The Case Logic SLR Camera Backpack from Case Logic aims to provide a roomy and safe place for your SLR (digital or otherwise) camera, and (based on the insides) enough lenses to shoot a wedding, football game, and several other events.Β Youβll likely be able to squeeze in a digital video recorder and a few point-and-shoots in there, too. The review sample that was provided by LoveCases arrived just before I headed off on a vacation, and literally days after I got myself a new Nikon DSL and some new telephoto lenses and assorted gear, so the timing was perfect.Β I received the black exterior/red interior one for review, but it also comes in βAnthraciteβ (a medium gray charcoal color) with a lime green interior. If youβre one of the five people left on the planet who doesnβt shoot everything with your cellphone camera, read on to see how the Case Logic bag fared.
No Box to Unbox!
Backpacks ship in big protective brown boxes, so thereβs not much to unbox β instead weβll jump right into the tour of the various pockets provided by the backpack. The opening photo shows the front of the bag β that front unzips to expose some βquick accessβ pockets for smaller items β this would be the place to stuff a point a shoot camera, and maybe a sandwich.
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Moving further back we get to the main compartment. Like most great camera bags, the center is really just a large open space with padding around all the sides, back, and front. To partition up that space into smaller spaces that are sized just right for your gear, you get two long dividers to chop up the vertical space as you need, and eight smaller horizontal dividers to chop up the resulting three vertical columns.
The front flap lays flat when unzipped β giving you a clean place to stage your gear, change lenses, etc. You also have a pair of zippered pockets on the flap for stowing more smallish/flat things.
The left side has a zipper pocket, or you can use it along with the clip at the top to carry a monopod or a tripod.
The right side has your cup holder. Or maybe a cellphone. Something small goes in there.
The back pouch is fully padded and can comfortably hold a 14β³ laptop, possibly a 15β³ one if itβs not too thick.
Putting Stuff In
Ideally, the bag will also work well to actually carry a camera and a bunch of gear, so letβs look at how it does with my Nikon and its lenses. When Iβm traveling, I prefer to have the camera on the bottom as pictured, but youβve got plenty of options for arranging the dividers so that the camera sits lens down at the top of the bag β thatβs the arrangement I use when Iβm out shooting with the bag. That way you just unzip a bit of the top of the bag and you can grab the camera for some quick shots.
You can see from the shot above that the bag has plenty of room for a DSLR and 85mm zoom. Iβve got a 200 and 300mm zoom as well, and the camera with either of those lenses attached also fits with ease in either orientation, thanks to the roomy 17+β height of the bag.
Comfort as a Backpack
This is a backpack; it should be comfortable to wear β even with todayβs much lighter gear, you can easily find yourself hauling 10 pounds of stuff between a laptop, DSLR, 3-4 lenses, batteries, chargers, tripods, etc. The whole draw for me with these kinds of bags over slings or the dreadful rectangle bags that the camera makers bundle is that you could actually use these for a day trip/hike, or to carry everything you need for an extended shooting session, and not be crippled after carrying it. Plus, you can get everything into one bag.
The top of the bag has a serviceable but somewhat underwhelming handle. You can carry the bag by the top handle, but if youβre going to be carrying it for a while, go ahead and slide it on. The U shaped strap attachment distributes the weight low across the meaty part of your shoulders β just where you want it.
The bag rides nicely on your back without sticking out too far. It includes cross-chest straps; Iβm not a fan, but if you like them, theyβre there, and there is about 4β³ you can adjust on their position across your chest.
Itβs a good sized bag on your back, but itβs very comfortable.
The back has decent ribbed padding, and a breathable mesh material. There is also an odd little pocket back there.
Itβs a nicely padded storage pouch, and inside is an interesting item clipped to the bag. Turns out this backpack comes with its own foul-weather cover for the bag, which folds into a small rectangle, and unfolds into this:
So youβre covered even if your forget your umbrella. Of course this isnβt going to work if youβve got tripods strapped to the sides, but itβs probably OK if those get a little wet!
Parting Shots
If youβve invested several hundred (or thousand) dollars in a good DSLR and lenses, you know how important it is to protect that investment with a good camera bag. Once youβve outgrown the small handbags, or youβve amassed an armada of lenses, flashes, tripods, and whatnot, you face the problem of either leaving stuff behind or finding a large enough bag to carry it all safely. The Case Logic SLR Camera Backpack does a great job of doing just that. Itβs got enough room to carry two camera bodies and at least 3-4 decent sized lenses, along with a laptop for on the spot image processing/offloading, and whatever else you might need. Itβs big without being too bulky, and itβs got decent protection without weighing a ton.
Case Logic DCB-306 SLR Camera Holster (Black) Large
CADeN Camera Backpack Bag Professional for DSLR/SLR Mirrorless Camera Waterproof, Camera Case Compatible for Sony Canon Nikon
$35.99 (as of April 16, 2025 01:22 GMT -04:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Product Information
| Price: | $99.99 |
| Manufacturer: | Case Logic |
| Retailer: | LoveCases |
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