Photography by Tom Zeman - REVIEW: Tamrac Model 5605 Pro 5 Bag

For several years, I’ve had a Lowepro Topload Zoom Pro. This is essentially a large, roomy "ready-case" for a pro sized SLR with up to a 200mm/f2.8 attached. It’s worked well, but I began to feel the need for something just a bit larger, with room for two or three lenses as a walking-around bag. You know, those days when you just want to travel light without the whole kitchen sink, and can leave the big glass at home or in the hotel.

After what seemed like endless searching, I finally chose the Tamrac Model 5605 Pro 5. It measures in at 11 ¾ inches wide, 12 inches tall, and 8 inches deep. Like the Lowepro, it will hold a pro sized SLR vertically on foam pillars with up to a 200mm lens, but instead of tapering toward the bottom, it remains rectangular, which allows it to contain a bit more stuff.

The strap is attached to the sides of the bag, which allows you to open it without setting it down. The top has generous flaps to protect the zippered main compartment during inclement weather, and a handy internal storage pocket for small items. The whole thing is well padded, and being relatively shallow, doesn’t stick out in that awful way that bulky shoulder bags usually do. Ample pockets take assorted doo-dads, maps, whatever. You can even attach optional accessory pouches to the outside if you want to, but that kind of defeats the purpose of traveling light and fast.

I plan on using the 5605 for those days when I jump in the car to shoot a few scenics, daytrips without wildlife, and I’ll throw it in my duffel bag on longer trips. My gear will ride in a larger bag with me, and I’ll transfer a few items to the smaller bag as needed, when I arrive at my destination.

The 5605 nicely takes my Nikon D200 with MB-D200 and 18-200/f3.5-5.6 VR attached, a 12-24/f4, SB-800 flash, plus cards, batteries, accessories, etc., and still has a bit of room left over. Everything one needs for a day on foot in a foreign city. Which is exactly what I wanted it for. And at roughly $60, this bag is very affordable.

You can find more information at www.tamrac.com.