Reviews of Lowepro Pro Messenger 180 AW

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $184.99
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If you had a "good" Lowepro once, you already know that it is hard to get used to any other bag. The quality, design, and comfort of most Lowepro bags are just outstanding. I've already gotten the Lowepro DSLR Video Pack 250 AW Digital SLR Camera Backpack Case (Black) for travel, but I wanted a stylish messenger bag for urban shooting. Well, I got everything I wished for minus the style part.

My first impression of this bag is: It is not small! It can carry all my gears except the tripod. That is a Sony A77, 70-300G, 16-50mm, 35mm, and Samyang 8mm. This bag has three main vertical compartments in a well-padded environment. The 70-300G lens fits in the center, even when attached to the camera, and you can use each side compartments for one long zoom lens; alternately, you can stack up two smaller lenses--on top of each other--in each side compartments. The front pocket also can hold a spare body. There are also lots of spaces for memory cards, filters, lens caps, and etc.

Because of the size and style, I was tempted to get the Lowepro Exchange Messenger Camera Bag (Gray), but most reviewers have mentioned lack of enough padding. I also considered Lowepro Classified 160 AW Shoulder Bag for DSLR and 1-2 Lenses (Black), but the height of that one is just too long. Overall, this Pro Messenger 180 AW bag is very well padded, has an adequate size, and provides secure space for your precious gear. It is not flashy, but it is noticeable on your shoulder. My only complaint is the price, and that is the reason for 1 star rate decrease. I cannot justify the price difference between this bag and the Lowepro backpack that I've got.

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I've come to the realization that I'll never find a bag that works for everything. When I began shopping for camera bags this became even more apparent. My first was an Opteka Excursion Series C900. Big as a house but not good for walking around. I went cheap and got a generic canvas bag and a BBP DSLR Camera Insert. Okay for compacts and mirrorless but too thin for a metal DSLR and heavy lenses. I like the messenger bag form factor since it doesn't scream $$$$$ camera! Rob me! Most of the messenger camera bags, however, had designs and logos that I didn't care for and I wanted to keep the price under $200. I narrowed it down to the Lowepro Pro Messengers and the Thinktank Retrospectives. I picked up the Retrospective 30 and was very impressed with it. It's an excellent bag but too big for everyday use when I don't have the 5DII and a couple of lenses with me. I was about to get a smaller model but I saw a couple of glowing review videos for the Pro Messengers so I gave it a shot.

I thought that they had sent me the smaller 160 by mistake. I took measurements and it was close to the description but I thought it was on the small side (and it looks square). Then I saw the stitched tag which confirmed the model number. As I expected, the build quality is very good and at this price it had better be.

First impressions:

-Tough material and stitching

-Thick padding

-Configurable compartments

-Lots of pockets

-Subtle and classic styling

-Magnet for silent flap operation or the more secure velcro

-Fast and easy access to the pockets.

I packed it full of my usual junk and dropped in the 5dII/70-200 attached, 24-70 and 50 stacked. Getting tight in there but it fit and the inside pocket could still take a speedlight. The retro would not let you put in a DSLR/70-200 standing up but this will. Since I got this for light use I'm fine with the smaller capacity. I would go with a larger model if I was bringing the trinity + speedlight + junk. I adjusted the strap to my height and slung it across the chest as I usually wear these and found the fit surprisingly comfortable (like a pair of sneakers). Perfect for light duty.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program For this review I'll get straight to the point without the blah, blah or blah.

Pros:

1. Bag looks aesthetically pleasing in a nice Army green colour

2. It is very well padded

3. Has two straps one for over the shoulder, and one hand strap

4. Lots of internal pockets for gear

5. Fancy front Flexflap design with Velcro and magnets provides your choice of secure or easy access, or full working access (aka wide open)

6. Rear pocket can be zipped to provide storage space, or unzipped to fit over the extended handle of your rolling suitcase for easy mobility.

7. Comes with all weather cover stowed in the bottom

8. Can fit a DSLR fitted with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, plus an external flash, plus two smaller lenses in the main compartment.

9. Can fit a second camera body or point and shoot in front pocket.

10. Two external side pockets can possibly hold a small water bottle each.

Cons:

1. It's bigger and more clunky than it looks in the photos

2. While it can work as a gear bag for an event, it is too heavy (when fully stocked) for long walks, or everyday toting.

3. Most of the weight comes from the shoulder strap and the shoulder pad, (which is much too bulky) and unfortunately neither is removable.

4. The only access is through the top, so it is difficult to access gear at the bottom of the bag, or fix the internal padding correctly. Unzipping all the way down for front access would have been a plus.

5. No straps for a tripod or monopod (not a big thing if you're using it for street or urban photography, but like I said, it's heavy for a day tote, and you may be using it for events)

This may look great on a big guy, but would be a bit overwhelming for a smaller framed person, especially if you have other gear to carry. It will however keep your gear safe and dry.

I use this for small weddings, stage shows or school events, where I can put in down in a corner until I'm ready to pack up. I definitely wouldn't want to walk around with it on my shoulder all day.

And so the search for the perfect camera bag goes on.

Amanda Richards, August 15, 2013

Honest reviews on Lowepro Pro Messenger 180 AW

Bought this is bag at my local camera store since I really wanted to find out how big it is. Surprisingly, it is really not big at all especially side by side to the Crumpler 8 Million Dollar Home. Color of this bag is actually far from gray, for me it looks like dark moss (very dark green). Coming from a Think Tank Retrospective 7, I was really torn between getting the Retro 20 and this one. The Retro series are awesome bags and there are actually a very few reason why I went to the Lowepro Pro Messenger. First, since I was getting a tall bag, I was concerned about the common complaints about the very big flap that sometimes gets in the way when accessing the main compartment, the Pro Messenger's flap can be folded in half for easier access (also covers the noisy Velcro). Second is the fabric, this bag's fabric is almost the same as Crumpler's which is almost moist resistant AND dirt resistant. Although I miss the look and feel of canvass, it's still a cloth that can attract dirt & moisture easily (especially at the bottom). Third are the side pockets, the two uncovered side pockets are really usable, it can hold a small water bottle. This is really important when outside and at the same time freeing your hand from holding the bottle. And also I would like to mention, the two inside side pockets for flashes are big enough to hold a small lens. This bag however has very crucial weakness, the shoulder strap, specifically the padding. The way Lowepro design it, it is curve like a letter "C", although very thick, it's not as flexible as the Retrospective and when the bag gets to a significant weight, it tends to dig on either your shoulder blade on the back or just below your collar bone. To get around this, your have to slide the padding a little forward or towards the front, but for a bag at this price range and for a well known bag manufacturer, this is a really big disappointment. I bought this bag specifically to hold just one body (no grip),my 70-200 2.8 and a one extra lens. It's not a lot but still I'm well close to that "pinch" on the shoulder strap that I have just mentioned. Even though, I will be keeping this bag for it's pro's and will be hoping that the shoulder padding will soften in time. To those who are interested in getting this bag online, aside from having a good return policy, don't remove the tags and throw away the box/packaging materials immediately. Instead, fill the bag with the gear your plan to use most and observe how the strap feels not only on your shoulder but also on your upper chest & back. Hopefully this review helps with your decisions with this bag.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Lowepro Pro Messenger 180 AW

I needed to carry a Canon 5d mkII, 70-200mm f2.8 'L' lens, plus a 24-105 f4 and a 17-40 f4 as well as some additional small equipment for Third World travel in crowded cities and off-road. After buying and returning half a dozen bags, the 180AW Messenger bag was the only bag that truly met my needs for compactness, carrying capacity and unobtrusiveness. For over 25 years my old LowePro over the shoulder bag never let me down until I bought the 70-200 f2.8, suddenly I was out of room. This was the ONLY bag which could hold it and my other lenses comfortably and compactly.

Sure it's over the shoulder and can be heavy when fully loaded, but sling bags and backpacks just don't cut it for Third World travel. A backpack is needed for trekking, but for almost any other use this is just perfect. The cover is brilliant, as it folds in half: open fully it uses velcro to strongly prevent anything from falling out, but if you are in a fast moving situation, the cover folds in half and uses a magnet to keep it closed. Thus there is no sound to tell people you are opening your bag and pulling out your camera or to create noise for another person shooting video.

The AW version contains a waterproof cover that, although it takes a bit of work to figure out how it fits, completely saved my equipment in a downpour. (Make sure you get the AW version). It's got excellent pockets, including a nice hidden one for passports. And the back opens with a zipper to be either another thin large pocket for printed materials, OR it opens on the bottom too, so as to secure itself over the handle of a wheelie. Color is slightly Khaki, not really gray, heavy duty nylon weave. Worth every penny.