Vanguard Up-Rise 46 DSLR Backpack

Hi,

I've bought this bag from Flipkart on 21st Sept, 2011 @Rs.4480/- and has been using it for 4 months now and I guess now it's time for me to write the review for this one.

First I was confused between Up-Rise 45 and Up-Rise 46. The main difference between 45 and 46 is, 46 has an extra laptop compartment. Before buying I did google and searched youtube. There are various videos available which helped me a lot to see the designs of the bags. I didn't get a video for this model (Up-Rise 46) directly, but I got videos for Up-Rise 48; both of them are having same design, only Up-Rise 48 is much larger in size and price.

Benefit of Up-Rise 45 is, it is front and back loading. Front loading is only for the top compartment and back loading is for the bottom compartment which is for the SLR & Lens. It's a bit secure because when you open your bag, whole stuff inside don't get exposed and also the camera is kept secured on the back side. But I didn't choose it, I chose Up-Rise 46.

The main reason behind choosing Up-Rise 46 was the extra Laptop compartment. Although I never did stuff a laptop, but it's a wonderful space to stuff my important documents and all. One common question I've heard is whether it can carry one water bottle. Yes it can. The upper compartment space is sufficiently large and you can put many of your personal stuff. One might think that Up-Rise 45 is secure but genuinely speaking while using it I find this model more cozy because it gives access to the full bag compartments from the front. I don't have an extra lens as of now, I have loaded one small umbrella, towel, bottle, spectacle box, charger and everything that I require for an outing. The inner parts are hard and cushioned, very thick and adjustable. The whole bag is built in such a way that it won't harm your SLR at any cost. It can carry heavy weight. Very comfortable when you carry it on the back. It has extendible zipper. I've folded my jacket and put it in there extending it. Has a front zipper to load many important stuff. It has 2 zipper to access the bag. One to have quick access only to the upper compartment and the other to the full bag. Has a Rain Cover (which I used) inside another zipper pocket and also can carry tripod (haven't used). The upper compartment is having 2 net pockets to load small stuff like memory card or lens cap. The back portion and the shoulder strips are having bubble sponge so you do not have a sweaty back and have a comfortable fit. Has a waist belt to hold the bag tightly with your body but it was not needed for me.

The main feature for which I choose Vanguard Up-Rise series is the side zipper to load and take out the SLR. I've 18-55mm lens mounted with a hood and the cam goes inside very smoothly and fits properly. This chamber is adjustable so whether you have 55-300mm lens mounted or a 35mm prime lens it's not a problem to put the cam into it. Have put a friend's cam where 55-300mm lens was mounted and it had enough space to accommodate it. When you are on the move it's just a second's factor you can have access to your camera. Whoever has seen it admired a lot. The quality of the bag is really awesome. It looks really cool. I've personally seen the Lowepro products and was not satisfied with the quality of the bag. But with Vanguard I was fully satisfied. Thanks to flipkart to make this available over the internet. One advise is before you buy this, see the youtube videos for Up-Rise 48 to know the design. 46 is just a bit smaller. This is a very good SLR backpack. Ideal for those who are not comfortable with shoulder bags and want to shift to something in which the camera can be kept more securely. I hope this review helps. Thanks.

This bag won the TIPA awards for year 2010. But when I was doing my research for a bag which could carry my laptop and the camera gear, I wondered what would have been the reason for the award. Of course from what I have seen and read, the bag is very sturdy and comfortable and offer very high degree of protection for the gear inside. But when you spent almost 7.5k for backpack, you need some small mesh pockets and sections where you could store things such as memory cards, spare batteries, mobile phones, keys, pens, maps etc.. This bag does not seem to have any dedicated place for such things except for a mesh pocket in the top part.So you are left without any option but to throw in all the small accessories in the top compartment leaving them to jump around in the bag when you walk/trek. If you are not particular about all these small but convenient features, you can go for this bag. If not then you can consider the cheaper options like lowepro fastpack 250/350 which when compared to this model does not have raincover and tripod-holder(not sure about tripod holder) or else you could consider the Tamrac Evolution 8/9 series which has all the above features and sufficient number of small compartments but at a slightly higher price.

The package arrived very fast, within 3-4 days!
The packing was good and easy to unwrap.
I hadn't seen the bag before ordering.
The material is good, lot of space inside.
Overall its a nice purchase.

Bag feels a bit bulky. But considering the space in the bag, we can neglect that.