Tamrac Velocity 7x Holds Canon 40D… Barely

Recently, I started looking for a “quick draw” bag to hold my Canon 40D. My list of options was fairly short.

Tamrac Velocity Series
Lowepro SlingShot 100 AW
Lowepro Fastpack 100

No local stores carried the Tamrac, but I did try the Lowepros at my local Best Buy. They were a little more cumbersome than I had hoped. My goal was to find the smallest bag possible to hold the 40D and maybe an extra lens. I decided to try the Velocity 7x anyway… based on the size specs and a few sparse reviews around the web.

Velocity 7x

After a few weeks using it, I can report that it works, but only barely. Getting the camera in and out is really a two-handed operation.

Velocity

Your free hand must stretch the bag open at the top to prevent the flash shoe from catching on the fabric. In fact, the thread has started pulling away from the fabric where I wasn’t careful a few times.

Tamrac Velocity 7X without Canon 40D

With the camera removed, you can almost see how the two “columns” on each side can be used to store other lenses, etc.

Tamrac Velocity 7X showing Front Pocket

The front pocket can hold a good bit of “flat” stuff. Many CF cards, a GPS device, cables, etc. The bag fits really good over the shoulder and rides high on my back (I’m an average size guy). It’s pretty comfortable.

Summary: I wish I had gone with the Velocity 8x or another bag.

Now I’m bag shopping again. I find myself taking the camera to work everyday (along with my Laptop Bag holding my 15″ MacBook Pro). So I’m considering a backpack to carry both.

I’m seriously considering the Crumpler Sinking Barge. Will keep you posted.