The biggest bug bare of all is camera bags. Not least because the camera bag plays a significant role in "what to take" be it a day trip, a single shoot or travel. I want maximum kit, I want to travel light, I want all the options, I want pockets that make sense, weatherproof, light, strong, easy to clean good looks, I want it to be small I want it to be massive.

Ok so a choice of bags is sadly the answer as no one bag seems right. But if if you may need two hands, and perhaps a trek or lengthy walk, possibility of bad weather and need a large choice of kit the winner is the Tenba shootout.

Cleaning is a significant consideration, I have dog and so many bags seem to attract hairs like a magnet and somehow they need removing one by one. The Tenba shootout material allows nothing to stick in or glue itself mysteriously to the surface. I actually love that I can knock hairs off with a wipe of a dry hand. That means so much. So do the pockets, and I can't explain this but I do find that pockets on a bag need to be plenty, but they need to make sense and what I mean by that is; if I put a cable release in a pocket and say my keys in another then it needs to make sufficient spatial sense that I never have to go looking in two or three pockets to find what I'm looking. Of course this may just be me, but this bag is designed such that I always "just know" which pocket to head to for any given item. A kind of mind mapping thing is going on here, does that connect with you? It makes a days shooting so much less stressful to not be constantly opening and closing pockets to no avail.

The bag has a carnivorous amount of space but we all know those advertising shots with the items placed "just so" are great until you need to get on a plane and include all the accompanying support items for the gear in the photos and they just won't fit. I'm talking about batteries, chargers, hard drives, powerpacks, cleaning tools, cleaning solutions and cloths are generally nowhere to be seen in the marketing photos. Just a cursory footnote that a pocket is suitable for "accessories". Often a bag has accessory pockets that won't close if they are all used. The Tenba has considered this with sufficient material built into the pockets to allow actual room for items not just the appearance of pockets! Actually without accessories there is no shoot and this is where the Tenba wins with generously accommodating pockets and which uniquely can all actually be used simultaneously and still close all the zippers! The attention to detail is apparent everywhere and the quality of the detail is high. The base is of such strong material that you would confidently set it down on any surface no matter how wet and muddy. It will wipe or wash off with ease. The rain cover is always with you, and importantly does not take up valuable pocket space since it is tucked under the base. The tripod attachment copes well with almost any size tripod which can be moved to one side without removing the whole tripod (in order to access the bag contents) by releasing just one clip. When the bag is on the back the tripod is secure and stable. Which brings me to the actual function of moving with the bag when packed. It is without doubt the comfiest system I've used. It is as near as can be to weightless with perfect distribution and no stress points, the padding and venting is exceptional. It works fine on one shoulder while walking briefly through for example customs. It is not a bag that needs babying but it does look quality and engenders a lot of confidence the gear is protected. The camera itself can be easily accessed by swivelling the bag around off one shoulder and unzipping a side flap the inside of which contains a handy zip pocket for a lens cloth. Thoughtfully this inside zip cloth pocket has no sharp edges and the zip pull is shielded in cotton in order to avoid contact with your gear. It is this thoughtfulness that gives assurance that the bag is truly built for purpose. In this field test of the Tenba bag it was small enough to take on the plane as carry-on luggage, carnivorous enough to take all the gear in the photos you see here, yes all the gear on the table fits in the bag. It travelled on speed boats, cars, buses and sat in the strong salty sea winds protecting my gear. I love it. I still need alternative bags when taking less gear and maybe do not require a back pack form factor. Just as well built and thoughtfulis the Tenba DNA range which again each size seems to pack more than it should in a logical way and utilises the best fasteners I've seen which instantly magnetically attach but then lock! But not without allowing the fastest unlock ever. Brilliant. I will post more about the DNA.

Reviews

Tenba Shootout 24