Features

At first glance the Pro Roller x300 looks like your basic roller case with two zipper pockets on the front. The small pocket is fairly small but expands a little and is good for fast access to small items like lens caps, cleaning clothes, batteries, memory card holders, and other small items. The second pocket is larger and is fairly nicely padded making it ideal for storing a laptop or tablet.

Locking Mechanism

On the left side are two attachment points for adding a tripod holder. On the opposite side is a unique locking mechanism that has a pull-out cable that goes through hoops built into the zipper handles to help keep everything secure. The only thing I wished the lock had was a longer cable to make it easier to lock the bag to a secure object during an event when you can’t keep your eyes on your bag. The fact that it does lock the entire bag, including the front pockets, is a real plus though. The locking mechanism is TSA Approved so you will not have any issues with airport security if you want to check the bag through luggage.

Prop Stand

Turning to the back, there is a hide-away prop stand. I think this prop stand is a very nice addition to a roller bag since it makes it easier to get into your gear without having to bend all the way over to the ground. When you first look at the prop stand you will likely think that it is going to be weak and unstable, however, in use it is quite stable.

Specifications

Capacity: 1-2 pro DSLRs with grip plus 8-10 lenses; accessories, up to 17″ laptop

Inside

Inside The x200

The door features two good size pockets that don’t really expand much so they are good for small cables, gels, and other small accessories. There is also three holders for memory cards that feature small flaps that you can switch to show if the memory cards are full or empty. There is also a little hide-away panel that has a spot for a few pens and business cards. In the main compartment is plenty of space for a couple of bodies and a good assortment of lenses and accessories. The padding is quite thick so your gear should be pretty safe from getting knocked around when traveling. There are two main divider pieces that run top to bottom in the case that really don’t lend themselves to being moved much while all of the other cross pieces are easily moved or removed to customize the bag to your needs.

Hidden Backpack

The Surprises

There are two big surprises that the x200 has in store for you. The first big surprise is that the whole storage system unzips and comes out of the outside case complete with shoulder straps making the x200 a true hybrid roller/backback system. While this seems basic enough, Lowepro takes it to the next level by having the a zippered cover for the roller shell. What this means is that when I am getting ready to travel somewhere, I can pull out the backpack, complete with all my standard gear, and then use the roller case as my suitcase. When I arrive at my destination I can unpack the suitcase and put the backpack back inside and am back to having a rolling camera bag. This is certainly a unique aspect to this bag system.

Accessory Mount Thread

The second surprise, which I have wanted on my bags for a LONG time, is a threaded hole hidden beneath the logo badge on the handle. This allows you to screw in a standard threaded stud and then attach your camera or a light for a quick mobile platform. This is a very welcome design feature and I am sure I am going to use that heavily instead of having to pull out a light stand when in a hurry. When you open the x200 up you will find an accessory bag with the strap for the tripod holder and a threaded rod for the handle.

Results

There is a lot to like about the Lowepro Pro Roller x200 Case. While there are a few little tweaks I would like to see but overall it is a very solid bag and the little extras really are excellent touches. The Lowepro Pro Roller x200 Case doesn’t come at a cheap price, at $329.95 at B&H Photo, it is on the high side of the camera bag price spectrum. I have said this numerous times, you get what you pay for. A high quality bag like this will last you for many years without any problems. My experience is that a cheaper bag is just not going to be built as good and I used to replace my camera bags every 6-9 months. At that rate you are much better off buying something that is going to last you five years or more. The Lowepro Pro Roller x200 delivers on many levels and is certainly a worthwhile purchase in my opinion. Lowepro Pro x200 product page: http://products.lowepro.com/product/Pro-Roller%20×200,2163.htm Amazon.com: Lowepro Pro Roller x200 Camera Bag $329.99 B&H Photo: Lowepro Pro Roller x200 Case $329.99

Lowepro CompuDay Photo 250

Here is my personal dilemma…I want to carry my camera with me much more often but I always carry too much gear when what I really need is a body, a 24-70, a 70-200, a flash, and a modifier or two. I have tried messenger bags and other backpacks but they never really “did it” for me as they were either too heavy, too small, or wouldn’t organize things well.  The folks at Lowepro suggested I give the CompuDay Photo 250 a try and see if it addresses the issues I have had with other backpacks.

Specifications

Capacity:
Compact DSLR with kit lens attached; up to a 15.6†widescreen laptop; accessories; personal items

Using the CompuDay Photo 250

I figure the best way to discuss the CompuDay Photo 250 is to go through the list of issues I normally have and see how the CompuDay Photo 250 stacks up against the rest.

Size

The CompuDay Photo 250 is a small backpack for short hikes or daily carry-around use. Unlike some other bags that are basically small all-purpose camera bags with straps on them. This means less room for gear, but that’s kind of the point. For a nice bag just big enough for a few components, the CompuDay Photo 250 fits the bill quite nicely.

Weight

The empty bag is quite light so it’s much more about your gear and you don’t feel like you are lugging around a heavy bag as well.

Organization

There are lots of pockets and sleeves to help keep your stuff organized but the main storage section is really just a big open space but it is big enough for a DSLR and a lens or two. I really like the external access to the lens pocket which means you can swap lenses without having to dig through the main compartment. This is a nice win for the Photo 250.

Quality

The build quality of the Photo 250 is top-notch. I have nothing negative to say about the build quality at all.

Price

At $99 list price and a current street price of $74.95 at B & H Photo, the CompuDay 250 is reasonably prices for a backpack with these features and quality.

Results

I didn’t really know what to expect from the Lowepro CompuDay Photo 250 as my experience with backpacks in the past has not been overly positive. I really have to say that I actually like the CompuDay Photo 250 quite a bit. When I travel, it makes a nice carry-on bag for my laptop, basic camera gear, and electronic accessories, around town I can keep my camera with me for fast, easy access without bogging me down with my normally excessive gear packing. At the current street price, it’s not going to break the bank and will make for a nice size back for those photowalks, short hikes, and other times I want to be hands free. The only thing I wish it had was a divider in the main compartment to aid in the organization of a lens or two but that is getting a little nit picky.

If you are looking for a good quality backpack at a really good price, it would be hard to do much better than the Lowepro CompuDay 250.

Lowepro Website: http://www.lowepro.com/
Lowepro CompuDay Photo 250: http://products.lowepro.com/product/CompuDay-Photo-250,2249,16.htm

Lowepro CompuDay Photo 250 at B&H Photo: Lowepro CompuDay Photo 250

Vanguard Website: http://www.vanguardworld.com

What do you do when your Airport International is just too big to lug around for a small shoot but your ShapeShifter bag won’t carry enough gear? Think Tank Photo has answered this question with the new Airport TakeOff camera bag.

Thank Tank Photo’s designers have invested a great deal of creative and engineering time into developing our backpacks and rollers.  And, as might be expected, photographers have asked “couldn’t you create one bag that serves both purposes?â€Â  In response, Think Tank Photo just released a new concept in rolling camera backpacks, the Airport TakeOffâ„¢.

The key is that with most rolling backpacks you have to zip up the cover every time you’re not using the backpack straps.  This means that there is no way to roll it with the shoulder straps out.  You could, but the straps will drag on the ground.  So with the Airport TakeOff you can simply tuck the bottom of the straps under the bottom pads and roll. This is really the product’s key functional invention.

The Airport TakeOff™.  It is designed as a transportation solution that combines the portability of a backpack with the ease of a rolling suitcase.  Converting it to and from a rolling camera bag to a comfortable backpack is so easy because the straps can be simply tucked away to start rolling immediately, or, they can be completely zipped inside the rear panel.

Designed to comply with international airline carry-on requirements, the Airport TakeOff accommodates pro-sized photography gear, including two pro or regular size DSLR bodies with or without lenses attached.  Its features include:

• Holds up to a 300mm f/2.8 and other assorted lenses
• Quickly deployable and concealable backpack straps
• Front cable and lock to secure laptops
• Lockable zipper sliders
• Transports tripods or monopods easily
• Adjustable sternum straps for tailored usage
• Holds Think Tank’s Artificial Intelligence 15 protective laptop case

Specifications

Internal Dimensions:  13â€W x 18.4â€H x 5.25-6.75â€D (33 x 47 x 13 cm)External Dimensions: 14â€W x 21â€h x 8â€D (35.5 x 53 x 22 cm)
Weight: 8.6 – 10.3 (3.9 – 4.7 kg) depending on accessories used

MSRP:  $299.00

For more information, please visit http://thinktankphoto.com