Lowepro Vertex 100 AW

[groovyone]

Review: Lowepro Vertex 100 AW

I have owned a few bags now and I have been sticking with the LowePro bags since I have been very happy with the quality and price. As my camera kit evolved from an A100 and a couple used Minolta lenses into the mess it is now, my bag needs have changed and probably will keep doing so. I wouldn't say any of there is perfect, but each plays its role well.

I bought my LowePro Vertex 100 AW in early 2007. I have also owned a smaller LowePro shoulder bag, a Tamrac Velocity 8, and now also own a Crumpler 4 Million Dollar Home.


Features:

• Holds 1-2 Pro D-SLR's, large 35mm or medium format system, 3-5 lenses (up to a 200mm F/2.8), tripod or monopod, 14" notebook computer, and accessories
• Lightweight harness system with high-density padding and 6 adjustment points for maximum comfort with minimal bulk
• Revolutionary adjustable Glide-Lock system attached tripods, outdoor accessories or any Slip-Lock compatible product
• Padded main compartment with adjustable padded dividers provides excellent protection and a customized fit for your gear.
• Seam Sealed All Weather Cover offers maximum protection against rain, dust and sand

Specifications:

• Width: 11.8 inches
• Height: 16.5 inches
• Depth: 9.8 inches
• Weight: 5.05 lbs

Summary:

Overall, I have been very happy with the construction, fit and adjustment range of this backpack. I have never had any issue using the wide range of adjustment of the straps to allow me to carry a lot of heavy gear comfortably.

This was my first 'real' camera bag, and I bought it when ALL of my gear would fit easily inside. It is an incredibly sturdy bag with weatherproofing, heavy duty zippers and even a handy rain cover if things get really bad. The 100 can carry a good number of lenses and keep them well protected. It also included a hard lower "pouch" to allow you to carry a tripod on the back. The laptop pouch is a perfect fit for my old 13" Compaq laptop.

All that being said, I rarely if ever use this bag. It is heavier than my other two, and I rarely need the weather protection. The front pockets seem nice but do not fit my larger 77 mm filters and struggle to fit my AA battery cases. I have flown with it, but it can be iffy on fitting under a seat or in an overhead. The laptop pouch is in the flap of the bag, which has led me to smack my laptop when I open the bag. More importantly, I no longer use the Compaq and my FW series Sony will not fit. As for the camera compartment, the depth may be an issue for some. Internal depth is 5.9" and my A100 fit with room to spare. My A700 with battery grip was very snug and required some force on the zippers to close the bag. My A900 does not stand a chance with the grip attached. You could opt for the 200 or 300 models, but the 300 is HUGE.

Function:

In regards to capacity, I usually pack the following:

Vertex 100 (TBD)

Available Colors:

• Gray

The Verdict:

The Vertex 100 is built to last and withstand some major abuse and bad weather, but it just doesn't work for me anymore.


Where To Buy:

Find the lowest price on this bag in the TPF Amazon Store located here:

Lowepro Vertex 100 AW Backpack

[Abel]

I think I had a VERY early version of this bag at one point. hehe. I can't keep track. =)