Lowepro Tag

Lowepro have recently extended their hugely popular range of bags by introducing a new line of backpacks designed specifically for DSLR videographers and based on their award winning Fastpack series.

When I heard that Lowepro were adding a range of optics bags that included a backpack specifically designed to give wildlife watchers a “hands-free, protective and supportive way to carry a large spotting scope and tripod in the field”, I was immediately interested.

For me, it’s all about size and convenience, which is where the Lowepro Pro Runner 200 AW fits in perfectly. Whilst appearing small from the outside, unzip the Pro Runner 200AW and you have your very own personalised Tardis.

Photographers probably already know about Lowepro, who produce a large range of quality camera bags. Well, they have now also added an optics range of bags designed for those who mostly use binoculars or spotting scopes and I recently got the chance to test their Field Station, a belt-pack designed to give you a hands-free and comfortable way to carry your binoculars and other birding gear.

In today’s photographic environment where photographers may have to carry a range of camera, video and computer gear and turn their hand to more than just taking pictures, a modular system that can be adapted on a shoot by shoot basis makes perfect sense, so it’s no surprise that Lowepro have revamped their Street and Field gear in the form of the new S&F Series.

Once upon a time if you wanted a camera bag you had to choose which type suited you best; a rucksack or a shoulder bag? Then, sling-bags came along that offered the benefits of both. With less than a week until I was due to take my children to Disneyland Paris, I still hadn’t sorted out how I was going to carry my camera gear. Then, as if conjured up by magic, an email arrived in my inbox asking if I’d review the Lowepro SlingShot 302 AW. Eureka!

In the “Why I love my…” articles we will be asking photographers to tell us about a specific piece of equipment that they have developed a strong bond with and whose presence has improved their photographic experiences. It might be a near perfect combination of form and function that is to be put up on a pedestal and worshipped, or a flawed and challenging device that requires a fair bit of effort to wrangle the best out of, but whose companionship is essential. Here, Ben Weeks tells us why he loves his Lowepro DryZone 100 backpack.

For the benefit of any of you that are interested in the Photokina happenings, but didn’t want to travel to Germany, weren’t able to go to Germany, or, like some of us, had to stay behind and work while your colleagues went to Germany, we will be updating you with all the latest goings-on via the WEX blog and Twitter. What’s more, in an exciting new venture for WEX, we will be bringing you a visitor’s-eye view of some of the stands and products in the form of WEX TV video clips!

In order to review a bag like the Lowepro Fastpack 350, you have to spend some quality time with it. I’m not talking about making restaurant reservations or taking it to the pictures, but simply pointing out that a straight-forward dissection of the bag could be completed in less time that it takes to read this review, so would hardly make it worth writing. No, in order to determine if this is the kind of photo bag you could happily live with, I need to do just that – live with it.

If you have invested in a big body and bright long lens then you want it safe in transit and by your side whenever you can. They always say the best camera is the one you have with you and the right bag stops you wondering whether it’s worth the hassle.