Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Manfrotto Unica VII Messenger Bag ~ Near Perfect Camera Bag
Posted by Stacie Huckeba in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 04:17 PM
Room For Improvement
If there is anything I would change about this bag, it would be a more comfortable strap. While this bag will carry a ton of gear, all of that gear can get heavy and the shoulder strap on this bag digs in pretty good. This is not a good thing. The shoulder strap should be one of the most important aspects of a good bag. I find myself switching shoulders pretty frequently with this one and it really hurts. A wider, better strap would alleviate that problem easily. I will probably buy another strap and replace the one on this bag. Sadly, now the overall aesthetics of the bag will be compromised in doing so.
I would also like to see a couple of wide side pockets with elastic or drawstrings to stow a lens in quickly or a cell phone without having to zip it up in the bag or go in the main compartment to get it.
I know it's a silly request but more colors would be nice. I am sure gonna miss that beautiful purple that the Tenba came in. There is just no excuse in this day and age to not take aesthetics into consideration. Photography is not now nor has ever been a "man's" game. So please, let's start taking women and their style needs into consideration. And I'm not talking about those tacky, plastic, terrible looking handbag knockoffs that are supposed to be camera bags. We ladies don't want another purse, we want a beautiful camera bag. It's just not too much to ask.
Lastly, I know Manfrotto has the pocket tripod series and I know they are marketing the heck out of it right now. But please, on a bag this good, there is no reason to have specifically designed pockets for their pocket series pods and no place to strap a regular tripod.
Conclusions
This is damn near the perfect camera bag. That bottom compartment is ingenious and making it large enough to fit a pro body with a battery pack and a laptop without becoming bulky is just great design. Easy access to your gear through the top zipper is great for shooters on the go or for photographers working events, sports or weddings. Just zip, grab and go!
Let's not forget also that the whole thing is domestic and international carry-on rated. No more trying to figure out how to get your camera, purse and laptop on board a flight, Manfrotto has solved that problem in one stylish, compact, and functional bag!
This is a must have for photographers who need to be mobile or who travel frequently!
Stacie Huckeba is a photographer and video producer based in Nashville TN. She has over 25 years experience and works with celebrities and high profile clients. She resides in East Nashville with another tortured artist and two extremely spoiled rescue dogs.You can find more of her work at www.imagesbystacie.com
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