Pros: Small and light; well-padded; straps to secure camera and main compartment flap; comfortable
Cons: No on-the-fly camera access; tight, though versatile, storage space; not for broad shoulders
The Bottom Line: The Tamrac Expedition 3 is a fine backpack for small-scale shoots and for carrying a modest amount of gear. This is not a voluminous backpack, but it's adequate for neophytes.
kedsand1's Full Review: Tamrac Expedition 3 Photo Backpack
Some may find it hard to believe, but my wife and I own four camera bags – that’s right, FOUR! My two previous reviews explored two of those bags: the superlative Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW, and the workhorse Lowepro Mini Trekker AW. Now, one may observe that there is some brand loyalty here, but Lowepro has only equal share in the bags that my wife and I own. We also own two Tamrac bags, and one of those is the Tamrac Expedition 3 backpack.
Why do we own four? At first, we bought the Mini Trekker AW to store and transport camera gear, and it did (and still does) the job extremely well. However, my personal interest in photography began to increase as my wife became more involved in her photography classes and I saw fit to buy a smaller bag to carry less gear, i.e. the gear I would eventually buy to use. Thus, we bought the Tamrac Expedition 3. Of course, that wasn’t enough, so we bought the SlingShot 200 AW, and then a bigger Tamrac wheelie suitcase… but that’s a different story for a different article!
Anyway, compared to the two Lowepro bags we own, the Tamrac Expedition 3 is a relatively diminutive backpack that may seem more at home on a child’s back than an adult’s back, but this backpack has its merits and is more capacious than one may surmise. Once again, to break down the various aspects of this bag, I will focus on five indispensible aspects of a great camera bag: looks, storage capacity, camera accessibility, gear protection, and comfort. I will score each category on a scale of 1 to 10. Here we go…
Looks
The Expedition 3 is a smallish camera backpack that is quite sporty with its rubbery mesh pocket in the front and the color of choice dominating the face of the backpack, which may be “black” (more like dark charcoal), green (which is good for hiding in the forest from the authorities), or rust (which IS the new black)! The backpack is accented with a light gray carry handle and charcoal fabric all over the back and sides.
The size of the backpack suggests innovation simply because micronization often indicates more efficient use of space and fabric. This phenomenon is similar to what has happened in electronics: except for TVs, which can always get bigger, smaller electronics are often more favorable. The Expedition 3, somehow, seems to embrace this.
In any case, the Expedition 3 looks snazzy and sporty, but it doesn’t necessarily look “professional.” This is a fun-looking backpack that inspires… well, fun.
Score: 8/10(there’s something fun and sporty to the look of this backpack)
Storage Capacity
As I have in my other backpack reviews, let me start with the interior dimensions: 8” width by 4.6” depth by 11” height, which calculates to 407 cubic inches. This puts the interior volume at 66% of the interior volume of the Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW, which is an excellent slingpack for semi-pros and amateurs who want to travel light. Despite this comparison, the Expedition 3 has its merits and can carry enough of what one may wish to carry.
Like most camera bags, the Expedition 3 has a configurable main compartment that can potentially hold a SLR camera body with an attached lens, two small lenses of 3” to 4” in length, two medium-length lenses that are 5” to 6” long, and maybe a small space for hoods and other minutiae. Alternatively, the Expedition 3 could hold a SLR camera body with a 7” to 8” long lens attached, one medium-sized lens, and a flash; or, one could even store an SLR with a long lens, and two medium-length lenses. Suprisingly, there is some versatility in configuring the interior of the main compartment, but contents fit tightly inside, especially the camera and attached lens, which is customarily stored new the top of the backpack. This is the downside of the Expedition 3: though there is ample storage space for some gear, the gear really has to be place tightly in the main compartment, albeit with good separation and padding provided by the foam-Velcro dividers. Also, flashes have a way of taking up a lot of space in this backpack; because the Expedition 3 is not a deep bag, flashes have to rest on their sides, which can take up much horizontal space, even if the flash head is bent.
Besides the main compartment, the main compartment flap has two plastic and mesh pockets on the inside part of the flap, and a somewhat tight exterior zippered pocket on the face of the backpack. The interior pockets are nicely spacious and can hold wires, filters, and other flat items. The exterior pocket, however, is disappointingly tight with enough interior space for a manual, and then some memory cards in specially allocated pockets with flags to indicate if the cards are full – this is the only positive aspect of the exterior pocket. Other than that, the exterior pocket is eminently annoying with an access flap that only opens halfway and further adds to the frustration.
Contrary to the poor exterior zippered pocket, there is also a nifty, stretchy mesh pocket at the lower part of the face of the backpack, which can either serve as a tripod catch (which is also secured to the backpack by a Velcro strap in the medial position of the backpack face) or as an on-the-fly catch for things like lens caps, notepads, and whatever item that requires immediate access. Unlike the exterior zippered pocket, this mesh pocket is versatile.
The Expedition 3 has impressive storage capacity for a small camera backpack, if one’s expectations are reasonable. But, one must realize that this backpack is meant for light daytrips and amateur-style shoots. My wife uses this bag when she needs to carry just her Nikon D300 with the attached 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, one flash, and one hockey-puck lens (i.e. the Nikon 50mm f/1.4). So, the Expedition 3 has its uses for photography neophytes and those who want to travel very light, but it carries very few things that are longer than the depth of the bag.
Score:7/10 (just enough space for a light shoot with one camera and a couple of lenses)
Camera accessibility
As a backpack, the Expedition 3 does not allow for on-the-fly access to the camera. This is understandable, because a backpack is generally poor for being able to access a stored camera without having to remove the backpack unless the backpack has a side-access panel, which can compromise gear protection. In any case, it has to be stated that the Expedition 3 is poor for instant camera access.
Despite this, as a backpack, access to the camera after the backpack is taken off one’s back is adequate, as the main compartment flap can be unzipped to fully expose the contents. However, space is tight in the main compartment, which can make removing one’s DSLR and attached lens slightly inconvenient. This is a regrettably negative consequence of a small backpack, which points at a compromise one must consider when buying camera bags: would one prefer a small and light backpack, or a bigger backpack that holds more and allows for easier access to gear?
If one favors a small backpack, then the Expedition 3 is the backpack of choice. It just will not provide great access to the camera.
Score:5/10 (even accessing the camera after removing the backpack is somewhat problematic)
Gear Protection
If there is one strong point to the Expedition 3, it is that one’s gear is well-insulated and protected. The Expedition 3 pads one’s gear internally and externally, with even the face of the backpack providing drop protection and a snug fit to secure the gear inside. There are also straps and a clip that further secures the main compartment flap, preventing accidental openings. Furthermore, an ancillary benefit of the relatively tight interior is that lenses and camera bodies do not move around much – everything is compactly stored to prevent accidental clanging during movement.
An added touch to this backpack that I have found absent from other backpacks is the inclusion of a cross-strap that can be fastened across the attached lens of the camera. This is a wonderful addition that should be included in all face-opening backpacks and further ensures that the camera and the attached lens, which may be the best lens in the backpack, will not fall out the bag if the main compartment flap is not fully zipped.
Outside of structural considerations like padding and straps, the Expedition 3 is constructed with a fabric that is moisture-resistant and can protect gear from drizzles and light rain; also, zippers are protected with overhanging fabric, which helps to separate gear from moisture. Of course, the bag is not weatherproof and there is not weather-proof cover like Lowepro’s AW bags, but the Expedition 3 is sufficiently weather-resistant.
For a small backpack with accessibility issues, the Expedition 3 is a solid and well-padded backpack – a “Mighty Mouse” among monsters.
Score:9/10 (contents are well-protected, the main compartment flap is doubly securable, and even the camera and attached lens inside is secured with a cross-strap, BUT there is no all-weather cover)
Comfort
The Expedition 3 features softly padded shoulder straps that rest nicely on the shoulders, but do pinch at the necks of those with wider shoulders. I am about six feet tall, so the Expedition 3 can be a minor hassle to wear unless I extend the shoulder straps. Thus, if I anticipate removing the backpack often, I sling the backpack on one shoulder and find it very comfortable. Despite this, this backpack feels comfortable on one’s back and can go unnoticed for long stretches.
Another nice touch to the Expedition 3 is the carrying handle on the top of the backpack, which features a handle padded with grippy plastic mesh. Most backpacks only provide a fabric strap, which can become uncomfortable even after a short walk, but the Expedition 3 can be carried with its handle with great balance and comfort in one’s hand.
The Expedition 3 is a small and light backpack, which does much to ensure comfort and reduce the burden of carrying one’s gear, as restricted as the amount of gear that can be carried may be.
Score:9/10 (it is well-padded and contoured with nice touches, but small backpacks pinch at broad shoulders)
Final Score: 38/50 (because this is a small backpack, storage capacity and camera accessibility lowers the score)
I wonder if I should continue to use this scoring system because, frankly, this score does not do the Tamrac Expedition 3 justice. For light travelers, photography neophytes, and non-tall people, this backpack is absolutely wonderful for transporting a modest amount of gear. Granted, camera accessibility on-the-fly is non-existent and even accessibility after removing the backpack is mediocre, but any interested wearer would find this backpack solid, well-insulated, largely comfortable, and snazzy-looking. For professionals and gear-geeks, though, this backpack will not satisfy, but doesn’t that stand to reason? I have said it many times: this is a small camera backpack. You will not be satisfied if you’re looking to store a 200-400mm lens or some other mega-lens.
***
Author’s Note: Well, I have written three reviews about three camera bags. I could write one more review, considering how my wife and I recently bought a Tamrac wheelie suitcase, but that review may have to wait. For those who want an at-a-glance of the three bags about which I have written, I recommend:
* The Tamrac Expedition 3, if you are searching for a small backpack for carrying a modest amount of gear to shoot a party or to go out and shoot for fun.
* The Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW, if you are searching for a medium-sized slingpack that allows for immediate camera access without removing the bag, provides weather protection when needed, and can hold a surprising amount of medium-sized gear for day hikes and photojournalistic shoots.
* The Lowepro Mini Trekker AW, if you are searching for a medium- to large-sized backpack that looks rugged and professional, provides on-demand weather protection, and can hold an admirable amount of gear for wedding or family portrait shoots.
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