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I need a new bag, prefer a backpack. Been looking at the Lowepro Vertex 200Aw. At $350 I want o make sure it will do everything I need.

I want to carry the D700 70-200 80-400 24-120 sb800 50mm along with odds and sods.I think all that will fit.

If someone has another thought I'm open to options.Or if soemone seen it cheaper I'm all ears.


Regards
MATT

I have a Vertex 200AW it is a great bag. At the present, in it resides a D300+MB-D10+Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR, Sigma 180mm f/3.5 Macro, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8, SB-800, SB-600 and some filters and other bits. I dont think you will have any problems with your kit.

Also have a look at the MiniTrekker (very popular with other forum members) although it may be a bit of a squezze. The NatureTrekker is also another nice backpack from Lowepro, a friend has a 20D + grip, 100-400L IS, 70-200L f/2.8 IS, 17-55 f/2.8 IS, 10-22, 100m f/2.8 macro, 30mm f/1.4, 580ex, 430ex and some other odds and ends in his. Not sure about the price though.

hi
i have this vertex200 bag too its a grea bag it fits 2 bodies with lenses attached 80-200 and 17-35 with room for an extra lens and 2 flashes
i manged to fit pocket wizards a laptop too on the front bit
only issue is its very bulky with the extra padding inside and the re-enforced shell so zipping up is tighter than usual
compared to the older bags that moulded and lossened up after some use

Well, it sounds like it is the right bag for me. Its definately sturdy.

I have a mini trekker but it wont hold every thing I need.


have read that it is the right size for carry on luggage also? Is this true?

Thanks for you input guys.

MATT

MATT wrote:Well, it sounds like it is the right bag for me. Its definately sturdy.

I have a mini trekker but it wont hold every thing I need.


have read that it is the right size for carry on luggage also? Is this true?

Thanks for you input guys.

MATT

I have never tested this, but from eyeballing it I think it will be a little big (lets not mention weight) but I would check the external dimensions and compare that to that supplied by the airlines.

It is a sturdy bag, I love mine. Great harness on it as well, I think the only way to get a better harness is to have a proper internal frame.

I know one bag doesnt fit all.. But I did a few days with Darren Leal. I asked what gear he takes . To which he replied "All of It". His reasoning was that rather than make do, look at the image you want to take and pcik the lens for the job.

He had a Tarmac bag, in it he had 5D, 24-105,105Macro,100-400, a wide angle, some extension tubes, flash and othe odd sods and a MAcbook. That pretty much covered everything.

Then he said to make sure the bag is good enough to hike in as some of his tours you hike for a lot of the day.

The 200 seems to fit that bill.Now to just find it cheaper.

MATT

pop into your local ted's or somewhere similar and negotiate. It seems like people are able to get some good prices after negotiating lately.

I recently purchased a new bag for all my gear, and settled on a Lowepro primus AW.

I am carrying:

in the top section: 1x Metz SCA 3000, 2 nikon SB 24s, a set of radio triggers, snoots, gells, umbrella clamps, misc cables,clamps, gells and fittings.

in the bottom/side quick access section: 5dmkii with attached 24-105 IS L, Batteries, lense cloth, room for 2 more lenses, and something soft stuffed in there.

In the outside compartments: Large reflector in front, grey/white card in side pocket, 2 lightstands and 3 brolleys on the tripod mount.

it's a nice comfortable bag, even fully loaded and perfect for me as most of the gear i carry is for lighting.

if i wasn't carrying all the lighing gear, it'd still be ok to pack lunch, a jacket and a book in the top section and go for a hike. the camera section is below, so the centre of gravity stays low and is supported by the waist strap.

i would go have a play with them in the store, teds in sydney have a pretty big range in these days.

i paid $250 for mine.

I have a Delsey Gopix 90 with which I am very happy. I believe you could fit all the gear you specified by moving the dividers around.

I have taken it as carry-on for both domestic flights in Australia and International to the US.

Here it is on eBay.

One other thing worth looking at is the weight of these bags.

I'm sure there are trade-offs between weight, carrying capacity, waterproofness and sturdyness, but all the same the Vertex 200 is 3.32kg vs ATJ's Delsey at under a kilo. You might notice that at the end of a days hiking.

The other thing is to know how far and how often this is going to actually be on your back. If it's a lot, (and your physio would probably say anything is a lot) harness fit is important. With this sort of weight, you want a good wide hip belt and a good shoulder suspension that allows you to balance the load between shoulders and hips.

Depends on your own dimensions, but more easily said than done. Personally, I can get a really good hike daypack to fit, but a camera daypack that fits and is good for carry-on luggage is as rare as hens teeth. The MiniTrekker is fine for short hops, but the hipbelt is way too high to be of any real use, and the shoulder straps are too short. Nice useful bag layout though.

Vertex 200 is $324 + delivery from Quality Camera.

Michael