Tamrac Zuma 7 Backpack Review

Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification



The Zuma range was launched by Tamrac in August 2011, aimed at holding your digital camera, accessories, a netbook with a 10 inch screen or iPad. The Zuma 7, on test here, is the most expensive in the range, as it is designed to hold a DSLR, lenses, flash and the Tamrac ZipShot Mini Tripod. The Zuma 7 is available now with an RRP of £164.99.

Tamrac Zuma 7 Backpack Features

As mentioned in the intro, the Zuma 7 is ideal for DSLR users who like to carry a number of lenses, accessories and a notebook, up to a 10 inch screen, or iPad. If you want a bag that will carry your laptop this bag isn't the one for you. The bag can hold a standard DSLR with a 6.5 inch lens attached. Inside the front door is the padded area for your notebook or iPad. Also located here are a range of compartments including three small Windowpane-Mesh pockets, for items such as memory cards, spare batteries, and one large one with a zip. There are also two larger paraphernalia pockets which can hold a flash, charger and compact camera. It is designed to hold Tamrac's ZipShot Mini Tripod or Apple's wireless keyboard.

To access your equipment the bag boasts Tamrac's Triple Access System. To access your camera, you slip the bag onto one shoulder and open the pocket on the side, there is one on both sides of the bag, a superb feature if you tend to go shooting in areas with muddy ground as the bag never needs to hit the floor. When it is convenient to place the bag on the floor, the contents of the bag can be accessed through the front panel. A removable rain cover is also provided and the bag is guaranteed for five years.

Key features:

• Holds a DSLR with up to a 6.5 inch lens attached, extra lenses and a flash
• Holds an iPad or up to 10 inch screen notebook
• Triple Access System
• Windowpane-Mesh pockets
• Two larger paraphernalia pockets
• Designed to hold Tamrac's ZipShot Mini Tripod
• Special sleeve holds Apple's wireless keyboard
• Removal raincover
• 5 year guarantee

The other bags in the Zuma range are:

• Tamrac Zuma 2 - RRP £57.99 - ideal for a fixed lens camera, portable hard drive.
• Tamrac Zuma 4 - RRP £131.99 - shoulder bag, ideal if you don't need to carry as many lenses as the Zuma 7.

Tamrac Zuma 7 Backpack Handling

You can access the main area of the bag by opening up the front but there are two openings on either side making it easy to access your equipment while holding it on one shoulder. The Zuma 7 can comfortably hold your camera with a small lens in one side of the bag and three smaller lenses in the other side, there is even room for a couple more lenses in the middle of the bag but these areas aren't as easy to reach without opening the front. If you own a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens you can remove one of the sections and it will fit while connected to your camera. Further sections can also be removed to hold other larger lenses but nothing bigger than a 70-200mm f/2.8. There is also a rain cover which comes completely away from the bag and folds up into itself and is kept safely in place by a large piece of elastic.

On the inside of the front cover there is a pouch where you can keep you iPad or netbook, but this is just one of two places you can keep it. If you open up the front pocket you will find another similarly sized pouch and this is the more obvious place to keep you netbook/iPad. One of these two pockets will also hold Apple's wireless keyboard. In this section you will also find the three smaller Windowpane-Mesh pockets for your smaller accessories and the larger one which has a zip and is ideal for keeping maps or larger accessories. Making the bag comfortable to wear, the back of the bag is well padded as are the straps.

Tamrac Zuma 7 Backpack Performance

On the move, the Zuma 7 makes it easy to access your camera and lenses, and when you stop for a rest you can pop the bag open and get your netbook out and upload some of your images. It is uncommon to find a bag that will hold a tripod internally, the purchase of the Tamrac ZipShot Mini Tripod is a must and in fact, it would be good if they came as a bundle. If you are a user of larger lenses, you'll find the Zuma 7 restrictive, but for many, there's plenty of room for a wide range of smaller lenses and a flash.

Tamrac Zuma 7 Backpack Verdict

For a photographer who likes to carry an iPad with a DSLR as well as a range of lenses and accessories the Zuma 7 is perfect. It is amazing how much can be packed in it and is comfortable to wear when fully loaded. There is plenty of padding throughout and easy accessibility is delivered via the Triple Access System with the raincover keeping your expensive equipment dry when out in the rain. The Zuma 7 also comes with a 5 year guarantee.

The Zuma 7 is an ideal bag for photographers who want to carry an SLR, lenses, accessories and an iPad or netbook.

Tamrac Zuma 7 Backpack Pros

Easy to access all parts of the bag
Plenty of room to carry lenses and accessories
Equipment is well padded
Holds a 10 inch netbook or iPad
5 year guarantee

Tamrac Zuma 7 Backpack Cons

Not suitable for a photographer who wants to carry many larger lenses

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
OVERALL

Tamrac Zuma 7 Backpack Specifications

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