Photoshop Insider

The LowePro Pro Mag 2 AW Camera Bag Gets a “Scott Thinks It’s Hot” Award

By Scott on Friday, October 12th, 2007 at 8:30 am | updates.

For about the past two years, I have been in search of the perfect camera bag. It’s been a frustrating two years during which I’ve bought about every make and model out there. Generally, they’ve been either too big and bulky or if they’re smaller, they’re not big enough to hold what I need (which for me, is basically one body, and three lens [including a full-sized 70m-200m f/2.8], and an Epson P-5000, a battery charger, a cleaning kit, a Hoodman Loupe, a Cable Release, a closeup filter, and a flash).

A couple of months ago I was up at B&H Photo in New York, and I wound up, once again, in their giant camera bag dept. and I saw this bag (The LowePro Pro Mag 2 AW) and thought, “Well, here we go again,” and so I bought it, brought it home, and at first (like with most of my other bags), I was pretty happy with it. But it was on my recent workshop in Montana that I fell deeply and madly in love with it.

It has the perfect size/weight/usability ratio that I’ve been looking for. It holds all my gear perfectly, and although I bought a modular lens case that attaches to the outside to hold one extra lens, I’ve yet to have to use it. It’s lightweight, but extremely rugged. It fits in the overhead bins of even smaller regional jets, and it has lots of room for all kinds of little accessories, with lots of little pockets, compartments, and well…I just love it, and that’s why I’m giving it my “Scott Thinks It’s Hot” award!

I still have my LowePro ProRoller 1 (for when I need to bring the kitchen sink, with two bodies, three flashes, and every accessory known to man), but I find myself going out of my way to use the Pro Mag 2 AV every chance I get. B&H Photo has it for $139.95 (here’s the link), and it would make a great holiday gift for the photography freak in your life.

P.S. My buddy Dave Moser bought the same bag, that same day, and he feels the same way. This is THE bag!!!

Comment form for this post

^#1

Scott,
Will the bag hold a 70-200 2.8 VR attached to a D200?? I have been using this lens quite a bit and have been looking for a bag where I don’t have to keep switching len’s. I have a Lowepro Stealth Reporter D400 AW and there just isn’t quite enough room to keep the 70-200 on the camera.
Any backpack suggestions? I am going to the Blue Ridge Mountains next weekend to shoot the fall foliage and find shoulder bags get heavy while hiking….
Thanks,
Kevin

Kevin Zdyb on October 12th, 2007 at 8:57 am

^#2

Perfect timing for this bag review! I was just looking for one and was planning a trip to BH this weekend. Would you be willing to share what cleaning kits you have and if you like them? I keep purchasing Sensor cleaning kits and I’m never satisfied with them. Thank you and happy shooting

Magdalena Soszka on October 12th, 2007 at 12:02 pm

^#3

Hi Scott;

I guess this should be AW not AV, unless it is a new version.

F.Sh. on October 12th, 2007 at 1:52 pm

^#4

Don’t worry, give it 6 months and you’ll find something to hate about it. That’s how bags go! hehe

KK on October 12th, 2007 at 2:15 pm

^#5

Did you try the Think Tank Speed Racer? I have carried it all over the world with the same gear that you use. I never have to look for a place to set it down when I want to get into the bag. It doesn’t kill my shoulders like a backpack not constantly slip off like a shoulder bag. Sweet!

Larry Larsen on October 12th, 2007 at 4:17 pm

^#6

OGIO makes a nice backpack.

http://www.ogio.com/product.php?product=293

Brian on October 12th, 2007 at 4:34 pm

^#7

To Kevin:
Yup—it will (I just tested it).

-Scott

Scott on October 12th, 2007 at 10:37 pm

^#8

I love it when a photographer geeks out over a new piece of equipment. It’s amazing how important every piece of equipment in out bag is, not to mention the bag itself.

Allen Welsch on October 13th, 2007 at 2:36 am

^#9

Scott — do ya think it will hold a D2x (or perhaps the fabled D3, which is 1/2″ bigger) with a 70-200?

thx

ron on October 13th, 2007 at 2:51 pm

^#10

Hi Scott,

Seems like we’ve both been on the quest to find the ideal camera bag for the job. I’ve settled with a Lowepro Commercial AW after a costly mistake when I took a Lowepro 2 to a Wedding I was photographing. Basically I lifted bag to go from one position to another when the zip fasten door (I hadn’t zipped shut) swung open and the only item to fall out was my f/2.8 17-55mm lens. A repair bill of £526 ($1070) I well and truly learned my lesson!

Needless to say, the Commercial AW is serving me very well.

Regards,
Glyn

Glyn Dewis on October 14th, 2007 at 3:48 am

^#11

Scott….

Thanks so much for this blog entry. Like you, I have bought countless bags searching for the ultimate one. You have me convinced, and will have to go out this weekend and hunt one down here in Jakarta. Cheers, and thanks for all the great info you provide on your blog. You rock!! Scotty

Scotty Graham on October 14th, 2007 at 4:50 am

^#12

Scott,

Great posting. You mention a closeup filter in your bag, and I was wondering what vendor and magnification you use? I am in the market for one and would welcome your advice.

Thanks in advance,
Kevin

Kevin on October 17th, 2007 at 12:04 pm

^#13

Hi Scott, after reading this review I got the bag from B&H. My standard content items are: Nikkors 70-180mm & 17-35mm f/2.8 & 35-70mm f/2.8, with the D3 attached to one of these lenses. A spare battery, a USB card reader and a Filter fit in the front pocket. There is still room left for a flash etc., but the bag would be too heavy for me to carry around.

The bag works really fine, everything can be reached without having to put the bag off my shoulder. Even lens changes are easy with this bag.

What I like best: Big enough for the “small everyday”gear - not bigger so I am not tempted to fit more inside. Convenient to carry around for up to an hour; for longer walks or hikes I’d prefer a backpack.

Thank you for your tip !

Carsten on December 22nd, 2007 at 12:52 pm

^#14

Scott,
Will the Pro Mag 2 AW take a 1DS Mk III with a Canon 100-400 mm lens fitted?

Just read your book “The Digital Photograhy Book”. Easiest read and best presented information (on the subject) I have come across.

Regards,

Des.

Des Cahill on March 8th, 2008 at 7:41 pm

^#15

Hi Scott,

I carry this bag for two years now. There’s a D50, 18-135, 75-300,SB-400, spare batteries, Canon DV, Garmin Nüvi, rocket blower and some other small stuff in it. For long walks I use the waistbelt so my shoulder doesn’t get “overloaded”. It works just fine with me.

Regards,
Bart
(Belgium)

Bart on May 31st, 2008 at 6:45 am