Tenba DNA 11 Messenger Camera Bag Review
We are not always deep in the woods or mountains, hiking and camping. Sometimes we roam around town, wander along a beach, or travel somewhere that calls for a smaller camera setup.
A few months ago, I started looking for a shoulder bag that was functional enough for camera gear but still looked good during those shorter urban adventures. I tried options from Lowepro, Think Tank, and Crumpler before finding the Tenba DNA 11 Messenger. All of the bags had something going for them, and I would happily own a hundred bags if given the chance. I needed to choose one, though, and the Tenba had the right combination of practical features and sharp design.
The Tenba DNA 11 is a smaller messenger bag that works especially well for exploring a city or taking a short outing with a limited amount of camera gear. It has also become my go-to personal item for flights. It holds more than enough to keep me entertained while traveling and fits neatly beneath the seat without taking up all the room around my feet.
Because the padded camera insert is removable, the bag can serve several purposes. I can use it as a camera bag, a work bag, or a general travel bag without carrying extra padding when I do not need it.
Quick Access Through the Top
The feature that sealed the deal for me is the zipper across the top of the bag. It opens directly into the main compartment, giving me access to the camera and other contents without lifting the messenger flap.
This is especially useful when I want to grab the camera quickly or change a lens without opening the entire bag. The top access zipper, combined with the design and appearance of the bag, made the DNA 11 a keeper. After carrying it for several months, I still like it as much as I did when I bought it.
Magnetic Fidlock Closures
The messenger flap is secured by two magnetic Fidlock closures. There is nothing to squeeze, twist, or unhook. The fasteners slide sideways to release, then reconnect easily when the flap is lowered.
The magnets keep the cover securely closed during normal use. There is also hook-and-loop material beneath the flap for additional security, so the bag remains closed even if one of the magnetic fasteners comes loose.
Tenba DNA 11 Features
Removable Camera Insert
The padded camera insert can be removed, allowing the bag to work for more than camera gear. It includes folding foam dividers that can be moved, removed, or folded down to accommodate different cameras and lenses.
Plenty of Pockets
This bag has an impressive number of pockets. In addition to the main compartment, there are four pockets across the front, two mesh pockets on the ends, and a large zippered pocket on the back with four divided sections inside.
The flap has an exterior zippered pocket and a smaller slip pocket. Inside the main bag are several additional small pockets and one larger zippered compartment. Even the removable camera insert has pockets along its exterior.
Design
The DNA 11 is a seriously good-looking camera bag. The fabric, hardware, and small design details give it a more polished appearance than many traditional camera bags. I added the patch shown in the photos, which is not included with the bag.
Construction Quality
The bag is made with YKK zippers, durable fabric, sturdy stitching, and metal strap hardware. The covered bottom adds protection when I set it down, and the entire bag feels thoughtfully designed and well assembled.
Shoulder Strap
The basic shoulder strap includes a small padded section. It is comfortable with a reasonable amount of gear inside, but the padding becomes less effective when I overpack the bag.
Suitcase Pass-Through
A strap on the back slides over the handle of a rolling suitcase. A small hook-and-loop tab holds it flat against the bag when I am not using it.
Stabilizer Strap
The bag includes an adjustable stabilizer strap that secures it around my torso. This keeps the messenger bag from swinging around while I am bending, walking, or riding a bike.
Rain Protection
A rain cover is included for heavier weather. The corners of the flap are shaped and sewn in a way that provides some protection from light moisture, but the cover is available if the rain becomes more serious. I have not needed to use it yet.
Carrying Camera Gear in the Tenba DNA 11
For a small camera bag, the DNA 11 holds a surprising amount of equipment. I use it for one or two film cameras, including my Mamiya 1000s and Yashica Mat-124G. It can also carry my Sony A1 with 70-300 or 100-400.
The assortment of small pockets gives me places for film, filters, batteries, and all the little accessories that tend to disappear inside a larger compartment. The top zipper keeps the main camera within easy reach while I am walking around.
Those are the pro's, now the con's:
It can get heavy, since it holds a surprising amount of stuff for the size of the bag. When it is heavy, the strap gets uncomfortable. Just don't over fill it.
The price tag is a bit higher than what I wanted to spend, but for the functionality that this bag has, it has been worth the cost.
So many pockets, while a good thing, also can be an annoying thing - I lose stuff in this bag quite often. I've started just leaving things in the same spot, and I'm hoping to form a habit of knowing which tiny pocket has my chapstick in it!
Those are minor complaints, and most of them come from how much the bag can carry. I have never had another shoulder bag that I genuinely enjoyed carrying until I found the Tenba DNA 11.
