Looking for a small bag but have a lot of gear? A Lowepro Toploader 75AW review:

Here's an idea:
http://karlgrobl.com …entReviews/Came​raBags.htm

velvel wrote in post #2002098
Please advise: how should I connect the aw 75 to the Deluxe Waist belt?

just slide it through to the back in the middle with the velcro.

do you have the S&F vest or harness? if so, it makes the bag very stable in the back. use the belt buckle to connect the harness/vest directly. if not, it's still relatively stable if the belt is riding on your hips.

jylitalo wrote in post #716026
I've been using Toploader There are only few bad things that I can say about this bag.
1) with chest harness, I can't see where my feets are. Normally this is not an issue, but if your hiking (with backpack on your back) on rocky terrain or using narrow bridge/rocks to cross river, it will slow you down.

Check out the "lowepro offtrail 2" nice comfy belt setup and you can still wear a backpack above the offtrail.

I also wanted to thank you all for this (and many other) great reviews. After many years away from SLR due to the ahssles of scanning slide film and the ease of being lulled into snapshot mode by digital point-n-shoot, I have finally re-entered the photo world with new gear. Canon 30D, 70-200 f/2.8L IS, 24-105 f/4L IS, and put it all in the 75AW Toploader with a lens case strapped to each side. Sweet set up so far!!

Just anounced and shown at the NY Photo Expo show this week was the Lowepro Slingshot 300. Incredible bag- same layout as the 200 but can hold more lenses and can allow you to put a 70-200 f/2.8 attached to a 30D/D200 body with grip right in the bag.

This is the killer bag of the year, will retail at 99.95 and will start shipping in 6 weeks.

http://www.lowepro.com …tal/SlingShot_3​00_AW.aspxhttp://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ch&Q=*&bhs=t&sh​s=PPE06016

Received my Toploader 75 today. It's a lot bigger than I was expecting, but I'm probably expecting miracles if I want to fit the 100-400L into anything smaller

Build quality is excellent (as usual with Lowepro).

Time to calm down on my spending now - I've blown my entire life savings since July!

I've had my 75aw for several months now. I have it set up with two LC-4 lens cases that allow me to carry a total or three lenses, one in each case and one connected to the camera in the actual bag. My 430EX flash rides in the front pocket with plenty of room to spare for extra batteries and a bunch of other small items. For the most part this setup has suited me very well.

With all that said, I've replaced the 75aw with the Slingshot 300. I've only had the Slingshot for a couple of hours, but it's definitely a keeper. My biggest gripe w/ the 75 was that it was a pain to keep balanced on my shoulder while walking around. Carrying it across my chest wasn't very comfortable either. Although the Slingshot 300 isn't small or discreet, it is a lot less bulky than the 75 with two lens cases attached. As far as comfort, the Slingshot 300 wins hands down. Both bags are carried over one shoulder, but the Slingshot rests on the body a whole lot better.

Accessing the camera and the lenses will probably be easier with the 75. I don't think I'll mind having to swivel the Slingshot around my body to pull the camera out. I'll have to update this post after a couple more days of use.

I think both the Toploader and Slingshot can be good solutions.


My Toploader setup is rather similar to yours (and my kit is too - except that my body is a 20D with BG-E2 grip, I have an EF 16-35mm f/2.8L instead of an EF 17-40mm f/4L, and a Speedlite 580EX instead of your Speedlite 430EX - though it works out at the same volume and mass, pretty much).

The special thing in my case is that I'm a wheelchair user, so things carried on my back aren't very useful, as that's where my wheelchair backrest is. My solution is to chest carry the Toploader and lens cases on a Deluxe Waistbelt / Vest Harness setup.


I don't think the Toploader makes that good a shoulder bag; it may be better with a better shoulder strap, but the included one is nothing special. I have a Stealth Reporter D650AW, which takes my laptop, chargers and various other bits and pieces as well as the camera kit. I'm sure that (or any of the other Stealth Reporter series) would make a much better shoulder bag; it's designed to sit across the low back, and the D650AW has a strap to steady it in that position.

Where the Toploader wins is in versatility as well as ease of access. Even though I can only make use of part of the carrying capacity of the harness/belt setup because of the wheelchair, in that I can only put things on my front, I can appreciate how powerful and flexible a solution it is. I don't necessarily carry all of my kit either - I can take one or both of the lens cases off the Toploader if I don't need them.

David

Another twist:

I have the 65AW from Lowepro - it's just a bit shorter - fine for smaller zooms such mine.

I put the strap out to full length, and over my head, push the bag to one side (or even paritally behind me). It stays in place without falling off my shoulder, so I didn't have to keep sliding it back on.

By pushing it slightly behind, the weight doesn't seem so off centre. And I can sling my tripod over too.

Sheesh I feel like a mule.

There's so many ways to use the Toploaders. I still think there's better shoulder bags - if you're after something to use as a shoulder bag. Where the Toploader wins is on flexibility; there's so many different things that you can do with it. I'm still just as happy with my chest-carried setup using my Toploader.

Unfortunately my Stealth Reporter D650AW is acquiring extra bits and pieces attached to the side (it now often wears three Sliplock accessories these days). Such are the perils of acquiring more and more kit.

David

Toploader 75 lacks a waist belt. So I opted for the Offtrail which lacks a raincover but does have a waist belt. As an option I added a small raincover made for a backpack. The Offtrail is not as deep inside as the 75, but will still fit the 70-200 2.8 without the hood.

I notice ebay has them relatively cheap, but i'm undecided which I need. 70 or 75AW? I have Canon XT w/ grip and extra battery, 55mm, 28-70mm, 70-300mm lenses. Would the smaller one (70) be a better choice? or for the extra few dollars get the 75AW? Am I able to store personal items and possible some food in it if I'm going for a hike? Thanks

I guess that depends on whether or not you plan on ever getting any longer lenses. A good thing about a slightly larger bag is that it may allow you to keep the hood forward on all your lenses.

I have the 75AW and it's perfect for my 20D with attached 100-400 lens.

JohnnyG wrote in post #2916368
I have the 75AW and it's perfect for my 20D with attached 100-400 lens.

And the 70AW works perfectly with my 350D w/ grip and the 70-200 F4 L (hood reversed) attached. You can even squeeze the 430EX in the front pocket (though it's a bit tight).