Clown Cars and Camera Bags

A Review of M-Rock's Arches 528

(If you go now and order, you'll get your bag 20% Off!)

I should probably preface this article by saying that I generally carry around a handbag about the same size of one of those outrageously small cars that you see in the background of all of those shows on the BBC.

I carry around a purse the size of a car because I like to be prepared for just about anything… And if that manual can opener, extra pair of socks, and the unlimited supply of fortune cookies floating around in the bottom of that bag are any indication,  I probably am.

I am the same way when it comes to camera equipment.

Which is why I'm totally loving M-Rock's Arches Camera Bag ($110 USD).

Designed as a sling-style backpack, The Arches is definitely what I would consider the clown car of camera bags. You simply wouldn't believe the storage space in this seemingly regular-sized pack.

The bottom compartment alone can occupy a DSLR body with a battery grip and up to a six-inch lens attached, plus plenty of room for an additional two to four lenses, all held in securely with adjustable dividers.

But that's not all, folks:

There's also a pretty spacious upper compartment that is perfect for additional camera equipment, personal gear, a make-up bag, or a travel pack of baby wipes, two diapers, and that silly stuffed tiger that your toddler simply refuses to leave the house without.

Add to that:

• various zipped pouches,
• mesh pockets,
• rings,
• clips,
• a nifty weather bag,
• attached lens cloth/screen protector,
• a wire port for my iPod,
• and even one of those elastic cord thingamajigs on the bottom that I don't even know what to call but have no idea how I ever lived without…

And I am so good to go.

If your "collection" grows and you find you need the ability to bring even more with you – you can easily add more storage capacity to this bag with M'Rock's Modular Attachment System! Amazing – visit the site and check out how you can add on and convert your system at any time.

The only complaint that I have about this exceptionally-made and affordable bag is that I find the position of the sling strap slightly awkward due to the fact that I have… well… breasts.

(My husband [pictured], who, incidentally, does not have breasts, insists that said awkwardness is all in my head and that the bag is perfectly comfortable in every way.)

However, whatever "breast awkwardness" that I may (or may not) have is totally made-up for by the ingenious design that allows me to safely access both the bottom camera and top accessory compartments without even taking off the bag. Yep, you read that right: A simple twist, and I've got my camera in my hand in less time than it took me to type "breast awkwardness." How awesome is that?

So… if you happen to be like me and would prefer to leave one of your children at home rather than one of your lenses,  I definitely recommend paying a visit to M-Rock's website to check out The Arches 528 in all of its clown car glory.

In fact… you might want to drop some hints during this holiday, gift-giving season.

You won't regret it.

Remember, If you go now and order, you'll get your bag 20% Off!


Judith is a liberal , tattooed, book-loving, mother of three who prides herself on her ability to survive solely on Diet Coke and the half-eaten animal crackers that live at the bottom of her purse. She and her alter-ego, Courtney, can be found at her blog, The Only Thing I Know.

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