LoweproFlipside 200 AW II Camera Backpack - Black

I normally use this backpack on my regulars trips back to DC for work. I have been taking photos of the major monuments and need to carry different options around. I also have the 350 size.Pros and cons … the 500 size can carry it all in one place including my large and long Sony prime lens that doesn’t fit in most other backpacks, but then I have to carry it all myself. I am 5’ 10” and a little over 60. I can do it, but would not want to walk for 5+ miles with all of my stuff. Not a complaint about the backpack, but about me. the 350 size is much easier to carry around…because there is less in it. Also, it is not quite deep enough for my long and large Sony prime lens. So sometimes I use it if I don’t need to carry too much stuff.What I am saying is that if you want a backpack that can be in the car as you drive somewhere, will have every single thing you might need, including space for a MacBook Air, the 500 is perfect. You can leave some things in the office or the car, and trim to what’s needed for a shoot. Great! If you don’t have too much stuff and nothing is very big, the 350 size (the newer version) is also awesome and useful.

I have the Lowepro flipside 450. Excellent product. Have grown attached to the flip-operation and love it.Wanted: all that excellence in an easier to carry, smaller package. Bought a cheaper wannabe bag to try. Yeah, it's okay, but, spoiled by the Lowepro excellence and all it's features...Enter this Flipside 200 AW II. Thrilled that it has all I love about the 450:- Rain cover - Flip operation - A divider that splits open to hold more small objects - pockets both sides ...BONUS: the tripod pocket! Not the easiest to figure out from images here, but there's a pocket tucked inside the back flap accessible from the bottom. It's a deep pocket/sling that pulls out, hangs down a bit lower than bottom of the bag. Okay - looking good, but I'll need to buy a strap for the top of the bag? NO! another ingenious pocket at the top - peel open that and pull out a strap system. So, tripod leg into bottom, one clip at the top = Side pockets remain available for other items (beverage bottle, etc). Excellent way to stretch the usefulness of this compact bag.In sum - has all I wanted, and glad I took a chance on the tripod pocket, even though not well illustrated here.Just be aware: If you want to carry more than 2 lenses, you're probably going to need a bigger bag, but if you want a quick grab for a short trip, I've got tripod, Sony a7iii, 24-105 G Master, and eventually, the 200-600, which at 12.5" should fit fine. Especially because you can pull the velcro'd accsy bag out of the inside top, exposing the full 15" height of the inside of the bag.Current deal (05-17-24) makes this an excellent buy at roughly $40 off normal street price elsewhere. Glad I didn't try another 40-$80 dollar knock off. Good to go with 2 excellent bags now, this one for light runs and the 450 when I'm "loading for bear".(BTW, I thought I bought the last one, 'cause that's what the availability counter said, LOL!)

I had so many questions about this bag, especially if it was the right size for my gear. Quick "about me": I was looking for a bag I could use as a carry-on for traveling. I want to keep all my essential gear with me at all times, ive had the TSA steal equipment from me before. My review below will be different from other reviews, I will attempt to answer specific questions about function and sizing. For my photos, I stuffed everything I would need for a vacation with a mix of landscape and street photography. You could easily carry 3 lenses and an extra body (figure an ultra-wide, standard, zoom + back up APS-C), in my example, I brought an ultra-wide 14mm f/2.8 for astrophotography.Skip to the bottom to see my equipment list. Review:How large is the waist strap? Am I too big?56” waist size MAX. However, you would want to wear this around your stomach/abdomen area, not your waist. If you wear this bag too low, it makes it awkward to reach the equipment. I am 5’11”, 300lbs with a 46” waist and a 56” stomach. (yep I literally just fit this bag).Can I fit my 15” laptop? Yes, but it can’t be thicker than a MacBook Pro. This means you can’t have a clam shell case or sleeve. It will obviously fit smaller than 15” and slightly thicker laptops if smaller than 15” This bag will not fit anything bigger than 15” Can I fit my 10” Tablet in the tablet slot?Yes, in fact, the 10.5” iPad Pro fits but I would not go any larger than that. It will fit with a clam shell case, but not a thick “otter-box” style case. I would not try to shove anything larger than 10.5” into this slot.What about my iPad Pro 12”?Yes, in the laptop compartment, not in the tablet slot.Is it practical to walk around with the laptop in the bag while Shooting?Absolutely not. You can, but it’s a lot of extra weight and may cause some stress on the laptop. Your device is definitely safe for travel, but it would be better to leave your laptop and tablet behind while shooting. If you are carrying less equipment than I am, you might feel better around going around carrying it.Is this an accepted Carry-on for airline travel?YesWhen the bag is on a table, can you open the flap 180º and leave it open? Yes the flap opens completely and will not get in your way while loading your bag on a table. Is the waist belt removable? No, its sewn in place. You don’t have to strap yourself in every time, but it’s always there.Can i fit a zoom larger than 200-400mm, or even 500mm? I think you can get away with 500mm at the most, but thats after removing the top “bag” section at the top.What I have in my bag (In the photos):Canon 6D Mark IICanon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM II (WITH HOOD)Canon 16-35mm f/4 L IS USM (WITH HOOD)Canon 50mm f/1.4 USMRokinon 14mm f/2.8Canon Speedlite 470ex AIBlackRapid Cross Shot Camera sling(4) 70mm ND Filters(4) 58mm ND FiltersCanon Battery Wall ChargerExtra lens caps/body capRubber collapsable lens hoodRogue Light BenderLeather pocket notebookTripod HardwareManfroto Element Traveller (Not shown, but fits outside the bag in designated tripod holder)Microfiber cloth2018 Macbook Pro 15" (Without any cases)2016 iPad Pro 10.5"