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Photography News Issue 30 absolutephoto.com
First tests
Vanguard VEO 37 £69.95
Specs
Price £69.95
Colours Black only
We all know the advantages of having a tripod handy when we’re out shooting but let’s be honest, they’re not very convenient to carry around. Not only that but a tripod tells the world you’re packing a camera. The Vanguard VEO 37 is a messenger/camera shoulder bag that offers an elegant and discreet tripod carrying solution that has a quickly accessible bottom compartment with its own dedicated zipped trapdoor. The bag itself can be set up in different configurations to suit the demands of the day. So, for instance, the stiff U-shaped base of the bottom tripod compartment can be inverted so you have a deep bag suitable for a full-frame DSLR with two or three lenses. There’s enough headroom for a 70-200mm f/2.8 in an upright position. If it’s a CSC or tripod day, then the U-shaped base can be flipped to take a travel pod and the top section of the bag can take a good-sized CSC outfit – or a more modest full-frame/ APS-C DSLR set-up. I easily got an Olympus OMD- E-M5 Mark II with lens attached, plus three other lenses. With a couple of extra dividers, even more lenses can be fitted in without rubbing together – perhaps Vanguard could provide more dividers as standard for more options. Within the main
compartment there is a laptop/tablet pocket and that is available even if the tripod bay is in use. It was wide and deep enough for a 11in MacBook Air. There is a slip-in pocket along the back of the bag for a map or book and at one end is an elasticated pocket for a water bottle. Along the front is a zipped compartment suitable for filters and other accessories. Within this pocket is a rain cover and also a fold-out two-compartment flap imprinted with a storage card logo to indicate its purpose. These pockets are large enough to stow a couple of spare batteries which is handy. The final stowage area is the tripod compartment. Clearly, it can’t take a full-sized tripod but it will happily accept a travel tripod – or a long lens. I tried it with a Vanguard VEO 236AB and VEO 265CB and Gitzo GT1555T and each fitted perfectly happilywhen in their legs foldedback configuration. The zipped trapdoor keeps the tripod safe during transit but makes getting at it easy too, even without having to put the bag down. Fully laden, with tripod, laptop and camera system, the VEO 37 is obviously quite a weight but carrying it off one shoulder or slung across the chest is comfortable, thanks to its wide strap and there is a plenty of height adjustment available too. WC
Leg sections
Four
Material 600D polyester Compartments
Main one with U-shaped base that can be flipped to give the tripod compartment and a tablet/laptop pocket. Front section has extra pockets including a fold out card and battery pocket and a rain cover. Water bottle pouch and rear, non-zipped pocket. External dimensions (wxhxd) 40.5x31x23cm Internal dimensions (wxhxd) 39.5x28.5x19.5cm Closed length 69.6cm Weight 930g Contact vanguardworld.co.uk
The fact that the bag does not shout ‘expensive kit inside’ appeals too
Verdict
The Vanguard VEO 37 is a neat and versatile carrying solution. I often take a travel tripod with me on trips to town in case the urge to shoot long exposures comes and not having it on a separate strap or attached to the outside of a backpack was very welcome. The tripod aside, the VEO 37 has enough room to suit whether shooting full-frame, APS-C or Micro Four Thirds and the fact that the bag does not shout ‘expensive kit inside’ appeals too. In summary, the VEO 37 at under £70 is excellent value and certainly worth having, whether as your main bag or a travel light option when you don’t need your full kit. Recommended.
Pros Tripod compartment, good storage capacity, practical in use Cons More dividers would be nice
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