Timbuk2 Snoop Camera 2014 Messenger Bag

i suppose it'd be fair of me to contribute to these reviews, since i rely on them heavily when making purchases of my own.I now own both the small Timbuk2 and the Large. Obviously since i have spent good money on two of the same bag, i think its a fine bag. In fact, i'm a backpack/bag junky and like using the right bag for the right times. These two Timbuk2 bags aren't my only bags either, since i own Canon brand, Low Alpine, and, Pelican.The Timbuk2's are my favorite. They provide excellent padding, and great comfort. They are well thought out, and have plenty of easily accessed stash spots. i'd very much suggest these bags.The other reviews have in depth & helpful info, but even after consulting the Timbuk2 videos on YouTube, and on their website, i still couldn't nail down what size to get. i mean, i do have two. :) Basically, the sizing of the bag was hard to determine.i took the small one in February to a Festival in Costa Rica and it worked. Held up fine, enough space for my lenses (i typically only use two primes Nikon 85 1.4 & Nikon 28 1.8), etc. Sidenote: I do own the 70-200 2.8 and it simply doesn't fit in the small bag. The small didn't really allow any comfort room for my camera + lens, when the other two lenses were in the bag, so i ended up carrying my camera (Nikon d610) on a BlackRapid Strap over my shoulder, and using the small bag just for lenses.After i got back, i heehawed on which size to move to next, since the small wasn't ideal for serious DSLR work. SO, i consulted the websites, reviews, and videos and ended up assuming that these bags just run small in their sizing. And, finally decided that the Large would be best.Now, i've had the large for 3 or 4 months, and photographed a high altitude festival in Colorado with the Large in tow. - And, i love it. Very roomy, lots of cushion. Very comfortable bag, that makes me confident to use with heavy & expensive gear. With this bag, i can comfortable fit my camera + lens, + 85 1.4, and the 28 1.8. Plus extra room. Damn good space to work with. BUT, after all of this, i think i'd rather the medium. Because now i have a little bit too much space, knowing that i could simply make the small work... btw, the 70-200 2.8 fits easily in this large bag.My suggestion is to purchase the medium. Basically, the small is too small, and the large is too large. i don't know any photographer that needs as much space as the Large. - MAYBE, if you're traveling long distance, and away from your hotel, or car or whereever you keep the rest of your gear, and you want to be prepared, you might want the large.Otherwise, there is no reason to need/want to carry as much gear with you as you could fit into the large. Thats why i'd suggest the medium.Hope this helps somebody.

I prefer a bag that's comfy, slim, easy to shoot from but doesn't draw attention. And the Snoop--a camera bag disguised as a bike messenger--hits the spot. It's based on the Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag 2014 but boasts features for photographers: flap gussets to repel rain, padded handle and removable camera insert. Unlike larger Snoops, the XS lacks tripod loops and cross strap.Matte finish Cordura exterior differentiates this Snoop from prior models with glossy ballistic nylon. Cordura is lighter, but not as clothing friendly as ballistic nylon. It's also slimmer than last year's Snoop. Buckles are now hidden under the flap and look cleaner than exterior ones but more fiddly: velcro catches less easily and buckles take longer to get to. The main flap is significantly shorter than the 2013 Snoop so stuffing the bag results in the flap riding up too far to snag the velcro or buckle. Even when not stuffed, the clear front pocket often peeks out from under the flap (see product photos).CAMERA INSERT sides and bottom contain dense closed cell foam padding. The XS insert finally has a zippered lid, enhancing protection. Blue tricot cloth lines the interior: easy to see inside and kind to camera delicates. Two velcro secured dividers make resizing partitions a snap (larger Snoops have more dividers). Finally, the insert is removable: pull and rock the Snoop like a bike messenger.What fits in the XS? The slim profile makes it ideal it for M4/3, EOS M or Fuji X series. My Olympus Pen E-P3 with 14-45 zoom fit with ample room for a Lumix 45-150 and flash. With a small camera like a Pen in the insert, an iPad in the slash pocket is doable albeit scrunched. If you're gunning for a DSLR bag, buy a larger size, S or M. I measured bag depth and this Snoop is smaller than prior XS models: 2013 XS Snoop is 5.25" deep whereas the new model is 4.75." My 6D with 24-105L just squeezes in the 2014 Snoop, but the resulting "baby bump" prevents the main flap from closing properly. The same combo fits comfortably in the 2013 XS Snoop: more depth and the flap extends all the way to the bottom.STRAP & PAD: The Double-Loop CAM buckle is the big innovation of 2014: pull the doodad up or down to adjust strap length. The Double-Loop CAM is smaller than prior designs and eliminates the dangling strap webbing that plagued earlier models. Not all is puppy dogs and rainbows in Timbuk2land: prior Snoops boasted comfy 2-inch straps but the 2014 XS/S Snoops were degraded to a shoulder biting 1 3/8-inch strap. Ouch! Only the medium 2014 Snoop (& all Snoops prior to 2014) is blessed with a 2-inch strap.The shoulder pad is tiny but more grippy than prior models. In fairness, the thin strap and pad are okay for carrying an ILC kit like an EOS M or Pen. However, a 1 3/8" strap on a small Snoop with a 5D MKIII and zoom would be painful. My cure was to spend $15 on the "Custom Strap Pad 2014 - For XS/S Messengers" (STYLE 838-2-555). It's 12 inches long, soft, flexible but well padded--everything the stock pad should be but isn't. When worn sling style it wraps around the shoulder and contour of the chest for even distribution of weight. I bought it directly from Timbuk2.USING THE SNOOP: The soft sided Snoop molds to my body, making it easy to needle through crowds or run for the train. The Snoop is a little slower on the draw than a semi-rigid camera bag, e.g., Crumpler Kashgar Outpost Camera Bag, mainly due to dealing with the floppy lid while drawing the camera.VERDICT: Overall this is a nice bag but stumbles with a short main flap/lid and thin strap. The XS size is ideal for mirrorless/ILC but too small for most DSLRs. Most significantly, the Snoop doesn't look like a camera bag, helping you blend in with the crowd.

I looked at a number of camera bags that would also hold a 15 inch laptop. This bag (medium size) is perfect. Leather bags, while nice, were too heavy and many of them had stitching issues. The workmanship of this bag looks top notch. It is lightweight and will hold my camera equipment plus my laptop. The inside padding is excellent (including the bottom of the bag). The blue color of the interior might put some people off but I didn't mind it. The fabric inside looks durable yet soft. The buckles are big and very strong. All in all, I am very pleased with my selection. Only time will tell if it is durable on the road. As someone else mentioned, I do not think this bag would be attractive to thieves as the outside looks like any other bag a student might use for college. It just looks like a messenger bag.

I carry a Nikon d610 and this bag has room for accessories and 3 prime lenses and a sb900 flash. Love the bag I only wish the flap was a little longer as when bag is loaded it does not reach the bottom of the bag. Minor complaint but the only one I can come up with. I am 6'2" and the strap is long enough to use as a cross body style.

It is a really nice bag, I just found the straps on the bottom to hold a tripod unusable and in the way. I ended up returning this bag but may buy the camera insert separately and use with a different style Timbuk2 bag.