****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I had been looking for a smaller sling bag to replace my large Tamrac photo backpack for day and weekend photo outings when I came across the HAZARD 4 Freelance on Amazon Warehouse. I decided to give it a shot. I’ve had my Freelance for about a year and a half now and I have to say that I really love it. I also have the HAZARD 4 Jelly Roll lens case attached to it.At the time I purchased my Freelance, I had a Canon Rebel T6i with a battery grip attached. The two lenses I use most are the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6and the Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L. I found that my T6i with the grip fit very well with either lens attached and whichever lens was not mounted easily stowed in the well-padded Jelly Roll case.A few months back, I traded up to the Canon 5D Mark IV. I did not opt for the battery grip this time because I felt it would make the already large 5D a bit too heavy and unwieldy. Also, the 5D has much better battery life than the T6i so I felt the extra battery capacity was not necessary. I was a bit concerned that the larger 5D wouldn’t fit as well in the Freelance. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it fit just fine both with both the 24-105 as well as the 70-300 attached.There are a number of reviews here complaining that the Freelance is not roomy enough. I have to disagree. At the end of the day, it all comes down to how you’re looking to use it. If I’m planning to go on a long trip and want carry a bunch of extra gear, then I’d opt for my Tamrac backpack. With that said, the vast majority of my photo outings are daytrips and for that, I find the Freelance to be the perfect pack, especially with the add-on Jelly Roll lens case. It’s relatively light, highly configurable, and has plenty of nooks and crannies to store all of the extras like lens cleaning cloths, cables, extra batteries, a flash, lens hoods, and even a poncho. I also like the MOLLE integration which allows me to easily attach a tripod, hang my keys and sunglasses, and fasten various clips and straps within easy reach for when I need them.I find the construction of Freelance to be exceptional. It’s very sturdily built and all clasps fasten securely. It also swings easily from back to front for quick access to my camera. About the only thing the Freelance leaves me wanting for would be a bit more room for my Microsoft Surface. For me, this, is a very minor complaint as I typically don’t need to bring my laptop with me on day trips and if I do, I just toss it into a sleeve.I really love my Freelance and would highly recommend it for day or weekend photo outings. I’ve included some photos with this review to show how I have my Freelance configured and how well my gear fits.
