Best all round photography bag? Lowepro Protactic BP 450 AW ii review

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  • Опубликовано: 28 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 50

  • @johnniewelbornjr.8940
    @johnniewelbornjr.8940 8 месяцев назад +2

    I bought this bag a few months ago (December 2023) and have come to love it for hauling my Olympus E-M1X and lenses about for landscapes/wildlife. I chose the 450 for the size and versatility, as well, and though it won't sit upright (the rainfly compartment simply isn't sufficiently stiff to give it a firm/level base), I don't have to worry about laying it down in snow or dusty conditions while shooting here in western North Dakota or eastern Montana. The bag is well padded and sturdy and truly versatile with so many dividers and access points. Yes, it's a large bag but should work fine in most overhead airline compartments (always check with specific airlines for maximum dimensions, of course).
    First vid I've seen from your channel, Ben, and I enjoyed it. Well done!

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  8 месяцев назад +1

      hanks for leaving a comment and sharing your experiences with the bag also. Glad to hear that you are happy with your purchase. I get the impression that this bag is going to last a loooong time.

  • @brianmckeever5280
    @brianmckeever5280 11 месяцев назад +2

    Good bags. I have a 250 AW (they don't make any more) and a 350 AW. Used them both a lot, Australia, Great Britain, Greece. With my switch to MFT, I have finally found the PRVKE LITE after some expensive other tries. Seems like just the right size, finally. And, expandable with the roll-top. Great for air travel. I have no gear demands like you, the 450 looks huge! Hope that 40 year-old back keeps coming through for you!

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  11 месяцев назад

      Cheers Brian, I read MFT as Medium Format haha. That seems the wrong direction if you are trying to cut down weight! Then I realised it is Micro Four Thirds, makes more sense now. I wish I could travel with less gear, but even just yesterday I was filming a property and I needed three cameras, two gimbals (I was making a comparison between them), one tripod and a handful of lenses! Not sure my back will last much longer 🙂

  • @scherge
    @scherge 3 месяца назад

    Got this backpack on sale today for 220 €, and it feels like a steal. I'm impressed by the build quality, and by how versatile the whole thing is. The carrying comfort is also superb, imo. Really looking forward to carrying all my camera gear around in this bp in Norway for the next two weeks ^^
    Great review, thanks!

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  3 месяца назад

      Excellent. Enjoy Norway and of course enjoy the new camera bag!

  • @georgefmac
    @georgefmac Месяц назад

    Bought one recently after owning the 350wii - wish I’d bought the 450wii earlier - so much more space and deeper to stand lenses on end rather than flat - also this bag is built like a tank

  • @andreaspetershtc
    @andreaspetershtc 11 месяцев назад +1

    So I wish you all the best for your birthday. By the way: I also owned once this Camera Bag (the first version) but I sold it again later after I found quite a while ago my definitive definive best camera bag (also after trying different models which all had minor or major downsides). My final best camera bag is Mindshiftgear Backlight 26L.

  • @Rick--A-F
    @Rick--A-F 11 месяцев назад +1

    I really like my older Lowepro, except for it opens from the front, which is a pain (for the reasons you mentioned!). I can't fault the build quality. The only other thing I'd change is the colour of the zip pulls to make them easier to spot.

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  11 месяцев назад +1

      The Lowepro bags are solid, I recon that I have had my other Lowepro bag for ten year now, still going strong. The different colour for zips is a good idea!

  • @MrPhilbautista
    @MrPhilbautista 10 месяцев назад +4

    It doesn't balance properly because of the rain cover stored underneath. Make an effort to make it flat and it will stand up properly or, if you're lazy, push it all the way back and it will now fall forward and the back remains clean.

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  10 месяцев назад

      That’s a very good point Phil, as the cover is attached to the bag, I will have a go at folding it back into the pouch in a more even fashion and see if that helps.

  • @setheon
    @setheon 8 месяцев назад

    Good review Ben

  • @rogalaphotography
    @rogalaphotography 11 месяцев назад

    My first real camera bag...I still have it but is sits in the closet. I MUCH prefer the Shimoda Explorer 35L V2. It really is a superior bag to other bags on the market. I have the PM Nomatic bags, Peak Design bags...nothing compares to the comfort and functionality of the Shimoda bags. I also have the Shimoda Action X50 V1 which I love too! Great video!

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  11 месяцев назад +1

      I have yet to see or experience a Shimoda bag.....I must be missing out. I have some similar bags to you, the Peak Design everyday is a nice bag, well made but I don't find the straps very comfortable when you load it up. I have the PM sling for small cameras, a Manfrotto bag, a few Lowepro bags. a Crumpler, I think? maybe a Vanguard.... as I mentioned I have too many camera bags!?!

  • @mjglassgallery7608
    @mjglassgallery7608 7 месяцев назад +1

    You can use the top part of the bag to rest your camera on to shoot if you want a low shot and don’t want to take your tripod out. I do that with this bag a lot.

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  6 месяцев назад +1

      I had to do that recently, but not out of choice, but because I forgot my tripod and i went to the beach to shoot long exposures!!!

  • @Christographer_UK
    @Christographer_UK 11 месяцев назад +1

    Yet another interesting video Ben. As good as that bag is, I refuse to buy yet another one (at the moment at least). My other half would through a wobbly! When you start looking for a new camera bag, do you start with the one thing it must do, or must have? For me, the most important factor is it must fit in most airline overhead lockers, if it doesn't, then it's a big no, no. By the looks of it the BP 450 AW ii would be far too large. Belated happy 40th birthday, if I haven't mentioned it before somewhere else.

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  11 месяцев назад +1

      Cheers Chris, since there is more than one person discussing compatibility with airlines I thought I would look it up. The Lowepro BP 450 AW II is External Dimensions: 52 x36 x22 cm. British Airways (different airlines vary) allow 56 x 45 x 25 cm so it looks like it fits! I have another Lowepro 450 AW bag from a different range which is more square and I flew to Glasgow with that many years ago without any problems. Thank you for the birthday wishes, it was a month ago now, but that is the nature of spacing your videos out!

    • @Christographer_UK
      @Christographer_UK 11 месяцев назад +1

      @@benharveyphotography Hi Ben. Some airlines are allowing two pieces of hand luggage per passenger now, or proposing to do so soon. I don't have any sizes for those two bag airlines as yet, but the sizes are/will be much smaller than those listed below. Perhaps one of the larger camera bag makers could come up with a double bag that zips together somehow for use as a backpack & splits in two for two pieces of carry-on luggage? The trouble with hand luggage is the inconsistency between airlines.
      Carry-on Luggage Sizes
      Different airlines set different limits on how much hand luggage you can carry on board. Below are the sizes and weights of some of the more popular airlines. You are strongly advised to check your own particular airline for their most up-to-date baggage guidelines.
      Airline Luggage sizes
      Airline Maximum size Maximum weight
      Airline Maximum size Maximum weight
      Aegean 56 x 45 x 25 cm 8kg
      Aer Lingus 55 x 40 x 24 cm 10kg
      Aer Lingus Regional 48 x 33 x 20 cm 7kg
      Air Canada 55 x 40 x 23 cm 10kg
      Air France 55 x 35 x 25 cm 12kg
      Air China 55 x 40 x 20 cm 5kg
      American Airlines 56 x 36 x 23 cm Unspecified
      British Airways 56 x 45 x 25 cm 23kg
      Brussels Airlines 55 x 40 x 23 cm 12kg
      Delta Airlines 56 x 35 x 23 cm No limit
      EasyJet 56 x 45 x 25 cm No limit (Must be able to lift into overhead locker)
      Egypt Air 58 x 45 x 25 cm 8kg
      Emirates 55 x 38 x 20 cm 7kg
      Etihad Airways 50 x 40 x 25 cm 7kg
      Eurowings 55 x 40 x 23 cm 8kg
      Finnair 56 x 45 x 25 cm 8kg
      Flybe 55 x 35 x 20 cm 10kg
      FlyBMI 55 x 40 x 23 cm 12kg
      Iberia 56 x 45 x 25 cm 10kg
      Icelandair 55 x 40 x 20 cm 10kg
      Jet2 56 x 45 x 25 cm 10kg
      KLM 55 x 35 x 25 cm 12kg
      Loganair 40 x 35 x 18 cm 6kg
      Lufthansa 55 x 40 x 23 cm 8kg
      Malaysia Airlines 56 x 36 x 23 cm 7kg
      Quantas 56 x 36 x 23 cm 7kg
      Qatar Airways 50 x 37 x 25 cm 7kg
      Ryanair 55 x 40 x 20 cm 10kg
      Scandinavian Airlines 55 x 40 x 23 cm 8kg
      Singapore Airlines 55 x 40 x 20 cm 7kg
      Swiss International 55 x 40 x 23 cm 8kg
      TAP Air Portugal 55 x 40 x 20 cm 8kg
      Thomas Cook 55 x 40 x 20 cm 6kg
      TUI 55 x 40 x 20 cm 5kg
      Tunisair 55 x 40 x 20 cm 8kg
      Turkish Airlines 55 x 40 x 23 cm 8kg
      United Airlines 56 x 35 x 22 cm Unspecified
      Virgin Atlantic 56 x 36 x 23 cm 10kg
      Vueling 55 x 40 x 20 cm 10kg
      Wizz Air 40 x 30 x 20 cm 10kg
      Wow Air 56 x 45 x 25 cm 12kg
      Sorry for the terrible formatting. Copy & paste strikes again.

  • @picsaregreat
    @picsaregreat 3 месяца назад

    Don't know if it will work, but if you tuck the weather cover that's in the bottom so that it fits right to make the bag stand upright. I also just purchased the same bag. pulled out the cover to look at it. when I put it back in the bag sat upright and didn't fall over! I only pulled it out because you did in your review.

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  3 месяца назад

      Hi, I have tried this but it doesn’t seem to have fixed mine. That said, I went out yesterday with another landscape photographer who has the bag and his does not fall over - so maybe I got a dud copy 😂
      I hope you enjoy the bag, I love it.

  • @kphotographyonline4537
    @kphotographyonline4537 10 месяцев назад

    Great bag. I have the 450 & 350. Only niggle is no other storage for for storing a rain jacket jacket, snacks etc. just purchased the Lowepro whistlers 450 AW II 👌🏼

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  10 месяцев назад

      The top compartment would be ideal for that , but of course this is meant for a camera! I hope the Whistler version works out for you - Lowepro bags are really well made, I have had my other LOwepro bag for over ten years - still going strong!

  • @keithmiller2714
    @keithmiller2714 3 месяца назад +1

    I have a lowepro bag that is probably one of the first generations of this bag 20 years ago. This might be the next bag. Thanks for the video. Only additional question I have is how breathable is the back where it rides against you?

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  3 месяца назад +1

      Hi Keith, it has areas of padding that rest against your back and shoulders which are padded (in layers) and allow air to flow between them. I have been using the bag all summer and I would say that it does a good job of being breathable. It’s comfortable also.

  • @ricardobowen3364
    @ricardobowen3364 9 месяцев назад +1

    Very informative video.
    I would love to hear your opinion on the Tenba Axis V2 24L

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  9 месяцев назад

      Hi Richard, I have never owned or even seen a Tenba bag, but I have heard good things about them.

  • @nccool0
    @nccool0 7 дней назад

    It looks like it would take a 16" Macbook Pro. Would it?

  • @kendrickwong6295
    @kendrickwong6295 8 месяцев назад +1

    Bag falling over is because of the rain cover. Pull it out and it will stand; I tried it in a shop. I just wonder if it's possible to place a flat piece of cardboard/plastic in that compartment so that it's flat?

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  8 месяцев назад +1

      Hi I tried shuffling the rain cover around in the bottom compartment to flatten out the bag, after someone else said a similar comment below, but I still couldn’t get it to stand on its own confidently. I don’t think it is a massive issue, I still use the bag all the time, and I just lean it against walls/trees/tripod legs the opposite way to make sure it doesn’t fall. If this does bother you, you could explore putting a t-shirt on one side or something to pad it out a bit?

  • @bluejays5660
    @bluejays5660 10 месяцев назад

    Where’d you get that great hat?

  • @joekelly9369
    @joekelly9369 7 месяцев назад

    I own them both , the 350 i dragged it through all kinds of bush and crud ,, theyre great , apart from the pocket on your back area useless , puts pressure on the inner contents , i ebmned up with the 450, ..... the temba axis 32l and 24l , theyre awasome i use the spare dividers to put in lowepro bags to stiffen the internals , (temba partitions are tough and stiffer than lowepros flimsy dividers , you can also get full set of 150mm filters in tenbas rear pockets + other stuff , [i have tons of bags some are relegated to lighting ] some hold just one lens , lowepro zips are awesomely tough , its a /theyre great bags , temba axis just have that bit extra ,

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  7 месяцев назад

      It sounds like you have the same camera bag addiction that I do! :-)

  • @fictionfactory7164
    @fictionfactory7164 9 месяцев назад

    Good review Ben and do you think this would hold a Sony mirrorless body with 17-70 attached plus a 200-600 and a 70-200 with space for a few extras such as charger etc?

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  9 месяцев назад

      Hello. I just looked up the kit you are referring to, the Tamron 17-70 on a sony could fit in the top compartment, however the 200-600 is a big lens. I just measured the width of the bag an internal you have 310mm from the inside of the bag to the other side where the openings are and there isn’t enough space to put that lens in, as that measures 324mm according to Sony’s website. Not sure if that includes a lens hood mounted backwards or not. You could completely reconfigure the bag so that you put the 200-600 in at the top and essentially divide the bag from top to bottom and you easily fit in the 17-70 with a camera body and accessories, however if the 70-200 is an f2.8 your are asking a lot! If the 70-200 is an F4 then it will probably fit, but you wont benefit from the side access at all as your kits will be in the bag a certain way.

    • @fictionfactory7164
      @fictionfactory7164 9 месяцев назад +1

      Thank you for that Ben.
      The 70-200 is the f/4 variant, I may upgrade to the 2.8 at some point but i like the internal focus of the mk1.
      I would like a bag where the hoods can remain attached, for a bit of extra protection, if nothing else.
      Have ordered a couple of bags to try out so we'll see how that goes.

  • @h-dawg969
    @h-dawg969 7 месяцев назад

    How will those straps on the back be for putting fpv quads on the outside of the bag? & are they included or are they additional purchases?

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  7 месяцев назад

      Hello, I assume that FPV Quads are drones that you are referring to? In terms of weight capacity, they can hold a tripod so I am sure your drone will be fine. I believe that all of the accessories are included, as it is the only way of carrying a tripod with this bag, and I saw someone else with this bag at the weekend and he also had the tripod attachment.

  • @AndreaMilone-p3y
    @AndreaMilone-p3y 10 месяцев назад

    How can the side pockets and the top camera extraction pocket be safe? There is not the same security as the rear zip on the back....some attacker "could" get their hands there without us realizing

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  10 месяцев назад

      It is a good point, but how you configure the bag is entirely up to you. You can put the bottle holder on one side (covering that side pouch) and the tripod holder on the other side and not put anything in the top pouch and then everything would be accessed from the back zip. You could use a caribena on the zips for extra security. The good thing is that the design of the bag gives you flexibility to make security a priority.

    • @AndreaMilone-p3y
      @AndreaMilone-p3y 10 месяцев назад

      ​@@benharveyphotography Surely everyone configures it as they like, but the parent company in the presentation videos focuses precisely on the versatility in using the side and top pockets to easily extract the machine... positioning something above the pockets to "block" access eliminates the the use for which they were designed/made.

    • @MrPhilbautista
      @MrPhilbautista 10 месяцев назад

      @@AndreaMilone-p3y There's always a trade off between ease of access and security. The company gives you the option of which to prioritize. Personally, I've never lost anything to thieves because of those side access panels but YMMV.

    • @johnniewelbornjr.8940
      @johnniewelbornjr.8940 8 месяцев назад

      @@AndreaMilone-p3y Just my thoughts but there simply isn't any way someone will "sneak" anything out of any of the side or top access points. The top access has a rather thick/stiff "door" with a lip and the side points aren't going to allow anyone stealthy or easy access, either, owing to the direction of the openings. If a thief was sufficiently brazen not to care about stealth, they're just going to take the entire bag away in the end anyway.

  • @louisewelcomephotography
    @louisewelcomephotography 11 месяцев назад

    Spot on video Ben. This was on my shortlist but because I fly a lot it was too big for that purpose… hmmmm… maybe 2 bags are needed. Can you please stop reviewing stuff! 😂. Nice work Ben 👍

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  11 месяцев назад +1

      Stop showing off with your jetset lifestyle :-) I now know that they make a slightly smaller version, the 350 AW but I don't know the exact dimensions. Take me with you, I will carry your camera and lenses :-P

    • @louisewelcomephotography
      @louisewelcomephotography 11 месяцев назад +1

      @@benharveyphotography there’s no jet setting for the foreseeable at the moment. 😳😉

  • @GlenCuillin
    @GlenCuillin 3 месяца назад

    I’ve had this bag for a while now. Whilst it’s a solid camera bag; I have had a major irritation - the tripod cup is not very secure; it’s fallen off my bag on several occasions and the last time I lost it completely. It’s not possible to buy a single replacement; you need to buy it with a bunch of other stuff. So this tiny item is costing me £65! For all their claimed green credentials this is not sustainable. It’s ridiculous having to buy a whole bunch of unnecessary stuff just to get the single item I need. Very poor.

    • @benharveyphotography
      @benharveyphotography  3 месяца назад

      Hi Glen, I can see how this could be annoying, my friend Jamie lost one of the straps on the back of his and would have to buy the kit to replace one (but at least that is an option). I have not had this issue with the drink holder or the tripod holder. I have mine looped through two of the black loops on the bag, mine is set at the bottom of the back in the middle (not the side) and I find the Velcro to be very strong. The tripod folder is only large enough to hold one of my tripod feet though, whereas some of my other bags hold two feet or all three; this is more of an observation rather than a problem as one tripod foot still stops it from sliding out. This tripod is strapped back to the bag using the two supplied buckle straps. I hope this makes sense.