Lowepro Stealth Reporter 600/650

I'm just curious if anyone here uses this bag on a daily basis? I wanted to get a bag that will hold my laptop and my 300D/Grip and a couple lenses and a book or two, to be used as a daily commuting bag. I live in Chicago and take the bus/train to and from work, so my environment can be cramped at times.. How big is this bag, really? I'm using a standard leather laptop case now, and I could maybe go 1 1/2 times bigger, but not much more.. what are your opinions, does this bag make a good daily bag, or is it for extended trips and such?

BrandonSi wrote in post #2474763
I'm just curious if anyone here uses this bag on a daily basis? I wanted to get a bag that will hold my laptop and my 300D/Grip and a couple lenses and a book or two, to be used as a daily commuting bag. I live in Chicago and take the bus/train to and from work, so my environment can be cramped at times.. How big is this bag, really? I'm using a standard leather laptop case now, and I could maybe go 1 1/2 times bigger, but not much more.. what are your opinions, does this bag make a good daily bag, or is it for extended trips and such?

I have the 600 and have used it extensively for the last 4 years day in and day out. I carry my work laptop, a notebook (writing), canon 20D with either the 35L or my 28-75 on it. Plus plenty of other stuff (headphones, network IT crap, and all that stuff). I've taken in with me on my motorcycle more then half that time and it's worked out just fine. It's my biggest bag (I own a crumper 6 million dollar home too) and can fit allll of my stuff in it. I highly recommend it.

SD929 wrote in post #2474805
I have the 600 and have used it extensively for the last 4 years day in and day out. I carry my work laptop, a notebook (writing), canon 20D with either the 35L or my 28-75 on it. Plus plenty of other stuff (headphones, network IT crap, and all that stuff). I've taken in with me on my motorcycle more then half that time and it's worked out just fine. It's my biggest bag (I own a crumper 6 million dollar home too) and can fit allll of my stuff in it. I highly recommend it.

Thanks, that sounds about what I'm looking for then.. I'm going to head out to a few luggage places during lunch to see if I can find one.

BrandonSi wrote in post #2477659
Thanks, that sounds about what I'm looking for then.. I'm going to head out to a few luggage places during lunch to see if I can find one.

You will probably not find the Lowepro camera cases in luggage stores.

Better quality camera stores (the ones which would cater to professionals in addition to photo hobbyists) are the only likely place for you to find them. This does NOT include places like Ritz Camera and their twin sisters.

I use the 650 AW. A slim notebook PC could fit in mine if I didn't use the space for other things, but there's no way I could get any books (other than the little camera manuals, etc.) in there with the camera equipment.

SkipD wrote in post #2477857
You will probably not find the Lowepro camera cases in luggage stores.

Better quality camera stores (the ones which would cater to professionals in addition to photo hobbyists) are the only likely place for you to find them. This does NOT include places like Ritz Camera and their twin sisters.

I use the 650 AW. A slim notebook PC could fit in mine if I didn't use the space for other things, but there's no way I could get any books (other than the little camera manuals, etc.) in there with the camera equipment.

I'm not sure if the 600 is any different (I would think smaller but hey) then the 650 but I fit my Thinkpad t42p (full size 15" screen) and a mead 3 subject notepad (that's about 3/4") I expanded my laptop compartment just a bit to accomidate but still have plenty of room for other stuff. I frequently stuff my 10-20 sigma, 70-200mm f4, body w/ 35L attached, and a bunch of other work related stuff. Maybe my bag is 'stuffed' but it all fits and the flap closes no problemo. Good luck in your search,

I have the 400, but if the 600/650 are the same, one thing you might want to keep in mind is that the top is not padded. If the bag is ever dropped and lands upside down...

Personally, I've never had issues with the unpadded top on my 400. OTOH, I can't imagine carrying a shoulder bag as large as the 650. Even using a nice OpTech neoprene strap, my 400 feels pretty heavy before too long. I usually tote around a 10D+grip, 17-40, 28-75, 550EX and a few batteries. Hmm, that's not a whole lot. Maybe I just have a weak shoulder.

Anyway, at the size of a 650, a backpack seems like a more ergonomically friendly choice. All IMHO, of course.

slin100 wrote in post #2479507
I have the 400, but if the 600/650 are the same, one thing you might want to keep in mind is that the top is not padded. If the bag is ever dropped and lands upside down...

Personally, I've never had issues with the unpadded top on my 400. OTOH, I can't imagine carrying a shoulder bag as large as the 650. Even using a nice OpTech neoprene strap, my 400 feels pretty heavy before too long. I usually tote around a 10D+grip, 17-40, 28-75, 550EX and a few batteries. Hmm, that's not a whole lot. Maybe I just have a weak shoulder.

Anyway, at the size of a 650, a backpack seems like a more ergonomically friendly choice. All IMHO, of course.

I'm a big guy so maybe I don't notice the weight. I wanted a backpack too, but unless you get something like a slingshot, you'll have to take the thing off, lay it down and then open it up. My shoulder bag, has a zip on top, I don't even have to open up the main flap to pull out my camera or change a lense. That was my main goal, conveinence and easy of use.

I have a Lowepro Stealth Reporter D650 AW. It's a great bag, but fully loaded, it's heavy. Fully loaded in my case means 20D and BG-E2 grip, EF 16-35mm f/2.8L, EF 24-70mm f/2.8L, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, all the hoods and the tripod ring for the 70-200, Speedlite 580EX, batteries, chargers, TC-80N3 remote, cleaning kit, Kata E-702 rain cover, a couple of black sacks (garbage bags for the American readers), WhiBal, various cables, QR plates, a couple of 77mm B+W MRC filters in cases, compass, pen, pencil and Post-It Notes. There's often a Dell Latitude D600 and mouse in the laptop slot, as well as a Pouch 50AW on one side containing a Kensington Lock (yes - I know they're hardly invulnerable) and a Pacsafe 85, which gives a total all up of 14kg.

I wouldn't want to lug that lot round with me all day, but to move all my kit in one go, it's great. I'm off to a meeting tomorrow where I'll need both the Latitude and the camera kit, so everything listed will travel in the D650 AW, and I'll probably put a flattened Targus Notepac in my suitcase along with my DeskJet 450wbt portable printer in its bag (I can take a huge suitcase; I'm travelling by car).

Shooting out of the D650 AW is a dream - it's just moving the thing!

David

I'm with David on that one! I have the 650AW too...great bag excpet I can lift it fully loaded LOL.....so I keep just about everything in it and then have a backpack for extended trips/holidays and a tamrac pro 5 for ordinary day out type trips....so if your planning on the 650 make sure your really strong LOL....