Like the other lowepro slingshots, it is well padded and sturdy. What it does not mention is that it is HUGE. Granted it needs to be pretty large to haul all your equipment and a laptop, it is just so big...like carrying another torso around on your back. I am 5'4" and it just overwhelms me, but will work okay if you are much taller. I use it for carrying my wedding photography equipment and it can be VERY heavy fully loaded. Some nice features:
1. There are two additional straps that hold it on, one around the waist (or low hips if you are short like me), and one that fastens the main strap to the backpack, so it can't swing around if you are running. It sounds confusing, but it works.
2. LOTS of storage, and a little cloth that is sewn into the main section for cleaning your display.
3. The weatherproof hood that pulls out of the bottom is AMAZING. Gives so much peace of mind that your equipment won't be ruined by rain. you can still access the main compartment from the side with the cover on.
4. There is a good amount of padding on the strap and the part that clips around the waist, so it is not unbearable to carry when it is very heavy.
5. The two dark grey panels that you see in the picture are very sturdy loops that you can clip things to if there is no room in your bag
I can fit the following equipment in my bag:
Canon digital rebel body
70-200mm lens
50mm lens
17-40mm lens
laptop
mouse
portable hard drive
Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash
Bescor VLK-5AC, VL205AC Video Light & battery (this adds considerable weight)
cards
extra batteries (camera and flash)
My Fong Reporter diffuser does NOT fit, but that is not the bags fault; it is a big diffuser.
At first I considered returning it because it was so big and made me look like a dope, but it really gets the job done when you have a lot to carry. Overall, a very nice bag, well made and neat features.
First off I am a big guy around the middle 44"the built in waist strap fit around me while I was wearing a sport coat That endeared me to this bagThe manufacturer wasn't cheap with the materials! I upgraded my bag to this for a trip to India. Crammed with my stuff it wouldn't fit under my seat on the trip over. On the way back with less non essentials I could get it under. I carried a SLR and a wide to mid, and mid to tele zoom, flash, battery grip, filters, and memory cards in it, with room to spare. All very well protected. In India at security check points ( a month after their 26/11) at tourist sites I had it off my shoulder well before I approached. I had opened the side door, and had one hand on the bag, the other on my camera, pulling it in and out,and kept repeating "Camera Bag, Camera Bag". That did the trick. At most tourist sites back packs aren't allowed, so at my first stop I had to flay it open to prove it was. That is something I hadn't taken into account.
The ability to hold a laptop cushions the back, but does make it more rigid. I could have easily put a few more lenses in the bagbut in the end I'm glad I didn't (so I could travel lighter). I'm looking forward to using the bag on hikes now.
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This bag is perfect for anyone who gets on airplanes, goes on fullday excursions, carries a computer & camera with them to work everyday, or likes to boulder on the same trips they photograph on. First off, the computer slot is SMOOTH for a 13" Macbook. If you have an applesac, it's a little tight, but it's still easy to get it in and out. Beware because on the Lowepro description it says it fits MOST 15" computers. That just means be smart about it, try it out before you get it and realize it doesn't fit your needs.
The main compartment is great. I carry a 50mm f/1.8, a 28-200mm, a wideangle, a charger, stuff to clean my Macbook screen, and still have room to spare. I like to leave my 50mm lens on so i readjusted the velcro dividers so that my camera (Canon 5D Mark 2) "sits" on the bottom rather than in the middle. It's got a really nice micro-fiber cloth to clean your LCD and a pocket with slots for 4 memory card cases.
Don't let the front pocket fool you, I've got PLENTY of stuff in there, I keep my camera manual, my pocket journal, pens, sharpies, business cards & my backup Point & Shoot.
The top pocket is great because I can put my climbing shoes & a medium sized chalkbag in it when I'm going out for a bouldering day. When I'm using it for work though, I keep my MAC charger, external harddrive, monitor convertor cable, AV cable & my USB transfer cable with plenty of extra room if I wanted to pack my backup body (Canon D30) & iPod...Neil Young albums...you name it, it's probably made it's way into that pocket.
The sling design is perfect and the support strap makes it even better. It's great that you can just whip it around and take your camera out, or if it's set up right, change lenses without having to unzip the whole pocket and just use the silent zipper & zip stop buckles.
I could have done without the waist straps...or at least a better way to store them when I'm on short runs, but I'm sure they'll come in handy on REALLY long days.
Of course you can't forget the Lowepro weathercover. That thing has pulled me out in plenty of pinches in all the time I've used Lowepro.
If you can't handle the sheer power of this pack, downgrade to the 300 or 200.
This pack won't help you take better pictures, but it will sure keep you from messing up all those sweet goodies you got stored away in it.
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Although I'm older, I just recently began involvement in my photo hobby. I travel internationally on business. I replaced my briefcase with the Low Pro 350 in order to bring my lap top and a few accessories on-board. The ease to get th to camera, built-in security from little hands and quality of the bag make this the best option for my needs. I did a little informal research at the beach with the surf photogrophers before buying the Low Pro. All sopke highly of the bag, several had them and I am now preparing for another trip and trying to decide which 3 lenses I'lltote along. The seller could not have been more helpful, communicative and responsive. I ended up buying a very expensive mono-pod that doubles for a walking stick.
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After much research I found this product to be useful since i had a requirement of carrying my HP 15.4" laptop with my gear. One reason I choose this product was you don't have take it from shoulder for changing the lens, just slide it over and u can open the camera compt with ease. I wanted to see how this product looks before i purchase this online, but I couldn't find it anywhere in the local stores. I had no choice, bcoz of my immediate trip to Miami, FL. After opening the package, i immediately felt that the bag was big (width wise). The first thing I tried was laptop compartment. First of all it was very thin. I wasn't surprised when it didn't fit my HP Pavillion Dv6000t (15.4") laptop that easily. I had to push it inside. And taking out wasn't that easy either.
Miami trip was a good chance to test the bag.
Their weather resistant cover at the bottom of the bag is really good and works well. But for me laptop compartment was more important. And their one side strap made my shoulder hurt throughout my trip (something people should think of before buying it).
Overall I wasn't satisfied much with the product !
Berghaus has been manufacturing excellent products for decades and I have been buying them for decades. This product is no exception. Strong, light and robust. The design is well thought out with plenty of uncluttered room for larger articles jacket plus whatever you need for a good day's hike in the mountains. I easily carried 10kg.s comfortably. There's also room for a water bladder as well, if you are so inclined. The pocket on the outside is well placed and provides for easy access for all those 'little things'. This is the sort of pack I use for a two three week trip to Asia or such like. Being a seasoned traveller this is what I consider to be the perfect balance between size and utilitynot too big, not too small, not too heavy and will withstand just about whatever you are inclined to throw at it. Highly recommended. Tom T.
