Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent)
by Canon Cameras US
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent)
Customer Review: Great Features and Value.
Summary: 5 Stars
The bag is just shy of a standard sized backpack/bookbag, just slightly shorter. It's black nylon/cordura or whatever that fabric is called now, with an olive accented panel on the front. Two Canon logos are visible from the front, nothing gaudy or obnoxious. It doesn't really scream "camera bag" either - just your run of the mill black backpack I guess.
What I like about the most is that it opens a clam shell fashion. This is a big step up from my previous bag, where you had to undo a flap cover, and then undo a zipper that basically cut the bag in half - not a very speedy or convenient process. The Canon bag is easy access; the camera sits right at the top, and you can remove it without having to totally open the bag up. Another thing I find nice is the amount of useable space. A couple more dividers would be nice, but I can use the leftovers from my previous bag if needed. In the main compartment, I can fit my Drebel body, with 28-105 attached, 28-300, 128mm prime, 16mm zenitar, 8mm Peleng, 50mm Takumar prime, 18-55 kit lens, flash, cheapo slave flash, and two coversion lenses (.24 wide angle, and 1.5 tele - both are junk, but are keen for that lensbaby effect). After all that, I still have a little space leftover for another lens - or battery and charger, or pack of smokes. I could probably even free up some more space if I rearranged the dividers, or leave a couple lenses behind and pack another body. That's just the main compartment.
There are two zipper pockets on the front of the bag, one sort of shallow,
you could fit maybe an envelope in it. The other pocket utilizes the entire
length of the flap - you could fit a few magazines, maps, socks or a t shirt
in there with no problem. There's even a small hook inside the pocket - for keys maybe? If not, there's enough room to hang a Camelback bladder - at least the smaller sized ones. Covering the front pocket is another sort of open laced pocket, with a drawcord that tightens it all up. A windbreaker/pants would fit in there easily, or maybe even a folded up reflector. The front pockets expand outward from the bag, so you can stuff them pretty full and still close it with no issues.
Either side of the bag is flanked by smaller pockets, with a hook/loop closure.
They are not really the `right size' for anything - and I'm not sure I trust the
closure method on them either. Still, at least they are there if you need them,
or if you need to lose something. I have yet to discover any hidden or non
advertised pockets or zippers...
The bag also has plenty of straps all over the place: the main shoulder straps are quite wide - I'm not sure they are actually a bonus - in fact they are admittadly awkward at first, but you get used to them. There's a small breast strap that connect them together on the front, and also a strap for you waist. Two extra straps on the side, not sure what their uses are. Also two straps on the bottom, for a tripod I presume.
Now, for the critical stuff.
Now, $35.00 is pretty cheap for a backpack/camera bag, right? So what's the catch? The first nit I would note is that the build quality - not sub par, but also not on the level of a $150.00 bag. That said, I would note all the seams are sewn completely, no frayed threads, and the zippers align and and work as they should. The material, while being labled as "water repellent" (urethane coated!), is also a lessor grade of nylon than you find on pricier bags. If you own a Camelback, you wold notice a difference in material quality, for instance. The webbed pockets on the inside, seem solidly sewn in place, but I'm not sure I'd want to test just how far you can stretch them, you can sort of feel a "give point" just beyond where everything seems tight. Hmmm, actually the build quality is okay, it's more the materials I have issue with.
I wish there were some tie downs or buckles to keep the loose ends of the straps
under control. Not really a performance issue, just keen attention to details. The main zipper has a small rain flap running its entire length, but some reason is just seems backwards - like maybe it should face the other way. I am concerned about being caught in the rain with it, seems like the water would rush right in. Good thing I'm in the desert.
Last thing, is the shoulder straps. They are about two inches wide. I can see the
logic behind this, potentially heavy weight one's back adds up after a while, but it seems that their width may add to fatique rather than relieve it. I have yet to test this theory though... I may report back in a while with my findings, just because I find them so odd.
But any criticism has to be taken with a grain of salt as well; it is, after all, a $35.00
camera backpack. For the price, it offers convenience and features that far outweigh
nitpicky negatives I've commented on. I only raise them to make people aware - it's not like getting a $200.00 bag for 40 bucks. But it is like getting a really keen bag for 35.
Customer Review: 200EG vs 200DG
Summary: 5 Stars
Here's my story:
I have been into photography for several years now and just recently purchased my first DSLR. Previously, I've had accidents with my cameras which lead to expensive repairs and replacements, this time I wanted to get proper protection for my camera. So I set out in search of a camera bag and reading reviews.
Cutting this search short, my friend gave me his old 200DG bag. Initially, I really liked that bag. It's very spacious, lots of pockets, and best of all the section-dividers inside are velcro and can be adjusted so that the compartments can be changed as you like. However, the two large shortcomings of that bag are, first, depending how you fit the camera/lenses in the bag there is a lot of wasted space. This is because most lenses don't extend the full depth of the bag, even with a hood on. Secondly, for the width of the bag, the shoulder strap makes carrying the bag feel a little awkward, for me at least.
Having faced this disappointment with a Canon bag, I was reluctant to try out their 200EG, but the main incentive for choosing this bag was its Tripod straps on the bottom of the bag. So I ventured with buying it after studying the pictures and going through the reviews, I was convinced.
Like the DG, the dividers on this bag are also velcro and thus adjustable. This is something I didn't expect and more than welcome, although the general camera compartment will probably stay the same. Also, you can either have the lenses lying flat in the bag, when the bag is flat down, or you can do it the way I have and put the lenses standing up.
I find the second way more secure for the lenses, as they shift less during movement, and it also gives more space (vs the wasted space in the DG.) Storing lenses this way, you can easily fit 4+ lenses (I have 2, and one on the camera), lens hoods, and I have a glass sphere stored here too. The inside pockets in the main compartment carry my wires (remote control, USB, and charger), as well as my toiletries when I'm traveling long distance. The front pockets can carry more items, they too are sectioned -- I have my pocket PC, MP3 player, nintendo DS, any plane/bus tickets, other chargers all stored in these two pockets. Finally, the tripod straps securely carry the tripod; I am using the Slik 340 EZ, and am certain the straps could carry a larger tripod.
Further, there are two side straps that I can't figure out a purpose for, but I have my phone and hospital pager clipped to these when travelling, otherwise they are not in use. The side pockets carry my wallet, keys, or other misc. items.
I have used this bag when traveling to other cities by bus, plane, and driving. It has also been my hiking companion.
Keeping all that in mind, this bag does have a few shortcomings as far as I am concerned:
- The zipper on this bag bothers me a little, to safely open the bag you really need to have it lying down, but you can open it standing up if you're careful enough (and enough is not very much, but it still frustrates on occasion and I have had one accident so far. I've learned to be careful)
- There comes with the bag a velcro strap that holds the camera down. More of these would have been useful. Thinking about it now, I can't imagine why Canon didn't include another two or three of these straps!
- The side pockets could have been made a little larger. Anything larger than the size of a medium-sized wallet will be a tight fit; that is too small.
Overall:
This bag has been great. It carries all the camera gear I have now (3 lenses, camera, wired remote control, 1 lens hood, glass sphere, tripod, and battery charger), a poncho for emergencies, my other gadgets when needed, and there is still plenty of room for more stuff... space I have every intention of filling.
If you are looking for a travel bag for your camera, with the added benefit of a tripod carrying strap, this bag might be right for you. If you're uncertain, it's an easy bag to find at electronic/camera stores and check out. I am very pleased with this bag and the protection it provides for the camera on my long (and short) travels.
Customer Review: frodo baggins
Summary: 5 Stars
for a fairly small, hobbit-like bag--low-profile, unassuming, and surprisingly robust--this backpack sure packs a lot of gear for not a lot of dough.
if you have only one camera body, you can easily fit 4-5 lenses and a flash, or a long telezoom, w/a flash and two other lenses, in the main camera compartment. you might be able to squeeze some filters or a 50mm prime in there as well. if not, they or the flash can go in the other pocket, which has elastic pouches for small items like memory cards and batteries. there's also a third pocket in front for a pen, pad, and mp3, and a cord-webbing ring with a sheath of cordura which can hold a book or magazine, your lunch, a light gore-tex shell, or a topo map. the back is padded and sectioned, and the straps are nice and chubby. it's almost perfect for hiking and day trekking, although a tripod can only go on the underhanging loops -- you might be able to strap a small monopod to the side, however.
for the price, this thing has a lot of features--like rugged ripstop material backed with urethane or pvc for water proofing, all those pockets --inc. 2 on the side for sunglasses or gummy bears and 2 mesh zipped interior pockets for lens caps, USB cords, and perfume-scented business cards from all the strippers you're shooting portfolios of "pro bono" (j/k)-- a torso quick-release strap that tucks away, and a zipper that faces the opposite way on the main compartment, shielded with a flap. it's a small design implement, but results in a little added security, because the zipper isn't as accessible to pickpockets, thieves, and the like. the zippers aren't the most durable out there, but they have a smooth sliding action with no snags and jerks. that's appreciated when you want to perform a quick-change lens switch.
another nice touch is the panel-loading design; if you have stuff in the front of the pack, and the (padded) middle section, it also will protect your expensive gear in the main compartment. hard plastic nubs on the bottom provide some vertical shock protection, although i wouldn't chuck it out a window or drop it down a staircase, if i were you. removeable and reshapable dividers allow for infinite configurations, and there's an elastic/velcro strap for your camera body. the green/black color is fairly incognito, except for the metallic "canon" logo embedded into it. sew a patch over it if that bothers you.
for $35, you can't really complain about what it doesn't have--bright-colored interior dividers, rain flap, notebook compartment, bulletproof kevlar reinforcements, built-in GPS (j/k)--because you can get all that chi-chi stuff in more expensive bags. it's still a backpack, so you have to take it off to get to your stuff, but if that troubles you, get a sling bag or a torso pack, which hold less gear and cost more.
ok, so it's not very sexy, but not especially ugly, either. do you really want a sexy camera bag? why not just get a neon sign saying "rob me" when you stroll through j'maa al-fnaa in morocco trying to get that snap of a snake charmer? it looks just like a "regular" backpack, except for the logo. you also can't complain about the compact size too much, since it'll be just right for most casual enthusuasts, photohikers and/or photojournalists. pro fashion and wedding photographers who want to take everything but the kitchen sink will have to get a bigger sack. no kidding.
for everyone else--that's you, sir or madame-- you'll find you can take ALMOST everything but the kitchen sink. you'll probably want something bigger for extended travel, or if you simply have to take a laptop to Mt. Whitney, and/or something smaller for casual shooting. but, hey, for an everyday camera bag that can sweat it through the jungle if necessary and hold up to a decent amount of punishment, you can't get a more substantial value for the money. pay more if you must, but you might not get a better bag, just a costlier one. believe that.
Customer Review: Well constructed and designed for cameras.
Summary: 5 Stars
OK - I realize it's a sin to put Olympus cameras into a Canon bag but my video is all Canon and my stills are all Olympus - so if you shoot with the E series OLY cams, this bag has no problems with other brands.
Negative - I took this on a 15 day cruise loaded with 3 E-300 backs and 3 lenses to avoid changing lenses. The only thing I would do differently is NOT use the velcro pockets on the side for ANYTHING of value. Everytime you step on or off the ship, you do the entire X-ray, cavity search, etc TSA routine. I lost alot of small stuff out of the side pockets. Their flaps let small stuff leak through the TSA security x-ray and bucket brigade.
Positives. I used this solidly every day for 15 days to cary 3 ea E-300 backs, 1 50mm prime lens, 1 14-54 mm zoom, and 1 50-200 mm along with a teleconverter, 2 flashes (a long range and a ring flash), and a 300+ volt rapid recharge flash accessory for short recharge times, typically under 1/2 second. There are plenty of pockets - as I mentioned the side pockets are vulnerable to loosing contents inside Xray machines, but the main compartment is amazing. The straps that crosshatch the back did a great job holding the strobe power supply while allowing the coiled cord to exit to the strobe attachment point - it was a very effective system even allowing the rapid strobe charger to run and to stay cool while in the pack.
All backs were carried mated to their associated lens - avoiding the risk of changing lenses in the field. The main camera back had the dual battery accessory on it - the two smaller ones did not and went face to face like lenses with padding. All of this, plus the macro hardware went in the main compartment. If I were not on a ship with narrow passages, I could have tied my tripod to the two straps under the main bag but I chose not to as I'd get stuck in so many tight spaces if I did. There are also two heavy mounted 1" strap ties on the sides that can be used to attach other cases to the pack.
Padding is very generous inside the main compartment, so your preciuos cargo is protected against drops and mishandling by those people who keep us safe (HINT - put UV filters on all lenses before traveling - TSA likes to touch the glass on your lens to make sure its not a bomb)
I was simply amazed that I could carry so much in a compact backpack, have it organized ready to pull the right camera for that quick shot, and still have every accessory needed for a full day's shooting on the run. Empty, the pack is very light and adds little weight to your overall load. The zippers are all well attached to handle some stretching - they held up well without damage. All cameras survived the trip and the bag looks good as new. It was, of course, my carry on item, so it got the most scrutiny and fingerpoking by TSA's "challenged" employees.
If you are planning a trip with cameras and accessories, this *IS* the best way to make it through security and still have working equipment on the other side. I doubt you will find anything as well thought out at a camera store for this price either.
I did not try fitting any video equipment in this pack as it travels in a hard pelican case. Holding 3 D-SLR cameras and all accessories speaks volumes as to its ability though. This is a keeper for traveling and just general storage.
Customer Review: Deluxe Value...
Summary: 5 Stars
I was stunned by the price of photo backpacks from some of the big names. I almost scanned past the Canon product here because Canon-brand stuff isn't always bargain-priced.
That's not the case here. I did a double-take when I saw the price. I could not believe it was so affordable. After dropping a serious chunk of change on the Canon 5D Mk II, I was ready for a bargain, and at the same time something that would hold the items I want to take shooting.
I was never fond of the classic "camera bag", rectangle with a strap type carry method. They burden a single shoulder, don't stay put, and from a style point of view, let's just say, it leaves a lot to be desired.
I use backpacks very often, so this really fits my mode of operation. The pack itself is highly configurable, has room for a few lenses, the camera, as well as the ancillary items you really should keep with - batteries, memory cards, body and lens caps, filters, and so on.
I reversed the compartment so the camera is at the bottom because with the battery grip, it was a bit tight at the top of the compartment. I too blacked out the conspicuous Canon logos (both the metal one and the smaller, two-sided cloth tab). I like the blacked out look and wonder why they don't just put black material on there to begin with, but I guess if you like Bling, you're good to go.
The long story short for me is I saved a couple hundred dollars and got myself a nice backpack that should serve my needs very well. It's just large enough to bring a good selection of stuff, but small enough to make me stop and think what I really need rather than overburden myself!
Update: 12/2009. After frequent use with a very full load the zipper pulls have come off a couple times. We all know this eventually leads to failure of the zipper where the pull attaches. I don't think there's much of a way to fix this except replace the zipper.... Not so good, but I'm still "OK" until it happens.
Update 6/2010. After carefully bending back the zipper eyelet, and being a little more careful, I have not had any problems in daily (yes daily) use of this backpack and zippers.
Update 8/31/2010. Capacity - this back pack holds
- Canon EOS 5D Mark II with BG-E6 Battery Grip
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens (in factory case)
- Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens (in factory case)
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens (mounted on camera)
- Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II lens (in factory case)
- polarizing filters (2) (mounted on lenses)
- lens and camera manuals (5)
- MacBeth Color Card
- Gray Card
- spare memory cards (2)
- battery holder for BG-E6
- spare batteries
- spare lens and body caps
- battery charger
- video and HDMI cables
- hot shoe level
- rain coat
- rain cover for back pack (sold separately)
- camera strap and grip strap (on camera)
- air bulb (large)
'Nuf Said