Ape Case Envoy Compact Messenger-Style Case for Camera - Blue (AC540BL)

I researched long and hard before buying this bag, and was frustrated not to find more reviews/images of it online. I decided to take a risk and buy it based on a gut instinct that it was what I was looking for:lightweightpetitemoderately paddedwith zippers and top loading openings rather than velcro and messenger flaps.The Ape Case Envoy meets all of my criteria.This bag easily holds my Canon EOS 60D with kit 18-135 EFS lens in the default compartment (this has inserts that can be adjusted, but the factory setting works for me). I place my CaseLogic sling strap in the adjacent padded slot in such a way that it forms a 90 degree angle, with one half of this (the shoulder pad part of my strap)resting above my camera. On the other side of the camera body (facing the screen--I have the body on its side, with the grip facing up) I can store a 50mm prime lens. This could also fit other places, but this seems the most convenient for now. At the far side of the bag there is still another removable padded section that, in its original setting, makes a nice compartment for a small water bottle. The loose construction also make it possible to fit a Rocket Air blower and other odds and ends without being awkward.Both walls of the bag have deep zippered pockets. One side holds two cleaning cloths and brush and two filters. The other has my car keys and small wallet. The exterior pocket of the bag holds my purse things: a few cosmetics, pens, notepad. The small zip pocket on the outside of this compartment is such a bonus: nice and deep and holds my phone and lip gloss with no danger of them falling out even if left unzipped, which I prefer for easy access (but I always like to have a zip option for travel). Another bonus: my iPad slips like butter into the space behind the padded compartment. It adds a bit of weight, but not enough to bother my shoulder.One quibble: the zippers do not appear to be YKK, and are a bit noisy. However, I've run them back and forth many times and they don't stick, and seem plenty durable. Another minor detail: the ripstop nylon is the extremely lightweight variety, and while, again, it seems sturdy and well made, it is a bit 'crinkly' sounding. In other words, it is not the silky smooth type of ripstop used by companies such as Lesportsac. And yet this particular fabric is ideal for this particular bag, because it allows it to take on a wonderful bucket shape that lays perfectly against my hip and side. For reference, I am 5'3 and 120 lbs, and even though very fit and athletic, those long, 'messenger' style bags tend to give me a lot of neck and hip pain, which is why I am so thrilled at the form and fit of this product, not to mention function!This bag will not disappoint anyone looking for a minimalist, lightweight camera bag; the sort of person who has their camera around their neck, actually using it, and who is less worried about keeping precious equipment hermetically sealed from any possible scratch or bump. If heavy duty protection (and weight and inconvenience) are what you are looking for, this is probably not the bag for you. It is, however, absolutely perfect for me!

If I saw a workman carrying this bag, I would assume that it was an insulated lunch sack. It is about that size, and the shell is a little puffy, as if it had soft insulation in it. The shell is just inner and outer layers of nylon with a lot of pockets. Some reviewers mentioned that the nylon is noisy; I think that is subjective.Well made.Every pocket zips. Getting stuff in and out is more discreet than peeling velcro, but hopefully not too trivial for pickpockets.Extremely light weight.Possibly the longest adjustable strap I have ever seen. (Effectively 60" long)Big enough for a Canon xxD with 18-200 & a second zoom. A flash would fit too, as would an iPad, a couple of books & who knows what else. I had hoped for a case that I did not need to nose this combination into lens first, but, with a second zoom, this is still the only reasonable packing arrangement that I have found.The camera box padding is firm foam, but thin. I cut a piece of form core art board and put it under the camera padding for more bottom protection. The bag now sits upright quite nicely. ( Cut the board 3/4" smaller than the stated dimensions, and round the corners to avoid rub points.)Really, the only thing that I would mark this bag down for is the vulnerability of the outer pockets.

Needed a camera bag for a trip to Ireland - lots of walking, uphill both ways. Leaving the excellent, but very heavy, Canons home, along with their doubly excellent, but very very heavy, lenses, in their very very very heavy backpack. Using Lumix Micro 4/3 system cameras and lenses this trip (very pleased with results - arguably less camera and lens than the Canons, but very good nonetheless at much less size and weight (and cost). That's another review.Needed to carry two bodies with attached lenses (12-35 f2.8, and 35-100 f2.8) and an extra lens (100-300 f4-5.6), no flash. Thought, correctly as it turned out, that the long telephoto would be useful but rarely used. Most sling or messenger type cases seemed designed to carry only one body with one or two additional lenses; had to reject the otherwise top-notch Amazon basic sling case because it wouldn't hold the gear. The Ape Case looked like it would fit my packing needs, as indeed it did.Overall, I was pleased with the case. It held everything and more, and was sturdy enough. Although I worried about the thinness of the outer fabric, there were no problems. Was concerned about the adjustability of the shoulder strap - it's sewn in at each end and does not detach - until I realized that the adjustment buckle would slide into the channel for the pad.Pro:Held a lot of stuff - in addition to the camera gear, I often carried an iPad between the insert box and the back of the outer case. The inner pockets held passport, money, extra batteries, cleaning cloths, etc. A small puffer fit easily next to the extra lens. Occasionally put a point-and-shoot in the front pocket, along with extra lens and body caps. And I could fit all my extrania - phone, watch, wallet, etc., into it at TSA screening points.Easy to carry. Comfortable as any camera bag I've had. Not sure that it doesn't look like a camera bag, but it doesn't look bad.Secure. Top double-sided zipper closed everything up nicely. Did not encounter bad weather - only a little "Kerry mist" near Killarney - but no doubt it would keep everything dry. A lot better than the folks with their largish DSLRs with kit zoom lenses hanging by the kit neckstraps. Wow, does that sound snobbish, but those straps aren't all that secure, and people who aren't used to carrying cameras like that tend to bang them into things, like stone castle walls. Saw it happen.Con, and the reason I don't rate it higher:First and foremost, while it is easy to get a camera OUT of the bag - just pull it up and you're ready - it isn't particularly easy to get that camera back INTO the bag safely. The insert box has long flaps on each side of the (two provided) dividers. These tend to flop over and make it at best difficult to replace a camera one-handed, especially into the center position. It takes two hands and visual contact to get the camera in so that it is indeed IN and not just balanced on the edge. When going from one camera/lens to another, this is inconvenient at best, and hinders speed and security. It could be truly unfortunate if a camera didn't get in and dropped. There is no structure whatever in the outer bag - it's just nylon, see concern above - so there is no help there. And, there are not really enough inserts provided to keep everything separate and coddled. I had to cannibalize another case to get extra dividers and cushions.Now, if you are carrying one camera body with extra lens(es) and perhaps an external flash, this would likely not be a problem. It was, however, a problem with my setup. Maybe that should only have been one star off, but it was frustrating enough and frequent enough to make it two. Will probably go back to my old Lowe-Pro clunky square case - it's not as secure (the top flap just folds over and fastens with plastic strap snap-locks), so it's not as fast to get a camera out, and it's not nearly as pretty, but it has unimpeded access and storage. It also has a handle on top, in addition to shoulder and waist straps. Sometimes it's just easier to have a handle on things.This review reflects only my experiences and my specific needs. Your results, as they say, may vary. It would seem to be fine for a one body and extra lens set-up (but so would the Amazon sling case).

very handy case for my dslr as well as a external flash and extra couple of lines. the soft sides and smaller nature of this bag make it easier for me to carry around .

Compact and Spacious enough to carry my Nikon d300s body+lens(50mm) and space to carry an extra lens.

I love this bag. Light, but holds my camera (even with zoom lens attached), two lenses and all supplies. There is still enough space for at least one more lens. Great buy and highly recommended!

good quality.