Tamrac Express 3 Review

A common stumbling block when choosing a case is the extra bulk it can have. This slim little number should protect your camera from a battering, without feeling like you're carrying an undersized pillow around.

Tamrac Express Case 3: Specification

• Ultra Suede material
• Ultra-thin design
• Closed-cell foam padding
• Magnetic snap-shut enclosure
• Elastic sides
• Belt loop and shoulder strap provided
• Internal Dimensions: 9W x 2D x 7H cm
• Weight: 57g
• Available in black, red, desert gold and light blue colours

Tamrac have a fine reputation for producing quality rucksacks and camera cases at a reasonable price. For many people buying a compact digital camera, a protective case is a great idea. But after shelling out your hard-earned on a nice piece of gadgetry, you'll hardly want to break the bank on additional accessories. So the Tamrac Express case is a reasonably priced solution.

Tamrac Express Case 3: Features
The Express Case 3 is billed as being suitable for ultra-slim cameras, such as the Canon IXUS range or Sony T-series cameras, however the elasticated sides will allow the case to accommodate a larger camera such as the Fuji F31fd. There is no provision for storing anything else, so this case will only really be suitable for those who wish to travel light. A negative aspect of this design is that it is not even slightly weatherproof, so further protection for your camera will need to be sought if out in a deluge.

Tamrac's Ultra Suede material is actually a high quality faux-suede type finish, which is lightweight and should keep any vegans amongst us happy. The inside of the case is lined with a fairly rough feeling nylon, which keeps the weight down, should be easy to keep clean, and although it feels quite rough to touch, won't scratch the camera.

A belt loop is conveniently placed on the rear, which will allow you to perform quick draw impressions like you'd see in an old western film, if that's your kind of thing. That is, unless you wear a wide belt, as the loop is fairly narrow. I can only just squeeze my 5cm wide belt through it.

The shoulder strap provided is really quite narrow, but is made of strong nylon material so I can't see there being any problems with the weight of the case.

Tamrac Express Case 3: Performance
Life is all about compromises, and this particular item compromises some functionality in favour of keeping things lightweight and compact. The faux-suede finish is high quality and feels nice and soft to the touch, which compliment the overall high quality construction of the case. It's also very well put together.

Tamrac Express Case 3: Verdict
There's an old saying about horses and courses, which is very apt in this instance. If you'd hope to be carrying a couple of spare memory cards, maybe a battery, and some sandwiches which the crusts cut off along with your camera, then this really isn't the case for you. If however you enjoy travelling light and aren't all that bothered about carting additional accessories about separately, then this product fits the bill perfectly.

I'm quite positive that if the designers had thought about this, they may have been able to squeeze an SD card sized slim pouch in the fold-over enclosure. Saying that for the price, you can't really grumble.

Tamrac Express Case 3: Plus Points
High quality construction
Slim
Lightweight

Tamrac Express Case 3: Minus Points
No extra storage
Very little protection from the elements
FEATURES

BUILD

PERFORMANCE

OVERALL

The Tamrac Express 3 costs around £9.40 and is available as a backorder product at the ePHOTOzine shop here.