Vanguard VEO City CB34: An excellent carry for compact cameras and creator gear

If you tend to keep your gear compact or your setup minimalist, the Vanguard VEO City CB34 cross-body bag is a stylish and roomy option for your consideration.

Sometimes, a camera backpack may seem too much for the photography gear that you have or regularly use. For many compact shooters, single-camera users and mobile photographers, a compact sling or shoulder camera bag works fine. But if you need a more spacious option to fit two or more mirrorless or compact DSLR cameras, the Vanguard VEO City CB cross-body bag may be a great fit. It comes in three sizes — 24”, 29” and 34” — so there’s one for the capacity you need.

When I first examined the VEO City CB34 I was sent, the first thing I noticed was how sleek it looked. It wasn’t as big as a camera backpack, but I could immediately see that it could comfortably accommodate a couple of compact cameras plus a lens or some accessories. As I primarily shoot with film cameras, I got excited at the thought of using it for days when I feel like bringing more than a point-and-shoot camera with me.

Editor’s Note: Vanguard sent us the Vanguard VEO City CB34 (Navy Blue) to review and keep. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this camera bag are our own.

Pros

• Sleek design in three elegant colorways (Navy Blue, Gray, Green)
• Ample room for compact and medium-sized gear
• Adjustable and removable dividers
• Quick and easy access to gear
• Plenty of extra pockets for small items and accessories
• Has a zipped sleeve at the back for luggage handle
• Has external strap lugs for a tripod
• Includes a rain cover

Cons

• The strap can be unusual to some; instead of a shoulder pad, it has a rubberized section which may be a bit difficult to center at first
• Won’t fit bulky or long lenses (but then, this bag isn’t designed for that)
• At $129.99, it may be a bit pricey for some

Vanguard VEO City CB34 – Technical specifications

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All technical specifications were taken from the official Vanguard website.

• Capacity: 8L
• Color: Navy Blue
• External Dimensions: 13.75″ x 5.75″ x 9.9″
• Internal Dimensions: 11.4-13″ x 3.9-4.9″ x 9.3″
• Laptop/Tablet Storage? 12.9″ Tablet
• Maximum Load Capacity: 18.7 lbs.
• Rain Cover Included? YES
• Tripod Storage? YES – Tripod Connection
• Item Weight: 2.25 lbs.

Vanguard VEO City CB34 – Ergonomics and build quality

From the get go, the VEO City CB 34 looks and feels premium, from its weight to its fabrics and hardware. You can tell right away that this is a cross-body bag that you’ll want to use all the time. It has a leather-topped carrying handle that retracts flat when you set the bag down, retaining its sleek profile. The leather zipper handles also adds a touch of elegance to opening and closing the bag.

Inside, the adjustable and removable smart dividers make it easy to fit your stuff snuggly. This is great if you tend to bring with you different kinds of compact gear depending on what you’re shooting.

Its removable strap has a rather unique mechanism for adjusting to the desired length as a cross-body bag or a waist bag. According to the guide that came with the bag, you pull the leather tips to shorten the strap, then fold the excess on one side and clip it in. Or, pull the D-ring to lengthen it, then pull the strap again for a better fit. At first, it took me a while pulling at both ends to get to the length I like. If you’re like me and you’re used to more traditional strap designs, you may think it could be more intuitive, especially if you’re going from shoulder carry to waist carry.

Vanguard VEO City CB34 – What gear can it hold?

The VEO City CB 34 is pretty roomy inside, and is highly configurable with its adjustable and removable smart dividers. According to Vanguard, it can fit a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera or DSLR plus 2-3 lenses (up to 70-200mm), and one flash. Or, a DJI Mavic kit with camera, if you’re a drone photographer. For film photographers like me, I’m happy to report that you can fit a small or medium-sized SLR camera with a short lens, a compact point-and-shoot camera, and a TLR camera in it. Plus some film rolls and batteries or small accessories. You can definitely experiment with the configuration, whether you’re shooting film or digital (or both).

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It also has slots and pockets for various accessories and small items, including a 12.9” tablet. But if you put some sizable cameras and lenses in it, you might find it difficult, if not impossible to slip a tablet in it. You’ll also likely be carrying some cables for chargers or camera straps, and the adjustable, garterized loops will keep them organized. Finally, with the strap lugs and carry system underneath, you can also fit a tripod or a gimbal.

The video by Vanguard below will most likely give you a better idea of what you can fit inside this bag:

In addition, the back has a trolley slot that you also zip to hold flat items like booklets, paper (up to A5 size with the VEO City CB34), or a small, thin notebook. I find this feature really cool and useful. In most bags, you usually don’t find the trolley slot convertible into an extra functional storage sleeve. It’s a nice touch, whether you’re a frequent traveler or not.

See also

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Vanguard VEO City CB34 – In the field

On its own, already has a bit of weight, so that’s something to consider for petite people like me. The first few times I used it, I had a Nikon D3000 with 18-55mm kit lens, an AF-S NIKKOR 10-24mm zoom lens, a Pentax ME F film camera with 50mm f/1.7 lens, and a few film rolls in it. Big mistake. The entire shebang was HEAVY as hell, I had to ask my partner to carry it for me from time to time during our shoots. Since the strap isn’t padded, it didn’t take long for both of us to feel the weight. But I can’t really blame the bag for it; it was a lesson for me that just because you can fit that much into it doesn’t mean you should!

However, with its clamshell design, getting your gear in and out of the bag is a breeze. You’ll definitely appreciate it when you’re doing street or travel photography since you’ll have your camera/s in and out of the bag many times. I used the VEO City CB34 as a cross-body bag most of the time, but I can totally see the charm in using it as a waist carry. This is especially for event photographers who need quick and easy access to their gear but won’t be shooting the whole day.

I also used the bag during a lot of trips, and that trolley slot proved a lot useful lugging around all that gear with me. If you suddenly make the same mistake I did and cram a heavy combination of gear in it, I’m sure you’ll also appreciate the chance to attach it to your luggage and roll with it.

Vanguard VEO City CB34 – Final thoughts

After months of using it, I find the Vanguard VEO City CB34, overall, a gorgeous and versatile cross-body camera bag for all photographers. However, it’s definitely on-the-go photographers who will benefit the most and enjoy using this bag. The clamshell design provides quick and easy access to your gear, whether you’re wearing it as a cross-body sling or a waist bag.

It looks and feels premium, and it does come with a price tag to match at $129.99. The water-resistant exterior and durable internal frame will keep your gear safe and secure, but it’s great that it comes with a rain cover for an extra layer of protection. Added touches like a hidden slot for charging or headphone cables, zipped sleeve for luggage handle, and tablet compartment make it extra functional.

With its stylish and premium design, the VEO City CB34 also doesn’t look like your usual camera bag. It’s so versatile that when you take out the removable smart dividers, you can actually also use it as an overnight bag or regular work carry.