Lowepro Pro Runner 200 AW Camera Backpack Review

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program As usual, Lowepro has come out with a high quality camera bag. Obviously a lot of thought and experience have gone into making this camera bag/backpack.

It's a very handsome bag, well constructed with decent materials, straight stitching and no loose threads. The bag is well padded, and the interior compartments are easy to rearrange with the velcro spacers so you can fit the lenses nice and snug in there. There are lots of small and medium size accessory pockets to pretty much store all the extras for your DSLR, even a spot for a small tripod on the outside. You could probably fit up to 5 lenses in there depending on their size, but I'm not sure if you really want to carry so many lenses around at once. Alternatively, you could centralize all your camera stuff in there for trips and mix DSLR and P&S cameras in the various pockets. I like that there are a small lower-back padded bump, adjustable shoulder straps, and across the chest strap for serious hiking. There are two OUTSIDE mesh pockets that securely fit one standard size bottle of water each. This really makes this bag more useful since you could just take this bag with a few small snacks and two bottles of water for photo hiking trips from base camp. And there is a water cover sewn into the bottom of the pack that flips over the whole pack in case you are caught in wet weather.... great touch!

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program PROS:

Tough and strong stitching and fabric build-quality is more durable than my Lowepro Slingshot 200 All Weather Backpack (Black).

Not a long bag so it sits high on you back good for active movement like hiking.

Smart tripod connections.

zippers move fast no snags or slow-downs so that I can change lenses fast.

It hold my 70-200mm f/2.8

Nice colors. I really like the Pine Green and black color choice.

CONS:

This bag does fit my 70-200mm f/2.8 but it does NOT have space for the lens hood reverse mounted on the lens (kind of a big deal for me since the lens hood both reduces unwanted flair and offers physical protection in case I would ever drop or tap the front lens element against something). In fact, almost no lens plus lens hood will fit in this bag when combined (except my 35mm f/1.4). And yes I'm aware that I can rearrange the inside walls of this bag but rearranging does not change the total amount of space available.

This bag does NOT fit my camera plus the battery/vertical grip attached. This is a big deal for me since I always shoot with my battery grip attached. I therefore had to travel with my camera over my neck constantly but my lenses stuffed away in the bag. All Lowepro had to do was increase the depth of this bag a couple more inches to allow a camera + battery/vertical grip to be inserted. The Lowepro Flipside 200 Backpack (Black) has enough depth for a camera + battery/vertical grip and it is similarly priced.

This bag looks funny on tall people because it is a short bag. I'm 6'2 and my wife laughs at me and I'm betting she's not the only one. I look much better wearing something like the Lowepro Flipside 200 Backpack (Black) or the Slingshot 200 (although it is not quite fair to compare a one-strap slingshot to this two strapped backpack).

So who is this bag for? And what is Lowepro doing?

I think Lowepro should discontinue their similar Lowepro Micro Trekker 200 Camera Backpack (Black) because this Pro Runner 200 is superior in both functionality and looks (it really is a good looking bag).

This bag is for someone who is not too tall, does not reverse-mount their lens hood back on their lenses when they place them back in the bag, and someone who's camera is without a battery/vertical grip attached. I don't think this bag fills a particular gap in Lowepro's lineup so I'm not sure why this bag is in production but it is a good bag considering its limitations. I'm just not sure who would want this bag when there are other good Lowepro bags available similarly priced.

Unless this bag has something really compelling for you, I suggest you purchase something like Lowepro Flipside 300 Backpack (Black) or maybe the Lowepro Fastpack 200 (Black). Lowepro makes good products so make sure there is something particularly outstanding about this bag in your opinion before you pick it over other Lowepro bags.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program As an SLR case, this one does great! My Canon T1i and assorted lenses go in the bag perfectly, with plenty of extra space to add more. I can easily cart the SLR, charger, SDHC cards, lenses, USB cables, camera guide, etc around with me. The rain guard is a very cool idea too... stows away completely like a fold-up parka then pops out when you need it takes literally a second or two to get your case and gear covered. Tripod holder is function for small tripods, too. Pockets on the front, so not everything has to go in the bag... I used it for travel docs!

There is a good handle on top, which ended up being important to me since the bag is really... strange, to wear with the backpack straps. It's thick enough to protect the SLR really well, but this also makes it stand straight 'at attention' off your back. I found moving around an airplane with it on a lame task, and wearing it around other people means making awkward moves so you don't hit people with it when you turn.

Good case, keeps the important stuff safe... just awkward to wear around.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I am a no longer pro photographer and just do it because. I have been using a caselogic slr backpack for several months now and know the good and the bad of these setups. The best thing about them is that they dont scream here is three grand woth of camera stuff like the standard bags do. This means alot these days.

Ok the Lowepro is water resistant, a little moreso than the caselogic which has no flapage (is that a word, well it is now) to protect seams. It is better laid out than the caselogic that runs about the same price, but.... the case logic is more solid in that it has a tube compartment that your slr with a long lens fits into like a holster from the top of the backpack, while the Lowerpro just has the badded velcro dividers. So there is some good and bad, but it just depends on what you think you will utilize most. The very bright side is either way you go you will have quality that wont let you down. One note there is not enough room for all your stuff like the lens hoods, but you can get creative and minimalistic and get it done right. Things will fit inside your lens hoods etc.

These packs are the way to go for stealth, comfort, and protection. Also think of your family when you are in another country. Unwanted attention can be problematic.

Good luck to you and happy snapping.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I take the Lowepro Pro Runner 200 AW DSLR Backpack (Pine Green) on all my photo-shoots, deep into the back-country where hiking and light weight gear is essential!

Pros:

* a good sized, lightweight, backback with lumbar support and wicks away moisture control built in

* retains shape, thickly padded to protect lots of precious cargo

* padded shoulder straps to protect the photographer

* adjustable velcro-tabbed sections for lenses, hoods, smaller cameras, dust blowers, batteries etc

* sturdy zippered pockets that actually stay zipped

* convenient separate little velcro-tabbed pockets for memory cards to keep them clean and free from getting damaged.

* places for light weight travel type tripods and monopods

* tons of nooks and crannies for storage

* built-in all weather cover for the backpack that stores neatly into the bottom of the pack/hardly noticeable

* nice color combination (Pine Green) -goes with any outfit! :)

Cons: none

The Lowepro Pro Runner 200 AW DSLR Backpack (Pine Green) makes a fantastic gift for anyone with a camera -so, go ahead and make someone Happy! Highly Recommended! Katharena Eiermann, professional photographer