Want a telephoto, macro, or wide-angle lens for you iPhone? How about a mug made from the housing of your favorite Canon or Nikon lens? Looking for an easy-to-hold chalkboard shaped like a thought bubble to liven up your portraits? Searching for a unique gift (like a bike helmet camera mount) for your bike riding friends? If you answered yes (and who wouldn’t!) then the Photojojo store is for you. Photojojo brings together an eclectic mix of fun gear and accessories that are sure to liven up your repertoire and push your creativity; their newsletter and blog feature unique DIY projects like “how to create a coloring book from your photos” and “how to make plant containers out of your out-of-date or broken gear.” Their projects are so well loved that they even wrote a book about it called “Photojojo – Insanely Great Photo Projects and DIY Ideas.” Amidst all of the photo shenanigans and retro lens merriment the store also features a few select camera bags, several of which are featured in my Camera Bags for Women series. The review below is for their SLR Sloop Camera Bag by Track and Field (TRKFLD).
Features: The bag is large enough to fit all your lenses and a lot of accessories too. It’s made from water proof canvas; as the website says “same super-durable material used for boat sails, she’s water repellent, never fades, and is a cinch to clean.”
Fit: With five adjustable compartments, the bag is large enough to tempt me into taking all my lenses and some props, oh – and why not those thought-bubble chalkboards too? You can fill this bag without overfilling it and make it back-breaking heavy (yet secure) in a jiffy. I like that the interior is completely module allowing for a secure and well-padded environment for my equipment. I also give a thumbs up to the water-proof fabric.
Pictured above: SLR Sloop Camera Bag by Track and Field
Review: [rating system = 1-5 with 5 being excellent and 1 being poor]
• Sex Appeal: The bag looks like a diaper bag that’s ready for a fun day at the beach; not subtle and not sexy, but definitely cheery and bold. [2.0]
• Sport Appeal: Kudos for the soft yet waterproof fabric, but too awkward to be truly sporty. [2.0]
• Day-tripping: Enough room for a photo shoot requiring a variety of gear and you can set it down on the wet grass while you swap out lenses. [3.5]
• World-trekking: Meets carry-on requirements and would protect your gear and your guidebooks in a bright and happy style. [3.5]
• Wearablility & Comfort: Although it’s meant to fit like a messenger bag I never found my balance with it. I felt that it was working against my stride rather than with the physical demands and rhythms of a day of shooting. Also, as a curvy woman, the single, wide strap cut across my chest in a none-too-flattering way. [1.0]
• Dimensions: 14″L—-11’”H—5″D
• Price: $149.00
• Price-to-coolness ratio: [1.5]
• Comments from women: I received a lot of questions about why I was carrying a beach bag to work (especially questionable as I live several states away from the beach).
• Comments from men: A lot of raised eyebrows…not a lot of interest.
• Highlights: If you’re looking for a large waterproof, fade-resistant bag that isn’t solid black and is easy to clean, then the SLR Sloop may be the bag for you. It comes in a variety of patterns, from rainbow stripes to a more subtle combinations of red and white stripes, blues and white stripes, and blue and brown stripes. No doubt about it – it’s a bold bag that makes a statement and keeps your gear protected and well organized.
• Photojojo Website: http://photojojo.com/store/ (even if you’re not interested in this bag, the website is well worth visiting)
• Photojojo on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/photojojo/
• Photojojo on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photojojo
In joy,
Melinda
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