Manfrotto Backpack 50 Rucksack Review

Features
Handling & Performance
Verdict
Specification

The Manfrotto Professional Backpack 50 is a large backpack that will hold a professional DSLR with battery grip, attached 70-200mm lens, an additional camera body and 5 extra lenses along with a flash, 15 inch laptop and accessories. It has a CPS (Camera Protection System) and Exo-tough multi-layered construction to give maximum protection. It is available in black. 

Manfrotto Professional Backpack 50 Features

The Manfrotto Professional Backpack 50 has plenty of space for all the kit you could possibly need when out on the road, including a pro size DSLR with grip, something that not all backpacks offer.

Key Features

• Holds pro DSLR with attached lens
• Holds spare DSLR body, 5 extra lenses, flash, tablet
• Pockets for a 15 inch laptop and accessories
• External tripod holder
• Flexi dividers 
• All weather cover 
• Fits as carry on cabin luggage
• Exo-Tough construction to diffuse sharp impact shocks
• Back strap enables bag to be attached to wheeling suitcase handles

The main compartment can be unzipped all the way around the top and sides, meaning that the front flap can be used as a field mat if necessary. Inside the bag has plenty of padded dividers so you can customise the fit for your kit. The dividers and walls are made from a thick, padded soft material, ensuring that your equipment is kept safe. 

The front flap features 3 zipped mesh pockets along with a soft padded zipped pocket for a small tablet. Once the main compartment is zipped up, clips can be applied so that you can still access the top of the bag for your camera, but your remaining kit stays secure and out of sight. 



On the front of the bag there are loops for two clipping securing belts, which can be stowed away if not necessary. There is also a detachable all weather cover included. 

On the left side of the bag there is a half zipping pocket with a full length zipped slot on the front. On the right side of the bag you'll find a tripod holder and another half zipping pocket for stowing various accessories. 

There are two security clips on the back of the bag, which when unclipped give access to a separate compartment for a 15 inch laptop. There is nice, soft padding on the back of the bag, and it also has a padded waist band, and fully adjustable padded straps with a variety of clips. There is also a carry handle at the top for moving the bag small distances. 

Manfrotto Professional Backpack 50 Handling & Performance

The main compartment of the bag has nice chunky zips, making it easy to extract your kit quickly. The idea of being able to use the front flap of the bag as a field mat is a good one, providing that you don't have anything too breakable or valuable in the pockets on the flap when kneeling.

The front of the bag has a hard outer shell, which adds extra protection for your kit. The inside of the main compartment is very well padded, and it's easy to rearrange the bag to your needs. The top section of the bag is designed specifically for your pro DSLR, providing easy access to it by just unzipping the first part of the bag. The laptop pocket is also well padded and has a smooth interior, enabling you to slide a laptop in and out easily. 

The side pockets aren't particularly padded on the outside, and feel a little flimsy, but will be fine for stowing non photographic equipment. It would have been nice if inside one of these pockets there was a memory card holder, or stationery holders. 

When worn, the bag feels really comfy, and the padded waist band really helps to distribute the weight load, taking some of the weight off your shoulders. The bag already weighs over 2kg on its own without anything in it, so when full it will weigh a considerable amount, meaning that use of the waist belt will definitely help, as will the chest strap. 

Value For Money

The Manfrotto Professional Backpack 50 is available for £207.02 from Amazon. This is quite expensive when you look at competing bags that fit a similar amount of gear, but the Manfrotto offering does have Exo-Tough Construction to help lessen the impact of sharp shocks, and Manfrotto's CPS (Camera Protection System), which has been laboratory tested to guarantee the highest level of protection and shock resistance where it counts. There is also the hard shell front, which is a big plus for protecting equipment from bangs and bumps on your travels. 

Bags of a similar size include the Kata 3N1 33 DL, available from Amazon, which will hold a DSLR with long range zoom attached and 5 to 6 extra lenses plus a flash, this bag is available for £99.99 but doesn't feature a separate laptop pocket or padded waist strap. The Adaptor 48 from Vanguard, available from WEX Photographic is another option for £69.99, however it doesn't feature an all weather cover or as many kit options. 

Manfrotto Professional Backpack 50 Verdict

Overall, the Manfrotto Professional Backpack 50 is a good choice for those that have lots of kit and are concerned about knocks and bumps. Manfrotto's Exo-Tough construction will mean that your kit is safe and secure, and there is plenty of room for all your lenses.

It would be nice to see a bit more thought put into the side pockets, which don't have any internal dividers or smaller pockets inside for your memory cards and other small accessories but apart from this, every other base has been covered, making us happy to recommend the bag.
  

	The Manfrotto Professional Backpack 50 is a well made bag ideal for the professional photographer.

Manfrotto Professional Backpack 50 Pros

Tough, shockproof construction
Lots of well padded dividers 
Well laid out
Feet on bottom to protect from wear

Manfrotto Professional Backpack 50 Cons

Side pockets could be better thought out/padded
Quite heavy before kit is put in

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT

Product Specification

Manfrotto Professional Backpack 50 Specifications

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