Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW Review

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I purchased this backpack for my husband, who is an avid digital photographer. He shoots with a Digital Rebel XT, and has the usual (and perpetually expanding) assortment of lenses, filters, cords, laptop, and tripod to be hauled about. This bag carries it all, with room to spare. It is sturdy and well constructed, nicely padded, and the little miscellaneous pockets and pouches are logical and abundant (for things such as memory cards, pens, notepads, etc.)

It is larger than we expected. Of course, that is *why* it has so much room, but if it were full to capacity it might be difficult for a small-framed person to carry comfortably. That is absolutely the only reason I did not give it 5 stars, it is a great product!

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Like many photographers, I have lots of camera gear, ranging from little gizmos like a remote release, through a variety of full-size camera bodies (including the Canon 1V), and a range of Canon 'L' lenses, including the 500mm f/4 IS.

I also have quite a few camera bags, mainly Lowepro, although I've never found one that's ideal for travelling. This bag, however, has ended that search.

On a recent safari trip, I managed to fit the following equipment into the bag:

* Canon EOS 1V body

* Canon EOS 5 body

* Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens

* Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L lens

* Canon 500mm f/4.0 L lens

* Canon 1.4x Extender

* Canon 540EZ flash

* Sekonic 558 light meter

* 50 (yes 50!) rolls of 35mm film

* Various other batteries, remote releases, filters, etc.

All of the lenses had lens hoods attached, even the 500 f/4.

Sure, the bag weighed a ton (I'm sure it was well in excess of 25 kgs!); however, I still managed to get it on a plane, leaving from Heathrow (not on BA admittedly), without a single question being asked. The key is that the bag is within the current carry-on guidelines and as long as you don't look like you're carrying a baby elephant, it seemed to be fine.

The quality of the build is as with all Lowepro bags really excellent, and there are a number of thoughtful touches which make this a real pleasure to use (e.g. dedicated pockets for CF/SD cards; special straps for a tripod; an excellent waterproofing system). The straps are thinner than I expected, although combined with the waist and chest harnesses, I found the bag even when fully loaded extremely comfortable to wear. There's also a dedicated compartment for a laptop (up to 17"), although I'm not sure I could have squeezed it in with all the gear (I have subsequently done so with slightly less in the main comaprtment, and the laptop fits very nicely). While I might think twice about doing a 20 mile hike with all that gear, this bag would be the one I'd choose to do it in.

Overall, this bag is probably too big to take on a day walk. I'd still take my Rover for that, or possibly one of the Crumpler bags. I'm also looking at the new Slingshot range. However, this bag is definitely going to be my main bag for travelling from now on.

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I love this backpack. It is heavy but that is a necessary evil since it provides your valuable gear with so very much foamy protection. When worn properly, it is very comfortable. I especially like that the main cavity can be changed with the velcro-like dividers, the dividers once in place hold really well; It can hold my DSLR with a 100-400mm lens on it with no problem. The unit has so many places to squirrel away stuff you ought not to be wanting for more. It holds my Toshiba 14" laptop just fine.

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With all the restrictions on airlines I purchased this bag to be able to transport both my 17" Macbook Pro and Nikon D80 with lenses and accessories in one bag while flying. As described, the Lowepro Computrekker Plus AW Camera Backpack held everything with plenty of additional space but did not, as described, fit easily under the airplane seat or even into the overhead compartment on a smaller jet. This is just a word of warning to fellow photo-vacation travelers.

I appreciate that the boring-looking bag doesn't exclaim "I'm holding expensive gear!" but it is pretty heavy when full. Assuming you won't go out from your hotel carrying everything, you will need a smaller bag to tote just camera equipment on excursions.

After this past trip I will rarely choose to use this bag: too much hassle.

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Good design with lots of compartments. I could rearrange the seperations to hold a Canon 500mm F4, a Sigma 400mm Telemacro, a Canon 70-300mm lens and a Canon 28-70mm lens and a Canon 350D with a Canon 1.4x teleconverter attached to the body. The pouches in the front are good to hold 4 memory cards. Also some space for storing cleaning material like cleaning tissues, liquid and cloth. The computer compartment is pretty spacious and can comfortably hold my 14.1'' Dell Lattitute D610 notebook, it's battery charger and a mouse. On the whole a very good buy.

A couple of minuses! The Canon 500mm F4 with the hood and front cover is higher than the depth of the compartment. May be the bag is not meant for this type of lens. But I will never know as the Lowepro guys did not have a technical specification on what types of lenses that it would hold. Anyways I am saved by the flexibility of the front cover!

The shoulder straps though comfortable could have been a bit broader at the shoulder to evenly distribute weight and preventing cutting into the shoulder and neck as it happened recently to me on a 6km trek through a hilly terrain. What is missing on the bag is a waist strap which I would have very much liked on this 6km trek. The bag comes with a all weather cover which is useful in a rainy place like in India. I cannot ask for much more from this bag for the price!