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Up front: No one bag will do everything. But for shooting on the go--in cities or while hiking--this is the best compromise I've found so far. And, believe me, I've got a closetful of shoulder, waist and backpack camera bags.
I bought the Inverse 200 because I found my Lowepro Photorunner just a tad tight when I needed to carry anything more than my D80+mounted medium zoom+a single small spare lens. I still use and like the Photorunner, especially with just the body+small lens, but the Inverse has severage advantages:
* I can carry the above gear, plus a flash and a digital recorder with enough space to actually pull things in and out as I'm working. If you have to cram stuff into a bag, you eventually stop using it.
* The belt is padded, which makes a big difference if you wear the bag all day. And it's comfortable worn up front with the bag at my stomach. With the double-zip top, it works like a shelf: I can swap out gear without ever removing the bag.
* Unlike the Photorunner, it has a two straps, with quick-releases, that run across the bottom, which I sometimes use to carry a light-weight tripod or light jacket.
* It has a decent sized front pocket that flips open enough to use--unlike the Photorunner's unpleated, flush-mounted pocket. And the snug-up section between the pocket and the main compartment easily holds a light wind-rain shell, hat, and gloves. I've never had anything fall out of that area, but then I always snug up the straps before setting off again.
* It comes with the AW (all-weather) cover, which is important if you're out hiking in the rain (or caught in a city downpour for that matter). It also provides a key dust barrier when you're in windy, desert conditions.
Some reviewers have dinged the bag's double-zip top, wishing it was a single U-shaped zipper. Having used the bag now for eight months, I find it works better than a single zip (or even the Photorunner's two parallel zips that are connected by a handle). There's a small strap-loop at the end of Inverse's top flap and you can pull it open easily with one hand (because the camera's in the other hand). And with two zips, instead a single U-shaped one, the zipper tabs are always at the same end of the bag. No feeling around for where the zipper has shifted. For super quick access when you're not running around, you can even just pull the outside zip shut.
The Inverse 200 will accommodate a 70/80-200 zoom mounted but by the end of the day, you'll wish you'd left the lens behind.
One last thing: you can tuck the waist strap away and carry it by the handle or use the strap. One strap tip: the connection points are about 5 inches apart, which makes it feel tippy. Instead, I connect one end of the shoulder strap to the outside flap's snug-up strap.
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Reading other reviews of this bag, I almost didn't buy it. But I am very happy that I did.
Because of one review I read, I was concerned that it would "flop" open. Or that it would be "huge".... or too small. The one reviewer that said their gear looked like it might fall out everytime they bent over.... all I can think is that they must have been doing weird yoga moves because I find that the bag does nothing of the sort. Things are very secure in this bag.
And, as far as the size....... Well, I guess I'm Goldylocks.... because this bag is JUST THE RIGHT SIZE! I wanted something to carry a few of my photographic needs for extended walks, hikes, short trips, etc. I like lumbar bags or as some call them "fanny packs" because your equipment is so very very much more accessable than in a back pack. I often wear the thing in front and everything is immediatly accessable. This bag is just the right size. You don't want to load any bag with so much gear that it weighs you down. And, the belt can be tucked in and you can use it as a small shoulder bag with the shoulder strap. Or you can carry it as a small hand bag by the hand straps if that's what you prefer. If I'm going to do a big photo shoot and I want all of my gear, I take a much larger bag that holds all of my lenses (I have 7) and all of my accessories etc..
I find that in the Inverse 200AW I can carry my D300, a few filters, lense cleaning gear, my two do almost anything lenses: 70-300 and my 16-55, several memory storage cards, a tripod clamp, and a few small accessories ....with plenty of room to spare for a light wind breaker and I can clip a water bottle on the outside. or stick a small one in one of the mesh pockets)
I think the Inverse 100 would be more appropriate for a one lens carry or a point and shoot camera bag.
I like all the features of this bag. The built in rain cover, the outside pocket, shoulder strap, etc to name a few.
It is very well built and thought out. I would definently buy this bag again.
Best Deals for Lowepro Inverse 200 AW Camera Beltpack (Arctic Blue)
This is an excellent camera bag. But as with any camera bag you need to buy the right one for your type of shooting. I have three young children and when I have a diaper bag slung across my neck, an SLR camera strap around my neck, and a pair of sunglasses on a neck strap, the last thing I want is a camera bag also slung across my neck (though my wife says that I pull off the Sherpa Look quite well).
As an amateur SLR shooter I need a bag that is portable and comfortable so that I will want to carry the camera with me. As an amateur on a budget, I choose to buy quality prime lenses (24mm/f2.4; 50mm/f1.8; 85mm/f1.8) and one ultra wide angle zoom (10-24mm/f4) that I now have to fit into the bag. (All of these lenses combined were less than the cost of one wide aperture zoom lens.) But the tradeoff is that I need quick access to the lenses to swap them in and out. This bag give me that access with some key features:
1.) The one handed pull-top to open the main compartment of the bag. Please note that by pulling one of the two zippers on the top `around the corner' you effectively disable this feature. Useful for sketchy locations and nosey three year olds...
2.) The Velcro on the wall of the bag is 7 inches wide. So if I have to move the dividers a little to accommodate a lens, I have a lot of options and can do it quickly. (I have access to old cannon lenses from my film days that I occasionally carry.)
3.) If you install a small cord connecting the two zippers across the top of the bag you effectively have a one-handed closure system as well.
4.) The waist strap and other waist strap adjustments let me set the bag up so it doesn't sag. That `shelf' makes changing lenses easy as well.
5.) With my camera in the bag `nose down', there is just under 5" of depth from the front of the camera body to the bottom of the bag. Plenty of room, even with a zoom lens attached.
Some other features to note:
The stretchy side pockets on the outside of the bag are different sizes. One could hold a water bottle the other could not.
Both of those pockets get squeezed by the straps that attach to the waist belt. So a water bottle could get crushed if you really cranked down on the straps to pull the bag up tight.
There are two tie-in points on the waist strap where you could attach external lens cases or a tiffen filter case. The tie loops are sown one on top of the other so it hard to see that the bottom webbing is a 2" wide tie in and the top webbing is 1". Very clever and well thought out. I like to tie in to the thicker webbing so the external cases don't bounce/swing as much.
Once you mount something on those tie-in loops you can't tuck the fanny straps away.
This is a well-made bag. I am happy to own it and would buy it again if I had to do it all over again.
~Peter
Honest reviews on Lowepro Inverse 200 AW Camera Beltpack (Arctic Blue)
The bag is great, I am using it during my sport events but...
The waist lock opened up when I was getting to the action position.
They should get a lock like we have in the cars,it would be much stronger.
Because of this accident I started using the shoulder strap with the waist one together ,the bag works much better that way for me.
Otherwise it is build very well,protects my cameras very well.
I have 2nd body w/my 200mm there,Canon 580 flash,batteries and card. I like this bag but the waist lock should be stronger and that is why I can give only 4 stars.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Lowepro Inverse 200 AW Camera Beltpack (Arctic Blue)
I purchased the Inverse 200 AW before a trip to Italy with my family. It held all of my electronic gear as a carry-on (SLR, 2 lenses, GPS, memory card holder, ipod and charger plus more). Once I arrived and emptied the non-camera gear, there was plenty of room for a small camcorder and my sunglasses so I didn't need a day-pack. I used it as a belt pack and shoulder bag depending on the location we were in and the folding flaps were quite useful there.
My biggest complaint is that the outside pouch is not very useful and makes the entire package more bulky than it needs to be. The pouch also houses the All-Weather cover which just adds to the bulk.
A minor complaint is that there is no string connecting the two zippers. It would be easier to open if you could grab a cord and open both at the same time. Closing it would be much easier as well.
All in all it's a great bag and could use some minor improvements in the next version.
