews here seem to reference the size up from this bag)
With the weight though, the metal rings and attachments on the strap can handle it. The padding on the strap is good, but I wish they went with a wider strap pad section. I feel its a hair too skinny, but the padding is thick enough.
People have complained about the handle, but its placed where it needs to be if you wan that top bag zipper access. A little tip regarding the handle is if you hold the handle with one hand its easier to zip the bag with the other. For whatever weird reason, it works.
Love the bag, love my Vanguard tripod as well.
Honest reviews on VANGUARD THE HERALDER 28 Messenger Bag
Love this bag for carrying a multitude of lenses, which I did on a recent vacation where I knew I would be shooting a variety of wildlife, landscapes, and people. For a large bag like this, it'd be perfect if it was on wheels! Carrying this through the airport on your shoulder or back is difficult at best. With my camera, tripod, 8 lenses, laptop and iPad, it was close to 50#. Well organized and it seems to be strongly made, which I like, but for the money, wheels should be an added feature.
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I ordered this camera bag for my brother in law for Christmas who does photography as a hobby. This was the happiest I've seen him when he unwrapped his gift. It made our Christmas! I know he loves it!
It was easy to order and quickly arrived without any problems.
