One of the hardest parts about going to larger jobs like weddings and video shoots is the amount of gear you need to bring. I need at least a handful of lenses, my camera monitor, full-frame camera, tripod, water and snacks, and occasionally, my laptop and several cables.
I already have enough to keep track of and worry about. What shots do I need? Where should I be standing at this moment? How do I avoid getting in the way of this other moment? What if Grandpa brought his digital camera to the wedding and I needed to avoid the flash?
Packing my gear is a ritual before the storm. I need to ensure I have everything charged and ready to go, along with some spare parts.
The Tenba DNA 16 PRO Messenger Bag is one thing I don’t need to stress or worry about. I don’t have to keep track of several bags and what bag contains which piece of gear that I need. It’s all in one bag that moves with me through the whole day.
In short: The Tenba brand is known for creating top-tier gear for photographers and videographers. It strives for versatility in its designs while making it effortless to keep equipment well protected and safe, while making it extremely easy to access so you never miss a shot.
Although the Tenba DNA 16 PRO Messenger Bag is $200, it is a bag that will last through tough and long jobs and ensures the safety of your gear. That is a small price to pay for the complete protection of that even more expensive lens.
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Exclusive Whisper Hook closure, flap -
Quick-access top zipper -
Waterproof -
Big padded computer slot -
Lots of inside room -
Inserts foldover top -
Whole insert comes out -
Plentiful pockets
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Fits so much that it can get heavy for a shoulder bag -
May be a little too bulky for short and smaller framed photographers
Tenba DNA 16 PRO Messenger Bag Review
And when summer rolls around, it brings more event work for photographers and videographers — sporting events, weddings, and for myself, video shoots for business advertisements and music groups. I had to get a whole new camera monitor rig set up to make filming jobs easier.
One thing that I am thankful to have in my gear selection is the Tenba DNA 16 PRO Messenger Bag.
Most of my larger jobs consist of making AD videos for local businesses and music videos for local artists and bands. With both, I need different-sized lenses, a second full-frame camera body, and my monitor and mount so I know I have everything I need for the shoots to go smoothly.
Despite how much equipment I needed, the Tenba bag held everything I needed, and the quick-access top zipper made it simple to reach in and grab the lens I wanted at that moment.
Function Is Key
The Tenba brand, in particular, is known for its exclusive Whisper Hook design that allows the closure clip to slide and release with ease, and then also securely clip back together. Sometimes with bags, the more gear you have, the more bloated and stuffed the bag gets, making it harder to mess with the clips.
But, the DNA 16 PRO Messenger Bag has adjustable straps to accommodate the amount of gear packed. This bag is designed with functionality in mind.
When I first got this bag, there were plenty of discoveries in finding a different pocket or compartment. Trying to fill up the space was difficult, as there was a pocket for everything I put into it. It easily fits two camera bodies, four lenses, a laptop, two water bottles, a camera monitor, several cords, and an attached tripod using the side strap.
One downside of doing outdoor video shoots is being weather-reliant. With all that gear stuffed into the bag, I knew I didn’t have to worry if the weather took a turn. With the waterproof material and seam-sealed base, the Tenba keeps equipment well-protected. And, while the TPU-coated material does keep your gear dry, it also comes with a rain sleeve that works well in a downpour.
Critiques
The one downside to all this space? It gets heavy fast! The best part about going on a video shoot is that I usually find myself a little corner or table to put my bag and gear down and lay some of it out so I don’t have to carry it all day with me.
But when it’s a wedding job where I am constantly moving around, a second, smaller bag could be needed. Usually, the weddings I shoot have that space they allow me to put my gear down and go to when needed. But, some jobs don’t allow that, so the Tenba bag will get heavy fast, depending on how much is packed into it.
It is also a very good-sized bag. It may not seem too large for a taller photographer, but for myself, a 5’6” female at 140 pounds, it does get bulky and tough to handle if I am running around with it at my side. I only use it for shoots where I know I can put it down somewhere safe. For a larger individual, that may not seem like too much of an issue.
Conclusion
The Tenba DNA 16 PRO Messenger Bag may be a little pricey, but it is one of the most durable, versatile camera bags out there. It could easily become the bag you take to the office for work or a carry-on for travel.
If used as a traditional camera bag for professional photographers, it is the perfect accessory for large events like weddings, sporting events, and video shoots. It has enough pockets to probably fit a photographer’s entire camera collection and then some! The TPU-coated material makes the bag waterproof and keeps expensive gear safe, which is especially useful if you are at a job that is outside and weather-dependent.
The quick-access zipper makes grabbing that needed lens a breeze, and the Tenba exclusive Whisper Hook Closure clips keep the flap in place while on the go.
As our top overall pick from our guide to the Best Camera Bags, this is a bag worthy of the professional photographer’s must-have list.
