Tamrac 517 ...Poppas Got A Brand New Bag!
Written: Jan 25 '05 (Updated Jan 25 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Simplicity, Efficiency, Durability
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: The Tamrac 517 is a great bag for outings where you need 1 or 2 lenses. Its simplicity assures you will never dread carrying around your gear for photo opportunities.
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| lllopez's Full Review: Tamrac Tele-Zoom Pak 517 |
Chances are a good many of you received a gift of a 35 mm or better yet a Digital SLR camera for the holidays and want to find a good bag to tote this precious cargo in. Look no further than the Tamrac 517 Tele Zoom Pak holster style camera bag.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The Tamrac 517 is a handsome bag available in Black, Grey Navy or Forest Green. I always default at black and never regret it with a camera bag for the obvious reason: camouflaging wear and tear, which this bag has done well for 2 years. Okay, clearly this is a relative issue but there are a few universal selling points that do not go unnoticed by most users.
I remember a Lowes bag that I had years ago. I believe I had a Nikon F1 then and wanted to assure it was well cared for and impervious to the frailties most bags offered your precious gear. The problem was it was rectangular, uncomfortable and clumsy. Well, it did protect the camera so much that I hated taking it out and lost out on a lot of great photo opportunities as a result. Like anything else, your gear has integrate with your lifestyle, and the Tamrac 517 does that in spades.
First off, the Tamrac 517 is capable of carrying your SLR type camera with a 7 1/2 inch telephoto lens attached. The camera body sits in the holster resting on the lens barrel, so you simply unzip the zipper, and you are ready to shoot. Now that is ergonomics at its best! The zipper is heavy duty and has not failed or faltered yet under heavy use. Wear is minimized by the Cordura nylon shell, which is heavy duty, yet subtle.
Opening the Tamrac 517 you will notice the dual zipper which extends the full width of the opening flap making camera exits with ease. There is a flap that extends over the zipper to protect it from getting damaged as well. Directly underneath the flap on the inner side is a nylon windowpane mesh, which is handy for storing filters, film, USB cords, batteries or a host of other photo accessories. The closure on the windowpane mesh is also a zipper.
The Tamrac 517 cavity is loosely triangular, closely following the lines of your SLR. But what is you don’t have a telephoto lens or like to carry around two smaller lenses, no problem. The Tamrac is accommodating by adding a separator pad which attached to the barrel end of the Tamrac 517 with Velcro to essentially add another compartment below the attached lens and body to accommodate another lens or even a speed light.
Additional storage capacity is facilitated by the ample storage compartment at the front of the Tamrac 517 with a single zipper closure. You can literally store a small manual, speed light smaller digital or point and shoot camera, wallet or keys. I love this bag!
The bag has a nylon mesh handle just behind the top flap. The nylon strap attaches to the Tamrac 517 body via attached steel eyelets, with a snap hook closure. The strap can be worn conventionally over the shoulder or you can be adventurous and wear it around your waist as I have done on occasion to facilitate quick access to your camera.
Tamrac takes this bag one step further by accessorizing it handsomely. You can purchase an assortment of lens cases that can attach to the Tamrac 517 body or an optional modular accessory belt.
VERDICT?
The Tamrac 517 is a great bag. It is simple ergonomic and logical in its construction and it is unobtrusive to carry about while you are doing other things. That is not to say it is small, but it really goes a long way to make carrying an SLR conveniently. I would heartily recommend the Tamrac 517 to anyone with a SLR type camera. I would spend the forty dollars all over again just to be able to carry around my SLR effortlessly.
Internal Dimensions: 9 W x 5 D x 9 3/4 H
External Dimensions: 9 7/8 W x 5 1/4 D x10 1/2 H
Recommended:
Yes
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