Lowepro Photographic Backpack, Black, BP 300 AW III

I’ve always rated LowePro camera cases and was looking at this one (flip side 300AW II) for a while before deciding. Firstly, comfort. The weight of the camera, kit lens, 2 other lenses and other paraphernalia are well-distributed in this case, ensuring you can wear it for long periods of time without getting shoulder / neck / back pain. The straps are easily adjustable to give a good fit. Second, security. I’ve not travelled with this case, however I always used to keep my zips safe with a large karabina on my old case, because I didn’t like that my camera was on my back and could be accessed. With this case, that can’t happen, as access is behind the straps. Thirdly, storage. The zip access on the rucksack provides ample storage for an iPad, keys, glasses, notepad and two side pockets mean you can carry a drinks bottle. No more going out with a camera bag...and a second bag with all your other kit! It’s on the pricey side but for me, does what I want / need it to do, making it worth the extra money from some of the similar rucksacks across the range.

Why am I say almost? Because Lowepro also follows marketing policies vs. creating the best backpack on Earth. They distribute the new inventions in several models, so they can sell them all. Maybe it is just me, but there are so many cool features but on 4-5 different models while it would not be hard, nor expensive to merge all these awesome things in one. My previous bag was a 400 AW which I liked however I missed a few things that are perfectly patched now in the new version. But anyways, I do not want to be nit picking here, since I think I still got the best backpack in my life and the most important features are there! I am really happy with it in general. It is made from really high quality materials. They built this to last. I love this green camo color, because it matches with my other military backpack, and on the previous black version, you could easily see the dirt that was hard to clean. The other important thing that it does not look so obviously like a photo backpack. It might come handy when you go to some place you do not want to bring other's attention that you are carrying expensive equipments on your backside. I love the new laptop pocket in the back, that was something I was waiting for. It has also extra straps on the bottom now to strengthen the hold when you keep the backpack on your belt while opening it. It is also higher and deeper that the AW 400 so I can fit all my new lens in there. I got 2 Canon Flashes, a 70-200 IS USM F2.8 II, a 24-70 F2.8, a Macro F2.8 100mm, A Canon 5D M4, a Canon 5D M2, a mini tripod, a Flash turbo with charger, a 13 inch Lenovo Yoga 2 laptop, a tons of batteries in the separate bag compartment (very handy feature), and a bunch of small items in bags all fit in the backside (all these weight about 10-11 kg). The bag barely, but still fits in the airplane's cargo, compiles with the big hand luggage size restrictions. It was important for me since I like travelling but do not like giving out my gear to strangers' hands. It is very comfortable to wear it on both sides (on my back or stomach) even with 10-11 kg weight in it. The backside is soft, nicely padded. Thanks Lowepro! :)

After almost 9 months, there's one little frustration I have with this bag that has been an issue on perhaps 3 or 4 different occasions. It's the limited options to reconfigure the internal dividers. The two main dividers are long, with a short 'hinged' pieces at the ends. The fixing velcro in the main 'tray' of the bag consists of two thin strips, running top to bottom. The combination makes it a challenge to customise/reconfigure the internal compartments for certain contents. One of the key features I was looking foward to with this bag was the side access flap, using it to grab/store my camera on the go. I find this impractical to setup with the internal divider limitations. Overall, though, I would say it's a great quality bag. I like the deepness of the interior, allows most equipment to be carried comfortably. I like the removable mesh zippered pocket, great for keeping all those small items safe and accessible. The laptop sleeve inside is great, but be aware anything bigger than a 14" laptop is unlikely to fit. The zips and build material is rugged and stands up to lots of use. Feels strong with lots of heavy gear packed inside. Comfortable to carry for long distances. The waist strap and ability to swivel and open the bag while standing is a brilliant feature when you find yourself unable to put the bag down, for whatever reason. Overall, I would recommend it as a great bag for professionals who need something tough and practical for daily use. If the internal configuration options were better, it would be the perfect working bag.

This bag is the result of my doing lots of research on Youtube as with no shops open I could not get a feel of what was good enough. Days after buying it I went to Iceland to visit the volcano and did three trips up the hill. In it I had, Nikon D750, 24-85 Zoom, 70-300 mm, filters, lens cleaning stuff, sd cards. Plus phone and a giotto tripod strapped to it. In there were my over trousers, gloves/beanie, snacks and on the side a big bottle of water. To be honest, I would not want a bigger bag (more kit) for hiking up 300 meters for a 7 mile round trip in howling wind on rough ground. While travelling, it also held my trablet and documents etc etc for carry on. It fitted the overhead bins on the plane easily. The bag has more straps than you can think off. I used some of them to attach a fleecey to etc. Overall good quality, right size and comfortable.

I'm not kidding when I say I researched for months. I tried bags in shops and even bought online and returned. This is perfect for my needs. For me will hold full frame Nikon, 70-200mm, 24-70mm, 14-24mm, 15mm fisheye, 50mm prime, 18-35mm and a 90mm macro plus.. a load of filters, cloths, triggers etc. Weighs a ton with that lot in :/ I usually take out the lenses I don't need. Or pack 3 essential lenses and fit the mavic 2 pro drone. Lots of pockets for small items. Lots of protection for kit. The promo vid showing someone undoing arms, swivel bag round and open with waist straps will only work with minimal kit weight. Tripod can attach central on back to centralised weight. I like the half open and fold of main opening if just need camera. Zips seem excellent. Materials feel strong. Overall very impressed.

It looks quite small on the outside but it’s actually got loads of room inside and can fit a lot of gear in. The bag is very well made and is so light the big pocket on the front has a few good sized compartments, there are 2 side mesh pockets a tripod cup on the front and a few straps to hang things off. Inside the main compartment on the flap there is a tablet or thin laptop pocket another good size pocket for accessories and there are 3 memory card holders. A novel feature 1 of the dividers splits open to store something thin in (cool feature). In the top section is a padded removable pouch. I think it makes a very good,day bag. It’s very good value for money and is Lowepro quality.

As I have only really had the chance to properly use this bag a couple of times, I can only give my opinion based on that. On first impressions I am very happy with the quality, space and relative comfort whilst carrying it on my back. I tend to carry 3 lenses (one fairly large), a camera body, several filters,spare batteries and occasionally a tripod. This bag seems to fit the bill perfectly, whilst the equipment is fairly heavy the bag distributes the weight nicely on the back especially with the adjustable straps-shoulder and waist, making it fairly comfortable to carry. Excellent main space which can be divided as required with velcro partitions allowing me to fit a large zoom attached to camera for easy use, whilst still allowing for a couple of other lenses plus filters to be stored safely. Plenty of other compartments ,accessed via front zip for storing lens cloths, batteries, memory cards etc. Very happy so far.

The good points first: 1. Great quality product, nice zips and having two pulls on a zip where required. 2. Versatile space with the dividers 3. Protection from the elements for your kit, good material with a coating to improve durability 4. Case is reasonably rigid, unlike some of its cheaper brethren out there. 5. Side and top opening access. 6. Comfortable to wear and carry as a back pack, and the top handle is great for quick handling 7. Bumpers on bottom and a 'hard case' type strip on the top pocket, only a strip but looks as though it will give additional protection. The bad points - clearly not designed by a photography or with one in mind! 1. No sensible places to store spare batteries, says for mirrorless - so that means (lots of) batteries! 2. No Sensible compartment to store cards and other small items. 3. Lost opportunity to add additional zipped pockets on the side (see 2!) 4. What pockets there are, are way to deep to be useful, put a battery or card in there it will be lost. Ok one deep one for phone is good! 5. No bottom pocket, to store rain cover, it means it has to go inside the bag - really! 6. Could do with more hard dividers, you only get two 7. You only get one side opening - which can be frustrating! The internal (orange mesh) pocket is removable, good, but missed the opportunity to put pockets or bands on the side of it to hold batteries, cards and other small objects. Whether you like the main opening on the carrying face (towards your back) is probably a matter of taste - might get use to it, so verdict out on that. Maybe the cons on this are small but they make the difference between a good bag and a brilliant one. Have other Lowepro backpacks and they are excellent, so the errors here are even more annoying as they can do it right! This should have been a 5 star rating, but the bad small points detract so much from its usability, giving it a 3, was going to give it a 1 as its so frustrating. Of course for others the 'bad' points might be a positive, but not for me! Would I buy again? Possibly! Should add, have recently tried some of the lower cost similar style backpacks, the conclusion is that its worth paying a little bit more for a quality 'name' product!