Photographers are some of the most demanding carry users out there. Not only are they hauling thousands of dollars of gear, they are also reaching for random bits in a hurry, and in a whole mix of environments.
Timbuk2 recently offered us one of their Snoop Camera Messengers for review, and we jumped at the chance to see how it would hold up to picky photog’s who demand a lot from their gear. Enter our picky photog carryologist Brian Park…
Brian: I’ve been carrying the Timbuk2 Snoop Camera Messenger around for a few months now. It’s a medium sized messenger with a padded camera compartment and a laptop stash pocket, so I’ve been bringing it on smaller scale shoots, or just when I’m out and about and want a camera with me. It’s the bag that comes with me when I’m taking a computer to a café.
Normally I chuck in a DSLR with a lens attached, a second lens, a Macbook Pro, a notebook, some memory cards, and some chargers; however, the Medium sized one I’ve got could take lots more than that. It even has tripod straps on the bottom of it. More importantly, photographer Jason Headley notes that it also “fits an 8-pack of beer quite well for the trips back from the liquor store.”
The construction on this thing is amazing. I’ve been treating this bag poorly for a few months now and it’s showing almost no signs of wear. The things that need double stitching are double stitched, and the nylon they use feels like it could withstand a nuclear explosion. It’s also got a waterproof lining, so it should keep your gear dry when it’s drizzling. Sure, it could be better looking (I need all the help I can get), but it’s understated and doesn’t scream “I’ve got expensive shit in here, steal me!”
It’s obvious that a lot of thought has been put into the design of this bag. Some notable features include:
- A shoulder strap buckle that is amazingly intuitive and can be released quickly for easily getting the bag on and off (see photo above).
- Velcro-silencers for those who want to just use buckles and avoid all the loud Velcro noises (I’m talking to you, students who are always late to class).
- A “Napoleon” side pocket you can get into without opening the messenger; perfect for keys and other stuff you need quick access to.
- Nice little stash pockets for your memory cards, and one clear pocket for easy sorting and finding stuff.
Unfortunately, as with most camera bags, there are some significant issues with the bag’s design. When you look at the photo of how they suggest you pack your gear into the medium-sized Snoop, it becomes clear that they designed it as a messenger bag to carry camera gear, without considering the limitations of messenger bags. If you need to carry two bodies, three lenses, a laptop and a tripod around you should be using a backpack; you cannot stuff that much stuff into the Snoop without killing your shoulders. I have to resist the urge to bring more stuff with me all the time, and I suspect most photographers are the same.
The Snoop also doesn’t capitalize on the advantages of using a messenger bag to carry camera gear. In their suggested packing photo they’re storing their camera body without a lens, but why bother carrying a messenger if there is no quick access? Instead, you need to unclip the messenger, tear open the Velcro flap, unzip the camera compartment, fish around the strangely laid out padding until you find your camera and then pull it out just in time to miss whatever shot you wanted to get. It takes even longer if you have to pack your camera body without a lens attached. Sure, a backpack would take as long, but why ignore the messenger bag format’s inherent advantages?
My two other complains are fairly minor. First, the shoulder strap feels like it’s made of razor blades. I appreciate that they wanted it as strong as possible, but I’ve actually drawn blood getting it on and off. Second, everyone who tried the bag for more than a few minutes wished for a handle on top of the bag for moving it around.
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So, to summarise…
Pros:
- Very well made
- Quality materials
- Understated looks
- Great messenger features
- Inexpensive (or at least great value)
Cons:
- Messenger format not suitable for lots of gear
- Not as easy-access as it should be
- Very sharp shoulder strap
- No grab handle
Ultimately, if you are looking for a high quality messenger bag, and also carry a laptop and a little bit of camera gear, then this is a great option. However, if you’re looking for a camera bag that happens to be a messenger, skip it and just buy a proper camera bag.
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Ed’s note: As with all our contributors, you can plug their name into our search box and see what else they have posted. Brian has posted a bit, including one of our favorite posts ever.
Ed’s other note: Thanks to Timbuk2 for the bag. It’s been great getting to know more of their range.
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Great feedback!
*Agree on the strap – good news is our Strap Pads () solve that problem. We owe you one.
*Also agree on the need for a handle. The next rev of our Snoop launches in February 2012 and it includes more colors + a grab strap on top.
*Also agree on the load so we designed and are launching a Snoop Camera Backpack in August.
*Regarding the insert design, we’re stoked you found its utility as a beer organizer. Death to uni-taskers! We’re selling the insert as a stand-alone product beginning in October.
*Question for you: Do you ever remove the insert and use the bag as a regular ‘ol messenger?
Thanks again for your feedback and stay tuned for the camera pack launching in August.
Is the revised Snoop still coming out in February 2012? What new colors will be available?
Thanks
Yes! The new Snoop with a grab strap launches in Feb but it will only be offered in green a black; we aren’t launching any new colors this year. Sorry! However, we now sell the removable Snoop Camera Insert (http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/snoop-camera-insert) in three sizes. It’s designed to fit perfectly in Timbuk2 messengers so you can buy whatever messenger you like (even custom!) and use it with the Camera insert.
Two new camera products we’re launching this year:
Feb ’12: Single SLR case with removable shoulder strap.
Jul ’12: New camera backpack. It’s a good looking pack that just happens to be a camera pack and unlike our current Snoop Camera Backpack (http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/snoop-camera-backpack), our new camera pack is designed to carry camera gear *and* additional gear.
We’re excited about the camera space and hope to do it a little differently than the rest.
Fantastic to hear you guys reacting to feedback so quickly and engaging here. I’m glad to hear about the strap/handle changes, and I’m intrigued to see what you come up with for a Snoop backpack!
The insert never came out of my bag once. Even when I’m not carrying a camera I find I leave the insert in there and just pile things in. If I was a bike messenger or something and space was a more important I’d definitely do it though, and it’s nice that it is removable just in case.
It’s also great that you’re selling the insert so that people who already have your messengers can upgrade. In my perfect world I’d have the insert be a lot more focused on ease of accessibility and less on maximum use of space. A nice, top down, lens on, “drop in” style insert that assumes you’re not carrying a ridiculous tele lens in your messenger bag (birdwatchers do not wear messengers) would be amazing. Sure I’d lose some overall space, but if I really need the space I’ll pull the insert out.
Cheers,
Brian
I stumbled across Carryology while looking for reviews on the Snoop bag. Great site and great review! And nice to see feedback from Timbuk2.
I’m excited to see the revisions next year (although I wish it was sooner). The carry handle will be a big plus and making the insert available separately is a big positive as well. Timbuk2 might consider making the tripod straps an option too although I’m sure they’re sensitive to cannibalizing Snoop sales. Other improvements I’d like to see are insert dividers with flaps that are designed to support a camera body with lens down and more inserts to provide flexibility when arranging the bag. It looks like the velcro silencers are removable which makes them easy to lose. They should ideally be built in ala the Think Tank Retrospective camera bag series. And lastly, the front pockets should be expandable to handle small items that have some thickness to them.
Ultimately, I’m looking for a bag that I can wear while biking (or walking) and easily stop and shoot out of it rather than a transport system. The messenger format appeals to me for that reason.
Some great ideas their David.
It’s interesting that externally accessed pocketing (for things on the run) has almost always been a weakness of messenger bags. We’ve mentioned it in posts like this one: http://www.carryology.com/2010/05/11/5-reasons-i-cant-find-a-great-messenger-bag-2/
It feels like front pocketing rarely works for ‘thick’ items, as they end up making the whole thing too deep. The best solutions I’ve seen so far have the pocketing higher on the bag (we’ll review a Porter messenger that has this soon), or tucked into the side areas, but I think most brands still struggle with how to do this part well.
Thanks loads for the input.
The “Napoleon” pocket in the front of the Snoop is easily overlooked, but it can definitely hold some slightly thicker things.
Great review, thank you. Here are some thoughts on the different issues. The issue with the messenger style not being easy to work from, reposition the inserts. I carry a 5D MkII with lens attached (usually a 24-70 2,8 but also a 14mm or 50mm 1.4) as well as 2 -3 more lenses and a flash in my large Snoop. I have on occasion carried 2 bodies, with lenses, 5D with either the 24-70 or 17-40 and a 7D with the 70-200mm 2.8, attached and a third lens in the bag, heavy but workable for event photography. I find it very easy to access the camera and lenses. Also, the moment I got the bag I unzipped the insert and folded the lid over into the laptop slot, it’s been there since.
I had a Timbuk2 laptop messenger, 10 years or so ago, with a grab handle, did not like the way the bag hung open if the flap was not fully secured. I would be very concerned about grabing a full Snoop with the lid loose (with or without velcro) and having the contents end up on the ground.
As for the strap, definitely use a strap pad, in fact Timbuk2 should include the Deluxe Strap Pad and charge a bit more.
With the exception of travel tripods, such as a Gitzo GT1541T or similar, I would never use the tripod straps. It’d be nice if there was an ooption to remove them.
The front pockets, I’d go with fewer and not layered. A couple of pen pockets would be nice as well.
And since Timbuk2 is reading the review, I was very excited when the bag was released. Years ago I cannibalized a LowePro reporter bag for the insert and jammed it in a large messenger, worked pretty well. Looking forward to seeing the backpack, and to throw in my 2 cents, I do not see myself removing the insert from the bag. I have a medium messenger bag if I just want to carry a messenger bag.
Great feedback everyone. We’re going to get detailed here and break things out by feature. . .
On the insert: Thanks for letting us know how you do/not use the removable insert. The Snoop Camera Backpack we’re launching in August is a full-time camera pack; no removable insert there. And helpful thoughts on external pocketing.
On external pocketing: The Napoleon pocket is our solution to external pocketing. It’s a slim pocket so it’s not ideal for giant hands or bulky items, but it gets you in/out of a secure zippered pocket w/out messing with the messenger flap. We welcome any/all additional thoughts on external pockets!
Regarding tripod straps: Does *anyone* use the tripod straps? Perhaps we should ditch them and/or replace them with more multi-tasking compression straps?
@Mitch – In the last few years we’ve dramatically improved our grab strap. We’ve changed its location and box stitched the hell out of it so it will *not* pull out of the bag. However, you do have to be mindful of picking up a fully-loaded Snoop by the grab handle because if the flap isn’t fully secured you could tip the bag over.
Cheers!
External pockets on a messenger style bag, slim is appreciated but the way the pockets are layered on the snoop makes them less useful. I would think maybe 1 pocket open towards the top of the bag and the napolean pocket on the outside wouldd be ggood and then a couple of internal pockets open towards the top of the bag again sized to take a media wallet, a pen or 2, a lens pen and some small accessories like a remote release or something of similar size. Something similar to the organizer on the inside panel of the classic messenger only again a single layer of pockets. The laptop messenger I’ve had for years has a couple of external pouch type pockets towards the ends of the bag that would work as well for larger accessories, but would increase the bulk of the bag. And the slimness is one of characteristics I like.
Backpack pockets, hmmmm…. again, I’d want something that would fit a media wallet, filter wallet (not built in filter pockets they never work) random cable pocket for cables, chargers, spare batteries etc, again somewhere to put a couple of pens. One thing that is lacking in a lot of camera backpacks is a place to carry a rain shell, they usually want to make all the space available for camera gear. I like to be able to throw a jacket or fleece in or on the pack for walking the streets. I’m assuming your aim is going to be an urban backpack so maybe some compression/tripod straps and a water bottle pocket. What is the style going to be? Roll top, panel? Very exciting that your are coming out with a backpack. Can’t wait to see it! And if you need a test subject consider this my offer of service.
Tripod straps on the Snoop Messenger, I do not think they work on shoulder bags. With a tripod strapped on you can’t put the bag on the ground and have it be upright. And unless you have a travel tripod you don’t want another 4 or 5 pounds of carbon fiber swinging off the bottom of the bag. I personally like the idea of the clean look of the bag without the tripod straps. It keeps the bag low key.
Helpful!
Excellent review, Brian!! Also, I’m really stoked to see Timbuk2 participating in the comments.
As for tripod straps, they are EXTREMELY useful. Not just for tripods, but also for lightstands (which I mostly use them for), and sometimes the odd tube that’s protecting a big photo print.
The only problem with tripod straps on a messenger is that most tripods are heavy, and putting all that weight on one shoulder is a killer as Brian has pointed out. However, if you are doing a backpack, DEFINITELY include tripod straps. Lowepro has an interesting solution, with a flap that sits at the bottom center of the bag so the tripod’s base can sit in it. Crumpler’s system isn’t bad either on my cork and fork, although it’s better suited for light stands than heavier bulkier tripods.
You’re in luck. Our camera pack that’s launching in August has a two velcro tripod straps across the front of the bag so the weight of what you’re carrying will be distributed across your shoulders. Think you’ll like it.
Looks like the Pack has started to show up for sale already on a couple of web sites. Looks like an interesting product.
Another interesting brand for you guys : mc5 Bags. They made rainproof bags and have 2 collections. One for camera and one for trendy men. Please check.
Nice link! We hadn’t seen mc5 before. Some interesting welded and semi formed bags that have a Nike NSW vibe. Thanks for sharing!
http://www.mc5bags.com
nice review. Just bought the 2012 and it seems that a some of the nitty gritty you have pointed out has been addressed, such as the handle.
Very good bag, extremely sturdy (I have had another messenger for 5 years+) and even as a small size, accomodates my 500d body, 3 lenses (2primes and a zoom), a flash and a macbook. I suspect I can fit another couple of bits and pieces in there…