Basically good but could be slightly improved
First, the main compartment, which can be accessed by opening the back panel of the bag. As is common with camera bags, this one contains a series of dividers that attach to the main compartment walls and to each other via Velcro. There are two long dividers that run from top to bottom of the compartment to divide the bag into thirds and three short ones that can be used to divide thirds. Adding a fourth divider from the camera bag I'm retiring in favor of this one, I got a 2x3 grid to hold the body of my D3300 (I have to unscrew the strap and hang it over other compartments), four lenses, and a lens ball. The different sizes of the occupants of the different compartments tend to press against each other, and the connections of the various partitions can be a bit imprecise, but it all looks good enough. Each device is comfortable enough that it doesn't feel crowded, but not so tight that it can't be easily removed. The last third of the compartment formed by inserting the long dividers cannot be divided, as the material on that side of the bag does not accept Velcro. The result is a rather large compartment that only serves me as an area to store various accessories that can slide around a bit. I don't normally use a flash, but if I did it would probably fit in this slot pretty easily. Next to that wall are two very small Velcro chambers, each capable of holding almost a battery. (Very handy for me, as I carry three with me: one on camera and two in reserve at any given time.) Most notably, there are two pockets that are great for stashing a few flat accessories, like my gray cards, and some cheap plastic filter keys that I thought it wise to keep in my pocket. These bags are very loose and everything in them is sure to slip if the bag is turned over. There is a separate compartment behind these pockets. The bottom of this compartment is formed by another divider with velcro. So if you really want to, you can remove them and access them while the main compartment is open. However, you would have to take it apart so much that it wouldn't be worth the effort. This separate compartment is accessed via a zipper that runs just a short distance down the side of the bag (further showing that this should be treated as a separate compartment). With the exception of a keychain that can be attached by a strap, there's nothing in this compartment that will add anchorage or stability to anything you choose to store here. There is also no padding on the top and sides of the compartment. Therefore, there is almost no photographic equipment that I would trust. Which isn't really a problem, as everything I usually keep in my kit fits in the main compartment. Since I use my camera bag as a personal item when I'm flying, I'm hoping to use this space to store lots of small items that don't need to be safely stowed and that I might need to access on an airplane or at a terminal. It'll be a nice change stuffing stuff like this in my pockets. But otherwise I plan to leave this blank. to use this space to store various small items that don't need to be kept secure and that I might need to access on a plane or in a terminal. It'll be a nice change stuffing stuff like this in my pockets. But otherwise I plan to leave this blank. to use this space to store various small items that don't need to be kept secure and that I might need to access on a plane or in a terminal. It'll be a nice change stuffing stuff like this in my pockets. But otherwise I plan to leave this blank. The inside of the bag's back flap, the part you open to access the main compartment, has a very large pocket that holds a laptop. As big as this bag is, it's not big enough for my computer (which is fine; I rarely travel with my computer these days). At least with the camera bag setup I'm using, I'd be very concerned if putting a computer in it would risk crushing it and/or some photographic equipment. But I'm having a hard time viewing someone else's computer there. Close the main compartment, fold a large flap over the top of the bag and secure the flap with a hook. These hooks seem to keep the flap in place securely enough, and they're also not too difficult to unhook, but I really don't see the advantage they offer over a more conventional pair of buckles. Now that the bag is closed, I identify most of the opportunities for improvement. Aside from the messy hook closure, there appear to be some odd straps. Most are easy to remove and the rest are pretty discreet. But what function they were supposed to fulfill is a mystery to me. There are a couple of handles on the bottom of the bag that have room for a tripod, and I definitely appreciate that. Before this became commonplace with camera bags, I had to carry my tripod separately whenever I needed it, and it was so annoying that I often just left it behind. There have been many occasions when I have come across an environment that would have required a tripod and had to forego the outlet. But other than the tripod handles and an elastic top closure pocket for a water bottle, there's no way to hide anything on the outside of the bag. Not a single zippered pocket of any size, though there are plenty of places something like that would fit nicely. It seems like a waste. (What initially looks like a fairly large zippered bag is just a window into the camera bag's main compartment, with no Velcro on the side where I hop around my various accessories. I don't think I'll ever need such quick access to this one.) compartment; if I need something quick on hand, I keep it in the separate zippered pocket.) Otherwise, the straps are adjustable over a wide range, so I think just about everyone will find a comfortable length. I certainly did; and when I say I find it comfortable, I mean someone who hasn't carried a backpack more than a few times since I was in high school. While I've found a few things I can't pick out, the fact is, this bag stores all of my photography gear in a compact space, but still roomier than a conventional over-the-shoulder camera bag. It's comfortable and easy to use and I don't expect any real problems with it. The only thing I can't rate right now is how easily it fits under an airplane seat. I don't expect any issues there, but I will update this review if needed the next time I fly.
