Review: Peak Design Everyday Backpack

I warned you. I said back in January that there was a good chance we'd pick up a Peak Design Everyday Backpack at some point. After a great experience using the Everyday Messenger in Venice and the following few months, we decided that there was no point wasting time with the old, uncomfortable backpacks anymore. So, goodbye, generic German pack! Hello, Everyday Backpack!

Let's take a look. 

It has many of the same features of the Everyday Messenger including the Flex-Fold dividers, Maglatch closure, key tether system, anodized aluminum hardware, weatherproof exterior material and zippers, reinforced zipper pulls, and tuck-away straps. We opted for the 20L Ash version since it was the most versatile of the two color scheme choices. This model replaces the hypalon "touch points" with leather ones and the accent color is blue instead of the traditional red.

Leather "touch point" on the Ash model

Weather resistant zipper tracks

Re-enforced zipper pulls

Hardware

Pivot point of the main straps

Also, like the messenger, the backpack has laptop and tablet storage and an easy access quick stash pocket. Unlike the messenger, it has two water bottle/tripod storage pockets. This bag also offers multiple carry options besides the shoulder straps- the usual strap found on the top of most backpacks and two side ones. These two side straps allow you to pick the bag up and carry it in whatever position is the easiest and most comfortable for the moment. 

Access to the laptop/tablet storage and quick stash pocket

Ok, now for the revolutionary parts. First of all, the interior of the bag can be accessed completely from the sides, not just the top!

Why would you want to do such a thing? Well, if you're a photographer you know about the desire to just swing a bag around quickly while still wearing it to grab a camera or some other piece of equipment while on the go. Also, it's a convenient way for a partner to grab something without you needing to take the bag off. We took advantage of this feature almost exclusively in Rome. It saved quite a bit of time to just grab or stash something without needing to remove the bag. Plus, leaving the bag on made it much harder for thieves to nab, an unfortunate concern in Rome. Now, you may notice that there are some zips in those side pockets. Those open up a whole other little world of storage possibilities.

 Within this little secret world are color coded pockets for storing things like memory cards, batteries, filters, lens clothes, what have you without impeding the interior storage capacity of the bag.  There's also another secret pocket inside the top of the bag. See it?

 I didn't either at first (and I completely forgot about it when I took that photograph, actually). It's located inside the top cavity on the outside facing side of the bag. It's a small magnetically sealed pocket perfect for storing valuables and for misplacing your tripod's Allen wrench in.

Another revolutionary thing about this pack are the external carry options. This bag is perfect for securely and comfortably carrying a lot of stuff, all day if you have to.

The Everyday Backpack, fully loaded, in the wilds of the Roman Forum.

Just like last time, the bag test took place in Italy; this time we were in Rome. We had a few days during our trip that were pretty hectic and we needed a bag that would help, not hinder us. After spending so much time on our feet in Venice we decided that a messenger just isn't very comfortable for that type of all day travel situation. A backpack is more the animal for the job. They distribute the weight more evenly on the body making it easier to carry all day.  We had a whole day planned away from our apartment that started at 4:30am when it was about 38ºF through to the afternoon when the temperature was about 75ºF. So, we had coats in the morning and no place to stash them when it was warm enough to be in just our shirt sleeves in the afternoon. Also, we needed to use the tripod in the morning. Thanks to the exterior carry system we were able to roll the jackets up and strap them underneath the bag with the tuck-away straps. The tripod slid easily into one of the outside pockets and we could store a water bottle in the other. The tripod was secured with another one of those fabulous tuck-away straps. Because of its sleek design the bag stayed close and tight to the body even loaded down. The backpack also comes equipped with waist and chest straps that can be tucked away or stowed when not needed. Another nice feature which comes in handy at the airport is the built in luggage strap on the back of the bag that allows you to slip it over a rolling suitcase handle. The bottom of the bag has the same re-enforced material as the messenger so you don't have to worry about setting the bag down on rough or damp surfaces. This also serves as another tripod storage sleeve if you'd prefer keeping yours underneath the bag. The carry possibilities are endless!

Now, we've been through a lot of backpacks through the years, long before cameras came into our lives. There is one thing that determines a good backpack- how your shoulders feel at the end of the day. Once again, my husband did the carrying of the bag. He's struggled with back problems over the years so he'd know sooner than most if a bag is going to be comfortable all day. While carrying the Everyday Messenger caused some discomfort for him, he didn't have a word of complaint about carrying the Everyday Backpack. In fact, he didn't have a single complaint about the bag whatsoever. 

Its design is unassuming and stylish and the straps keep it snug to the body so it feels like a part of you, not a sack swinging behind you that puts pressure on your shoulders and back. Unlike all the other packs we've ever used, this one has class. For those who like to keep a sense of style when they travel, this bag will only add to it.  It transitions seamlessly from an air travel carry-on to a daily use camera bag. Plus, the dividers aren't just for cameras. Non-photographers will get just as much use out of them since they keep your stuff organized and protected. We carried cannoli around in it at one point!

Now, there are a couple of things that I found need a little work. The bag will fit differently on women than men (duh!). Like so many companies on this earth it seems Peak Design may have forgotten about the needs of its female customers a little. The chest strap tends to, uh, conflict with the female anatomy. The only place I find it somewhat comfortable is in the highest possible position (shown above). Because of that it doesn't allow a lot of wiggle room for the Capture One Pro clip system. It took two of us to get the Capture One in an orientation that kept it from digging into me anywhere. It works, but it could work a lot better if that chest strap could be positioned another inch higher.  The second problem I noticed is the same one we found with the Messenger. While the seatbelt material of the straps is tough as nails, it tends to slip over time. I found myself having to tighten the chest strap about a half dozen times on a two hour hike last weekend. The waist belt straps tend to loosen over time as well, even more so with a heavier load. That could be prevented with a redesign of the hardware on future renditions. The slipping isn't a major aggravation and if you're using it for city travel you'll probably be taking it on and off enough anyway that making midway adjustments won't be as necessary. Because of the slippage, I may be less inclined to use the Everyday Backpack for anything longer and more intense than a moderate day hike.

So, is the Everyday Backpack worth the price? Since I don't get any of the gear we test and use for free or at a discount, I can tell you that this bag is worth spending the dough on. Sure, it will cost far more than your standard city daypack, but it definitely will out perform your standard daypacks. Unlike all the other backpacks out there, it doesn't make you look like a dork. There isn't any loose, bulky material to get caught on lens hoods and the origami style dividers make it easy to keep your lenses and bodies happy and safe. The built in organizational pockets in the side panels will guarantee that your shutter release, lens pen, and filters don't go missing in the depths. Plus, it isn't only for photographers. Anyone can use this bag! It's sleek design makes it perfect for getting around town on foot, bicycle, or whatever form of alternative transport you prefer (Segway riders will probably love it too!). All the loose strap ends can be tucked away preventing that untidy and irritating dangly strap end syndrome you get from other bags. For those who shun panniers, this (like its messenger cousin) is a bike commuter's dream bag. The bag itself is weather resistant, so there's no need to deal with a rain cover. It expands and contracts to match its load, and even fully stuffed you're not going to look or feel like a backpacker. At the end or beginning of a trip, it'll ride handily on your luggage and slide neatly under the plane or train seat. Yes, it has a couple of kinks to work out, but so far this is definitely the best backpack we've ever used and I doubt we will want to replace it any time soon.

Review: Wacom Intuos Pro S

“The negative is the equivalent of the composer’s score, and the print the performance.” – Ansel Adams

Or, to paraphrase Bruce Barnbaum, the RAW file is the score and the TIFF is the performance. No matter what the genre of photography, completing the image is always done after (sometimes long after) the shutter button is clicked. It doesn't matter if it's a digital or film photograph, something always has to be done in post- in software, the darkroom, or both. The amount of post processing done is up to the photographer and is often dictated by the subject. The goal is to create a photograph that best represents how the photographer perceived the scene, not necessarily to create a carbon copy of the scene.

Therefore, it makes sense that having the proper tools for post processing is just as important as having the proper tools for capturing the original image. The computer and the software or the chemicals and darkroom space are just as important as the camera, the lenses, the tripod, and the filters.

One of the most frustrating parts of post processing for me was in detailed work. Using my MacBook trackpad was a pain to use for anything beyond gradients. The mouse was ok, but dragging and holding a click wasn't effective for more intensive work. The mouse was a port in a storm. So, I started looking into tablets. Using an art tablet offered a more controlled and comfortable way of editing. Instead of a mouse you use a pen. I have a little background in art so using a pen sounded more attractive. It didn't take long before I inevitably landed on Wacom's line of editing hardware.

Wacom makes a ton of different products from pen computers to simple smart pads. For photographers the best choices would be the computers, pen displays, or the pen tablets. I decided to to go with a Intuos Pro pen tablet because using another display didn't seem necessary. Also, the texture of the tablet sounded more appealing to work with over that of a smooth display glass. Plus, the Intuos was far more affordable. There are several models of the Intuos Pro to choose from the S, M, and L (small, medium, large) or the Paper M or Paper L (designed for tracing over paper). I decided on the S model since it measures about the same as my Mac and would fit in a bag with no problem.

The Pro S is 320 x 208 x 12mm (12.6 x 8.2 x 0.5 in) and has 6 customizable express keys- on/off, zoom, etc. It connects to the computer either wirelessly (with included adapter) or through USB. The active area also functions as a finger touch pad.

Express keys are customizable for a myriad of functions

The slightly textured active area is indicated by the illuminated corners.

The tablet connects wirelessly to the computer through a simple to install adapter.

Of course. the main attraction of the tablet is the pen function. The Pro S has 2048 pen pressure points on a 157mm x 98mm (6.2 x 3.9in) active area. The pen has a rubber body and grip and has two buttons that can be customized to function like mouse clicks. The pad is sensitive to the pen's tilt and the pressure applied. The pen itself is battery free. It includes a couple of plastic rings which can be fitted below the head for customization. It also includes a stand.

I didn't realize this for a few weeks, but the stand opens to reveal a whole smorgasbord of pen nibs and a tool to remove them. There are 5 regular nibs of firm plastic which feel, at least to me, like a pencil on paper. There are 4 felt nibs which feel like a felt pen on course paper. There is one rubber flex nib with a small spring near the base which feels like a brush. The last nib, and this one is my favorite, is called a stroke nib and is a combination of plastic with a rubber tip or core that feels like a marker on smooth paper. I find that it is the most natural feeling.

Extra pen nibs and the tool to change them are stored in the stand.

My pen is fitted with the stroke nib.

All the reviews I read on the tablet said that there can be quite a learning curve. And there is a lot of truth to that, especially using the pen instead of a mouse for menu selections, etc. However, when it comes to editing I found using it to be second nature. When I first started I had a standard nib in the pen and I didn't care at all for how it felt. To me it seemed like I was scratching the tablet too much. But, once I switched to the stroke nib, it felt and worked perfectly. It makes editing, especially fine detailed edits, much easier. Because the tablet and pen are more accurate, I get through complicated edits in half the time. Plus, it's more enjoyable to use. Using a mouse was always a frustrating experience. All that frustration is gone with the Intuos Pro. Since it works wirelessly, I can sit back and get comfortable just like with a pen and paper instead of sitting hunched over a desk for hours.

I don't tend to use the express buttons very much and I haven't really used it as a touch pad. For clicking through menus or scrolling I usually just switch over to my mouse, mostly out of habit. For some functions the mouse is the more natural choice. The S model works wirelessly through an adapter which plugs into a USB port. The larger models work over Bluetooth. Using a USB port can be an inconvenience if you only have a couple of ports. Battery life in the tablet lasts for several weeks and is recharged through USB. The tablet will automatically shut off if it's not in use for a while, hence the long battery life. Installation and set up is really easy, but the directions for use don't come in the box. But, using it is mostly intuitive. The only direction I needed was on how to remove the pen nibs.

The Wacom Intuos Pro S is slim, lightweight, and measures about the same size as my MacBook Pro. It's easy to master and works as a perfect solution for photo editing in lieu of the old trackpad or the mouse. It didn't cost an arm and leg either. So, if you are looking for a cost effective and more accurate tool for post processing work, I recommend looking into one the Wacom Intuos Pro models. I don't think you will regret it!

Review: Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag

Happy 2017! How are those resolutions coming along? I myself neglected to come up with anything this year. I could say I'll post more to this blog, but, eh, I think we all know that's probably going to fizzle out somewhere in mid-March. Or, I suppose I could say I'm going to ride so many thousands of miles on my bike, but I just don't have the desire to kid myself this year. Right now I'm just hoping the planet survives the next 365 days. I did manage to clean my office a little and organize my backup drives into a more streamlined system this week, though. Anyway, good luck to all of you who are more ambitious than I am.

I'm about eye level deep in pictures from Venice and there's no telling when I will wade out of that. Procrastinating to clean the office probably wasn't the best idea. But, it's a lot of photos, like 4 cards worth and I've already dedicated all of next week to the task. In order to keep on procrastinating I decided to do another gear review. Yay!

First off, however, I have a confession to make. As you can see from the photo below I have a bit of a problem.

Yes, I have a more specific version of G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)- C.B.A.S. (Camera Bag Acquisition Syndrome). The reason for this is that I don't like to use a neck strap most of the time. The camera swinging around drives me crazy. Also, I think a camera around your neck is a giant sign that screams "I'M A TOURIST!!!!!" A good bag keeps the camera out of the way when I'm not using it and it also keeps me from looking like an easy mark (the rest of how I look does well enough in that department, thank you very much). For the record, almost all of these bags in the photo have a purpose and they all get used. The wee Lowepro in the top right is for hiking on local trails when I'm just taking a macro setup or something else basic. The black leather one next to it is for dressier occasions (poor thing rarely gets used). The ThinkTank Retrospective on the top left gets used all the time when I'm carrying two bodies, filters, etc and I'm wearing earth tones. The ThinkTank Airport Essentials underneath is awesome. I use it when we fly or take the train because Brian the Tripod fits inside along with all my bodies, lenses, accessories, MacBook, iPad, and other travel essentials. It really is an awesome bag and I totally recommend it. That black bag in the middle of the pile is something I picked up in Germany to use for longer hikes and I need Brian to come along. Next to that one on the right is a Lowepro Slingshot that I dislike and never use. That generic German backpack replaced it and I haven't gotten around to getting rid of it yet. The brown leather in the front is my beloved Ona Brixton. I use that one most days. I love, love, love this bag. Finally, the one next to that is the latest addition to the bag collection, Peak Design's 15" Everyday Messenger. And, that is the bag that I'm going to review. Oh, that blue tube shaped one is Brian's. We use that if he has to come along with us all day.

We wanted the Everyday Messenger (ok, I wanted it), because my old black messenger bag was falling apart and needed to be replaced. Having bags that coordinate with what I'm wearing is important to me, yes, and I require various ones in earth tones, blacks, or grays. I had heard a lot of good things about the Everyday Messenger. It was kind of hard not to hear about this bag. If you're into photography you probably heard about it too since it was an incredibly successful Kickstarter project, was touted by Trey Ratcliff, and at one point was called the greatest messenger/camera bag of all time by a bunch of bloggers. So, when my old bag died the death, I didn't really need to shop around this time. As much as I appreciate the ThinkTank Retrospective, the size I have is a bit small for some projects, but at the same time can become oddly bulky. Plus, I can't carry Brian with it (hence, the use of the tripod bag on occasion). Also, it would be weird to have the same bag in two different colors. I was looking for a larger, black or grey messenger that was better quality than my old bag that I had stuff a padded camera pocket in. The Everyday Messenger fit the bill. It arrived just in time for our week in Venice and we used it everyday, as the name suggested we should. It was an intense test and I think I can confidently review the bag after that trip.

The new bag absolutely had to be a messenger bag. I prefer that style over a backpack because it's easier to get into on the go and that's important since I don't use straps. They also aren't another giant sign that screams "I'M A TOURIST!!!!!!" like a backpack is. Versatility was the next requirement. I wanted something that could carry my MacBook and iPad, could carry several bodies, could accommodate Brian if necessary, and still fit the other stuff one needs to carry around like sunglasses, filters, batteries, notebook, etc. And, if I didn't need to carry all the stuff then it would collapse down into a thinner form. Also, it couldn't be a bag that looked blatantly like a camera bag. It would be even better if it could function just as well as a regular messenger in case my husband needed a black bag. Yes, he has a thing about color coordination too, probably more than I do.

So here's my Everyday Messenger.

One of the first things I noticed was the construction of the bag. Unlike other traditional camera bags, this one doesn't come with a separate rain cover. The exterior fabric itself is water resistant. The exterior zippers are water resistant too, thus negating the need for a bulky and goofy looking rain cover. Also, the entire thing is padded, but it's not thick and awkward. The unique padding also stays rigid so the bag keeps its shape even when it's full and heavily loaded or nearly empty. This is a feature that really comes in handy when you're trying to get things out while on the move. Because of the construction, the bag expands when full, but collapses down tightly without any excess material getting in the way. The interior fabrics are sleek and protective as well. All the stitching is solid and tight, nothing catches on gear when it's being removed, and all the stitches survived a brutal week of heavy load carrying (probably around 20lbs at times) without a single fray.

Rear laptop/tablet pocket

Interior fabric and stitching

Felt lined tablet pocket

Interior fabric of the rear laptop/fabric pocket

Exterior fabric and stitching

Weather resistant zippers.

The next thing that makes this bag unique from others is the strap system. Normally bag straps are afterthoughts. Some of them are overly padded and bizarre looking, others are fashionable, but really uncomfortable. The strap system, yes system, of the Everyday Messenger stands out as being one of the things that was a priority for the designers.

Pivoting attachment point keeps the bag close to you, no matter how full it is or how
it is being carried. 

Flat and easy to adjust clasps

Folding strap handle so the bag can be adjusted on the go.

The strap is the same material as car seat belts. Since paramedics need a special knife to cut seat belts,
you know this strap isn't going to fail you.

The great thing about the strap system, besides the solid construction, it that it is easily adjustable. It gets tiring carrying a heavy bag around all day, no matter how it's made. It helps to be able to switch the positioning easily. There are two smaller straps stowed sneakily in the exterior of the bag that can be attached to the main strap to hug it closer to the body or to each other to create a waste belt. The folding adjustment handle makes it really easy to adjust the strap length while you're wearing it. This system would work great for those who cycle as it can place the bag higher on your back and keep it snug against you so there's none of that swinging that can happen with regular messenger bags. In addition to being able to do all of that, the system is designed so that there isn't any extra strapping flapping around. If you want to know more about the straps and how to use all the other features of the bag, you can watch this video (you may want to prepare some snacks beforehand, however).

Ok, now for the interior. The unique feature of Peak Design's bags are the main compartment dividers. Dividers in a camera bag are a necessary evil that serve a protective purpose, but can easily end up driving you mad. The ones in this bag are different than those chubby uncooperative ones. These are thin and rigid, and their construction makes it possible to fold them down to create inner pockets or to accommodate smaller items. They're pretty ingenious. Also in that main compartment there's a nifty little pocket at the top for essentials like passports, wallets, tickets, phones, what have you.

Foldable dividers make it easy and safe to stack other items on top of camera bodies
or lenses.

When the bag is closed the designers came up with the coolest solution for quickly grabbing items that doesn't involve opening the whole thing up. This feature is probably my favorite thing about this bag. When I'm in a crowded area like a full subway car or, as in Venice, a packed Vaporetto, I don't have the room to fully open these kinds of bags nor do I feel comfortable showing everyone around me all the equipment I'm carrying. Peak Design came up with a simple, yet genius solution- just put a zipper in the top flap! That's all you need to access the main compartment to grab your sunglasses or phone and even a camera!

Brilliant!

The smaller pocket on the front of the bag is also designed simply yet is perfectly functional. It features multiple inner small organizational pockets that sit flat when not being used, but can expand rather impressively. They're perfect for batteries, filters, change, and other items you may not need that often.

The pockets have red or green stitching so you can differentiate between full memory cards
and empty ones or between charged or used batteries. 

But, wait! There are other cool features about the Everyday Messenger that you should know about too! Let's head back to the outside of the bag to check out the clasp system. It's really quite lovely.

The clasp system is actually pretty remarkable. First of all, there's no buckles involved so you don't have to make any adjustments to it as your load volume expands or shrinks. Secondly, it uses a magnet (yes, digital safe), so even if you don't latch it, the clasp will find the hooks and with a little tension click into place. It's also easy to use one handed and without stopping. Plus, the hooks aren't sewn on, they're bolted on. Like everything else with this bag you don't have to worry about the clasp system falling apart.

There are also some nice, sly side pockets that are great for stowing small often needed items like lens caps. One of them also has a quick access key lanyard inside so you always know where your keys are. It features Peak Design's Anchor link system so you can detach your keys from the lanyard quickly, but they aren't going to become detached when you don't want them to.

Near these pockets are dedicated attachment straps for Peak Design's Capture Camera clip systems. I love the Capture Pro I got for hiking so much I now use it all the time. It works seamlessly with the Everyday Messenger. Using the Capture system makes my camera as accessible as it would be with a traditional neck strap, but it keeps the camera from getting knocked about or in my way while storing it out of general line of sight to others. Plus, its base plate works with Brian so I don't have to switch the plate out when using the tripod.

If we continue along the back side of the bag we come to the laptop/tablet pocket. It also has a weather sealed zipper and easily fits my MacBook and iPad. However, I never carry both at the same time in the same bag. That would just be heavy and redundant.

The last feature I want to highlight is the tripod carry system. This is another one of the main reasons I wanted to get this bag. Normally both my husband and myself carry a bag. Sometimes I need to take the tripod with me all day. It's not an ideal situation, but the schedule may not allow time to run back to the hotel to drop it off after an early morning shoot or pick it up in the evening. Our schedule in Venice made this the norm, especially with the short days of December. In the past, it was really irritating to have to carry Brian in his own bag in addition to a camera bag. If we didn't need Brian every day all day on a trip there isn't really a need for a backpack and neither of us likes to carry those anyway. So, a messenger that can accommodate a travel tripod without being ridiculous about it would be really helpful. The Everyday Messenger can do that. Inside the main flap is a sleeve (it also has a pocket in it) that you can slide a tripod leg into to affix the tripod to the bag. They also send along a silicon ring (Or fashion accessory. You decide.) to loop around the leg ends to keep the tripod from sliding out.

Tripod Storage system

Sleeve opens on either end to slide a tripod leg through.

It also includes a pocket that is perfect for storing cables.

Tripod ring...or BRACELET!

Brian hanging out on the Everyday Messenger, happy as a clam.

Ok, so how did this bag do in Venice? Well, to be honest, you'd probably have to ask my husband since he carried it most of the time (it matched his outfits better than mine that week). But, he made sure to give me some thoughts throughout the trip on how it was fairing so I will do my best to sum them up for you.

Bottom line, he said, "This is probably the greatest bag in the world." Yep. He basically raved about it for an entire week, even more so after we remembered the additional straps that could adjust the position of the bag as needed. His favorite thing about the bag was that it wasn't bulky. We had the X-T1 in it with the 55-200m lens, the 10-24mm lens, plus all sorts of miscellaneous items and sundry, not to mention Brian. It was pretty full, but didn't look full. His second favorite thing about the bag was how easy it is to use. The closure is a piece of cake to operate. Also, he could tighten and loosen the strap without taking the bag off, the keys never got misplaced, the laptop pocket was perfect for carrying documents, and the flap zip access made it easy to grab stuff quickly. Using the bag wasn't a production and it never slowed us down. If I asked for the X-T1 (I was carrying and mainly using the X-T2 with the 16-55mm in my Ona Bag ), he could pull it out quickly for me and I didn't miss the shot. His third favorite thing about the bag was its style. It is a great looking bag and he didn't feel like he stuck out at all like one would with a typical day bag. He also appreciated the solid construction and the protective material on the bottom that makes ok to set the bag down on the ground. The front pocket also received a good review since it can be opened wide therefore he never lost anything down in the bottom of it. Keep in mind, camera gear, let alone camera bags are not something he generally thinks about, but by the end of the week he was ready to write Peak Design to tell them how much he loved the bag. He may still.

There are only a couple of things that did't work out so well, but we only noticed them since we were carrying a lot more gear than usual. The zip access in the flap is totally awesome, but we found that it doesn't work well to get larger camera bodies in an out of the bag. For grabbing the X-E2 with a small lens or the X70 it works great, but it's a bit of a struggle to get the X-T1 or 2 with the 16-55mm. Another slight issue was discovered with the strap, but I think it mostly had to do with the weight of the load. Over time there was some creep, and it had to be adjusted a couple of times a day. Thankfully, doing so is incredibly easy so that wasn't a huge deal.

We were definitely carrying more than normal on that trip. I don't usually carry a tripod, cable release, and filters with me all day. We had to carry more batteries because of the cold weather. We also stuck gloves and hats in there. Then there were all the other non-photo related items that went in too. A souvenir got tucked in a couple of times as well. It was full and heavy. With that type of load, it would have been more comfortable to have a backpack. Definitely. The bag itself didn't have any trouble handling the weight (except for the strap creep), it was having all the weight on one shoulder that became uncomfortable. But, he said he still preferred this bag since it was easier to use and looked more stylish than a backpack. Fashion over comfort, right?

A sample of what can easily fit inside the Everyday Messenger.
I was using my MacBook and had Netflix running on my iPad so they aren't pictured here.

To sum it up, with all these features it really is an Everyday Messenger, meaning you can use it just about everyday for most shooting situations. The larger model is remarkably spacious, and could even function as a flight carry-on. The smaller model would definitely be the perfect everyday bag if you don't need as much room. I think street photographers would appreciate its quick functionality and unobtrusive looks. The bag is solidly constructed and clearly a great deal of thought was given to every detail. It can also work well for non-photographers! Remove the dividers or don't and it can become anything you need. It is beautifully made and looks fashionable, while being tough and versatile. So, yes, when it comes to camera bags, the buck may very well stop here. I'm so impressed with it, I'm considering picking up a tan one. And, since their messenger bag has changed the world a little, I might even consider their Everyday Backpack to replace that old German bag down the road...