Outstanding. One of the best.
Selecting a camera bag can be difficult. I've purchased and sold many camera bags over the years for one reason or another; too small too big too unwieldy lacking a key feature that I need etc. but the SS 200 is one bag I'll keep until it wears out. I've owned the SS 200 now for over a year and have taken it on several international trips where it performed beautifully. this bag is excellent for both casual and serious/professional photographers.
I currently own several bags including photo backpacks two sizes of the Lowepro sling bags (Slingshot 200 reviewed here and the new 300 - limited if any public availability at this point) a Crumpler shoulder bag and other types of camera bags from different manufacturers all in varying sizes. I'm also familiar with all the "high end" bag manufacturers such as ThinkTank Kinesis et. al. and all the alternative systems such as waist belts vests etc. It's important to remember that most photographers will need more than one bag depending on what they're shooting that day and the one thing I can say is that in an imperfect world of compromises this is the closest I've come to being satisfied with a single bag.
I'm a long time Canon user so I'll use Canon equipment as a reference and you can check the size of your camera/lenses for fit against these comments. Those using Nikon and other manufactures can do the same. All sizes weights dimensions for your brand can easily be found on the web. OK so here's what I like about this bag.....
1) It holds a compact to large SLR comfortably though my larger cameras (1 series film and digital cameras) with an extended battery grip are a tight fit. For traveling I use a smaller digital camera (5d) with or without a grip but a 1.6x crop body such as a 20d/30d 300d/XT/XTi will fit very easily and this is the camera size I recommend for this bag. Nikon D200/D70/80 Sony Olympus Pentax will have no trouble at all
2) It's very comfortable; the strap crosses your chest diagonally is well padded and there's an extra strap that can be/usually is stored in the bottom of the bag that you can pull out for extra support. I've carried this bag for 10-12 hours a day for 10 days without complaint. I did use the extra strap when I was walking more than shooting and it helped quite a bit. Note: There's a comment below from a woman that wasn't satisfied with the fit but for men this simply isn't a problem. Sorry to all the women out there but depending on your bust size it may or may not be an issue so I'd check the fit at your local store.
3) It's very easy to gain access to your gear. Actually this is the easiest bag I've used bar none. It eliminates the "back pack" syndrome of having to remove the pack to remove your gear it doesn't force all the weight on one shoulder like a shoulder bag (the weight is more evenly distributed across your chest and back and it provides the room most serious photographers need for casual shooting and beyond. Since the bag opens "away" from you when it's in the chest position it's easy to reach in and grab things and there are two safety buckles that prevent the bag from opening too much and spilling the contents.
4) There's adequate storage space for extra batteries filters (Circular Polarizers and/or macro filters like a 500d) lens hoods an external flash remote controls small flash lights bubble levels neck/wrist straps even the manuals will fit if you want to take them with you. In short you can store what you need as long as you keep the lens size reasonable. If you have a small light weight tripod and you're clever you can even work it out so you can carry it on the front of the bag. Beginning photographers with fewer/smaller lenses will find this bag more than adequate. Careful though you may want to overload it and make it heavy; it's not hard to do!
What body lens combinations can you store? I suggest no more than 1 body and 3-4 lenses with flash and other gear. I have built an extensive lens collection over the years but if I'm on a personal trip I like to carry a 3 lens solution using a 16-35L 24-70L or a 24-105L and the 70-300 DO plus a small 220ex flash. Your collection will be different so what is a "reasonable" lens size for this bag? It may be easier to list what isn't reasonable but I'll give both examples.
Unreasonable: Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS or non-IS (note: I think the f/4 versions are borderline but I'd pass) 100-400L 300 f/4 400 f/5.6 etc. I think you get the point but the lenses I listed and larger should be avoided. This goes for Nikon equivalents too. I've squished a 100-400L in there but it has to go on an angle the bag can't be easily set up so it's attached to the camera and in my opinion is more trouble than it's worth. Don't do it buy the larger SS 300 instead when it's available to the public (early 2007).
Reasonable lenses: Everything else. All EF-S lenses designed for Canon 1.6x crop bodies (e.g. 10-22 60 macro 17-55/17-85 IS) The 200mm f/2.8L may be OK but all prime lenses from 135L down (85mm 50mm 35mm 24mm etc. in both L and non-L flavors will be fine. All the TS-E lenses (24L 45mm and 90mm) all versions of the 70-300 (DO non-DO). All other wide angle to mild telephoto zoom lenses are reasonable with the exceptions noted above. Popular full frame (non EF-S) zooms will fit including the 16-35L 17-40L 24-105L 24-70L etc.).
I think this is one of the most popular bags Lowepro has produced and there's a good reason; namely it's a very useful bag. I hope this review has a little something for everyone here and it helps make your decision easier. Good luck.
More detail ...
0 comments:
Post a Comment