Review » Fancier Delta Series Camera Backpacks
Manufacturer: Fancier (Weifeng)
Model: Delta Series
RRP: AU$60-$90
Supplier: PROtog
Photography is the type of hobby/profession where it is very easy (and costly) to accumulate a lot of equipment – you may have a couple of camera bodies, a few lenses, a flash, a tripod, plus an assortment of memory cards and batteries. Finding a comfortable, practical camera bag to protect and transport your investment can be a difficult task.
There are so many makes and models of camera bags on the market, and Fancier (made by Ningbo Weifeng in China) is certainly one that is comparable with the leading brands, at a much lesser price.
When buying a camera bag, there are quite a few things to consider, which I’ll go through below.
Will the bag be large enough to fit all of your equipment?
This is probably the first thing you’ll look for. The Delta camera backpack series has three sizes available, with extra add-on lens pouches available for those with “gear acquisition syndrome“ (interchangeable with Lowepro add-on attachment system).
I’m using the large backpack (B600A) to carry two camera bodies fitted with large lenses (70-200 and 17-55) in the main lower compartment. Each camera is accessible from separate zip openings (one side opening and one front opening). Alternatively the bag would comfortably fit one camera body and three to four lenses. There are removable velcro padded attachments which can be customised to fit your gear.
There is a mesh pocket for accessories, an outer pocket for storing anything from a phone to a drink bottle, the large upper compartment for storing other gear such as a jumper, snacks, etc., plus a side compartment suitable for storing a 15″ laptop.
There is also a tripod strap and cradle at the front of the backpack.
Is the bag comfortable to wear?
The back of the bag has plenty of padding (especially if you are not using the laptop compartment, which acts as a buffer between you and the equipment in the bag). The shoulder straps are also very well padded, allowing the bag to sit comfortably on the shoulders. There is also a buckle on the front of the shoulder straps allowing you to harness the bag around your chest if you’re carrying a lot of weight over a long period of time (hiking).
Is the bag made from strong materials?
The Delta series of camera bags are made from thick canvas. Being khaki in colour, the bag looks more like a rugged travel sack rather than a camera bag. This is a big plus for the travelling photographer, as you can blend in (as much as a tourist can) without looking like you’re carrying thousands of dollars worth of equipment in your [insert expensive brand name here] obvious camera bag.
The straps, zips and buckles all seem very durable, and all stitching seems to be of a quality workmanship (comparable with leading bag brands).
The canvas is rated as “waterproof” (although I would call it “water resistant” – don’t go taking it with you on a scuba driving shoot!). The base of the bag is coated in an additional waterproof layer to prevent water seeping through if it is left on a wet surface. There is also a waterproof rain sleeve that can be fitted over the bag while still leaving the shoulder straps free to wear.
Imported gear often gets a bad wrap for quality, but this is certainly not the case with these bags.
Does the bag fit your budget?
You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a good quality bag. The three sizes of bags range from about $60 to $90, much less than a lot of other comparable brands.
I’d highly recommend this bag if you want a camera bag that doesn’t stand out as a camera bag. They meet all the requirements of a good sized bag that is comfortable, well made and for a reasonably price. They are available from PROtog in Australia.
