Lowepro Flipside 400 AW Backpack (Black) by Lowepro
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Digital camera reviews of Lowepro Flipside 400 AW Backpack (Black)
Digital camera Review: Best Camera Backpack I Have Ever Owned!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had a Fastpack 350, and it was just too big with no raincover and tripod holder. It looked like I was carrying a box, I had to sell it. Then comes the Flipside 400AW, I have been using this for a number of months now. I feel safe knowing that the opening is at the back and I can put my Gitzo Taveler Tripod (GT1550T)in any of the 3 different places - front or the sides(I prefer putting it on the sides, I feel it is more stable and secure). Plus when it rains the raincover will cover not just the bag but also the tripod. It looks a lot better than the Fastpack- sexier and more compact. Nice Surprise - The raincover doubles as a ground cloth cause the way it was design ,you can take out your gear without having to remove the raincover from the front(cool!!!) ,so your bag stays clean. Heavily padded shoulder and waist straps. Overall the best backpack I have ever owned.Digital camera Review: Best I have found but hoping the next version will be better
Summary: 3 Stars
I like this pack a lot and for reasons others don't seem to mention.
What I like:
I can set the bag down in the dirt, wet grass etc and use it as a workspace and keep my gear clean and organized while the back and straps stay clean. (watch out for ticks though)
There is only one way in and out of this bag. This way you can't accidentally leave the other side open as you roll it over or pick it up. Even if you leave the main zipper half done, the flap really would rather be closed and the act of putting it on your back will keep your stuff from falling out. So it makes it faster than the "sling" type bag I was using if I just whip it off my back and reach in the top.
It will hold more gear then I want to carry all day.
Like that it has water bottle holders.
What I don't like:
The hip strap is too high for my average length torso so I have to spool the shoulder straps out quite far to get this bag to sit on my hips and then the shoulders are not as comfortable. This was about the only thing that Clik Elite did right on their probody sport bag.
I would have liked a rubberized outer skin (like Caselogic is doing these days) so it would be easier to clean when I set it down in said grass.
The tripod holder could be way better (although this issue is not limited to this bag), here's why: If you use the tripod holder, the tripod will protrude out the bottom of the pack (all tripods will do this regardless of size). Acting like an extra long leg, the bag will want to tip over and land on the strap side (the part I would rather keep clean). Also, in order to get that useful workspace I talked about above, the tripod needs to be removed first or the bag will want to lay on one side or the other. Besides all of that, it only holds one leg so unless it is a monopod, it will be somewhat floppy side to side no matter how you strap it in.
To get around this I am using carabiners to attach my tripod case to the back straps so it hangs below the backpack. This lets me set the bag face down first and then take the tripod out. Since is is a Benro 5 section Traveler it is no longer than the pack is wide and works well but it is a cluge to get it to work. I have no idea how I would manage something longer like my old 3 section Manfroto.
I think attachment loops should have been added to various places around this pack (bottom, top, sides) for adding carabiners etc. mentioned above so people can customize their layout. Things like tripods are a great example of a place that needs flexibility because of the wide variance in shapes and sizes.
All and all, I have not seen anything better and I have really put a lot of effort into finding just the right bag, but I still think there is room for improvement.
Digital camera Review: Excellent LIGHTWEIGHT Lowepro Bag
Summary: 5 Stars
Despite its size, this is very light at 2.7lbs/1.2kg. [There is an error with Amazon's published weight. Please refer to the Lowepro website.]
This bag is highly recommended if you are looking for a dedicated camera bag rather than a Camera/Laptop bag.
Highly suitable as a travel bag for long trips. But as a day bag, it is too large, suggest you get the Flipside 300/200 instead if you are only going to carry 1 or 2 extra primes.
Pros:-
1. Plenty of configurable inner Velcro chambers.
2. Light weight - > at 1.2 kilos, feels as light as a feather!
3. Camera chamber opens only from the side next to your back. Recommended as a travel camera bag as it makes it more difficult for would-be thieves to reach your precious camera and lenses.
4. Can easily accommodate 2 DSLR bodies and a long telezoom lens along with 5-6 primes.
5. AW cover wraps over the bag for protection against heavy rain.
6. External Tripod holder.
7. Back pocket for keeping miscellaneous items.
8. 2 Side mesh pockets for your water bottle and perhaps umbrella.
9. The Flipside idea works very well as it acts as a platform for your to change your lenses. There is no need to set your backpack down on the ground to reach your photographic equipment.
Cons:-
1. Cannot hold laptops, unless it is a mini PC.
2. Rather large and will not fit under the seat of a commercial plane.
Digital camera Review: Excellent backpack
Summary: 5 Stars
The Flipside 400 is perfect for those occasions when a small pack will not do. It easily carries a couple of camera bodies (I carry a 1DS MkIII and 5D) a 100-400 IS lens, 24-105 lens, and still has room for flash, extra batteries and maybe even another lens. It also has an outside pocket for either accessories or non-photographic supplies (such as snacks) and has loops to attach other small cases to the belt or straps. Finally, it has a built-in all weather cover. I use a Flipside 300 for hard hikes where I want to go light and the 400 for longer trips and to carry more gear for the plane ride. It, like the 300, also has a nice pull-out pocket so you can strap a tripod on the back.Digital camera Review: Good bag but...
Summary: 3 Stars
Just recently got this bag and after putting everything in and trying it out, I'm returning it. Don't get me wrong, its a good bag, but what I don't understand is why lowepro decided to put the waist strap on the back flap of the bag. If you have a full load in the bag, that part bottoms out because its heavy and you have to use your leg to brace it up or use some other table or something to hold it up. If they put the waist strap on the bottom part your body/stomach would be able to hold it up because the strap is holding up the heaviest part of the bag. I have the Flipside 300 and thats exactly how that one is. Not sure if i explained it well. I needed a bigger bag than the 300 and thought the 400 was it. But it was disappointing for me anyway. This was the gear I had: Canon 40D with battery grip, 70-200 f/2.8 IS mounted hood reversed, 24-70 f/2.8, 16-35 f/2.8. you can reverse the hood on the 24-70 and it barely fits, forget about the 16-35. fits better if you don't have the hood on the 24-70 or 16-35 but you still have the problem with the bag being bottom heavy when you flip it around to try and take gear out. Great bag, bad design on this model so the 3 stars. Maybe should be less.