Tamrac 5273 Expedition 3 SLR Photo Backpack (Black)

The "Expedition" holds my SLR with a 300mm lens, my standard lens, my off camera flash, extra film, standard filters and cleaning supplies, with room left over for my keys and money. Everything is well padded and secure, and the pack is quite small and sits squarely on my back. A sturdy top handle allows it to be carried in hand, and its small size makes this possible without dragging it along the ground as I do so. The materials used are very sturdy; the pack can stand on its own and does not "collapse."

The only down side, and this is true of any camera backpack, is the need to take it off and zip it open to get at your gear. If this would be a concern, you may want to check out the top-loading hip packs, which I passed on since they always feel awkward to me. Years of hauling backpacks make the "Expedition" seem like second nature to me. No longer will my photohistory suggest couch potato-dom; now I can shoot my exploits on trail or river, thanks to the "Expedition!"


Tamrac Expedition 3 Photo Backpack   October 22, 2000
Spencer McAllister (Chesapeake, Va USA)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful

This pack worked great for about a week. It handles my STsi along with a 75-300mm lens, a 28-80mm lens, a 2x tele-converter, a hot shoe flash, 8 filters, and assorted other trinkets. The one main complaint is there isn't much room for film. Also there isn't any room to grow with the pack. The pack is very small. If you are the "just bring this and thats it" type then this is YOUR pack. I on the other have bought 2 more lens (35-135 & a 1000) and another body. Not a chance of fitting this into the pack. another complaint is that since it is so small lashing a tripod to the pack is just notfeasable. All in all GREAT pack! Although I have a few complaints it is great to just keep your camera with you and your hands free. And I did order a much larger pack. So enough of my whinning!


Tight squeeze   January 20, 2007
Blaine T. Jones (Dahlonega, GA USA)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful

This is a nice, well-made, durable backpack.
It just arrived today and I immediately stuffed it with my Nikon D50 SLR, with an 18-55mm lens attached and 2 additional lenses. It was a VERY tight squeeze getting this little bit of gear into the backpack. The bag is bulging at the sides making it a bit of a pain to zip up. If I had it to do over, I would probably opt for something larger than this backpack but for what it is, and the price, it'll do. The good thing about it is that the space constraints can be somewhat alleviated by purchasing attachable lens cases such as the MX5378 and MX5375.




Photo and description are very deceptive.   March 19, 2005
Christian L. Bayer (Rhododendron, Oregon USA)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful

There is no way the picture of the bag is the same one they send you. The bag will hold an SLR with a lens, an additional small zoom lens, a flash and a few small accessories. The pictures showing 3 - 4 other lenses and a teleconverter in addition to an SLR with a lens is completely misleading. This backpack should probably be called a backpurse. It is very small compared to ANY backpack you have ever seen. It will not hold what the pictures show. Amazon's description "Capable of holding an SLR body with up to a 7-inch lens attached, as well as four to five additional lenses and equipment, the Expedition 3 is roomy enough to fit the needs of most photographers." is simply not an honest statement. Remember the obscure Pentax 110 SLR? That little known interchangable lens SLR might fit per the description. This bag is the size of a medium sized shoebox.


Rugged and surprisingly roomy.   January 5, 2006
Stephen M. Vakil (Madison, WI United States)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

I ordered this bag over a canon bag for my rebel XT and lenses due to reports of problems with the zippers on the canon bags. The tamrac bag's zipper feels quite sturdy, but it seems to get stuck or a little tight towards the top when zipping or unzipping both main pockets.

Otherwise this was a great purchase. There is plenty of room so far, for my Digital Rebel XT with 50mm f/1.8 lens, 18-56mm lens, 75-300mm lens, charger, two batteries, various cables, manual, lens pen, and tripod mount. Theoretically you can attach a tripod to the bag as well, although mine is too large and even if it weren't I'm not really sure it would hold it in an optimum fashion.

The shoulder straps are comfortable and sturdy, as is the carrying handle. There are enough pockets and seperators to hold most of the little knick-knacks that you might need. I'm quite happy with the purchase.