Thanks for the Hiking bag setup, I transformed it into a two days weekend trip lite setup which can accommodate couple of shirts, extra pant. This bag is jack of all trades and master of several things if you become creative.
I've been using this bag for 3 years and it still looks brand new in spite of being in daily use. Such a great bag, I am surprised to not hear about it anymore.
Practical advice and info, Mike! Much better than typical “what’s in my bag” and bag review vids. Good point about weight distribution, but I’d be careful about loading anchovies sandwich with gear😁. For day shoots I keep things simple - 1 cam, 2 lenses in a repurposed army surplus canvas gas bag outfitted w/homemade pads; bag doesn’t yell “valuables”. BTW, blue bacground looks just right, especially w/red tee shirt.
Haha!! No one likes a fishy camera bag!! 😆😆😆 Sounds like a good plan with the non photo bag with customised inserts. Might be a topic for a future video...🤔 Thanks a lot! Been working on getting the studio looking and sounding ok...still a little bit to do but almost there...it's an RGB light on the background as well, so I might still be able to wear the different coloured shirts and change the background to suit. 👍
Lovely topic. So I’m a hobbyist photographer, and I bring both the Lowepro Protactic 450 AW and the Lowepro Slingshot 250 AW. The protactic is used as carry-on and to get to/from destinations. Before I go out for the day, I plan to bring only the essential gear and put them into the slingshot bag. That way, it forces me to bring what I only need, stay humble and shoot with the gear I have with me, and not have to lug that big protactic bag on hikes and other activities. I’ve gone with this setup for a few years now and it seems to be working for me. By the way, I found your channel when you introduced that protactic bag in your “early days”. Thanks Mike!
Thanks so much! It is a big bag isn't it...and getting the 250 is a great way to have a travel bag and then a day bag...👍 Great to hear that you've been around since the start of my tutorials and reviews! I did laugh when I watched that one back the other day!! 😆
Ha! Just ordered this bag as it's on a killer deal for Amazon Prime day and it will fit my Sony 200-600 with the camera body attached. I had no idea it's the bag you use(d?) as well. I'm not a hopeless fanboy. Honest!!! :D
Thanks for this super helpful video, Mike. I've had all my gear in separate bags for a couple of years as I've been gathering equipment one piece at a time, and finally couldn't take it anymore and got a backpack to pack everything into together. I was feeling really overwhelmed with how to make the best use of the space and trying to figure out the "right" way to pack it -- this gave me several options, including the hiking one which I especially appreciated! -- and made me feel confident in packing for whatever occasion arises, knowing that I can move things around as needed. Thanks for the help!
No worries Miles, really glad the video has helped!! It can be quite tricky first of all choosing a bag, let alone setting it up right. Thanks for watching 😁👍
I've been in Rhodes for two weeks, packed my A73, 16-35 GM, 55 Zeiss and the 70-200 f/4 plus filters and grads I've taken it out once with me 🙆♂️ but also bought a Ricoh GR3 and that's been with me everyday 🙌
That sounds familiar to what I sometimes do! 😆 One thing to do is try and take your A7iii with just the 55mm and see how you get on...its sometimes a challenge but a lot of fun as well. 😁👍
I love my Lowepro bag. Like you said, the configurations are unlimited. I always seem to fill it up, which is not always good because it is a big bag. I also have a Peak Design bag, but usually always take my Lowepro instead. I do not have a gimbal or plan on getting one, but I am most definitely going to watch the video you linked, if for no other reason than a good laugh. Have a great weekend, my friend.
Thanks so much dude, They do make some great bags...and Peak Design make some great gear too...just need to keep saving so I can buy it all!! 😆 I've just got a new gimbal...so I'm going to be testing that out this weekend...they're very much a videography tool but a lot of fun...if you ever run out of things to buy!! 😆🤔😁
Hi Mike: Thanks for creating this video. I have this same bag, and I always worry about packing too much which makes the bag too heavy. I like your approach to packing for airplane travel. I haven't had to wear my cameras on the plane but it does make sense. I also have to carry a CPAP machine so I have loaded it down with camera requirement as well as they never question or open the CPAP bag. Keep well. . . . Cheers, Keith
No worries Keith! This bag is fantastic for many different things. I have overloaded it a couple of times ... I find when I do this, when I pick it up by one strap, the stitching on those shoulder straps get stretched a little bit ... So your CPAP bag lets you take more camera kit with you? Nice... 👍 As always thanks for watching 😁
Most definitely...it looks sleek but then is sooo heavy when totally full...I end up getting it to about 16kgs when travelling with it between countries. Thanks for watching. 😁👍
For this lowepro bag you will need some tougher temba dividers to maintain rigid integrity ,i set mine up for one of my d850s and 200-500(protactic 450) but the dividers were flimsy , enter temba axis 32l ] took a few of tembas super rigid dividers put them into the lowepro 450 , bingo !
I have had that bag for about a year now I think. Put it through a lot and it has held up well other than one clip breaking. Thanks for the ideas on how to change it around Mike.
@@mikesphotography the chest strap. I intend to replace them all with steel ones which I wish they would come with. I admit I am brutal with my gear as I am always up cliffs in swamps etc. Don`t try it ....by I even swam in a river for a minute dragging it behind with the shoulder straps up ....when I got caught by rising water. Inside totally dry other than some wet zipper areas. I like the bag but might try a Shimoda next.....which is a whole lot more expensive of course. Thanks for the content. I do not do much video but you are helping me get more out of my camera with your video info.
Haha! Sounds like you really put it through its paces!! Funnily enough, I had the chest strap pop off my mk1 a while back...luckly I didn't lose it and was aboe to get it back on. I also lost half of one of the tripod straps as well... Like you said it would be better if they were more sturdy...👍 I'm glad you're liking the content and thanks for watching...there's a lot more to come as well. 😁👍
@@mikesphotography I nearly lost one of the tripod straps as well. I make sure that I always click them closed once I take the tripod off now as it is more unlikely that both end clips will come undone. I also found pointing the clips where possible down tends to stop them from getting caught and opening by accident. I got a spare strap with my bag.
Great advice, Mike. This may be interesting to hear but I don't even own a camera backpack. I do use a shoulder camera bag and that is normally enough. It has extra batteries, microphone, blower, clothes, painter's tape, and of course the camera if it rains. It does spend most of the time in that bag though. My tripod in the other hand if I know I am going to need it and away I go. Everytime I try to go to a larger bag or backpack I just end up bring too much I don't use. Thank you for the great video. Stay safe and sane.
Great to hear Lance!! There are so many different options so plenty of choice to get what you want and need... Before owning the mk1 version of this, I had a huge backpack and I did just that...I'd pack it full of so much stuff! 😆 Scaling down on what we take with us is such a good idea and you can be so much more inconspicuous! As always, thanks for watching and commenting my friend. 😁👍
Here's my comment: I need 2 cameras for the type of sports that I 'shoot'. Based on your 5 scenarios, I came up with a customised solution that would fit my needs. At the end of the day, I managed to fit both cameras but according to the number of lens, only one camera body is ready to use, meaning with a lens attached. Cheers - Great and friendly channel!!!
Thanks so much Carlos! Out of interest, what camera and lens setups do you have and what sports do you shoot? One of my favorites is MTB and motocross so much fun getting in on the action!! Thanks for watching 😁👍
@@mikesphotography Hi Mike! Thank you for the chat! Fujifilm XT3 and 4. Lens are 16-55 and 50-140 both F2.8 and 2 primes 90 and 200mmF2.0. Sports: surf, kite, windsurf, horse jumping, motor racing\Rally and enduro (motor bikes). I will have my chance with motocross , but championships are just starting. Basically I do what I love, first priority goes to ocean sports, and keep it diverse. Every sport has its way of telling the story and technique as well. Forgot to mention Rugby and Tennis (indoor is a real challenge !). Cheers
Another great video Mike, would love to see an updated version as am sure you do things differently now :) also am looking at getting one of them backpacks but they come in 2 sizes what height are you Mike so i can work out if I need the 350 or the 450 from loooking at it on you. Thanks
I just have 5 different bags of different sizes. 2 shoulder bags (one small and one large), a sling bag, a medium backpack and a large hiking pack. All but one was bought used for a bargain.
I personally stop using branded camera bag, even if everything is hidden inside, it's still kind of show that you may have lot of gear inside. I'm traveling a lot in remote places of South East Asia, I ready look like a tourist everywhere, i don't need to add more effect :) So I changed for a cheap regular bad with a back access and put a high quality insert inside. This do a perfect job.
That sounds like a great way of disguising your kit in a much better way! Photography bags really do look like their holding expensive kit!! 🤦🏻♂️ What bag and insert do you use? ... Could be a possible video idea for the future? 🤔 Thanks for watching Laurent! 😁👍
@@mikesphotography it guess it would be a good idea to show this, something different. i use the Burton Export 25L so it's really cheap and I'm not to worry to damage it. This is also to take in consideration i believe when you are traveling. i combine it with a rain protection so when i put it on the floor to get access to the camera from the back, it keep the bag clean. Inside a put a peak design insert (cube medium) The tripod go to the water bottle pocket. I did few modification here and there and now it's the perfect solution for me ! :)
Thanks dude! Yep, you've been around since the start and great to have you as part of the community!! Lot's of other stuff arriving in the post daily...my G.A.S. is going into overdrive!! 😆 I hope all is good back in Dubai. 😁👍
Ive got to get organized with my camera bag, youve given me a few ideas, so thanks for that. Do you take your lenses off your camera when storing in the camera bag?, in which case id need to find my camera lens cover
Great to hear this video has given you a few ideas. Unless I'm travelling and my bag is extra full, I tend to leave the lenses on my cameras. It speeds up the process when you're at the location you want to shoot at...so you can just take your camera out and start shooting straight away if you have the right lens on. Thanks for watching. 😁👍
I have the same bag. It fits my A7R4 with Sigma 24-70 f2/8 ART attached. Sony 12-24 f2/8 GM, Sony 50mm f1/4, and 200-600 G with slight room to spare. I attach my peak design travel tripod to the outside. But I hate there is no cup holder!!!
That's weird...where did you get it from? Mine came with a removable cup holder...and extra pouch as well as the tripod straps and tripdo foot-pouch...
Great video idea, and perfect timing since I'm getting a new backpack in preparation for the a7siii! If the only lens I have currently is the 24-105, is it okay to just have it attached to the camera when I put it in my bag? And if so, should I have the lens pointed up (camera on the bottom) or down (camera suspended in the center by the dividers)? Thanks!
Great to hear!! The A7siii is a fantastic camera isn't it! 👍 I wouldn't worry too much about how you put it in your bag. The mount is very strong and it will rest in your bag very nicely whichever way you put it in...i sometimes have it faced lens down, sometimes, up and then sometimes on its side. I think with the 24-105mm you'll probably have to lay it on its side or widen the dividers a little and lay it flat. As long as its cosily fitted within the padded dividers, it'll be perfectly safe. Thanks for watching 😁👍
Until now, that I have the same backpack as in your video, I wasn't so keen on keeping the camera accessible from anywhere but the side facing my back. Have you tried or seen any method to secure the side zippers? Like a small snap hook through the bag's loops?
If you're not happy to have these side pockets accessible, I'd get some small zip-ties and then put them through the double zips on the side openings so no one can open them without some scissors or a knife... Thanks for watching 😁👍
I know I'm late to the party, but I just got the same bag used and the previous owner used simple key rings for the same purpose. I prefer this idea because the rings are easy enough to detach and reattach without scissors depending on what I need on a particular day.
This is useful info. I have the Protactic aw350i, and really like it, but it doesn't really work for my a7iii when it has the grip on it. Do you ever use your full frame cameras with the grip in your bag? I notice that the 450ii is about $100 cheaper than it was when I got the 350 - so the old GAS is quietly setting in again! I also have the PD clip and love it, I usually have the PD cuff when I am out and about with my bag, and if I leave the bag, I'll use the PD slide light strap instead (or I'll annoyingly forget either strap and be petrified that I'm going to drop my camera!)
Thanks Steve! I don't have the extra grip but I think the 450 is a little deeper at the top so it probably would fit in there ok. How tall is it in centimeters? I could check it if you let me know... Haha! Gotta love that GAS!! 😆🤦🏻♂️ Whilst building my new studio my GAS has gone into overdrive!! Thanks for watching. 😁👍
Does the Protactic 450 fit in overhead cabins? Or under the seat? There's some ambiguity about this, because the dimensions seem tight but some people say that it fits?
It fits in long haul overhead cabins easily and also most big airline jets. In the smaller aircraft, like the Flybe Q400, you'd have to keep it between your knees. Also some of the budget airlines have smaller overheads so with those it would be between your knees as well. I take it everywhere with me when flying and haven't had a problem at all with it. I did about 50 or so flights in 2019 and only had one plane it wouldn't fit in the overhead cabin. 👍
@@mikesphotography Cool.. thanks for the info. I went with the 350 AWII instead. It doesn't take as much stuff obviously, but travelling with it is a breeze.
@@mikesphotography FYI for anyone else with similar questions... I was travelling with a Sony a7III (with battery grip detached), Zeiss Batis 40mm, Sony 20mm G, Tamron 70-180mm, Fuji X100F, and 2 small YC Onion lights. Cleaning kits, batteries, cables etc. for everything along with 1 power bank, 1 memory card hard case, 1 small case for Hoya filters, a couple of Peak Design straps and slings, and a bunch of energy bars and electrolyte packs because it was a 6-day mountain hike in the Himalayas. On the outside, I hooked up a 2L water bottle and Benro travel tripod using the accessories that come with the bag and configured them as suggested by Lowepro themselves. It all fit very comfortably and weighed in at just under 7 kgs (excluding exterior tripod and bottle - I carried those separately and hooked them up later). If you're careful about how you configure the bag, it holds a lot. Cheers.
Thanks Colin! That is the case that comes with the mavic air fly more combo. Its really handy and keeps the drone safe...although I really don't like the WiFi connectivity...I constantly get dropouts in the signal...when I can afford it, I'll be upgrading to the mavic air 2. 👍 Thanks for watching. 😁
Ummmm....as I don't own that bag or that camera setup, I can't rally comment. The best bet would be to check the specs of the bag especially the internal measurements. If they are bigger than the overall size of the lens and camera combo, then it should fit. 👍
I have the ProTactics Mk I and I have to say it looks like it’s quite the improvement: top zipper seems easier to open and looks like there are more dividers. I got to ask though, do you use the side openings to get your cameras in and out at all? I used to plan my dividers around that but I noticed recently I really dont use them nearly as much as I did but can’t shake planning around them... Any thoughts?
I've only upgraded since one of the straps on my MK1 was starting to come apart. It is a good upgrade and the zips do seem a little bigger and more durable. It all depends on what I am doing and what the weather is doing...I'll use the side openings when it is raining and my camera is in the bag on hikes, but apart from that I either lay my bag on the floor and use the main opening or just have it on the peak design clip.
I have had one for about a year and primarily have a side door set up with all my wet weather gear so I can get it out in hurry as I live in a tropical area and love to shoot in the rain. Most of the time I have my camera in the top as I find that easier. One thing I do not like about the bag is the top shoulder pockets. I wish they zipped/opened in the direction to match when you have the back open. As it is now if you access those pockets with the back door open everything falls to the ground.