Amazon Basics Backpack Any Good?

[Charles Topp]

Are the amazon basics backpacks any good? The reviews on their website are all great but not sure if it is trust worthy seeing as they own the site. Thinking of putting mamiya RZ67 with 110mm lens, filters, rolls of film, tripod on the side and a light meter in it.

 

[M Carter]

I have the small one - it was ten bucks during some "try same day shipping" promo. I just used it yesterday. It's a very good value (well, at ten bucks it is!). I can get an RB and a couple lenses, spotmeter, etc., filters in the door pocket and so on. I usually take a 6x6' sheet of housewrap with me to lay on the ground for shooting low, that goes in the exterior pocket as well. The side straps won't handle very much tripod on that small pack anyway. Velcro dividers, two semi-transparent zippered sleeves on the inside of the front flap (for me it's recip. charts and pinhole exposure conversion charts, notepad, etc). I usually use my Think Tank mid-size, but I often shoot in dicey places and I like that it looks more like a regular backpack than a pricey camera bag. For the list price, you might take a quick look at used gear on eBay, but it's held up to the heavy RB stuff and a heavy Pressman 4x5 with no issues so far.

 

[btaylor]

I have had one for a number of years. I don’t give it hard use, but it’s been fine. I don’t recall if there are different sizes, but I use mine for my Bronica GS1 kit. Usually the camera, 3 lenses, a couple of backs, meter, film, handle. It’s tight but works fine. Like M Carter, I like that it doesn’t read “camera bag” at all, it looks like a generic backpack. It’s a heck of a deal in my opinion.

 

[MattKing]

My favourite line from the Amazon listing is: "Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging" .
For Canadians it is even a better deal on Amazon.ca - $36.99 CDN with free shipping.

 

[Charles Topp]

Thanks for all your replies

 

[P.johnson14]

I also have the one shown in the link above. I like that I can reconfigure it based on what I'm doing, all of the dividers Velcro in place and are movable. It's well made and has held up to a couple years of use now.

I use it for my big Polaroid, and for my Canon FD kit.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Well, I hope they're good, as I just ordered one based on the reviews here!

 

[tbransco]

I have had one for a number of years. I don’t give it hard use, but it’s been fine. I don’t recall if there are different sizes, but I use mine for my Bronica GS1 kit. Usually the camera, 3 lenses, a couple of backs, meter, film, handle. It’s tight but works fine. Like M Carter, I like that it doesn’t read “camera bag” at all, it looks like a generic backpack. It’s a heck of a deal in my opinion.

Would love to see a pic of this setup, fully loaded with the gear you listed. Do you think it could handle the majority of my SQ-Ai kit, i.e., body, 40mm PS lens, 65mm PS lens, 180mm or 250mm PS lens, 2-3 backs, grip, 45-degree finder, and LowePro S&F Filter Pouch 100?

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I have to say I'm very impressed with the quality for the price. I can get a lot in there, yet it doesn't feel big and heavy. And it's rainproof - though how much rain remains to be seen. Very pleased with it so far.

 

[btaylor]

Here you go tbransco, I took a pic this morning. Bronica GS1, 100mm, 150mm, 65mm, body, 2 backs (one mounted), handgrip. This thread reminded me of what a great deal it is, so I bought another one.

 

[tbransco]

Here you go tbransco, I took a pic this morning. Bronica GS1, 100mm, 150mm, 65mm, body, 2 backs (one mounted), handgrip.

Thanks, btaylor. Much appreciated. It's definitely the right price at the moment.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Kirk Tuck has (or had) one of the Amazon camera backpacks. He spoke highly of it. He wrote about it in 2017, as I recall.

 

[Cholentpot]

I use the large DSLR bag. It's well built.