First test
Tenba DNA 16 Pro Messenger PRICE: £150 UK.TENBA.COM Tenba claims this is the ‘one bag to rule them all’. It certainly talks a good talk – but does it walk the walk?
TESTED BY KINGSLEY SINGLETON
SPECS › Laptop pocket Yes, 16in › Rain cover Yes › Dimensions (wxhxd) Exterior: 40x30x19cm Interior: 37x29x15cm Laptop pocket: 37x25x3cm › Weight 1.32kg
IF THERE’S ONE thing that marks out an enthusiast photographer, it’s having a range of kit. This extends to camera bags as much as it does bodies, lenses and other accessories. A variety of types and sizes of bag will mean you’re set for all situations. Some might call you a bag-amist, but relax, there’s nothing wrong with that. One type that everyone needs is a messenger or shoulder bag. Smaller and lighter than a backpack, these are great for travel, sports, events and street photography; situations where you want speedy access to gear. Tenba’s DNA 16 Pro Messenger is a great example, packed with smart features and serious build quality. As evidence of the latter, let’s start at the bottom. It features a rarity in shoulder bags and backpacks – a proper seam-sealed waterproof base, which wraps around the edges to a height of about 4cm. You can set it down in a puddle and not come back to a soggy interior. Within the main compartment, the base is also well-padded with no weak corners as found on inferior models. Together, this makes it quite rigid and stable, meaning it won’t fall over or sag, but still sits on the hip comfortably. In terms of capacity, there’s plenty. I fitted a gripped mirrorless body with a 24-70mm f/2.8 attached in the centre, 70-200mm f/2.8 at one end, “A SEAM-SEALED WATERPROOF BASE WRAPS AROUND THE EDGES”
14-30mm f/4 and 50mm f/1.8 stacked at the other, with space left over. The temptation is to fill to capacity, but with a shoulder bag some caution helps – while the space is there, you don’t want masses of weight on one side of you. Compensating for weight, the DNA 16 Pro Messenger features an extremely comfortable memory foam shoulder pad with a non-slip surface. It proved excellent in carrying – not sliding around and clearly dissipating a lot of pressure. Allied to this is a stability strap that connects the main strap to D-rings on the bag, reducing swing if you’re on a march; it can be worn across the chest, or around the waist. The only problem I found was remembering it’s there, which can interfere with removing the bag. But I quickly got used to it – and the advantages are clear. There’s a useful grab handle on the top, though make sure the main flap is closed before lifting, otherwise it will tip a bit. Going back to internals, the dividers are good, and while not the thickest or most rigid, they’re easy to modify and fit securely in place. There’s dedicated space for a 16in laptop and smaller notebook or tablet, plus a zipped organiser pocket at the front – although only one zipped pocket within. Additional stretch pockets for water bottles
or similar are found on the exterior ends, with a larger zipped pocket on the rear, and there’s a loop for attaching a lens pouch. This bag has two options for access, the quickest being a full- length, storm-flapped zip on the top for ‘press-top’ use. Otherwise, you lift the main flap, which can be secured with either magnetic closures or Velcro. The latter uses Tenba’s Whisper Hook design, wherein noise can be significantly lessened by pulling the flap down, then away from the body. I couldn’t do it silently, but it’s certainly a help if you need to remain inconspicuous. A cover for the Velcro would eliminate sound entirely, and though it’s not present here, it’s pretty easy to retrofit. The magnetic closures work really well and can be operated one-handed with a simple sliding action. In addition to the waterproof base, the outer is water-repellent and did very well under a quick shower, with water rolling straight off. Often a weak area, the sides of the main flap have fabric to screen off the inner, which is a good touch, and missing
Verdict This is a great bag. Tenba’s DNA Messengers have always been good, but small improvements make this the one to pick. With its modern style and unquestionable build quality, it favours utility over charm, but you couldn’t wish for a much better partner for you and your gear. The bag is also very light unloaded – just don’t compromise this by attempting to fit in the kitchen sink. PROS Build quality, weather protection, capacity, comfort CONS Could do with more internal zipped pockets, Velcro not completely silent
on a lot of similar bags. In a serious downpour, you’d still want to reach for the included rain cover; this isn’t stitched in, so could be lost. Though I didn’t manage it, yet. It’s reversible for deflecting the sun, too. Style is obviously subjective, but for me it has a pleasingly low-profile look much like a regular messenger – which it can be turned into by removing the inner and leaving the padded laptop sleeve. The modern design has reflective areas for safety at night, without compromising the general look. PN REMEMBER, REMEMBER The memory foam shoulder pad makes even heavier loads a comfortable carry
ALL MOD CONS There’s everything you’d expect from a good messenger bag here
38 Photography News | Issue 105
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