Texas Photo Forum

mmuhlenkamp · **Lowepro Flipside 400AW -** 02-23-2010, 02:39 PM

Lowepro Flipside 400AW

Anyone use it? Thoughts?

I've been looking for a better backpack camera bag before I go hiking around in Colorado this summer. I went last year and while my cheapy Canon backpack was OK, I really need a bit more support and an easier way to get to my gear (changing lenses is a pain with my current set up).

From looking online and reading reviews this seems like the best solution for me without spending a fortune (I was preparing myself to have to spend $300 if necessary).

It seems to be big enough to hold all that I want, but I'll list it out.
Canon 5D w/grip
Canon XTi
Sigma 150-500 OS
Canon 100L macro
Canon 50 f/1.4
Sigma 20 f/1.8
Canon 200 f/2.8 L
Canon 28-105 (or 24-105L if I can garner the funds)
430EX flash
accesories (chargers, batteries, CF cards, etc.)

I probably won't carry ALL this stuff while hiking, but I would need it all to fit for traveling purposes, so it can be stuffed full while on the plane and I can figure out what I really need when I go out shooting.

toverman · 02-23-2010, 03:35 PM

That's a lot of gear to put in there, even for just traveling to and from. That thing is going to be HEAVY. You might be able to handle it, but I wouldn't! What will you be shooting? Maybe I have too much faith in my gear, but I usually take something wide (usually zoom) and something long (prime or zoom).

Haven't used this bag, but it looks very nice. I have had very, very good luck with the three Lowepro bags I've owned.

mmuhlenkamp · 02-23-2010, 03:44 PM

Yeah, I like to be prepared and I like primes

For daytime I would use the 150-500, 28-105 and 100L (wildlife, scenery, macro). For night time I like primes (and would pick one maybe two depending on what I wanted to shoot), I can fit this stuff in my current bag (actually the XTi gets stuffed in my largish purse), so I'm sure it could fit into this new bag fine. It is heavy though, I figured that out quick hiking around in thin air.

I'll probably just buy this bag, I need to wait till the next paycheck though.

toverman · 02-23-2010, 03:51 PM

I can't remember right now, but I think there's actually a rolling back that converts into a backpack (rolling mechanism comes off). Might be a Think Tank, and I imagine it's pricey. I'll have to remember where I saw it.

jeffkohn · 02-23-2010, 04:06 PM

If you're wanting something to wear for extended periods, even hiking, (as opposed to just schlepping gear through the airport), LowePro makes excellent backpacks. While the Think-Tank roller cases and packs are well made, there's no comparison when it comes to harness quality and comfort. The LowePro packs are in another league, the only others that are comparable IMHO are the high-end Tamrac.

I haven't used the Flipside 400AW, but I do have CompuPrimus AW, which is similar in design (the difference being that internally it's split into 2 compartments, one for camera stuff and one for other stuff). The nice thing about this design is that you don't have to lay the backpack face-down to get into it. That's a pretty nice feature when you're outdoors. You can even have the AW rain cover deployed and still get into the main compartment, which is nice when the ground is damp.

I will agree that these packs can get fairly heavy when fully loaded, but it just depends on what you're used to. And having a high-quality harness that is comfortable and properly distributes the weight makes a big difference in this regard.

mmuhlenkamp · 02-23-2010, 04:22 PM

Thanks for the input Jeff. I know you hike around with your gear quite a bit, so a glowing recommendation for LowePro backpacks means something. I thought the compus primus bag looked pretty nice as well, but I need the bag to hold lenses lengthwise, my Sigma 150-500 is too long to fit horizontally.

steveno13 · 03-08-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmuhlenkamp

Lowepro Flipside 400AW

Anyone use it? Thoughts?

I've been looking for a better backpack camera bag before I go hiking around in Colorado this summer. I went last year and while my cheapy Canon backpack was OK, I really need a bit more support and an easier way to get to my gear (changing lenses is a pain with my current set up).

From looking online and reading reviews this seems like the best solution for me without spending a fortune (I was preparing myself to have to spend $300 if necessary).

It seems to be big enough to hold all that I want, but I'll list it out.
Canon 5D w/grip
Canon XTi
Sigma 150-500 OS
Canon 100L macro
Canon 50 f/1.4
Sigma 20 f/1.8
Canon 200 f/2.8 L
Canon 28-105 (or 24-105L if I can garner the funds)
430EX flash
accesories (chargers, batteries, CF cards, etc.)

I probably won't carry ALL this stuff while hiking, but I would need it all to fit for traveling purposes, so it can be stuffed full while on the plane and I can figure out what I really need when I go out shooting.

This is my new bag that I've been using for about 7 months now. I really like it when I'm out hiking around. It is really comfortable and I can change out lenses without setting the bag down which is one of the key features of why I bought it. I currently fit my Canon 50D+grip with Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS attached, Canon 100 f/2.8 macro, Canon 50 f/1.4, Sigma 10-20 f/3.5-5.6, 430EX flash with room for another lens and possibly body (which I haven't tried to fit my 20D in there with everything else yet).

Multiple compartments in the inside flap to hold memory cards, cables, batteries and some other essentials. Then you have the outside compartment which can hold even more things which I use to hold my filters and other items.

It has a built in rain flap (though I try and not get wet if I don't have to) which is a great feature if you are hiking in wet weather. The best part about it is, it takes up no room from storage space and is completely hidden from site when not in use. There are two pouches on the sides, great for holding bug spray and decent size water bottle.

Finally you have two options for a tripod holder. There is one on the back side that you can hold a lightweight tripod vertical or hold a heavier one horizontal across the top of the bag.

So all in all a great hiking bag. However, if you want to fit all of that gear into one bag, then this bag is not the one for you as you might not be able to fit everything in there. For traveling maybe consider a rolling case because (depending on location traveling to) that is a lot of gear to lug around, then take what you need in the Flipside. Yes I know, it's not what you wanted to hear, but when you start wanting to take along all your gear, a backpack bag is not going to be able to hold it all. So you will have to invest in multiple bags or case + bags to be able to fit and carry everything unless you can pack just what you might need.

Hope this helps.

dmcantrell · 03-08-2010, 12:00 PM

I have a Lowepro Nature Trekker. It will carry all that stuff. This particular bag was, at the time I bought it, the only camera backpack that would fit on all flights -- domestic and international -- as a carry-on that will stow in the overhead bins.

It has a small daypack bag that comes as part of it -- it actually fits into a built-in compartment if you don't need it's extra space. if you do need it's extra space, the daypack can attach to the outside of the larger bag effectively increasing the capacity of it. Funny, none of the photos seem to show this feature, yet I think it is a very useful feature.

It also has a weather-resistant "pouch" that stows when not in use, but can completely enclose the entire bag and is water resistant (proof maybe?). This is more than just the regular nylon -- this is an actual waterproof covering.

One of the best features, IMO, is the ability to strap a (full-sized) tripod onto the bag. You can strap it in a few different configurations, but the one I prefer is right in the middle which balances the weight of it.

Lowepro - Nature Trekker AW II

Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II Review for Nikon D70, D100 , D200 , D300 , D700 d-slr cameras

mmuhlenkamp · 03-08-2010, 01:08 PM

Well, I've already ordered the flipside. I think it will be big enough for what I want, even if I have to leave my 200L behind or something. I don't intend to hike around with ALL that gear all the time. It looks to be at least as big as my Canon backpack (which I have been able to fit most of that stuff in), but more nicely built. I'll let you all know when I get it in.

Randy Chambers · 03-08-2010, 03:24 PM

I think you will like it.
I have the Flipside 300 and it is great.
Holds a ton of gear, love the way it opens from the back for security and the swing around to access without having to set it down was a key feature for me.

mmuhlenkamp · 03-08-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Chambers

I think you will like it.
I have the Flipside 300 and it is great.
Holds a ton of gear, love the way it opens from the back for security and the swing around to access without having to set it down was a key feature for me.

Yeah, that's what made me gravitate towards this bag over other backpack style camera bags. I went to Breckenridge last summer and would mostly have my long wildlife lens ready (never know what might pop-up) but I often was switching to something wider so I could get some scenery shots. Even on the easy trails it was difficult to find a nice spot to set my bag down and fumble around with changing lenses, I think this bag will suit me nicely.

mmuhlenkamp · 03-10-2010, 09:22 PM

Got my bag in today and it's just the right size. I can fit all I wanted (listed in my first post) except for my XTi, but I'm not really surprised or concerned about that. The girth of my Sigma 150-500 really makes the lenses on the side a tight fit though, but I guess that just means they won't jostle around. It feels pretty comfortable while fully loaded, but I won't really know until I walk around with it on for a couple hours.

I think this was the right buy for me, now I just need to going wandering around in the wilderness somewhere

5D w/grip attached to Sigma 150-500, 135 SF (place holder for 24-105L), 100L, 50 f/1.4, Sigma 20 f/1.8, 200L, 430 EX flash (hiding in the bottom right corner)

ken74 · 03-10-2010, 09:29 PM

I'm wondering...during transport, for example driving from your home to location, do you leave the lens mounted to the body? I ask as I would have concerns with the stress on the mount, especially on the larger zoom lens.

mmuhlenkamp · 03-10-2010, 09:40 PM

I usually do, it's easier to pack away for me. I don't think the lens causes any stress while it's in the bag because everything is supported (the lens is pointed down or flat while in transport). If I had it hanging by my camera strap (from the camera) then there's stress, but I use a strap on the lens when I'm using the giant zoom. If there's something I'm not seeing though, please let me know.