UPDATE AS OF 1/9/11:
This bag is still doing wonderful, but I thought I should update you guys on the gear it is holding. Currently, it is holding my Canon Rebel XTi (w/ battery grip), Canon EF 70-300mm USM, Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8, Canon EF 28-80mm, and Canon EF-S 18-55mm. As well, it is holding my Canon ZR930 MiniDV camcorder, Canon Rebel 2000 film SLR, filters, pouch of accesories such as chargers, memory card reader, etc, and a few little items. This bag seems to hold whatever you throw at it! Still a 5 star bag!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I added a video to this review to show the amounts of gear able to be stored in this bag.
I have been looking to purchase a camera backpack for my SLRs, lenses, and other accessories, and I had narrowed it down to the Canon 200EG backpack. I loved the compact size to the bag, but the large area inside for about two bodies (a must) as well as excess room for lenses. I tried the bag out at Best Buy, and I was about ready to purchase it on Amazon, until this bag came up as a recommended choice. It looks identical to the Canon, but without the giant 'steal me' Canon logo. Reviews for this bag backed up my choice, so I figured I would try this baby out, and if I din't like it, just return it for the Canon.
Little did I know, this bag exceeded my expectations with features much better than the 200EG. For one, the extra padding on the shoulder straps. You also get a belt strap to support your back with heavy gear. I'm about 5'3" and the bag fits snug and comfortably.
The exterior is made of a durable material, which should hold up against rain. The interior is padded very nicely to secure your gear in the bumpiest of my bike rides, which is nice. The zippers are sturdy, although I wish they were easier to put a lock onto. Lets talk about what this bad boy can hold. I am able to fit my DSLR Canon Rebel XTi (w/ battery grip) in the main slot, my film Rebel 2000 infront of the XTi, my PowerShot P&S, my MiniDV camcorder, 75-300mm telephoto lens, 28-80mm walk-around lens, and 18-55mm kit lens, with room to spare! In the meantime, I keep my chargers, minidv tapes, and remotes in the open spot. That is until I invest in a flash unit. If you pack everything right, you can easily pack three SLR bodies, three lenses, a P&S, and other gear in the bag. The top mounted pockets is home to my filters, memory cards, cables, and cloths. The side of the bag can hold a tripod safe and securely. You can also find spots for a phone, or even fit a small notebook pc (more likely a netbook) in the main pocket. Which is nice considering there is no laptop slot.
All in all, this bag is highly recommended in my opinion. Keep it in mind in your searches, and don't click away because it is Amazon branded. It's higher quality than my old Lowepro!
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
Here is a video review of the Amazon Basics SLR backpack.
I really like it. It seems durable, it's relatively comfortable, and most importantly... it can hold a lot of stuff!
I say it's great value for money.
Best Deals for AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR Cameras and Accessories-Black
I have been using the Canon 200EG backpack camera case since about 2007, and love it. Correction: loved it. I think, on my short sample, that I prefer the Amazon.
The outer size is nearly identical, although the Amazon seems a bit larger only because its squared profile is harder / less collapsible than the Canon. The interior size is nearly identical, and is laid out identically. The small touches definitely favour the Amazon -the inner zip compartments [perfect size for SD cards, lens cleaning pens, small manuals, tripod quick mounts, etc.] have a flap covering the zipper, which protects your expensive glass and camera bodies. The foam "foundations" for the velcro-ed compartments are firmer and a bit more sturdy [and padded] in the Amazon. As others have noted in reviews, the shoulder strap is better-padded on the Amazon, and there is a belt cinch for ease and a healthier walk when the sucker is weighed down. Not much difference, but a slight edge to the Amazon. Add in the price (and no "Canon" magnet for thieves), and the Amazon comes out ahead.
Make no mistake -this thing will hold a LOT of gear. In the Canon, I took to Paris two Nikon DSLR bodies, an 80-200 pre-DSLR 2.8 constant zoom (big!), a 50 1.4, an 85 1.8, and a 20 2.8, SB-600 flash, along with table-top tripod, large air cleaning syringe, and assorted. Cramped, but do-able. And I've since put the same rig in the Amazon (but without traveling).
Finally -I also have Tamrac backpacks, as well as a Crumpler 8 Million Dollar Home Case (Blue/Orange) MD0810A. [what can I say -I'm a bag junkie!!!]. The others were all more expensive, sometimes over a C-Note more expensive. And NO layout is more accessible than this Canon / Amazon full-zip opening backpack. Lay it flat on the ground, and you can grab anything/everything in moment. No digging, no hassle.
Buy this sucker. I got it in a lightning deal, but the normal Amazon price is still a great one.
And no -I don't object to the Amazon zippers. . . . .
Honest reviews on AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR Cameras and Accessories-Black
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This camera backpack can easily hold 2 full-size DSLR cameras and a few extra lenses, or even some point & shoot cameras all in the same case. A mini tripod will definitely fit inside, not sure about a full-size tripod since I don't own one (if they fold up you may be able to). Whatever you want this case to be for your particular needs, it can morph into it.
The main section of the backpack is configured into 9 separate compartments. However these compartments (slightly padded BTW) are fastened with Velcro, so you can configure the interior of the backpack into anything that you would need it for. You can even remove all the compartments if you want and use it as a regular backpack. Inside the "lid" are two separate see-though plastic zippered compartments as well.
As far as the exterior of the backpack, each side as two Velcro-closure pockets with flaps, which measure approx. 4.5" by 4" wide. The outside top (lid) has 2 huge zippered pockets, there is TONS of storage areas with this case/backpack.
The underneath part of the backpack which would come in contact with your back is made of mesh to keep you a little cooler while hauling it around. The straps are lightly padded and adjustable. It was comfortable for me (I am 5' 4"), but I doubt if it would fit well for anyone over 200 lbs.
As a whole, the backpack is lightly padded with a somewhat soft tricot lining. The exterior is nylon and is easily cleaned with a wet cloth. There is a handle on top if you don't want to use carry it as a backpack, which I do, since I don't think backpacks are all that comfortable no matter how padded the straps are.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR Cameras and Accessories-Black
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Depending on what you're looking for in a backpack, this can be a very helpful addition to your trip, wedding, or whatever event you'll be carrying gadgets to! It's got a main pocket that would fit a small lap top, and the back pocket has nine different padded compartments that can store whatever you need. The backpack is rigid and light, so it wouldn't be cumbersome to carry at all (it's also small). The coolest thing about this backpack is that you can pull out the individual compartments via velcro lining. You can also adjust the compartments in order to make them the size that you want.
The only drawback to this pack is the shoulder straps are extremely small, so for any adult of an average size it's going to be tough squeezing your shoulders through the straps. The straps are adjustable, but it would still be a challenge to put this over your back (I'm 6'3" with broad shoulders, and I can barely even get through ONE strap!).
This is a quality pack, though. If you're looking for something cheap to hold your cameras, iPods, GPS units, or whatever, this pack would be a good investment.
