LOWEPRO SPECIALIST 85 AW ? ?

[Bruford]

This is my first post here so hello all (all that read this anyway :) )

I have a question..Does anyone use this bag? I need a small shoulder bag I can carry my camera in with lense attached and 2 extra lenses and maybe flash.
This is the gear I will carry:

Canon EOS 10D with BG-ED3 with Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM attached,
Canon 550EX Speedlite,
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM,
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG.

And if I don't bring flash I would like to carry :
Sigma 180mm f3.5 EX APO Macro.

If you use this bag do you think these will fit?
Thanks for your help.

[DaveG]

This is my first post here so hello all (all that read this anyway :) )

I have a question..Does anyone use this bag? I need a small shoulder bag I can carry my camera in with lense attached and 2 extra lenses and maybe flash.
This is the gear I will carry:

Canon EOS 10D with BG-ED3 with Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM attached,
Canon 550EX Speedlite,
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM,
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG.

And if I don't bring flash I would like to carry :
Sigma 180mm f3.5 EX APO Macro.

If you use this bag do you think these will fit?
Thanks for your help.


I just find that working out of a conventional shoulder bag works better and I've been using Domke bags for years. I carry the bag on a shoulder and then put it down to remove gear as I need it. It packs up in seconds and I don't have to secure the top. It IS lousy for those 2 + KM walks but let's face it those are pretty rare.

The Specialist would work but it seems like a funny kind of bag. It also looks like you completely fill it with the stuff you own - and want to carry - now. Even then you mention that you would bring the 550 OR a macro lens and sometimes a flash (or two) can be very useful for macro work in the field. I'd just want a bag that could hold more stuff.

I do own a backpack bag as well, the Lowepro Nature Trekker. It's good for the five KM hike, but becomes a pain when you want to go an additional 30 meters, since it requires repacking; and you should fully re-pack the NT the same way for either distance.

The Specialist looks like a hybrid, with a massive and probably pretty comfortable frame; but it still looks like you'd have some size and repacking issues. Remember that you pack bags two ways: The first is what looks good and makes sense at home. Then there's what happens after you use the gear in the field and the stuff gets reshuffled. Sadly you won't know about the b) packing until you've used it!