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

Here's a few tips for TLZ75AW users--you can slip a monopod through the large belt loop if you are using it with a shoulder strap. Get the Deluxe Padded Contoured Lowepro shoulder strap--about $15.00 and very worth it! My gripped 20D with a 17-85 will fit inside the TLZ75AW with my Sigma 30mm f/1.4 under it (or vise-versa). I can still carry my 580EX in the front pouch. Or use my Sigma 70-200 with 1.4x T-con attached, hood reversed. I carry the flash in front pouch, and a Better Beamer along the side of the lens, and you can put some granola bars in there as well. There is a velcro closure on the inside rear top of the pack. I open this and slide my laminated Cheat Sheets for camera and flash in there. Often I will use a large lens pouch on one side (holds either the 70-200 when off my camera, or one or both of my other lenses (use a crumpled plastic bag between them--rain cover). On the other side I put an Accessory Pouch 60 AW that can hold my 580EX with external battery pack, or my Olympus C5050 and a flash--or put another lens case there and carry a water bottle.

For walking around motocross tracks, I have the Street & Field shouder harness and the deluxe belt. Very comfortable. It is somewhat incovenient to get at the camera when it is in the TLZ75AW because it mounts in the middle back. But if the camera is in there, it's not taking photos--so it is rarely there. I will put the same two pouches on the belt, plus two more for 1 liter Nalgene water bottles. The lens cases for water bottles affords lots of insulation. I freeze the bottles half full, then fill them to the top when I start out. Ice in the bottles lasts a long time in those insulated lens cases! With the S&F I can still wear a back pack or a hydro pack or both.

I recently purchased a Slingshot 300 AW. Very nice. It needs more pockets! It is awkward when additional pouches are attached.

I have a Rover Plus AW. It is huge--but I need to take it off my back to access camera stuff. I also need to take the 70-200 off the camera to store it, unless I rearrange the innards. Nice pack--carries lots of stuff up top. Belt is pretty stiff too, but carries the weight well on my hips. I attach lots of pouches on it as well. You cannot use the AW cover when a tripod is mounted on this pack. I normally use a monopod anyway and it fits in the top section.

Right now, I am torn between the Slingshot and my TLZ75AW system. Both work great and have their uses. The Slingshot doesn't scream camera as mucy as the TLZ75AW...especially when that has extra pouches attacted to it, or is part of the S&F system.

I may get a Crumpler type bag some day--don't know. For just flash, camera sans grip, and one lens, such as 17-85 with a Fong LS2PJ--an $8.00 X-mart insulated lunch pale works fine! And it doesn't scream camera!

Sorry about the long post--hope this helps someone.

Thanks for the info. Sold me on it

Can it hold a tripod. That was my major concern. Is it all uncomfortable?

Thanks

Undiscovered wrote in post #2934558
Thanks for the info. Sold me on it

Can it hold a tripod. That was my major concern. Is it all uncomfortable?

Thanks

Can what hold a tripod? The Rover Plus AW can--it is equipped for that. The TLZ75AW cannot--BUT--you could slide two legs of a small tripod through the large belt loop and put a stout rubber band or strap around all three and it would ride there nicely. I often stick a monopod in there and it stays fine.

As far as the Slingshot bags--there are no provision to carry a tripod unless you add your own straps to do so. I am thinking about it--at least some short strap loops to add my own--similar to what Lowpro puts on their large lens cases for the stability straps. If you have a small tripod about the size of a 70-200 f/2.8, maybe a bit longer, collapsed, it should fit inside the Slingshot 300 AW--but I wouldn't bother. I have a cheap little Slik tripod, but I wouldn't use that with a 20-200 f/2.8 or longer/larger lens.

Mine just arrived. The chest strap is very comfortable even with a 5D with 100-400L plus other stuff in the front pocket.

I think it will combine well with my Lowepro backpack. I like to do landscapes and a bit of wildlife. The number of times I have been walking in the Scottish hills with all my camera stuff on my back when a deer appears. Damm - the camera's in the backpack! Solution - put the long lens on, into the Toploader and strap it to my front ready for action. The weight is more evenly distributed then as well.

Howdy folks,

I was directed to this thread by DavidW when I posted a question about what pack to use (Thanks David!).

I just read through this thread and it looks like the 75AW fits my needs most closely, but I still have a few questions maybe folks could help with.

I want to carry my rebel w/70-200 lens and 1.4 converter attached. I usually don't carry a bunch of other photo stuff, just what I need for short walks etc. I anticipate getting a canon 100-400 zoom lens in the future (but I think this has the same length when collapsed as my current 70-200?) and I "may" at some point in the future upgrade to one of the nicer canon bodies.

I dislike belt carry methods, chest carry methods, and full-on two strap backpack carry methods. That of course pretty much leaves me with shoulder carry or this over the neck messenger bag carry method as in this pic.
http://us.st11.yimg.co​m …om/I/botach_185​1_41220421

The messenger bag style seems kind of nice as you can rotate the bag a bit so it rides more over the small of the back, or to the front to make retrieving the camera easier without having to take the bag off. I really like the idea of retrieving the camera from a low position on the hip with an upward stroke.

With regards to the AW75:

1. Near as I can tell it is designed to carry over one shoulder and not in messenger bag style?

2. I'm tall with much of my height in my torso, consequently many shoulder type bags end up riding just under my armpit instead of down near my waist. The problem is likely to be exacerbated if I try to wear the AW75 in messenger bag style as the strap would need to be even longer. In addition, the strap with AW75 looks pretty wimpy compared to the bag in the picture above which has a very wide, very well padded strap. Can a much longer, better padded, wider strap be ordered for the AW75? If so, where can I order one?

3. My rebel w/70-200 lens and 1.4 extender measure 11". The lowepro site lists the 75AW as 12.5" tall. If I upgrade bodies someday or go to battery grip with this set-up will that put my rig too long for the 75AW bag?

Thanks much for your help.

Wayne

Wayne02 wrote in post #3591503
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With regards to the AW75:

1. Near as I can tell it is designed to carry over one shoulder and not in messenger bag style?

Both styles work with it if you adjust the strap to proper length.

Wayne02 wrote in post #3591503
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2. I'm tall with much of my height in my torso, consequently many shoulder type bags end up riding just under my armpit instead of down near my waist. The problem is likely to be exacerbated if I try to wear the AW75 in messenger bag style as the strap would need to be even longer. In addition, the strap with AW75 looks pretty wimpy compared to the bag in the picture above which has a very wide, very well padded strap. Can a much longer, better padded, wider strap be ordered for the AW75? If so, where can I order one?

75AW is so damn long, that I've never carry it as low as where they belt strap is supposed to go. On front it would disturb my normal walk and on a side with camera in it, it would shift weight in ugly way. With this in mind, strap's length has never been issue for me.
Once or twice I've used shoulder strap from my Lowepro Stealth Reporter (200AW) on it, but one of the nice things in 75AW's strap is that you can so quickly adjust it to proper length, so I've already returned to use the original shoulder strap on it (when I am not using chest harness on it).

Wayne02 wrote in post #3591503
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3. My rebel w/70-200 lens and 1.4 extender measure 11". The lowepro site lists the 75AW as 12.5" tall. If I upgrade bodies someday or go to battery grip with this set-up will that put my rig too long for the 75AW bag?

I've never had any problems with 75AW, when I've used it with 20D+70-200/4L + 1.4x II or 20D+200/2.8L+2x II. No idea how much situation would change with battery grip or 1-series camera, because lenses and bag are at home, while I am work at the moment. (and even if I would be at home, it would only be guess, since I don't have battery grip and/or 1-series camera).

Well, I just tried out the 75AW and the strap on the 75aw strap is no where near long enough. "That's not going to work" was the camera store employees statement when I tried it on.

It's not even remotely close to being acceptable. The bag rides way up high which completely defeats to the intended purpose of being able to draw the camera with lens vertically out of the pack without having to take the pack off or jack around with packs position.

I also tried on the lowepro slingshot 300aw and it worked a little better strap wise but my 300D with 70-200 + extender was too long for the pocket. The next size up slingshot would fit my camera ok but had a bunch of unnecessary space that I would likely not use.

Also tried on a tamarac I think it was called, which operated in the same manner as the slingshot but fit the camera better without being a huge bag. I may end up with that one if I can't find a quality, long, aftermarket strap for the lowepro 75aw.

Wayne

Did you try the deluxe Lowepro strap for the 75AW? I bought that for mine and it carries more weight over the shoulder and stays put much better than the supplied strap.

A side note--My gripped 20D with attached Sigma 18-200 OS (hood reversed) fits in the 75AW perfect along with a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (hood reversed) under the pad beneath the camrea, and 580EX flash fits in the front pocket (snugly). Spare camera and/or flash batteries fit in the bottom pocket.

I normally carry my ungripped 20D with 17-85 attached (and now the 18-200 OS) along with batteries and flash in $6.00 insulated X-mart lunch pail--works awesome and keeps the gear cool in summer, and warm in winter. The camera with a grip attached won't fit in this however. It does NOT scream camera inside either!

For walking around lately, I have gone gripless with 18-200 OS over the shoulder--no camera bag. For car travel, I'll revert to the Slingshot 300 AW or for when I need a bunch of stuff--but don't want to lug it with me all over the place. I hate carrying a bunch of stuff. For convenience of carry--I like the F&S system from Lowepro. I can carry all my stuff, plus 2 liters of water, a small day pack, a P&S camera and food, and it all carries all day much better than the Slingshot or any camera back pack. No rain cover for all the lens pouches, but that's what ponchos and umbrellas are for!

On June 30 and July 1 this year I walked all over Red Bud motocross track and I did not see many pros carrying packs or bags. They had their cameras out over shoulders, around necks or in hands, and had vest but not much in them. A few had a large lens case over their shoulder but that's it. I carried my Slingshot 300 AW this year, but mostly full of water and food and had my gripped 20D with 70-200 f/2.8 out all the time. I used the flash some, but kept it on the camera most of the time. Other stuff I needed photography wise, I could have put in my pockets and shed the pack, carried a cooler to sit on!

Wayne02 wrote in post #3597589
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I also tried on the lowepro slingshot 300aw and it worked a little better strap wise but my 300D with 70-200 + extender was too long for the pocket. The next size up slingshot would fit my camera ok but had a bunch of unnecessary space that I would likely not use.
Wayne

I think you meant you tried the 200, as the next size up would be the 300.

your 300 and 70-200 plus extender (if you mean the 1.4) will fit in the 200, but you need to put it lengthwise. My 1 Series and 70-200 fit fine in the slingshot 200.

mark

The shoulder strap you get with the Toploader 75AW isn't the greatest. I don't usually use a shoulder strap on this bag (my favourite way of carrying it is on my Lowepro Deluxe Waistbelt / Vest Harness setup), but if I do, I usually use the much longer, more padded and generally better shoulder strap from my Stealth Reporter D650AW.

The bag has good quality D rings - so you can find a suitable strap for your needs.

David

20D with grip and 70-200 f/2.8 with 1.4 t-con, all attached to camera, hood reversed, will fit in a 75 AW or a Slingshot 300 just fine and be ready for action in seconds. I don't think the camera with grip attached or with a 70-200 f/2.8 attached, will fit comfortably in a Slingshot 200, and definately not in a Slingshot 100.

The Lowepro deluxe shoulder strap is much more comfortable than the supplied strap for the 75 AW.

For a nice way to carry the 75 AW, use the deluxe shoulder strap on shoulder or messenger bag style, and use a small belt or strap with snap hooks on the D rings around your waist. You can move the bag to your hip, the waist strap keeps it tight to your body, but you can still move it around you for easy access, or out of the way.

In a pinch, you can also use the chest harness as back pack straps.

For rain covers for lens pouches mounted on sides of 75 AW--use shower caps with the elastic opening. Bread bags, garbage bags, freezer bags, and a rubber band works well too. Store the shower cap inside the lens case between the outer shell and inner padding, or just stuff it in the bottom. It will always be there when you need it.

I like my Toploader 75AW. It can take my gripped 5d with 70-200/2.8, or gripped 5d with smaller zoom plus a prime underneath. Strap isn't the greatest, but I like the grab handle at the flap hinge. It's a good "street bag", where I'm out with camera, rather than out shooting.

Still looking for a nice 4-5 lens bag, and still lusting after a Peli to carry all my gear...

Have you looked at the Digital Holster by ThinkTank? Here is a review I did on them. Very similar. Check out my signature.

I have just bought one of these to use as a bag that i can use when i dont want to take all my kit out.
I get fed up of trecing around with a full to the brim 300AW and getting back to find ive only used 1 lens.

This bag is brilliant. It fits my 5D with grip, 70-200mm with 1.4 extender, 430 flash, rocket blower, Canon Ixus 70 and still room for some other bits !!!!

It is incredibly well made and has numerous loops and holds that you can use to attach things too, as per the pics earlier in the thread.

OK i had to pay £70 for the privelege of getting it the same day as i needed it for the weekend, but having put all the kit in, its worth every penny.
Luckily Jessops have a 10% off and using Quidco i got it down to £70, and for collect in store they only had 2 and one of those was just down the road from me. Result.

If anyone is looking for a smallish bag that vcan fit loads, dont look any further than this bag, i highly recommend it.

I own one and love it. Especially when traveling to countries/cities with pickpocketing issues. It's a hand free solution which has everything in front of you without having any of the staps bother/rub you wrong the way.

Fits the 70-200 nice, however a very tight squeeze with the 2.0 extender on. With the 70-200 on a 20D, it will fit my 85mm and kit lens (again, tight but works). The rain cover is awesome too.

Overall great for a light shoot or just casual shooting.

Cheers