Pierre Bellavance wrote:
<snip>
> I've seen these, but only in catalogs:
>
> LowePro Topload Zoom Pro AW
> Lowepro S&F Specialist 85AW
>
> Both seem very interesting, as they're deep and easily opened.
>
> Have any of you used these (or other bags) that could be suitable for me?
<snip>
Hi Pierre,
FWIW, I have a S&F Specialist 80AW (the slightly smaller model).
It holds my EOS 50E with BP-50 and 70-200/4L lens attached
(including hood in reverse), and two smaller lenses (I have a 50/1.4
and a 28-105/3.5-4.5, both with hoods) plus a speedlite (550EX).
Then it's pretty stuffed(!), but there's room for some films and filters,
remote and other small things in its pockets though.
The 100-400/4.5-5.6L is a bit wider than the 70-200/4L
so it would probably not fit (along with the other gear mentioned)
in the 80AW, so a 85AW would then be a better choice I suppose.
One very nice thing about it (that I found out when I was mountain
hiking last summer) is that the collars at the sides (where the shoulder
strap is attached) are perfect to use to attach it to a backpack harness
(by using two additional straps). This way I could have the bag hanging
at my chest, while carrying the backpack (it also worked as a pretty
good counter weight to the backpack), making the camera very easy
to reach quickly, especially as the top opens away from the body.
Another good thing is the built in all weather cover, which really
came to use last summer, as the rain was pouring down alot...
A few bad things:
It doesn't stand very stable on its own, so don't put it down
with the top open or your gear may fall out. Also, though the shoulder
strap is quite good and padded, when then bag is loaded, it's pretty
heavy, so it will probably make your shoulder/back hurt if you walk
around with it for a long time (it makes mine). Another small annoyance
is that I have to move around an interior pad along with a lens when
I change from the large lens to one of the smaller ones or vice versa,
but it's quite quickly done.
All in all I think it's a very good bag, that seems durable. It was the best
compromise I could find at the time. Of course it could be larger, to
fit more gear, but then it would be, well, larger... and heavier and
not as handy.
Regards,
Johan
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