A versatile two-compartment backpack for a camera system plus extra outwear and lunch. The padded bottom holds a large pro SLR with an 80 - 200/f2.8 l
A versatile two-compartment backpack for a camera system plus extra outwear and lunch. The padded bottom holds a large pro SLR with an 80 - 200/f2.8 lens attached, plus other lenses and accessories. There's a unique tripod holder, removable divider, and built-in All Weather Cover™ to protect equipment against heavy rain, snow, dust, sand, and hot sun. The Rover AW is sold separately, or as a Rover AW kit, with the S&F Deluxe Waistbelt and S&F Shoulder Harness, which are needed to use the Rover AW as a backpack.
If you hike, this is the bag to get. It looks stylish as well. The price shocked me originally, but after using it for a while, I realise the real value.
Strengths:
Hold up all my gears: D30, BGED3, 28-135, 15-30, 70-200/4, TC2X, EF25, remote, filters, hoods and a windbreaker!
Weaknesses:
The top/bottom compartment seperator could use a zip design. The is a small gap between and I once accidently lost a lens cap (dumped into the top compartment)while I was dealing with the lower compartment.
Excellent all rounder. Carries most, if not all of my camera equipment, and has space for some drinks and food. Looks and feels bulletproof, and is extremely comfortable and easy to adjust
Strengths:
carrying capacity, inconspicuous looks, comfort
Weaknesses:
the shoulder strap almost rubbed a hole in my sweatshirt! Will have to take care in the future to use both straps, rather than lug it around on one. Pricey, but then aren''''t all Lowepro products?!
THIS IS A GREAT BACKPACK FOR THE AVERAGE PHOTOGRAPHER WHO WISHES TO CARRY A CAMERA WITH THEM WHEREVER THEY TRAVEL. IT IS AN EXCELLENT TWO COMPARTMENT CAMERA BAG, AND ONE OF THE BEST I''VE SEEN AND TESTED. IT HAS GREAT COMFORT AND SECURITY.
Strengths:
THIS ITEM LOOKS LIKE A BACKPACK. IT DOES''NT STICK OUT AND SAY CAMERA BAG. THE TWO SEPERATE COMPARTMENTS ARE GREAT BECAUSE IT ALLOWS YOU TO HAUL AROUND ADEQUATE PHOTO EQUIPMENT, PLUS OTHER NECESSITIES. IT IS VERY ROOMY IN THE LOWER COMPARTMENT AND WELL PADDED. IN THIS LOWER COMPARTMENT I WAS ABLE TO PACK 1 PRO SLR BODY WITH A 80-200MM LENS, 3 LENSES AND A LARGE FLASH. THERE ARE ALSO POCKETS FOR YOU TO STORE FILM, FILTERS, BATTERIES, ETC. THE UPPER COMPARTMENT ALLOWS ONE TO STORE BOOKS, LUNCH, WINDBREAKER, ETC., OR EVEN MORE CAMERA EQUIPMENT. THE PACK ITSELF IS VERY COMFORTABLE, AND WITH ALL THE HARNESSES IT BECOMES PERFECT FOR HIKING OR BIKING.
Weaknesses:
THE PACK IS A LITTLE LARGE FOR SMALLER USERS. THE LOWER COMARTMENT IS DIFFICULT TO GAIN ACCESS TO IF YOUR PLANNING TO SWITCH LENSES ON THE MOVE. SOME OF THE STRAPS ARE UNESSESSARY, AND SOME I HAVE NO IDEA OF THEIR PURPOSE. IT DOES NOT HOLE A LARGE ARAY OF EQUIPMENT, SO IF YOUR LOOKING TO STORE 2 BODIES, AND 6-7 LENSES, I RECOMEND THAT YOU GO WITH LOWEPROS HIGH END TREKKER LINE.
I have enjoyed this pack though I have used it only for one month. I look forward to putting it through other tests. It's convenient and great access to camera and lenses with the bottom compartment. It is also much easier to cart my tripod on hikes and around town.
Strengths:
Easy to access lower compartment . Having the camera compartment on the bottom provided more comfortable weight distribution. The side mesh holders were great for water bottles. The tripod holder is easy to use. I like the versatility of the upper compartment for "stuff" separated from the photo gear. I trekked around Europe with this pack and it was great!
Weaknesses:
There is not real separate space to organize filters or store film. I need to look into the accessories for the waist belt.
Rating Reviewed by: Eric James(Unregistered User)
(Expert)
Review Date April 22, 2001
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 4 of 5
Visitors rate this review 5.00 of 5,
4 votes
Review 5 of 5
Price Paid:
$175.00
from B&H Photo Video
Summary:
An innovative pack that fits a niche. I use mine on dayhikes in the Cascade and elsewhere. It is a nightmare to get a proper fit via mailorder - even the best shoulder harness size for a given torso takes a lot of work to adjust properly, and don't look to LowePro for help. (There is no documentation anywhere.) The waist belt is easier to fit. In the end the hassle was worth it. I recommend that you purchase yours locally from a well-stocked LowePro retailer.
Strengths:
This small to medium sized pack has many nice features including an intergral tripod harness, accessories pockets, and AW cover.
The lower camera compartment has a high degree of flexability - if you are creative you can carry a lot of gear. When I use it for my SLR system I can carry 2 bodies (one with motor drive), 20mm, 28mm, 50mm, 85mm, 105 micro, 180mm and a large extension ring. When I want to carry my rangefinder I simply remove the customized padded insert and slip in my LowePro Omni Sport with rangefinder, flash, and 4 lenses. If it weren't for this feature you would have to spend a good 30 minutes on a changeover.
The upper compartment can be used for lunch, water, and an extra layer of clothing.
If you get the right size shoulder harness and waistbelt, and if these are properly adjusted, the pack carries very well (for a camera pack).
Lots of accessories pouches etc. are available for the waist belt.
LowePro's materials are great and their workmanship is consistently good to excellent.
Weaknesses:
Harness fitting requires a good deal of work. Good luck getting one to fit by mailorder. LowePro sells a "kit" that includes a harness system but the buyer cannot specify size - if you get the kit you save money but you are stuck with the "one size fits all" approach to fitting.
The upper compartment is fairly small. The main compartment divider has a tendancy to detach (vecro) if you overload the top compartment.
Hint: The weight of the tripod tends to open the zippered compartment if the zipper pulls are positions at the apex of the pack. Position both zipper pulls on one side and you're good to go.
Similar Products Used:
Rover Light (dedicated harness did not fit me well, otherwise it was a very nice pack and a better deal.
LowePro PhotoTrekker AW (Nice pack but too bulky for my needs...and those plastic harness attachments make way too much noise - squeek squeek squeek- LowePro really needs to fix this.)
Customer Service:
Web queries went unanswered. (Why do companies provide a web presence for customer queries and then ignore their customers?)
More Products from Lowepro
Link to this page
5 of 5
4 of 5
