My impressions:
When I set out to find my camera bag I had 2 requirements and 1 nice to have:

• Should hold all my camera gear for the foreseeable future
• When I go hiking I should be able to fit the rest I bring in the same bag (coat, lunch, book etc etc)
• Nice to have: ability to fit my laptop in so it can function as my airplane carry on luggage

Based on these requirements I choose this bag, and I am definitely happy with it. The first requirement is easy to fill, many bags carry all the gear I have or was planning to buy in the foreseeable future. This gear is a nikon D60, 18-55 lens, 50mm lens, 70-300 lens, small stuff (battery, lenspen etc).

The second requirement was harder. Most bags which will carry the gear won’t carry much else. If you are going on a hike or short trip this means that you will need to carry two bags around. The LowePro was one of the few which had a good size camera part, but also room for other stuff and even a special laptop compartment for if your laptop needs to join you.

The bag is also comfortable to wear. I took it with me for long hikes in the Swiss alps (easy tracks though ) and walked all day with it through San Francisco and I didn’t have any problems with it.
The only limitation I found was that the lens which is mounted to the camera body can’t be too long. I would have preferred to be able to mount my 70-300 while the camera is in the bag, in case an animal shows up unexpectedly.
Tripod:
The tripod I have (manfrotto 785shb) also fits into the bag. It fits nicely in the top compartment. To optimise the space I have the ballhead sticking out, but this is not required.

pro’s
• Large enough camera compartment
• large enough space for other stuff
• comfortable to wear

con’s
• longer lenses won’t fit (over 16cm)
• Camera mounted lens can only be 10 cm

A good bag is important as it determines what gear you will have with you when you go out to shoot. I can recommended this bag without hesitation.

Happy shooting!
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