Reviews of Lowepro Pro Mag 2 AW Camera Bag (Black)

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List Price: $181.99
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I have been searching for a good camera bag for awhile now. Not only a decent size but comfortable and for me this bag works. On a recent trip to the Zoo I took with me my camera Canon 30D w/battery grip, 24-70mm 2.8L w/hood reversed, 70-200mm 2.8 w/hood reversed, 1.4X & 2.0X teleconverter, spare batteries, spare memory card, blower, monopod and water bottle and a few other items. The strap never "hurt" my shoulders (at times I would switch when one got tired). Access to needed equipement was fast and easy. When I put the bag down it stayed up-right and there was room for more if I wanted. I have learned that hard way to properly plan and to carry only what you need on plan on using, but sometimes you must be prepared for the unexpected. For me this bag fits the bill. Originally I was stuck on trying out the Sling style bags, Tamerac velocity 7 & 9. I quickly out grew the velocity 7 once I got the battery grip and the 9 was just too uncomfortable for me once I started adding more gear no matter how I tried adjusting the strap(s) and you can only where them one way. In addition I like the fact of the weather proctection build in! I don't have to worry about carrying a plastic bag big enough to cover everything (just in case but if you only shoot indoors this wouldn't be a issue for you). This bag has a cover neatly hidden away.

I my opinion it is a welcome a great addition, one that will stay with me for a long time...

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I've used a lot of different bags over the years and this is my favorite for travel and location shooting. It sits very well on the shoulder, never slipping.

There is plenty of room. I pack a 5D with mongo lens, two 580EXII's in their cases, a 50mm, a 17-40 L wide angle and a 28-135 telephoto. The side compartment gobbles up plenty of extra batteries, filters, cards, etc.

When traveling it unpacks easily for security to inspect.

Buy this bag. It's great!

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The Pro Mag 2 AW will hold a 70-200mm lens vertically and has room to add a full size DSLR and 3-4 additional lenses. The exterior front pocket is large enough to hold two flash in the SB800/580EX size range and it has an interior set of pockets, one large one that is zippered and an another zippered clear pocket on the lid. It is as small a bag as you will find to hold a full size DSLR and and a full set of lenses. The zippered pockets are perfect for small items and the other interior pockets are excellent for filter cases or other accessories.

The case is well made though the interior on mine has separated as the lining material is not as tough as it should be for a camera bag. The two buckles are good for quickly attaching the lid but the design is one that unless the zipper is used to seal the bag there is a large gap for dust and dirt to get inside. This is not a good bag choice for use in areas where there might be windblown dirt or sand as this bag will not keep it out while in use.

There are two straps on the bottom which do an excellent job of securing a small tripod (like the Cullman 1002) where it is out of the way but readily accessible something very rarely found on camera bags other than the backpack and roller types. The belt strap is not that good but it is easily replaced with a wider one and the belt loops are very convenient. With a good waist strap most of the weight is carried by the hips and this is much easier on the should when using the bag full loaded (easily can be 12-15 pounds).

The lid design is the only serious flaw but one that limits my use of the bag to urban settings. For outdoor use there are better bags with large flaps but the ones from LowePro lack waist straps or even belt loops so I usually buy one from another company.

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The Lowepro Pro Mag 2 AW, belying its compact size, holds a Nikon D700 body with grip and 24-70 f/2.8 attached, plus a 35mm f/2, an 85mm f/1.8, a Lensbaby Composer, a 70-200 f/2.8 VRII, a 16mm f/2.8 fisheye, a flashbracket and SC-29 cord, two SB-800 speedlights, plus spare batteries, CF cards, a tripod plate, and a cable release.

A Lowepro bottle attachment (sold separately) helps keep you hydrated.

An elastic rain cover is built in and cleverly sewn into a back pocket so that you won't lose it and can swiftly position it over the bag. The zippers and the whole construction look well-done and sturdy, though the zippers are not the virtually water-proof kind like those found on my Tenba Shootout rolling backpack. Then again, a nice luggage label is attached, an essential accessory missing from all other photo bags I've ever bought, the Tenba included.

I don't think very highly of the loops in the lower front of the Lowepro bag. They are supposedly designed to hold a smallish tripod lengthwise. The bag's width is modest, however, and any decent tripod would stick out awkwardly on each end. I tried inserting a couple of compact Manfrotto Nano stands and one or two shoot-through umbrellas through the loops -same effect, and cumbersome to do besides. The loops would work much faster if they featured pinch-and-snap buckles. As it is, I removed the loops altogether. The same goes for the belt to secure the bag around your waist. I don't see the point. Best give the bag a little bit of room to move/shift as you walk, otherwise it'll slow you down.

The Lowepro bag received the thumbs-up in my personal and purely subjective shootout between it and the Tamrac Ultra Pro 11. For my taste, the Tamrac is too big and heavy when loaded up (though it is the way to go if you're packing two bodies and need an even bigger arsenal of lenses at your beck and call. The Tamrac, in addition to a second D700 with a 50mm f/1.4 lens, also holds the 14-24 f/2.8 plus a 70-300 telezoom. Nice, but that combination proved just too unwieldy, and I don't think my back could take it day in day out.) For my money, the Lowepro Pro Mag 2 AW offers the best compromise between roominess, portability, and flexibility. Recommended.

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This bag is wonderful! Holds my 40D,10-22mm,18-200mm,100-400mm Canon lenses and still has room for extra batteries,memory cards,remote release,lens shades for all 3 lenses and filters of 77 and 72 mm.

Go buy one if you need most of your equipment with as I do. I'll be looking at a Lowepro back pack of some discription in the future.

It's made extreamly well,protects your equipment and is easy to shoulder around.

Mike