I needed a new camera bag that was weather proof and pick pocket proof. Why, you ask?
Have I not mentioned that I’m going to the Royal Wedding?
Of course I have. What I haven’t mentioned is that I’m not leaving for 2 weeks yet, but my suitcase is honest-to-god packed and ready to go. So I’m just a touch excited.
Tomorrow, my new Lowepro Flipside 400 AW will be packed and ready to go also. AW stands for All Weather, by the way.
I did lots of research before buying this bag. I asked people who like me on Facebook and got lots of great suggestions. Several suggested Epiphanie bags like the Lola. Now, I have the red Lola and LOVE IT. However, it’s not a bag for carrying a dSLR and several lenses through the streets of London for hours on end. Especially not in the rain. Especially not if we camp out overnight on the side of the road to get a good spot to watch the royal family process by.
Stu of A Little Photoshop had the best suggestion via Facebook: Get something that does not scream “camera bag…steal me” on it.
I was looking for a backpack that would be comfortable and easy to carry. It had to be waterproof. And it had to be pick pocket proof. That’s why I was so excited to find this bag. Look at the picture below – it opens from the back! The zipper is actually on the inside of the backpack – the part that rides next to your back.
Do you notice those cushioned straps and the cushioned pads that separate my back from lumpy camera equipment? That was a big selling point for me.
This is the front pocket, in the picture below. It’s big enough to hold my IPAD for the airplane ride. This bag is all I’m carrying onto the plane. It will have my camera, my IPAD, hand sanitizer and whatever else I can’t live without for 10 hours.
The picture below is the inside of the bag. Aside from charger and memory cards, I’m taking my camera, my 70-200, my 24-70 and my 50mm. I’m going to have plenty of room left over.
This is the inside flap – the part that you unzip to reveal the camera area. It has memory card pockets, plus a zippered pocket that will be perfect for money.
The All Weather cover (it’s like a raincoat for the backpack) is tucked away neatly in a thin pocket at the bottom of the bag.
It also has this pocket for a mini-tripod. I won’t be schlepping a tripod for sure – there won’t be room to set it up anywhere. But, I’m thinking that my smallest umbrella will fit there nicely.
Last but not least? 2 water bottle holders, one on each side. I’ve had other bags where there was no way a water bottle would fit where it was supposed. But I’m pretty sure that even a large bottle of water would fit here.
Ok, so this article isn’t technically a review, since I haven’t put it to the test yet. But in a few weeks, you can be sure that I will tell you all about how this backpack camera bag held up.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Perfect! Looks like a great choice. Have fun!!!
Thanks for this great article. I am going to Africa in Jan and needed to find something like this.
This is a good bag and has one more hidden feature: If you keep the waist belt on and slide the shoulder straps off, you can spin the bag around (from your back to in front of you) and get access to the main camera pocket without taking it off altogether. Helpful when in a crowd. Good shooting!
I had heard something about this, but couldn’t quite figure out how to make it work. Thanks for the explanation!
I have the Flipside 300 and I love it! It is a little smaller than the 400, but fits everything I have- my DSLR, kit lens, 50mm, zoom lens and flash. It also has the waterbottle pockets and they have worked great for me!
I almost bought the 300, Sarah, but I wanted that outside pocket for the airplane ride. Otherwise, it would have been perfect for me. Thank you for your comment!
I bought this bag 6 month ago and I am loving it. It’s incredible what you can put in the front pocket, I manage to put a 17″ laptop + cords. And now I am finally carrying my tripod. The fact that you can flip the bag around and use it almost as a little table to change lenses etc. is fantastic. No more “can you hold this for me, please?”. Enjoy!
I can’t wait to try using the backpack as a table! Thank you all for confirming that I made the right choice!
It looks like an awesome bag. I love that it opens on the back hidden from pick-pocket fingers. I was surprised it had a place to hold a tripod, how cool is that! The waterbottle holders are a great feature. Can’t wait to hear all about your trip and the reviews on this backpack. It may be just what I’ll need for Italy!
I bought that very same bag in December 2010–AND I LOVE IT! YOU WILL TOO…
So now you’ve been to the wedding and are back home again what did you think of the bag, did it live up to your expectations?
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