Hama Daytour 180 camera bag review

Comfort and versatility

When out doing my day to day work as an architectural photographer I end up carrying some pretty hefty lenses.

With the 1.2kg Canon EF11-24 f/4L, combined with my Canon 1Ds Mk3 and the TS-E17mm mean that I’m never going to have them in a lighter bag.

What about when I’m using somewhat lighter kit?

Article Index

• Carrying equipment
• What do you get
• Using the bag
• Conclusions
• Summary

I do quite often go out with lighter kit, such as the Canon 100D, and EF 70-200mm 2.8L IS, EF-S 15-85 and EF-S 10-18mm lenses.

Rather than continually swap kit between bags I decided to have a look at something that would more readily meet my needs for lighter kit, but enough space that I’d not find myself having to miss things out.

The bag I’m looking at here is the Hama Daytour 180 camera bag, from Lovecases in the UK.

If you carry much gear around, it’s really worthwhile looking at how you’ll be carrying it.

The Daytour is a full soft rucksack style of design, very well padded, and sits fairly high on your back. This suits me well since I have a relatively short body length for my height (6′)

Carrying equipment

As well as the main straps, there are a number of additional attachments which depending on how far you are walking help spread the load, or maybe get in the way, if you’re in a hurry…

The handle at the top is easy to use, rather than being just for hanging the bag on the back of a door.

Two side pockets are well padded.

A small bag can be pulled from a zippered pouch at the bottom.

Whilst obviously intended for a modest tripod, I only tend to take one with me on my architectural work, where its far too large to fit here (remember the type of kit I’m using).

It does however take a moderate sized umbrella quite nicely (I am not a natural outdoors type and hate getting wet).

Another flap – this holds the bag’s rain cover.

Note too, the nice solid base of the bag – it can stand on this.

The cover pulls out.

The rain cover fits easily over the bag. Although it’s thin, it’s quite a robust material.

When putting the cover back, apart from making sure it’s actually dry, take care in how it’s replaced, since it goes right in the middle of your back, and you do notice lumps.

What do you get inside

Take time to look at all the small pockets and sections of the bag’s interior.

Pairs of pockets, such as the one I’m putting batteries in, make it easier to remember which are full and which are flat.

Depending on the sizes, you should be able to get a couple of filters in the pocket.

My trusty ColorChecker Passport card goes into the meshed bag, along with a stack of business cards – you never know who you will meet…

Looking inside, there is no shortage of partitions.

It’s always important to remember that there is no prize for using every single one – think about what you need access to.

As it’s set below, I have:

• EOS 100D (SL1)
• 15-85mm lens
• EF 70-200 2.8L IS
• 50mm f/1.4
• EF extender 2x (giving a full frame equivalent of 640mm @ f/5.6 with the 70-200)
• Canon 580EX flash
• Set of coloured flash diffusers (the yellow box top centre)

The zip for the panel here is quite generously covered – not something someone behind you is going to open quickly.

Using the Daytour 180

The bag also has a top opening flap for quicker access to the camera – also two card pockets and a lens wiping cloth.

The cloth is a good one, but I’d rather keep it clean in a small plastic ziplock bag in a side pocket, less crumpled too.

The top access is great for getting to your camera without all the trouble of opening up the bag.

The 100D is a smallish camera though, and whilst you’d have no problems with a larger camera such as a 7D Mk2 or even a Canon ‘5 series’, it would be tight for my 1Ds Mk3 or perhaps a full frame camera with a battery grip.

Conclusions

Lightweight and comfortable – two important features when I’m walking more than a few hundred yards with my less bulky kit.

A versatile interior space and lots of pockets means I don’t feel like I’ve left something out.

Some of the surrounding flaps over zips were a bit stiff to start with, but soon loosened up with use.

• In the UK you can get the bag from Lovecases
• In the US, it’s available via Amazon.com

Summary

A very effective bag for my ‘lighter’ work.

Official specifications:

• Dimensions 28 x 18 x 32 cm
• Weight 1.47kg