AmateurPhotographer

ALL PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE STREET PRICES
Accessories
Useful gadgets to enhance your photography, from phones to filters…
Tamrac Hoodoo
20 backpack
● Around £90 ● www.tamrac.com/products/hoodoo-20
AP tests a 3-in-1, multipurpose
camera backpack
TAMRAC was founded by a group of amateur
photographers in 1977. In 2014 the company
was declared bankrupt, but the following
year it rose from the ashes under new
ownership. This year it’s back in business
with the launch of great photography
luggage to suit all users.
The Tamrac Hoodoo 20
backpack (or what the company
calls a ‘camera daypack’) is
one such example. It’s a stylish,
multifunctional backpack made of
water-resistant waxed canvas that is
designed to carry camera gear as well
as personal items. The separate camera
module at the bottom has enough space for a
large DSLR with a lens attached, plus two
medium lenses. Of course, a mirrorless kit
would allow you to squeeze in a bit more. The
module can also be removed to allow the
wearer to use the bag as a regular backpack.
The camera module has strap loops and
a strap, so it can be used independently
of the bag if needed. There’s a large
compartment in the top of the bag that
we found useful for a telephoto lens, although
it is intended for personal items such as
keys, waterproofs, and so on. In the rear
of the bag is a well-padded sleeve designed
for a laptop. This will house most laptops
measuring up to 15in.
Verdict
Unlike a camping backpack, the Hoodoo 20
is made of a heavy but durable canvas and a
waterproof, polyurethane-coated material
resistant to tearing, rather than just lightweight
nylon. Despite this, we found it to be really
comfortable, even when loaded with a lot of
kit. However, when we put personal items in
the top compartment, they slipped behind the
camera module and down the back of the
bag. Overall, though, there’s very little not to
like about this bag. It’s smart, comfortable
and has multiple uses.
Colour
range
Our review sample is
in a pumpkin colour, a
tasteful orange. The other
colours are ocean (blue)
and kiwi (green).
ALSO CONSIDER
Lowepro Transit Backpack
350 AW
£70, www.lowepro.com
Designed for a DSLR kit, the
Lowepro Transit is a
great day backpack.
It will take a 15in
laptop and can
swallow a similar
amount of
kit to the
Hoodoo.
Laptop
sleeve
At the rear of the bag
is a fully protected laptop
sleeve designed to
house a laptop up
to 15in.
MindShift Gear UltraLight
Dual 25L
£120, www.mindshiftgear.com
Like the Hoodoo, this large pack
features a removable
camera module
and is made from
a lightweight
material
suitable
for serious
hiking.
At a glance
● Houses DSLR kit and two lenses
● Made from water-resistant
waxed canvas
● Rear of bag holds laptop up to 15in
● Choice of three colours
Construction
The Hoodoo is made of
waxed canvas and rip-stop
fabrics, and measures
29.5x43x15.5cm. It
weighs 1.3kg.
Interior
At the bottom of the
bag is a removable
camera module that can
take a large DSLR
with lens.
Manfrotto Pro Light Camera
Backpack: 3N1-25 PL
£170, www.manfrotto.co.uk
If you don’t plan to use this bag as
your daily backpack, it’s
fantastic. It’s
dotted with
pockets and
has room for
a DSLR with
lenses, a flash
and other items.
38 14 May 2015 I www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113