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HIV/AIDS Medical Monitoring Project (MMP)
Analyses and Reports
- Comparison of Michigan and National Medical Monitoring Project Data for 2012 (PDF)
- Michigan MMP Fact Sheet and Data Summary (PDF)
- Michigan Medical Monitoring Project Data Summary, based on interviews conducted in the 2009 MMP cycle (PDF)
- Increased Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders for Persons Living with HIV in Michigan - Poster (PDF)
- HIV-Positive Adults in Care in Michigan 2009-2014 (PDF)
What is the Medical Monitoring Project (MMP)?
The Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) is a public health initiative designed to learn more about the experiences and needs of people who are living with HIV. It is supported by several government agencies and conducted by state and local health departments along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
By collecting locally and nationally representative behavioral and medical record data from people living with HIV, MMP will help answer the following questions:
- How many people living with HIV are receiving medical care for HIV?
- How easy is it to access medical care, prevention, and support services?
- What are the met and unmet needs of people living with HIV?
- How is treatment affecting people living with HIV?
MMP is important because it provides information about the behaviors, medical care, and health status of people living with HIV.
MMP is unique in that it describes comprehensive clinical and behavioral information from persons carefully sampled to represent everyone diagnosed with HIV in the United States. Because MMP's estimates are designed to be representative, information gathered from MMP may be used by prevention planning groups, policy leaders, health care providers, and people living with HIV to highlight disparities in care and services and advocate for needed resources.
Project Procedures
From 2005-2014, MMP sampled persons from HIV care facilities, so only people receiving HIV medical care were included in the project. Starting in 2015, MMP introduced a new sampling method to include all adults diagnosed with HIV in the United States. This is accomplished using a two-stage sampling strategy. For more information on the 2005-2014 sampling methodology, please see CDC's Medical Monitoring Project website: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/statistics/systems/mmp/.
The MMP has two components: a personal interview and medical record abstraction. MMP staff will invite each selected patient to participate in a face-to-face interview. The interview takes approximately 60 minutes and includes questions concerning their medical history, use of medical and social services, and risk behaviors. Participants receive a toekn of appreciation for their time. Trained MMP medical record abstractors will then collect additional information from the patient's medical chart, which complements the data from the interview.
- Endorsement Letter (PDF)
- PLoS ONE Article Describing Rationale for Project (PDF)
- Information for Patients
- Information for Providers
- Staff Contact Information
- MMP Patient Satisfaction Survey (PDF)
- MMP Acknowledgment of Receipt-Token of Appreciation (PDF)
- University of Michigan Health System Authorization to Release Copies of a Medical Record (PDF)
- MDHHS Authorization to Disclose Protected Health Information
- Department of Veterans Affairs Request for and Authorization to Release Medical Records or Health Information (PDF)
- CDC.gov/HIVTreatmentWorks
- Response Cards - English (PDF)
- Red Project Authorization to Use or Disclose Protected Health Information (PDF)
- Medical Monitoring Project Statement of Informed Consent (PDF)
- City of Detroit Department of Health Wellness Promotion HIV Linkage to Medical Care (PDF)
- MDHHS HIV Early Intervention Services and Medical Case Management Agencies (PDF)
- MDHHS Authorization to Disclose Protected Health Information - SPANISH
- Response Cards - SPANISH
How are people chosen to participate in MMP?
All HIV diagnoses are reported to public health departments. From this list, the Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) randomly chooses people living with HIV who are 18 years of age or older to participate in MMP. People are selected once a year. So, if you were not selected this year, you may be selected next year.
If I am chosen for MMP, what will I be asked to do?
You will be asked to answer some questions related to your HIV and the care you receive. We will also ask permission to review your medical records.
Why should I participate?
This is your chance to share your experiences. This is important because your experience matters! Everyone with HIV is not selected to participate. You will represent other people living with HIV, so your participation is important. Your responses will help us collect information that truly represents the experiences of all people living with HIV.
Do I have to participate in MMP if I'm selected?
No, you do not have to participate and you can change your mind about participating at any time.
How will MMP benefit me?
People who participate will receive a token of appreciation for their participation and referrals for HIV care and support services when appropriate.
Is the information collected kept confidential?
Yes, all information collected will be kept confidential, including your name, your contact information, and, if you have a health care provider, your provider's name or the facility where he or she practices. Participants' names, facility names, and provider names are NOT sent to the CDC and will NOT be used in any reports.
Which areas are participating in MMP?
The following areas are participating: California; Chicago, IL; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Houston, TX; Illinois; Indiana; Los Angeles, CA; Michigan; Mississippi; New Jersey; New York City, NY; New York State; North Carolina; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, PA; Puerto Rico; San Francisco, CA; Texas; Virginia; and Washington state.
If I am selected to participate, who will be contacting me?
In most states, health department staff will contact you, either by phone or by mail, about being a part of MMP. In a few states, your healthcare provider my contact you first.
Where can I learn more about MMP?
You can contact your state or local health department or call the MMP Information Line for more information about MMP.
Community Advisory Board (CAB)
MMP works with a National Community Advisory Board (CAB) made up of local people from each MMP area who care about people living with HIV and the services they receive. They act as a link between MMP staff and people who participate in MMP.
CAB members make sure the voice of people living with HIV is heard at the city, state, and national levels. They work with their local health department to make sure MMP respects participants' rights and protects their privacy. CAB members also make sure the information collected by MMP answers important public health questions. In addition, in some areas CAB members can answer questions about MMP and let you know how MMP helps the local community.
For more information, contact local MMP staff in your area or call the MMP Information Line.
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Information for Providers of HIV Care
Providers of HIV care are essential to the success of the Medical Monitoring Project. The MMP has great potential to shape the future of HIV care, treatment, prevention and support services. Maximizing participation of selected providers and their patients will increase the likelihood of obtaining information that is truly representative of patients in care for HIV, in Michigan and across the US. Providers who choose not to participate will be refusing participation for all of their patients, and will not be replaced by another provider in the sample.
FAQs for Providers
Q: How are patients chosen?
A: Patients are chosen randomly using scientific methods, from the state HIV database.
Q: What is my role as a provider if selected?
A: To encourage patients to participate! MDHHS staff will also provide you with signed Release of Information for medical records pertaining to patients that agree to participate. Timely release of records is appreciated.
Q: How can I be certain that patients' privacy will be maintained?
A: The MDHHS takes vast measures to ensure patient privacy and confidentiality is maintained. Patient, provider and facility names will not be transmitted to the CDC. Data is stored securely and project staff are trained in security and confidentiality.
Q: As a provider, will my participation be in compliance with HIPAA?
A: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 permits health care providers to disclose protected health information to public health authorities for the purposes of preventing or controlling disease, for example, as part of this public health surveillance project.
Q: Can patients decline or withdraw from participating?
A: Yes, patients may decline or change their minds about participating at any time. However, patients selected represent other patients in care, so their participation is important.
Q: Will patients benefit from participation in MMP?
A: Yes, there will be tokens of appreciation for patients who participate. MMP also offers referrals for support services.
Q: What about Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
A: The National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHSTP), the CDC, has determined that MMP is a surveillance project, and as such is a non-research activity used for disease control program or policy purposes. Because NCHSTP has determined that MMP is not research, it is not subject to human subjects regulations, including federal institutional review board (IRB) review and approval.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has also determined that MMP is a public health surveillance activity and is not subject to IRB review and approval. It is up to individual institutions participating in MMP to decide if IRB review and approval is required. If you have questions, please contact the Project Coordinator or your local IRB authority.
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Principal Investigator: Jim Collins
Project Coordinator: Mary-Grace Brandt
Interviewer/Abstractor: Nadine (248-763-9241)
Interviewer/Abstractor: Jamilah (248-763-9287)
Interviewer/Abstractor: Stephanie (248-763-9370)
Interviewer/Abstractor: Donnie (248-763-9320)
Data Manager: Julie Marsack
Provider Advisory Board Representative: Shannon Payne, MSN, ANP-BC, RN, ACRN
Community Advisory Board Representative: Felix Sirls
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Please Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in order to properly view the PDF documents. You can get a free copy of this software by visiting Adobe's website.


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Equities on Wall Street and in Europe fell amid signs from China and Europe that the economic outlook is dimming.
China Premier Wen Jiabao has slashed the 2012 growth target for the world's second-largest economy behind the US to an eight-year low of 7.5 per cent.
"It's wise to take a little money off the table," David Joy, the Boston-based chief market strategist at Ameriprise Financial, told Bloomberg News. "Some of the easy gains have already been made. We're back to focusing on the economic fundamentals. China saying that they are targeting 7.5 per cent growth raises concern of a hard landing."
In early afternoon trading in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.50 per cent, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index dropped 0.64 per cent and the Nasdaq Composite Index shed 0.82 per cent.
The S&P 500 has gained 102 per cent since March 2009 to an almost four-year high last week, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Still, valuations are lower than at every 52-week peak since 1989.
In Europe, data indicated that manufacturing and services in the euro zone contracted more than expected.
The composite Purchasing Managers' Index for the euro zone dropped to 49.3 from 50.4 in January, London-based Markit Economics said today. That was below an initial figure of 49.7 published on February 22.
Europe's Stoxx 600 Index ended the session with a 0.6 per cent decline for the day.
Also weighing on markets was a report showing that orders to US factories in January fell for the first time in three months. The Commerce Department in Washington said orders for manufactured goods fell 1.0 per cent. While that was better than the 1.5 per cent drop economists had forecast, it was the largest decline since October 2010.
A brighter note came from the Institute for Supply Management which said its services index rose to 57.3 in February from 56.8 in January. That bettered economists' expectations for a decline to 56.1, according to Reuters.
The gauge of new orders rose to 61.2 from 59.4, while the employment index slipped to 55.7 from 57.4.
"It was overall a solid report," Tom Porcelli, chief US economist at RBC Capital Markets in New York told Reuters, pointing specifically to the gain in the forward-looking new orders component. "At this level of ISM, this is not really changing our view that you're still looking at around a 2.0 per cent year in terms of GDP, but it is holding up and this is certainly what you want to see."
Another positive note is that China tends to exceed its growth estimate. The 8-per cent target set in the previous eight years was comfortably surpassed each year.
"In recent years, the GDP target has obviously always been a minimum acceptable floor rather than a ceiling, so I think it is more likely that in the government's heart of hearts, it is leaning on growth of a bit above 8 per cent," Paul Cavey, an economist with Macquarie Bank in Hong Kong, told Reuters.

subset: commoncrawl


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Logo targeted at women.
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Specific only to each plane. S-rank specific missions with specific plane.
Ace difficulty: Beat the game under the hard difficulty setting.
ADF-01 Falken: Beat SP stage Operation X.
XFA-27: Beat Mission 03B.
SP stage Operation X: Beat all missions and all mission branches.
Stage 03B Captive City: Beat Stage 05 or 06 before beating Stage 04.
Stage 07C Time Limit: Beat Stages 07, 09, 11, and 07C in that order.
Stage 12C Wild Card: Beat Stages 07, 08, 10, 09, and 12C in that order.


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Columbus Blue Jackets
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Playing in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, the Columbus Blue Jackets are an NHL team based in Columbus, Ohio. Founded as an expansion team in2000, the Blue Jackets play their home games in the Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus.
Though one of the newer teams in the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets already have experience with postseason play. Qualifying for their first Stanley Cup playoffs in 2009, the Blue Jackets have come back season after season as one of the teams to fear on the ice. Though their success has not reached its full-potential yet, the Blue Jackets remain a consistent competitor in their division with incredible talent on the ice, including Hall of Famer Sergei Fedorov and future Hall of Famer Rick Nash. Now fueled by the drive and talent of players like Sergei Bobrovsky and Nick Folingo, the Blue Jackets are searching for the moment of victory this season as they hunt for the coveted Stanley Cup.
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text: Victor C. Welch CANANDAIGUA- Victor C. Welch, M.D., age 88, died December 17, 2012. Dr. Welch was born and raised in Olean. After graduation from Olean High School, he attended the University of Michigan for pre-medical education and University of Buffalo for his medical degree. He interned at Youngstown Hospital in Ohio. Dr. Welch was a New York State Public Health Physician trained in Chautauqua County. Following his training in public health, he became an industrial physician at E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company in Waynesboro, VA. In 1950, he was drafted into the U. S. Army Reserves and served two years active duty during the Korean Conflict as post surgical industrial physician at the Sioux Army Ordinance Depot, Sidney, Nebraska. In 1951 Dr. Welch married Grace, a chemist who had worked in the research laboratory at the Waynesboro Du Pont plant. Following military service, Dr. Welch returned to the Du Pont plant and became interested in industrial psychiatry. His psychiatric residency, from 1954 1957, was at the V.A. Hospital, Perry Point, MD with local affiliation to Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland. He pursued a career in psychiatry with the Veterans Administration and served a total of 33 years. During this time he held the positions of staff physician, Chief of Psychiatry, Chief of Staff, Assistant Hospital Director, and Director of V.A. hospitals in Marion, IN; St. Cloud, MN; Pittsburgh, PA; Perry Point, MD; and Canandaigua. Following his retirement from the Veterans Administration in 1987, Dr. Welch served two years at the John L. Norris Alcohol and Drug Abuse Clinic in Rochester, N.Y. Dr. Welch is survived by four sons, Stephen Welch (Sue Rich), Michael (Patricia) Welch, Paul (Suzanne) Welch, and Roy Welch; former daughter-in-law Kathy Welch); and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Grace S. Welch; and sister, Jean M. Welch. At Dr. Welch's request, there will be no services. Interment will be in Bath National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Wood Library, 134 N. Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424. Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., Canandaigua. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com


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Bjarke Ingels:
Hedonistic sustainability
Bjarke Ingels' architecture is luxurious, sustainable and community-driven. In this talk, he shows us his playful designs, from a factory chimney that blows smoke rings to a ski slope built atop a waste processing plant.
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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxEast, an independent event. TED editors featured it among our selections on the home page.
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Atlanta Band To Watch: The District Attorneys Open For Fountains Of Wayne At The Loft Feb. 10
Nothing makes me prouder to say I am from Atlanta then to watch a band I have know from infancy grow into a force. I met the District Attorneys about a year ago, and have watched contently as they have been featured on mega-blogs such as Large Hearted Boy, My Old Kentucky Blog, and Rollo and Grady. The boys have a lot coming up in the next few months including playing shows at SXSW and the Savannah Stopover Festival on March 9th and releasing their first full length album Slowburner. The 12-song album was produced/engineered by Drew Vandenberg (Deerhunter, The Whigs, Modern Skirts, Futurebirds, Patterson Hood) at Chase Park Transduction and will be released on This Is American Music (Glossary, Bohannons) in the late spring!
The boys are opening for Fountains of Wayne this Friday at The Loft, and is a show you should see before are all over the place!
Check out the District Attorneys this Friday at The Loft
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I saw these guys open for Foutains of Wayne.. They sucked!!! What a bunch of no talent hacks that cant play thier instruments very well. Their lead singer is the biggest poser of all time!! He looked like such a lame ass when he tried to "pretend" to rock out.


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Ever since the TSA introduced its new enhanced pat-downs and full-body scanners we've received heaps of e-mails from concerned, confused and angry travelers in response to the changes. Some people just want to vent. (And really, we don't blame them.) Others flooded us with practical questions about the new state of airport security; a selection of the most common inquires is posted below. While one or two of these questions may seem silly to some readers, keep in mind that half-truths and misinformation proliferate on the Web, and the TSA isn't exactly known for its stellar public relations. When it comes to enhanced pat-downs and full body scanners, here's the naked truth:
Q: Just how personal do these security people get?
A: If you opt out of the full body screening, then you will be subject to an "enhanced" pat-down that includes a manual examination conducted by a same-gender officer. Screeners may use the front of their hands to touch any part of your body, including private parts. The screener should announce what he or she is going to do before any action takes place. You may choose to have a traveling companion present during the screening, and you may request a private screening if this makes you more comfortable. The alternative to this is the full body screening.
Q: Can I ask the TSA officer who will be performing my enhanced pat-down if he or she is gay?
A: You are not entitled to information about any TSA officer's sexual orientation. If you do not wish to be touched, you're better off going through the full body scanner.
Q: I have a prosthesis, a hip replacement or another kind of medical implant. Will this cause problems when I go through airport security? What should I do?
A: The TSA recommends that travelers bring a medical ID card from their doctors to show to the security officer before stepping into the scanner (this is not a requirement). It's also recommended that you inform the TSA officer of your medical device. However, be prepared for a pat-down just in case. Remember, you're entitled to a private screening from a same-gender security officer.
Q: Will everyone know about my breast implants when I go through the new full body scanners?
A: Even if your implants show up on the scanner, no one will see the image of your body except the security officer viewing the readouts from the machine. This officer will be in a booth separate from the screening area. If you are chosen for a pat-down, you have a right to request that it be done in private so other passengers will not be able to watch as it happens.
Q: Are Muslim women subject to full body scans and pat-downs?
A: The rumor that Muslim women are permitted to opt out of both body scans and pat-downs is simply not true. All travelers are subject to full body scans and/or pat-downs at the airports where these security measures are in effect. (Some airports do not have the full body scanners yet.) Travelers who choose to opt out of the full body scan will be subject to a pat-down.
For more information, see Airport Security Q&A and Passenger Rights.
— written by Caroline Costello and Sarah Schlichter


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A cast of animated characters will hit television screens in September as part of a campaign by the banking industry to encourage customers to switch bank accounts.
They will also appear in newspapers, magazines and on billboards as banks strive to prove that they do not need a full-blown competition inquiry to get customers to move current accounts.
Under instruction from a government keen to foster competition on the high street, the banks have spent £750m designing a new computer system that allows them to speed up the time it takes to shift current accounts between each other. The change could break the stranglehold that the big four – Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays and HSBC – have on the current account market.
Such is the sensitivity around the programme and the determination to ensure it is not accused of being behind schedule that the payments council, which is overseeing the process, refuses to disclose when the switching service will begin. But the 30 banks and building societies participating in the project are embarking on last-minute system tests to allow the service to begin on 16 September. The service guarantees that accounts can be transferred in seven days without glitches.
On Mondaythe payments council wrote to the government to reaffirm that it is on track. Any suggestion that the project is falling behind schedule is quickly quashed by bankers amid rumours that banks have back-up systems where they deploy staff to change direct debits manually. One senior banker said: "We have so little credibility left, this is going to be a big chance to put it right."
The switching service was spun out of the review by Sir John Vickers in his independent commission on banking, which found there was little movement between customers of the big four, which have a combined market share of 80%. It allowed the banks to head off a move to account portability – more akin to moving a phone number between mobile phone providers – which they argue is expensive.Last month's parliamentary commission on banking standards put portability back on the agenda and the government will commission a new review next year.
A functioning switching system will be the banks' main defence against portability. This government is not the first to try to bolster competition. More than a decade ago Labour tasked Don Cruickshank, former head of the then telecoms regulator, with investigating the banking industry and he, too, highlighted the problem. Since then the business has become even more concentrated in the wake of Lloyds' rescue of HBOS, the main challenger, five years ago.
Ian Gordon, banks analyst at Investec, said: "It has been an objective for ever, with limited success. I see this as a means to attempt increased portability of current accounts. Whether it will succeed I'd be a little bit sceptical because of entrenched consumer behaviour."
Motivating customers to move accounts could be one way to change behaviour. However, a statistic bankers often quote is that people are more likely to divorce than to switch the provider of an account into which salaries are paid and direct debits paid out. Bankers acknowledge there is a danger that customers end up moving their accounts among the big four, doing little to change the market share the government is trying to break, unless new-style products are brought to market. Lloyds will itself inject a new entrant into the market in early September when it spins out TSB – demanded by the EU in return for £20bn of taxpayer money pumped into Lloyds in 2008 – after a sale of the business to the Co-operative Bank fell through. RBS is also carving out a branch network at the behest of Brussels because of its £45bn taxpayer bailout.
Others such as Tesco Bank are not joining the switching service at this stage, but are expected to join a second wave of participants. A spokesperson for Tesco Bank said: "We plan to join the second wave of testing for this service in November 2013, which is expected to support a launch of the product in 2014." Norwich & Peterborough, which is the only one of the second-tier building societies to offer current accounts, has also said it is not taking part in the September launch, but hopes to join the scheme in the future.
However, Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Money is also taking part in the switching service, even though it does not have current account products in its range. Tesco expects to launch a current account next year, but Virgin could have one on the market before year-end.
To encourage customers to shift, the banks may need different products. The big four largely offer free in-credit banking and would face a public backlash if they started to charge for transactions. First Direct, an arm of HSBC, is offering cash rewards to new customers. Nationwide building society is also aiming to win new business through a big push of its existing products. Others may charge for their service. When Marks & Spencer launched into banking, every current account was an "added value" packaged account – offering add-on services – charging £15 to £20 a month. The payments council has told the government it will judge its success on the level of awareness and consumer confidence in switching. But it refuses to set a target. In 2009, around 600,000 accounts were switched, and the total doubled to 1.2m last year.


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DSLR Camera Backpack
Incase DSLR Pro Pack
The DSLR Pro Pack is our largest-capacity camera backpack providing premium protection and organization to active photographers. It holds a DSLR with an attached lens, up to four additional lenses and multiple flashes. Two interior zippered mesh pockets and a velcro bulk pocket provide added storage for smaller items like cables, print materials, adapters, etc.
Adjustable dividers account for your various lens sizes, flash accessories and other personal items and are removable to convert into an everyday backpack
A soft-lined stash pocket positioned on the front of the pack protects smaller high-value items. Additional organization includes pockets to hold your macbook, iPhone, iPad and other accessories. Monopod or tripod fastens to the side of the pack with two adjustable nylon straps.
DSLR Camera Backpack
Incase DSLR Pro Pack
The DSLR Pro Pack is our largest-capacity camera backpack providing premium protection and organization to active photographers. It holds a DSLR with an attached lens, up to four additional lenses and multiple flashes. Two interior zippered mesh pockets and a velcro bulk pocket provide added storage for smaller items like cables, print materials, adapters, etc.
Adjustable dividers account for your various lens sizes, flash accessories and other personal items and are removable to convert into an everyday backpack
A soft-lined stash pocket positioned on the front of the pack protects smaller high-value items. Additional organization includes pockets to hold your macbook, iPhone, iPad and other accessories. Monopod or tripod fastens to the side of the pack with two adjustable nylon straps.
sku CL58068
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Features & Specs
20" x 12" x 9"
DSLR, 15" MacBook Pro, iPad, iPhone
Durable 840D nylon construction
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75 ReviewsWrite a Review
By RobertReport offensive review16 of 17 people found this review helpful
Best Backpack for a 15 inch Macbook Pro and an Ipad, and your photography gearIncase has the best line of Camera Bags & other bags & weather you amateur shooter or independent pro this bag definitely for you. My name is Robert Mendiola & I am a lifestyle photographer
Things I have in the bag
1. Canon EOS 600d w/ 18-55 mm lens attached
2. Canon EF 75-300 mm lens
3. Canon 430EX
4. HP DM1 Laptop
5. Laptop charger
6. Amazon Kindle
7. Kindle Charger
8. Beats by Dre Studio Headphones
9. Canon BG E8
10. Camera Charger
11. External Hard Drive (1TB)
12. CD/DVD Drive
13. USB Cables/Tech Wires
14. Business Cards
15. Pocket Softbox for Canon 430 EX
16. Camera Cleaning Kit
17. SD Cards (8GB)
18. Flashdrive (8GB)
19. CPR Mask (Adult, Infant)
20. Tripod
21. First Aid Kit
22. Rain Cover
23. Sunglasses
By DaveReport offensive review13 of 14 people found this review helpful
DSLR Pro PackWhile I appreciate the aim to keep the pack as sleek and compact as possible, I expected a bag labeled "Pro"to be suited for a professionals camera equipment. I shoot Nikon and my go to body is a d4. The way this pack is set up I need to keep the body (with the lens off) on its side to keep from having any pressure points on my back when closed. This has eaten up the entire "quick access" pocket on the top and obviously requires me to open the bag an retrieve a lens as well.
Aside from that the pack is incredible. Even when fully loaded it's sits nice and comfortably on my back allowing me to run from location to location. I shoot a lot of street photography and am constantly moving around by bike stopping. At the same time I am able to load up my full sized MacBook (without my beloved icon sleeve unfortunately) and hard drives for client review on jobs.
I would absolutely recommend this for a friend who shoots with smaller bodies with less gear and will continue to take it to my quicker easier jobs.
By AndrewReport offensive review13 of 14 people found this review helpful
Great bag!I have been shopping for a new camera bag for awhile now. I came across this one and I read nothing but good things, so I had to jump on it. This bag carries all of my gear with room to spare. I love the additional compartment for a MacBook and other items. It is very comfortable even when fully loaded. I definitely recommend this bag!
By PatrickReport offensive review10 of 11 people found this review helpful
Fantastic Bag, Fits everything very very very well.I really love this bag. Fit my 15in MacBook Retina no problem. With my magic mouse and a WD passport hard drive. I tuck my card readers and such in the back pocket by the camera for easy access. I wish there was maybe one more pocket in the front so I could store some smaller things, but that has to be my only complaint. I fit my charger in the front flap, which I feel is pretty secure. I am struggling to find use of the soft pocket in front, I don't really know the use except sunglasses. It seems somewhat pointless, but I guess thats just my problem. I am sure someone has it figured out.
By ChristianReport offensive review6 of 6 people found this review helpful
DSLR Pro PackFirst of all, this bag is very well constructed and designed. It has a lot of pockets that is just right for the kind of gear I carry. I've recently stashed my mirrorless camera, video camera, GoPro, lenses, batteries, chargers, filters, audio recorder, and cables in there--including my laptop, 2 iPods, 2 iPhones, and accessories without problems. I think there might be space to put in a couple of LED lights in there. The only thing I'm not happy about it the tripod strap. Not all tripods can fit securely or even fit at all, (my tripod has a middle support rod) which is why I have to give it a 4 star rating. Other than that, it's a great all in one camera bag fit for guerrilla style filmmaking.
By AlvinReport offensive review10 of 12 people found this review helpful
My go to bag! Nothing beats this!I have been using this bag for my equipment for about a year now, and I can't imagine how I can go a day without this. Fits all the necessary gear for a regular day shoot. Durable and strong. It does fit cameras with a grip, I am sure its not intended but it can be easily fitted in the camera slot. Love the clean minimalism style of the bag. Hands down my go to bag!
By BryanReport offensive review7 of 8 people found this review helpful
Great Backpack but could use a few improvements!I cover a lot of events like weddings and on my free time I try to go out and about to explore the city. I love this bag because it's very convenient with all of its pockets, it has a sleek minimalist design, and it holds a lot of equipment! Unlike most other bags, it doesn't scream: STEAL MY CAMERA! With its design, it just looks like a normal backpack.
With all the equipment this bag carries, it would be nice to have some stability. Sure there's the quick-release harness for your chest area. But it could use a few more improvements. There are a few things Incase should consider for a re-vamp of this bag:
1. Add a quick-release harness system for a user's waist area. Adding this would greatly increase stability and distribute the weight properly when being carried. There were a few times I found myself having to run in order to catch a train or a cab and it was kind of annoying how I had to hold the bag by the shoulder straps just to keep it from swaying left and right on my back.
2. Make the inner pocket compartments clear and make them all zipper compartments. When you turn the bag on its back to access your camera equipment, you'll see that the current bag has a Velcro compartment on top, and two zipper compartments on the inside. Having 3 compartments is great to organize gear! However, I find that it's too easy for stuff to accidentally come out of the velcro compartment. I try not to put anything important in there because you never know when something of yours might make it's way out of the bag. Make that zipper access only please!
The other two zipper compartments are great too. However, Incase designed them in such a way where you can't see what you put in them. I don't know why they did that, but it's hard for me to find batteries, cap covers, or basically just know what I put in those pockets. I think photographers would greatly benefit from the bag if those compartments were clear instead of being camouflaged with grey over it. It gets annoying when you ask an assistant to get something from your bag but they don't know which pocket the items are in. Would be super easy if the pockets were made of a clear plastic. I can't stress that enough.
3. Add Zipper to the Front Bag Compartment. So another feature of this bag that should be fixed is the non-existent zipper on one of the front pockets. I'm not sure why Incase decided to leave this pocket open but it's really easy for stuff to come out of it. Don't get me wrong, the pocket does go in deep but if you were to put your bag in an airplane's overhead compartment, you could risk whatever you put in the pocket coming out. Oh, and if you put something in there and someone moves your bag without you knowing, again, your stuff could come out of it.
4. Doesn't fit Camera with Battery Grip Attached. It would be great if they made this bag run a little deeper than what it's currently sized at. There are just a few inches where my cameras with grips don't fit, and that's a shame.
Take these into consideration please!
By RichardReport offensive review4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Review ot the DSLR Pro PackThis was the best pack that I reviewed on my email sites.
And when it arrived and I opened it up, it was as good as they get.
It has more pockets in it than I can count and the camera bag is marvelous.
They must have put a lot of thought into the design of this camera bag.
It has enough dividers in it, to separate all of my larger lenses and all of my filters and everything else.
I think it is the best camera bag that I have looked at in years.
By SpencerReport offensive review26 of 39 people found this review helpful
I wish it was deeperIt fits the lenses I would take on a day trip comfortably. However, it does not fit my cameras with a vertical grip. It sticks out about 2 inches. It's a bit unfortunate that they are called "Pro" if they can't fit the pro cameras. Heaven forbid I also have my R-strap or a tripod plate installed on the bottom of the camera.
By AJReport offensive review8 of 10 people found this review helpful
Great bag!This is a great bag/backpack! Holds all my equipment, laptop, ipad, and more. And for the amount of equipment I carry, it's very comfortable and durable. I purchased this about a year ago and it still looks really good and holding up without issues. My photo backpack (won't name the brand) started falling apart after a couple months. One of the best things about this bag is it does not look like a camera backpack so very inconspicuous.
By FrankReport offensive review6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Perfect BagTraveling from car shows and events. This is my go to bag. I've customized it to not only hold the DSLR, but also chargers, cables, go pro and more. Its a must for the tech guy that brings stuff for work. 2 Thumbs up.
By CarlosReport offensive review4 of 5 people found this review helpful
The Best Bag for All Your Gear!I've had this bag since it was first introduced and I love it for storing all my camera equipment as well as for traveling. It has a pocket for everything and then some. The cushioning is great on the inside and I never have to fear that my gear will get damaged. I love that the camera gear is incognito on the back flap and gives it a rather hidden look. The only gripe I have with it are the dividers. They can be a bit of a pain to try to move around and get repositioned, but apart from that, the bag has very little faults. The only other issue I've had with it is the weight. It can get INSANELY heavy rather quickly! On my last trip I put it on the scale at the airport and it weighed in at 35 pounds! Because of this weight, I bought the smaller DSLR Sling Pack (not the Pro Sling) for taking my camera and a few lenses around. I keep this mainly for long distance traveling and hauling around all my gear, but around town, it's just too heavy. True, I could take out the stuff I don't need and roll with one bag, but since I use it to keep all of my gear, it would become too much of a hassle. I love both bags and wish they still made the smaller Sling as my dad wants one after seeing mine.
By LenReport offensive review2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Review DSLR Pro PackThe pack is built well but cannot hold a full frame DSLR such as a Nikon D4. It is not deep enough. You are therefore not able to use the upper flap for speedy access to a fully mounted camera.
By DougReport offensive review2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Dslr pro backpackI love how it's nicely organized inside well well equipped , the only thing I don't like is the straps are not comfortable at all especially if your using it for hiking and it doesn't come with a rain protection Layer unless I didnt it see it?
By DaWriter_29Report offensive review2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Loving the bagI love my bag. I finally have a bag that I can bring my camera and iPad and Macbook pro with me. When I'm shooting clients pictures I have the option of showing them pictures on a bigger screen. I'll admit its bulky to say the least. I also like that I can have my tripod the side.
By A.Report offensive review3 of 4 people found this review helpfulFirst case I've had that holds all my equipment. The case overall is very nice and designed well. I wasn't sure if I was going to like having to open the back to get to my gear but I kind of like it. The only downside is the straps can get in the way (more annoyance than anything else). The bag sits really well on my shoulders and feels good to wear.
My only complaint is the zipper pulls. I wish they were different. The small string on them is difficult to pull and slip out of my fingers more than I would like. I've got other bags in which the zipper pulls are plastic or leather and this would have been a much better design.
By TJReport offensive review3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Love it!I'm really happy with it, very comfortable, well supported, looks great for a camera bag, plenty of space for me.
By ChauReport offensive review4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Best camera backpack!First of all, the shipping is so fast, I got my purchase right away. Next, the design absolutely satisfied me. I always worry about the bulky shape of pro camera backpack from other brands but this product surprise me by its design, from the texture to detail. I'm 5'2 height so it's always a challenge for me when I put a fully loaded equipment backpack on my back. This time, this problem is solved. The only isue to me is it's a little difficult when I take it off from my back cause the shoulder wrap straps but it's very little. Overall, I really love my new backpack. I will looking for more camera design bag from Incase.
By ZachReport offensive review1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This bag is great!!Definitely worth getting. Is the perfect size, and fits a ton of gear. The most surprising part of this bag, was just how comfortable it is to wear! Great construction, and it really lives up to my expectations.
Wedding Videography
By JordanReport offensive review1 of 1 people found this review helpful
DSLR Pro PackAmazing bag!! It holds everything and more. It's very stable and a well build durable bag that I take everywhere with me. it's the perfect combination of backpack and camera bag with more than enough pockets to hold anything.
By MasatoReport offensive review1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Perfect bag for fashion showsI am a photographer, who shoots a lot of fashion shows during the seasons twice a year. At those fashion shows, I need a quick access to my gear and the bag has to be light and easy to carry around the town all day. This bag is the best solution.
Overall, the most important thing is that it feels solid and strong on the shoulder. You can tell it is not a cheaply made product. As soon as I put this bag on my back, I know I can trust it.
Regarding details, I love a open pocket on the back. It is deep enough not to lose anything without closing the top. Straps on the side hold monopod very well. Its inside is good for at least two cameras, one short zoom lens, one long zoom lens, a speed light and an external battery pack. Some DLSRs with vertical grip might be slightly taller than the bag's thickness but it fits fine.
I am quite happy with this bag. It is highly recommended.
Have a nice shoot!
By ScottReport offensive review1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Incase Pro Pack is...- Amazing
- Worth it
- Perfect for both short and long trips
- Made well
- Priced well
- A bag I would recommend to anyone that works on the go
Over a great piece of gear every photography needs!
By RobertReport offensive review1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Review of DSLR Pro PackThis is my first pack back for my camera gear and it will be my last.
All my gear fits into the back pack like a comfortable bed.
The zippers all work great and are easy to find. The best part about this pack is how it feels on one's back. This back makes moving my gear from work site to work site a dream. No more worrying about a camera bag slipping off my shoulder.
Thank you, a happy photographer
By MichaelReport offensive review1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is the bag I've been looking for !After buying 3 different bags in the last couple years, I was finally able to throw them all away... This bag holds everything I need. I have not worn it on an extended hike as of yet but it seems that it would be very comfortable.
By LACHLANReport offensive review1 of 1 people found this review helpful
DSLR Pro PackSuuuuper good backpack! fits all my gear with heaps of room to spare, room for my 15" macbook & my ipad mini, heeaps of room for all my other little bits & bops too. I feel very good leaving my gear in there because it's so sturdy & I know the backpack has more than enough protection for my gear.
Incase also shipped it to me in Australia with 3 day express postage for no extra charge which was so good!
Overall, very happy with this purchase & will definitely recommend to my mates & colleagues looking for an awesome DSLR backpack!
By SethReport offensive review1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Best Backpack EverI bought this backpack because I wanted something that could survive my rough lifestyle. I has never let me down. I have taken it hiking full of camera gear, been caught in rainstorms, even got into a motorcycle wreck wearing it. Even through all of that it has never let any harm come to my equipment. It is amazingly comfortable, I will be up hiking in the hills for hours and hours and my legs get sore before my shoulders do. The only problems I have had was the zipper pulls tore off, but I just replaced those with some metal key rings, and I wish the tripod straps buckled/unbuckled so that I didn't have to slip my tripod into them.
This backpack is easily one of the best investments I have ever made.
By JamesReport offensive review1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Like It!I've been looking for a carry on for travel abroad that gives me space for my camera, an extra lens or two, laptop and a change of clothes. This bag is perfect. I've used it for multiple trips to China and Vietnam. My only complaint is that the space in the main compartment below the laptop sleep is a bit difficult to access when the bag is loaded.
By BrettReport offensive review1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Great Pack, Too BulkyThis bag is great. It's insane how much stuff can fit into it. My Canon 50D (with installed battery grip) fits great into the bag. Plenty of room for multiple lenses. I like having the MacBook pocket and the iPad pocket. The small, outside pocket is great for the essential keys and headphones (along with other things) for quick access. It's also a great carry on when traveling. All your gear and processing tools are neatly organized in one bag. No need for two different bags (camera bag and computer bag).
My only downfall is that it's too bulky. Yes, you're putting a lot into the bag (which again is great), but I cannot see myself carrying around this large backpack on the regular or even during a photo shoot. With all your camera gear and editing gear, it can get pretty heavy. When I shoot, I want to move and not let weight slow me down. This bag slows me down.
Overall, I give it 4 out of 5. It's all up to the consumer on what they find more important while shooting; assortment of gear and processing tools VS. the weight and size of the bag.
By IgorReport offensive review
By DanteReport offensive review
DSLR Pro packSo far I am quite happy with my purchase. The bag itself is completely configurable right out of the box. It seems to be fairly rugged and will probably last for many years and the many countries that I will be taking it to. One of the best features of the bag is that it looks ordinary. Not to say that it is not good looking, it is just that it does not look as if it is carrying part of my livelyhood. It looks like a simple travel bag. It has only been a week but, I look forward to getting some use from this bag.
By JosnyReport offensive review
What could you ask for...Great quality, great design, practical,just perfect for any gear. I'm Loving it!!!
By BriDReport offensive review
Love it so far!It is exactly what I wanted, and the quality is stellar!
By JamesReport offensive review
DSLR Pro Pack ReviewGreat Product, It is sturdy and I love how I can customize the interior to fit my needs as they change depending on the gig. Would Highly recommend this bag!
By EddieReport offensive review
Perfect!Backpack is easy, light and full of opportunity: you can take with you all of your lenses, cameras, Mac and iPad so easily!
5 stars!
By SaiReport offensive review
Incredible bagI don't know how I shot with a regular backpack for the past few years. There was no real way to organize all my equipment properly along with a laptop, kindle, spare camera and their cables/chargers as well as camera cleaning equipment. The Pro Pack is also fairly light in weight which is a major plus when walking around a city for hours at a time.
By DanReport offensive review
Great bagPurchased for use on vacation. Holds quite an number of lenses. Agree with earlier reviewer that it could be a couple of inches deeper to accommodate a battery grip.
By ManuReport offensive review
Excellent quality | Everything fitsExcellent quality | Everything fits.
Way better than any other backpack out there.
By FilipeReport offensive review
Best Camera backpack ever!This is a slick and veritable backpack, love the arrangement of the from section and on he back I can carry all my gear or split it in half and store some clothes for a weekend trip or snack on a trekking day with the camera always accessible from the top! Just wish the first pocket was also zipped and had a rain cover. But this are small issues in the overall.
Amazing backpack! Can't go wrong with this one!
By JerryReport offensive review
Almost perfectLove my new DSLR Pro Camera Backpack.
All the compartments and design are pretty much perfect, except the side zip pocket on the right (when on shoulder) is a bit small and couldn't really fit my phone, as nowadays those phones are pretty heavy duty. Love the zip opening on the top of the pack for easy access to the camera. Simply awesome. Very considerate! The front compartments are literally spacious enough to fit my iPad Pro (with the heavy Logictech keyboard), Macbook, a paper notebook and still have enough room for my wallet and other stuffs. Pockets are deep so in a way feel like it is not that easy to be pick-pocketed. I can also fit my anicent tripod easily on the side straps, which is perfect. The camera and lens compartment which opens on the back, it has that little holder for me to stick the zipper head into it, is a very considerate design. I don't think I can ask for anything better than what I am having.
One closing note: the purchasing experience was quite a diaster. It almost took 3 weeks for delivery after I placed the order. I understand there is process, but I called in twice to the office and the found out that the order was stuck in the warehouse and the sales/service department basically has no authority to tell the warehouse what to do. For the popularity of online shopping nowadays, there's definitely room for improvement.
But for the product itself, it is definitely a 5 stars for me.
By TimReport offensive review
Great backpackI've been looking for years for a backpack that provides me with everything I need plus a 15" MacBook that is easy to get too!
This backpack is without a doubt the best option on the market. It's not the bag you would take on a hike/camping trip as I don't know what/how it would go in the weather.
But do yourself a favor get this bag, the price is right too!
By MohamadReport offensive review
Expensive but well builtI bought this backpack for my DSLR gear , since I carry lenses with me as well as personal stuff, this would fit a laptop, a tablet , a camera body and couple of lenses that suits my needs,expensive but really nice .
By SadahitoReport offensive review
Perfect BackPackThe designer of this bag understands the feeling of the user.
It is a splendid bag.
By EricReport offensive review
Awesome pack for traveling!I don't have a ton of camera gear yet, but this pack has a ton of space for extra lenses accessories. It says you can fit up to a 15" macbook in it, but I fit my 15.6" ASUS laptop in it fine. I wouldn't try anything bigger than that though. This is a good pack to keep all your electronics in (laptop, camera gear, cords, accessories, etc.), but I wouldn't plan on putting much more than that. I recently took this on an airplane on a trip to San Diego and it worked great. I had all my camera gear, my laptop, two books, a notebook and a sweatshirt and that about filled it up. The outside front pocket is nice too and its about as long as the bag. Awesome pack! More than enough room for all your camera gear. Oh and the straps for a tripod on the side are pretty handy too.
By JeffReport offensive review
Best Camera bag everI love this bag. As a professional travel photographer I travel a lot. This bag goes all over the world with me. It holds everything I need comfortably with room to spare even my big Sigma 150-600mm. The straps are wide and comfortable. I love the top zipper for easy access to my camera. Thanks.
By TaraReport offensive review
Love itI purchased this bag for my boyfriend and he loves it!! Glad I got it!
By JReport offensive review
A worth packDefinitely "worth" getting this one. I purchased this DSLR pro pack after realizing how awesome it is. Clearly perfect to fit my Canon dslr, L lens, a 15" Macbook Pro, another stuffs, and able to access everything quickly comfortably when required. Really love the soft-lined stash pocket, two adjustable nylon straps, and all the designs attending to "details". Very satisfactory result and happy. Highly recommend to all photographers and travelers.
By RobReport offensive review
Great backpack!Backpack provides a lot of storage. The back padding makes the bag comfortable to wear. The shoulder straps are nice and thick making it easy to transport heavy equipment. The material is easy to clean when it gets dusty. I highly recommend the backpack for DSLR enthusiasts.
By MikeReport offensive review
Amazing bag. Great job Incase.Incase did an incredible job with this bag. There's pockets and storage for just about everything you need, but the bag isn't overly big, bulky or awkward to carry around. It's actually very comfortable and has a very nice look to it. The pocket for a computer and an iPad is awesome! There is also space for business cards, a mouse for your computer or an external hard drive and many other accessories as well! I have a 7D with 2 prime lenses, a Sigma 17-50 and a fisheye lens plus a flash and some other accessories and I still have a good amount of space for more stuff! One very cool part is on the top, there's a spot to unzip and grab your camera with a lens already on it so you don't have to put the bag down and unzip the whole thing. I would recommend this to anyone, great job Incase!
By RickReport offensive review
Great Camera BackpackI had a small backpack for my camera equipment (2 bodies, flash, various lenses, etc) and another for my laptop and tablet. I wanted a comfortable backpack that I could take on a plane and that would accommodate my camera equipment, laptop and tablet. I am very happy with this backpack. It is very comfortable with wide shoulder bands. It has quite a few pockets and a special place for my laptop and tablet.
By AceyReport offensive review
The best!I've been a fan of Incase for a long time. I still use my incase guitar gig bag-that should give you an idea of how long I have used them..
Took this bag on its maiden voyage and happy to say, it rocks. A camera bag that doesn't look like a camera bag. Opening from the back side is great 1) you never end up with dirt on your back. 2)should you forget to close it, it will be open and pressed against your back-instead if everything falling out. Love it!
By AceyReport offensive review
The best!I've been a fan of Incase for a long time. I still use my incase guitar gig bag-that should give you an idea of how long I have used them..
Took this bag on its maiden voyage and happy to say, it rocks. A camera bag that doesn't look like a camera bag. Opening from the back side is great 1) you never end up with dirt on your back. 2)should you forget to close it, it will be open and pressed against your back-instead if everything falling out. Love it!
By HectorReport offensive review
DSLRExcellent product! The best of its kind!
By PatrickReport offensive review
Essential for Any and All PhotographersI bought this backpack as a present for my father and he ditched his old bag as soon as he received it. According to him, the DSLR Pro Backpack is the only way to carry your gear around in style. The styling is simple, clean, and bold as with all Incase backpacks. The design was thoughtful and access is through the rear which makes it hard for others to steal. The cherry on top is the space for the tripod. All your essentials may now be carried thanks to this ingenious backpack.
By RobertoReport offensive review
Perfect DSLR bagThis time I bought this bag for my grilfriend, I already have one and is perfect with my equipment evrything fits and now I an Incase fan cause I see that you think in everything. Grettings from a huge fan in Perú
By CraigReport offensive review
Amazing!!!!!! Pro backpackI looked for a large backpack type camera bag for a while. After watching the video on your site of this bag I pulled the trigger. I can't even put in to words how much I LOVE this bag!! It fits my body, my lenses, all my accessories, plus my laptop and tablet. This bag is absolutely amazing. It's super comfortable as well!!! I've already told all my photog friends that they need to get one. I will definitely be buying more of your products in the future!
By luogerReport offensive review
very good qualityI bought this bag for my Canon DSLR, it fits well. Very good quality, I like it!
By SamReport offensive review
The Photographer's DLSR BagOff the bat I like the bag, it looks slick, and feels well made. The tripod straps could probably be done differently. But the bag works great and is worth the money.
By TanishReport offensive review
Amazing BagI am really loving the bag...even after putting all the stuff, the balance of the bag makes it class apart..really enjoying it.
By GabrielReport offensive review
Terrific Value Camera BagI really like this bag. I have a lot of equipment which I usually lug around in my sling camera bag; switching to this Incase bag was great for me because it really goes easier on my back -- it spreads the weight nice and evenly even when I'm carrying nearly all my gear, and has all sorts of nifty pockets and pouches to make sure I don't run out of space. I have not yet found something that I don't like from this bag yet (except maybe I'd like a hint of color, say on the zippers for example to show some individuality).
By NandoReport offensive review
DSLR Pro PackI was excited to receive my new backpack, but when it arrived I was taken back by how compact it was. With so much capacity to fit all my equipment and still have space for my 15" matchbook pro. I really like how customizable it was to arrange the slots for lenses or other components. The quick access to the camera was the top reason I liked this bag. I thought it would be heavy to carry with everything I put into it, but the way the straps are it didn't strain my back. all in all i recommend this to all my friends even if they are not filmmakers or photographers.
By JeffreyReport offensive review
DSLR Pro Camera BagThis is by no means my first camera bag, but it is for sure the best of all. Where do I begin. If you are looking for a do it all bag, then look no further for here it is. This bag simply does everything you could ever ask for or need a camera bag to do. From multiple bodies to an assortment of lenses. It also features easy access to everything, while providing excellent protection. Don't forget that while carrying all this camera equipment, you are also able to bring along up to a 15" Mac Book Pro as well as your iPad and not to mention all the storage places for extra batteries, iPhone, memory cards, ect. ect. ect... What more can I say; if you are looking for the ultimate ALL YOU NEED camera bag, then look no further, you have found everything you're looking for; that is the DSLR Pro Camera Bag by Incase.
By MannyReport offensive review
Accessorizing is great with this pack!Tons of space and mod capabilities! Certainly recommend it.
Only semi-downside is that it seems to be constructed from lighter or cheaper feeling material than the icon backpack from yesteryear. I bought an old version of this backpack in 2009 and it "feels" like a stronger and more durable material. It may just be in my head though.
By AbramReport offensive review
A deceptively cavernous backpackWow you sure can fit a lot into this thing!
I bought this bag initially with the intent to carry my Sony A7rII kit for stills / video applications (which it did so perfectly) but in a swift turn of events I sold off that entire kit as I'm taking a step back from video work as well as commercial photography. Equipment wise after selling off the Sony gear I focused on my Leica kit which works great for my needs.
In addition to easily carrying a very extensive rangefinder kit, one could alternatively use it to cart around a fairly extensive medium format system (in my case, a Hasselblad 500CM kit). I was able to fit my body, 3 A12 film backs, prism viewfinder and 4 lenses quite easily (with some room to spare). To me that was impressive as the bag zipped up without stretching or straining at the zipper.
The side pockets are useful for quickly dropping things into and accessing quickly as well. I love the top zipper pocket for my compact camera and the computer compartment of course works perfectly as that's what Incase is best at. Keeping your tech safe and sound.
The bag feels well made, and though I haven't tested it in any adverse weather (which doesn't exist in Southern California) I feel pretty confident that it would withstand a light rain, but an included rain-fly would have been a nice touch.
My only real complaint about this bag (and this reflects every Incase bag I have ever owned unfortunately). The straps are too short for tall folk like me. I'm 6'3" and I have to release the straps to their very limit just to be able to get the bag on my back. When it's on it's comfortable and well padded, but I would like to have some extra slack in case I'm wearing a jacket or something. This is something that has plagued me with every Incase bag I've tried, and that frustrates me because they're so well made and designed, I just wish that could be addressed.
Obviously by my continuous return to their products I try to make it work, and in this case I'm ok with it as it's not my main camera bag, so for my needs it is still a good option.
If the straps were longer this would be an easy 5-star bag review.
By ChipReport offensive review
DSLR BackpackThis is the case I have been searching for. I needed one I could take on a plane that also allowed for me to carry a laptop and this backpack is perfect.
By JakeReport offensive review
ReviewThis is the ultimate backpack for any traveler needing to carry it all plus your camera and some equipment. Have been on 12 flights with it carrying my MacBook Pro, iPad, all chargers, beats studio headphones, my Leica and a Canon Dslr with 2 lenses. And I still have room for more! Awesome bag.
By AntonioReport offensive review
Best bag ever!My first Incase camera bag. Thought maybe the reviews were all hype, not at all. I have tossed my other bags. This holds my 5Ds and all my lenses gear plus Macbook pro, iPad, iPhone, 11x9 Stillman & Birn sketch book. I now can capture reference materials with my camera and sketch book with out carrying two bags.
What a find!
By KimberlyReport offensive review
Great Bag!This bag fits all of my essentials and is very comfortable to wear. I don't know how I even functioned without it in the past. I am able to carry two camera bodies, four of my lenses, my flash, memory cards, extra batteries...and this is all on the back compartment. On the front exposed pockets, this is where I'm able to carry everything I would have in my purse (wallet, phone, etc) minimizing the hassle of having multiple bags.
By StevenReport offensive review
Well built, manages weight beautifullyThis bag is extremely well thought out. Every pocket has a purpose, and the camera gear section is completely customizable. The best feature this bag has is that it wears very comfortable when fully loaded. I carry two DSLR bodies and about 4 lenses, a tripod, my laptop and tablet, along with chargers and accessories. I could walk around events for hours before noticing the weight on my back. I would buy this backpack again and again, well done!
By IanReport offensive review
Pro case kids!Pretty much the perfect case. Holds BOTH of my dslrs, all my lenses and filters, iPad and MacBook. Can't beat the space and ease of access. The best part is that it just looks like a regular backpack, and that is HUGE.
By DavidReport offensive review
What a great productI was really looking forward for my DSLR Pro Pack to arrive. As soon as I had it in my hands, I could feel the great quality of the product. It's extremely light for such a big bag and it was really easy to get organised with the inside. I love the clean/simple look of it. Everything fits inside, it's insane how many things I can carry with it.
By WanchalermReport offensive review
That's what I'm looking forI live here in Florida but I grew up in Bangkok, Thailand, so I go back to visit my family once at twice a year, I have been looking and bought several backpack for my long trip. This Pro Back fit all my stuff like MacBook Pro 15", Iphone, all chargers, Bose headphone and my canon camera and 5 lenses, and the size of the bag not that big and important thing, it's lighter than my old backpack after I put all my stuff in. My favorite feature of the bag is I can grap my camera from the top of the bag, I don"'t have to open the bag from the side like the other bag do. Great design.
By NadaReport offensive review
DSLR Pro Camera Bag, so close!Sturdy build. Great materials outside. Sharp, discrete, and inconspicuous style. All positives and the reason for purchase.
All of the pockets and organization possibilities work great. Good job. Well done. Zippers feel secure and everything cinches up nicely.
I use this for my every-day-common-gear that I take with me on shoots. Right now it houses my 5D2 with Sigma 24-105mm f4 Art lens, battery grip, charger, LED lamp + 2 batteries + charger, Zoom H4n + power adapter, Rode mice, over-ear headphones, some lens cleaning items, my cords, spare memory cards, card reader, AA batteries, Zoom H1 + lav mic's, and an articulating strong-arm. There's still room in the bag; however, this is why I dock it 1 star -- the main gear compartment is not deep enough. I would have loved if it was deep enough for me to fit my 5D2 with battery grip attached.
We'll see if this is still an issue once my a7S2 comes in this week with the grip. It's a much smaller body and the grip should be thinner as well. Who knows, it may get that star back if it does unless I decide to carry multiple lenses with the freed up space and want to store them vertically...?
By C.JoReport offensive review0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Great bagI bought this for my BIL as he was in need of a new camera bag. He seems real pleased with the functionality and comfort of the bag. He's had nothing but good things to say about this bag. I am considering selling my current photo backpack and getting one of these.
By SkvLTDReport offensive review
Excellent!Of all other packs on the market, this one offers just enough space without any waste. All of my gear fits in perfectly and nothing is loose like some other packs with quick access sections that add unnecessary extra space.
By AdamReport offensive review
Great Upgrade from Lowepro FastpackThe bag holds certain aesthetic qualities and fits all of my gear securely.
While it can become a bit heavy at its full capacity, this is certainly no fault of the bag, as its shoulder straps provide comfortable support.
I appreciate the back panel access, as well as the individual laptop pocket.
The bag fits securely under a plane seat, granted the front pocket isn't stuffed to the brim, and is much more convenient than carrying on board multiple cases of equipment or checking sensitive materials.
I am weary about the bag's "weather resistance", and as another review stated, the bag is much too bulky to wear during an event. If you're in a crowd, you'd be better off finding a secure location to store the remainder of your unused gear.
Otherwise, this bag is a big win for professional photographers and videographers alike.


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Denise Portner - Patient Story
Patient Story Tags
"If I hadn't been aware of my genetic status, I might still not know I had breast cancer."
— Denise Portner, Breast Patient
Both Denise Portner's mother and aunt are breast cancer survivors who were diagnosed at age 60. Both underwent genetic testing and learned they carried the BRCA2 genetic mutation, that indicates an increased risk of breast cancer. In May of 2008, Denise and her sister underwent genetic testing, and it was determined that Denise was also a carrier.
Genetic counselors at the hospital where her mother was treated advised Denise to consider prophylactic oophorectomy (surgery to remove one or both ovaries) to reduce her risk for both breast and ovarian cancers. In August 2008, she came to Fox Chase's Family Risk Assessment Program and met with Dr. Mary Daly to get a second opinion. Dr. Daly concurred, and gave her a book that the program developed: Ovarian Cancer Risk-Reducing Surgery: A Decision Making Resource. This book includes testimonials from women facing the same decision, and their thought processes. But then a more pressing concern arose and Denise had to shift her focus.
By June 2009, Denise, at 46, a mother of two teenagers, decided to go ahead and have the preventive surgery. She made an appointment to see a gynecologic surgeon at Fox Chase, and in the meantime, scheduled her first breast MRI since the genetic testing.
Denise was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before her daughter's high school graduation.
The MRI showed an area of concern. She underwent an ultrasound-guided biopsy of the breast tissue, and on June 16, 2009, the day before her daughter's high school graduation, a member of the Risk Assessment Program team called to tell Denise that she had breast cancer.
"If I hadn't been aware of my genetic status, I wouldn't have had an MRI, and I might still not know I had breast cancer, because I never felt a lump," Denise says. In fact, a mammogram taken after the cancer diagnosis came back negative. "I feel fortunate that my mother and aunt received good advice and were tested, so that I was able to catch it as early as I did."
Denise then met with Richard Bleicher, MD, a surgical oncologist and breast service line leader. Because of Denise's diagnosis and genetic status, Dr. Bleicher recommended double mastectomy to prevent recurrence.
"Being told you have cancer can be a surreal experience," Denise explains. "You feel fine, but you apparently have a life-threatening disease. It's critical to be able to put your trust in a team of professionals. From the moment of diagnosis at Fox Chase, I felt that I had stepped into a finely-tuned operation of providers at the top of their game, ready to take care of whatever arose, and concerned about my emotional well-being as well."
In preparing for the decision, Denise got a second opinion, consulted family and friends and other survivors, reviewed the medical literature, and had a heart-to-heart with her husband, a family physician. In the end, she decided that she wanted to put the concern behind her and the best way to do that was proceed with the surgery. Meeting with Sameer Patel, MD, FACS, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Fox Chase, also aided her decision, as she learned that she could have reconstruction that would make her look and feel whole again.
"I appreciated that my oncologists were willing to give me their opinions and help me clarify my options."
"Throughout the process of cancer treatment, there are many important decisions to be made," shares Denise. "I appreciated that my oncologists were willing to give me their opinions and help me clarify my options."
Denise underwent surgery in the summer, chemotherapy during the winter, and radiation therapy in the spring, followed by the originally-planned oophorectomy. With a flexible and supportive employer, she was able to maintain her job at an advertising agency in the city, working from home when she needed to.
"It was a challenging ride, but I always felt that I was getting the best possible treatment, and so fortunate to have a world-class cancer center within a 10-minute drive of my home. It was easy for family and friends to accompany me to doctor appointments and to sit with me in the infusion room, and I was able to integrate appointments into my day," she adds.
"The oncologists at Fox Chase are champions for their patients," Denise says. One in particular worked with Denise's insurance company to get approval to use Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) in her case. It is more time-consuming and costly than standard therapy, but because of the requirements of her case and his commitment to minimizing the impact to her heart, he argued for its use.
With treatment behind her, Denise has regained her energy, has a renewed sense of purpose at work, and is anxious to help other women manage the challenge of cancer treatment. She serves on the board of directors of Living Beyond Breast Cancer. She also made a video of her experience in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Risk Assessment Program, celebrated in November 2011 at the studios of local NPR affiliate, WHYY-FM.
"Being involved in the Risk Assessment Program is like having a really smart and caring group of friends. It's a comfort to be connected to a program that is using all of our experiences and family history combined with research and clinical trials to provide state-of-the-art care and education. I feel good that I am contributing to the body of knowledge for our children's generation," concludes Denise.


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I'm trying to gauge interest for a Birmingham (UK) Raspberry Jam - to be held either on the 24th of November or 1st December depending on interest & clashes with other events. If you'd be interested in coming, leave a comment to say which (if either) date is better for you
Similarly, if you know of any other events which could cause a nasty clash (IE another jam on the same date) post a note to let me know
You can also follow @BhamRaspJam on twitter for updates, but I'll keep maintaining this thread as developments are made
Birmingham Raspberry Jam - 24th Nov/1st Dec [Date Undecided]
3 posts
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2012 3:19 pm
Swansea Jam is on December 1st, if you're aiming for the same date maybe we could use Google Hangout or Skype to link the two?
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:29 am
Well ideally I wanted to avoid any clashes, but a hangout could be a neat idea
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2012 3:19 pm


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Because the Raritan River Boat Club is located on a river, upstream from the NY/NJ Bay, the docks must be stored on land each winter to avoid damage from moving ice. On March 24th, all available members got together for the annual docks in day. Using the club's crane and manpower, each section was lowered into the water, one at a time, and the docks system was assembled like a giant puzzle.
After weeks of work parties to build new dock sections and repair others, this was the final opportunity to make some last minute repairs. Under Bill Stephen's leadership, the docks committee has been repairing and replacing sections over the past couple of years as needed. And many club members have spent their weekends at the club, earning points, working on this much needed maintenance effort.


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The head of Belgium's Catholic church is under fire for saying gay men deserve Aids and paedophile priests should not be punished.
Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard - who is close to the Pope - is facing legal action from a gay rights lawyer for saying HIV is "justice" for the "travesty" of homosexuality.
Leonard's own spokesman has quit over the remarks.
He said: "Monsignor Leonard at times acts like a motorist driving on the wrong side of a motorway who thinks all the other motorists are wrong."


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NJ Lawmaker Wants to Mandate MVC Surcharge Payment Plans [AUDIO]
If you've built up massive surcharges with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), chances are you've lost your driver's license. However, help could be on the way.
The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee has approved a bill that would require the MVC to enter into a monthly installment plan for the payment of surcharges upon the written request of a driver with outstanding surcharges.
"Often times the Motor Vehicle Commission will not restore someone's license until they've paid off their surcharges," explained Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). "It's not hard to rack up surcharges and often times it becomes a vicious cycle."
You can't drive if you haven't paid off your surcharges and it's tough to get to work to earn the money to pay up if you can't drive legally. Under Gusciora's measure, once a payment plan agreement is reached the person would have their license restored.
"My bill just merely allows them to enter into a payment plan, something the MVC has been reluctant to institute on their own," said Gusciora. "It's not unlike credit cards in many stores that give zero-interest. This just mandates the MVC to do the same thing."
The MVC already allows payment plans in certain cases, but Gusciora's legislation prohibits the commission from denying any request to enter into a monthly installment plan.
Currently, the MVC has the discretion to authorize payment plans for a period not to exceed one year for assessments under $2,300, or not exceeding two years for assessments of $2,300 or more.
Under this bill, a driver is authorized to pay assessments on an installment basis for a period not to exceed four years for assessments under $2,300, or not exceeding six years for assessments of $2,300 or more.


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Jim Trotter, NFL Writer with Sports Illustrated joined The Scott Garceau Show and talked about the start of Free Agency with Scott and Jeremy.
SI.com's Jim Trotter Talks Free Agency With Scott And JeremyMarch 14, 2012 4:15 PM
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 09: Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts watches his team warm up before the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 9, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)


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Parents who dress their children in inappropriate clothing could be inadvertently hampering their child's physical activity in childcare settings. The study, reported in BioMed Central's open access journal, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, suggests that inadequate or inappropriate clothing could restrict children's outdoor play.
Three-quarters of children aged 3-6 years old in the U.S. spend time in childcare and many spend most of their waking hours in these settings. Daily physical activity offers numerous health benefits, and time outdoors has been found to be associated with children's activity levels.
A U.S. team led by Kristen Copeland MD, from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, undertook a qualitative study of 53 child-care providers from 34 child-care centers in Cincinnati, Ohio, to examine why physical activity levels may vary across centers. Through a series of focus groups, they found, unexpectedly, that clothing was potentially a significant barrier to children's outdoor physical activity.
Inappropriate clothing included inadequate outdoor clothing, such as a lack of coats and gloves in the wintertime; unsuitable footwear, such as flip flops; and "nice" or expensive outfits that were not to be ruined. The study found that a few children dressed improperly could prevent the entire class from going outside, thus restricting physical activity.
It also emerged that clothing choices were a significant source of conflict between parents and child-care providers. Caregivers suggested several reasons why parents may dress their child inappropriately, including forgetfulness, a rushed morning routine, limited income to buy clothes, a child's preference for a favorite item, and parents not understanding the importance of outdoor play.
The study shows that parents may need education about the importance and benefits of active play for children's development. Copeland said, "Child care centers should consider instigating clear and specific policies regarding the type of clothes permitted at these centers so that children's active play opportunities aren't curtailed".
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[A cartoon depicting a maid chained to a woman happily chatting on her telephone was posted to Mn7asha's Instagram. Mn7asha was started to hunt down runaway migrant workers in Kuwait. (Source: Instagram)]
Yazan al-Saadi
Al-Akhbar: On June 7, a Kuwaiti Instagram account called Mn7asha (loosely translated as "Runaways") was launched. The purpose of the account is to provide a platform that allows Kuwaiti citizens to upload pictures and IDs of domestic workers who had run away so others can hunt them down.
An illustrated caricature of a sad, tired domestic worker washing dishes was placed as the profile image for the account. The domestic worker has a chain around one of her legs that snakes all the way to a woman – likely her employer – who is sitting in the living room, conversing happily on the phone.
In one of the first posts, the account's administrator states:
Brothers and sisters, the goal of this account is that servants run away and work in other houses without the people being aware and I do not think any of us would allow runaway servants to enter our houses, God willing we will try and help anyone from this phenomenon and if anyone has a runaway servant do not hesitate to send their picture.
This particular post was liked by 53 individuals, complimented by comments of support to the idea behind the Instagram account.
Another post recommends, through a lawyer, that citizens should not report cases to the recruitment office, but rather the police station, the courts, and the migration directorate, so the servant "cannot leave the country through her embassy or the detention center and the sponsor will not have to cover any travel expenses."
Since its launch, the account has uploaded more than 70 pictures of domestic workers sent in by the public, either through private messages on Instagram or to a WhatsApp number.
While the Instagram account may be considered small in terms of its followers – marked at 2,557 at the time of this writing – it is reflective of the xenophobic narratives that linger within Kuwaiti society towards domestic workers, and expats in general.
The account is rife with examples of explicit and implicit derogatory statements, by both the account's administrator and those who comment on the various posts.
Generally, images of domestic workers are categorized by their nationality, rarely by name, in addition to when they had run away.
In one post, the admin 'recommended' that the public send in an image of the domestic worker's ID because "some of the expats look alike," while in another post regarding a runaway domestic worker, a commenter – alzain_q8ti – wrote: "She looks like a shitty shemale."
There are plenty of other disturbing, blatant xenophobic comments sprinkled throughout the account.
Not all Kuwaitis are supportive of the Instagram account, and its existence is but a symptom of the larger issue of Kuwaiti citizens' treatment of expat workers and the sponsorship system.
As noted by Migrant Rights, a website established by Gulf residents and citizens with the aim of advancing the rights of migrant workers in the Middle East, in regards to Mn7asha:
Though limited in its reach, the account is sparking some discussion between citizens. The few critical commentaries do succeed in receiving responses from the account administrator; most of these critiques argue that domestic workers would not have escaped in the first place if they were treated well. Such perspectives were largely absent from public discourse just a few years ago, but recently civil organizing has helped produce a space for these critical voices. Yet, practices that involve 'naming and shaming' workers, like this account, are widely perceived as a necessary reaction to 'illegal' activity – a perception that is unfortunately sustained by Kuwaiti sponsorship laws, that do criminalize absconded domestic workers. Workers caught by authorities can be forcibly returned to sponsors or deported. Kuwait is also seeking to take legal action against embassies sheltering absconded workers.
Interestingly enough, the account's launch relatively coincides with the release of a report by the Kuwait Society for Human Right (KSHR) that assesses the state of human rights in the country.
Within the report, the KSHR called for the removal of the sponsorship law, initiate protective measures for all workers, and an end to the administrative deportations that seek to lower the large number of foreign workers in the country.
In terms of domestic workers, the report notes that they represent around 600,000 of the total migrant work force in the country and experience many violations that include: "torture, humiliation, and rape sometimes."
It recommends the government "pass a law regulating labor relations with employers, and protect the interests, the issues, the economic and social rights."
Ultimately, the driving factor behind the account's existence, and the government's policy against expat workers is a widely held belief in the Gulf region – and indeed, throughout many Arab countries including Lebanon – that allowing and welcoming expat workers into the country is a privilege that is actively abused and exploited by the workers. It is worth noting, these same countries heavily rely on these workers as cheap labor to develop and sustain the economy.
As a Human Rights Watch report in 2012 noted, migrant workers in Kuwait "comprise 80 percent of the country's workforce."
The author of the Migrant Rights article noted above perfectly captures this problematic narrative:
This account epitomizes the ever-present reverse victimization narratives that frequent Gulf op-eds; abusive conditions that lend to absconding are recurrently obscured by paranoid, racist discourse that serve to justify employer's nearly unchecked power over domestic workers. Maids are regularly portrayed as dangerous, crazy, greedy, and sinister – as though their actions are inherent characteristics of their ethnicity or class, rather than a result of their employment and living conditions. These narratives minimize the systematic conditions endured by workers, including physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, invasions of privacy, overwork, and underpayment. They maintain that maids collude with recruitment agencies or with each other to rip off employers, that it is employers who require more adequate legal protection of their rights; that it is employers who are somehow systematically exploited by the most marginalized, least protected individuals in the country.
There needs to be more of an effort to combat these xenophobic outbursts and narratives, which are inescapably tied to the larger issues tainting many nations in the region. They range from insecurity of what is perceived to be the encroachment of "pure" national identities by the existence of other communities within such states, or governments' subtle support of scapegoating vulnerable communities in order to detract from their own failures, to plain-old classism.
All these factors are heavily in play in Kuwait's particular case, and will only be a continual fact of life as long as there is a lack of significant public pressure by Kuwaitis themselves to alter their relationship with expat workers, and set the foundation of a system that truly protects the rights of all those who reside within the country's borders.