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<html lang='en'><head><meta charset='utf-8' /><meta name='pinterest' content='nopin' /><link href='../../../../static/css/style.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><link href='../../../../static/css/print.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' media='print' /><title>Bag Review: National Geographic A2540 / Steve Losh</title></head><body><header><a id='logo' href='https://stevelosh.com/'>Steve Losh</a><nav><a href='../../../index.html'>Blog</a> - <a href='https://stevelosh.com/projects/'>Projects</a> - <a href='https://stevelosh.com/photography/'>Photography</a> - <a href='https://stevelosh.com/links/'>Links</a> - <a href='https://stevelosh.com/rss.xml'>Feed</a></nav></header><hr class='main-separator' /><main id='page-blog-entry'><article><h1><a href='index.html'>Bag Review: National Geographic A2540</a></h1><p class='date'>Posted on July 24th, 2015.</p><p>I posted this review on Imgur and Reddit a few days ago, but figured I would
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blow the dust off my blog and post it here too.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-01.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-01.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>I got this bag a few months ago. I've used it to shoot around town and
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flown/traveled with it a couple times. At first I wasn't thrilled with it, but
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I've warmed up to it now and really like it.</p>
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<p>I bought it at <a href="http://www.geographicbags.us/midi-satchel-for-personal-gear">the Geographic Bags site</a> for about $50 new. It's
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sometimes <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WE9MGO/?tag=stelos-20">on Amazon</a> if Nat Geo is out of stock (affiliate link).</p>
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<p>I use it for two main things: a day bag for walking around town, and a "personal
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item" on a plane where I load it down with all my camera gear to save the weight
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in my carry on.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-02.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-02.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>I like the branding/styling a lot. I'm pretty sure Nat Geo licenses the
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branding to Manfrotto to actually make the bags, because when mine came the
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return address on the shipping label was a Manfrotto warehouse.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-03.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-03.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>The construction is really nice. The stitching seems pretty solid, if a bit
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uneven in places, but this is meant to be a working bag, not a piece of art.
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The leather bits seem hearty. The buckles are okay (not amazing, but good
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enough for the price).</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-04.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-04.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>Attachment points for the strap are solid. The strap is not removable,
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unfortunately, but at the price I'd rather have a solid, permanent strap than
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a removable one with flimsy connections.</p>
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<p>The strap itself is fine. It's strong and I don't see it breaking any time
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soon. It's a little bit thin, so if you load the bag down a lot it can start to
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dig into your shoulder a bit. Luckily...</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-05.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-05.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>There's an optional shoulder pad you can buy for the strap.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-06.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-06.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>It's got nice thick padding, and velcros around the strap.</p>
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<p>(Please excuse the cat hair in all the photos).</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-07.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-07.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>I use it when I've got more than a couple of pounds in the bag to save my
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shoulders. When I'm using it as a day pack I take it off.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-08.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-08.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>The back handle is great for carrying it if you're wearing a backpack, yanking
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it out of places, etc.</p>
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<p>There's also a little strap on the back — it's designed for sliding the handle
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of some rolling luggage through it so it can rest securely on top. The
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stitching on the velcro bit on it is fraying a bit for me. I don't really care
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because I never use it anyway.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-09.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-09.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>There are two small, sleek pockets on the front. They're not huge, but they'll
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hold something wallet or small notebook-sized.</p>
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<p>I wouldn't keep a wallet in them though, because they're too easy to
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access/pickpocket.</p>
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<p>For day trips I generally use them to hold lens caps while shooting, for lens
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cleaning cloths, etc. When I fly I use them to hold a polarizer and neutral
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density filters (77mm filters, in their plastic cases, will fit nicely (not
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pictured, sorry, I forgot)).</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-10.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-10.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>Once you unbuckle the top flap there's still a zipper protecting the contents.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-11.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-11.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>The flap has some nicely patterned fabric to break up the brown.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-12.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-12.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>The front pouch is good for holding some small stuff. It's got dividers for
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holding really thin things like pens and notebooks.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-13.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-13.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>The inside lining is nice and bright so it's easy to find small things.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-14.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-14.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>The bag itself has one big main compartment. There's one small padded divider
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flap with a velcro bit to hold it down.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-15.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-15.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>It doesn't hold very much, but it's enough for a Kindle or small book.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-16.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-16.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>The bag also comes with a padded insert included. It's got the same pattern as
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the other bits of the bag.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-17.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-17.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>There's a thin handle for yanking it out of the bag if you need to.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-18.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-18.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>Same golden lining.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-19.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-19.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>There's a padded divider inside that divides the insert into roughly 1/3 and 2/3
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sections. It's got a fold sewn in so you can fold it over a lens to protect the
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top if necessary.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-20.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-20.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>That divider can be removed if you want to just use the whole space of the
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insert. I never do.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-21.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-21.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>Nestled inside the main bag. It looks pretty snug...</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-22.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-22.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>But it doesn't take up quite all of the bag — there's still room next to it for
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something.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-23.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-23.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>That's it for the bag itself. Let's pack it!</p>
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<p>I like using this bag as my "personal item" on a plane. It's small enough to
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fit under the seat, and if I put all my camera gear in it I save a ton of
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weight/space in my carry on (I never check bags).</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-24.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-24.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>I shoot with a Pentax K5 II with a battery grip and L plate. Unfortunately this
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bag isn't large enough to hold a gripped, L-plated DSLR with a lens attached
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ready to go, so you've got to store the body separately.</p>
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<p>In practice this isn't a huge deal. I can take out the camera and carry it with
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its strap as I shoot, and use the bag to hold the spare lenses. Then
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I disconnect them once I'm finished shooting. It's a bit more work, but worth
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it for the space savings.</p>
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<p>If you don't have a battery grip, the camera CAN be stored with a lens attached
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in the camera insert.</p>
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<p>If you want to keep a gripped & L-plated DSLR with a lens attached in a shoulder
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bag, the Think Tank Retro 10 is a beefy bag that will work. It's a lot bulkier
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though, so it's best suited for non-flying.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-25.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-25.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>Three lenses that cover everything I need right now. 16-50mm, 50-135mm, and
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200mm, all constant f/2.8 and weather sealed like the body.</p>
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<p>Sometimes I don't bother with the 200mm, which frees up a lot more space. Or
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sometimes I take a few primes, which also frees up space. I just wanted to show
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the max you could cram into the bag for this review.</p>
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<p>I'll probably ditch the 50-135 and 200 once the 70-200mm comes out for more
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savings.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-26.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-26.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>The two big lenses go in the insert, the smaller one goes outside.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-27.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-27.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>Close the insert lid.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-28.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-28.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>I like to have just a bit of extra padding, so I grab an extra divider from
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another bag.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-29.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-29.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>It lays on top of the end cap of the small zoom, just for some extra cushioning.
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I'm probably just paranoid.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-30.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-30.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>I can't fly without headphones or I go insane. I like keeping them in my
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personal item because it's easier to get them out once you're on the flight
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without fucking around with the overhead bin.</p>
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<p>I use Marshall Monitors. I know they're big and bulky, but I can't stand using
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earbuds for more than an hour or so at a time. These fold up nicely and have
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a couple of other features that are really nice, so for me they're worth the
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space.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-31.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-31.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>I nestle them on top of the small zoom.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-32.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-32.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>The body goes on top of the camera insert and big lenses.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-33.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-33.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>I tuck the strap (Black Rapid Metro) between the body and headphones. I could
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store it separately, but I have the carabiner loc-tited shut so it'll never,
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ever come off.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-34.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-34.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>Next necessity for flying: Kindle!</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-35.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-35.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>I could save a bit of space by ditching the case, but I like it...</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-36.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-36.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>It fits well behind the divider in the main section.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-37.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-37.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>Main section packed!</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-38.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-38.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>A few other miscellaneous things.</p>
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<p>Sometimes I charge both batteries the night before and ditch the charger. It
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depends on how long I'm traveling for.</p>
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<p>I like to have my sunglasses in my personal item to use as a makeshift sleep
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mask. Not quite a good as a dedicated one, but since I'm bringing them
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anyway...</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-39.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-39.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>This is a pretty tight fit, but it does fit.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-40.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-40.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>Front packed!</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-41.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-41.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>The straps buckle (barely).</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-42.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-42.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>The main fabric of the bag seems like it wouldn't be too bad in the rain, but
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I bought a rain cover for a National Geographic backpack, so I figured I'd try
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it on this bag too.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-43.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-43.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>It fits.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-44.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-44.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>It's a bit loose because it's designed for a backpack, but you can cinch it up
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with the elastic cord and it does the job.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-45.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-45.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>It'll fit in the front pocket too.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-46.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-46.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>Time for the final verdict. United's site says a personal item should fit
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within 9" x 10" x 17".</p>
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<p>We're good on the short dimension.</p>
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<p>(Cardboard boxes to prove I'm not cheating.)</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-47.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-47.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>About half an inch past 10". I doubt I'll ever get called out on that
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(especially since we have room to spare in the other dimensions), but it'll
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squish a bit if absolutely necessary.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-48.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-48.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>Plenty of room to spare on the wide dimension.</p>
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<p><a href="https://stevelosh.com/static/images/blog/2015/07/full/nat-geo-a2540-49.jpg"><img src="../../../../static/images/blog/2015/07/nat-geo-a2540-49.jpg" alt="Photo"></a></p>
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<p>That's it! Obviously you can mix and match stuff as needed (swap a lens for
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a flash or water bottle, etc).</p>
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<p>I hope this was helpful! I'm quite happy with this little bag. It's great for
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just walking around town, or turning my personal item into a brick of camera
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gear to free up room in my carry on.</p>
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