Hama Rexton 200 camera bag review

Unless you’re a professional snapper out working on assignments everyday, the most a photography enthusiast should be shelling out for a camera bag for weekend-use is £150. Anything above that ceiling and you’re probably not getting value for money.
The new Rexton 200, the largest bag in the recently expanded Rexton range, is priced just a few pounds shy of a ton, so I was expecting big things from this mid-size shoulder bag.

In terms of build quality, the Rexton scores highly thanks to a combination of a reinforced rubber base and rubberised zips that are snug enough to keep out any rain if you get stuck in a shower. For prolonged exposure to the elements, an integrated rain cover can be wrapped around the bag.

Inside the bag, padded dividers carve up the camera space, although you can remove and rejig the divider set-up so it's more to your liking. You will need to do this anyway if you’re wanting to pack a 70-200mm lens, or something of similar size, as the standard arrangement won't allow it to fit. This might sound constricting, but the bag's main compartment is large enough to hold a DSLR with a kit lens, two spare lenses and a flashgun – more than enough for the average enthusiast photographer.

Also inside the main compartment you’ll find Rexton’s ‘Guidance System’ – some handy, labelled pockets for a lens cloth, memory cards and batteries. Outside the bag, you’ll see additional labels for the rain cover and tripod straps. The adjustable straps are capable of supporting a decent-sized tripod and can be tucked away out of sight when they’re not in use.

The shoulder strap does cause me a little concern. It has a padded section, but for me, it just isn’t padded enough. Carrying a heavy, full-loaded kit bag around all day is not fun at the best of times, and when you throw a sore shoulder into the mix then that can really affect your day's enthusiasm for shooting. However, if you’re just carrying a few items the strap should be sufficient. Plus, there’s also the option of attaching the bag to your belt, which is useful to relieve the strain and is a versatile feature for snappers on the move.
Overall, this is a well-made bag and the addition of a ten-year guarantee tells you everything you need to know about its build quality. I’d say this bag is perfect for day trips or as airplane luggage, but for any longer journeys you may need something bigger.

Verdict: The Hama Rexton 200 is a competent bag for the day-trip photographer. With excellent build quality and versatile features, the sub-£100 price tag should make this DSLR bag tempting to enthusiasts. Our only complaint is the shoulder strap, which may be awkward to use under heavy loads, but this could be replaced if deemed necessary.
Rating: 4/5