Review: LowePro Photo Sport BP 24L AW III And Comparison To Photo Sport BP 300 AW II
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- čas přidán 6. 07. 2024
- I've been using LowePro bags and backpacks for 20 years now and none has ever failed me. For the last 4 to 5 years I was using the LowePro Photo Sport BP 300 AW II as my main travel, hiking and EDC backpack, as it features a good and easy to reach camera compartment as well as space for other things, just like a normal backpack does.
When I read the press announcement of a new version coming out the Photo Sport BP 24L AW III, I was very hyped. After some persisting opening their shop every couple of hours, I was luckily able to catch one of the first that were available in the shop (at least here in Europe).
I've had it for a couple of days now and decided to create a review about it that goes not only more in detail than what I was able to find here on CZcams, but also compare it very detailed with the predecessor to help you figure out for yourself if either one of both could be the next multifunction camera backpack you get.
Just to be sure we're not having a misunderstanding here: I bought this backpack for my personal use with my own money, I paid the full price, I did not tell LowePro about making this video, I don't get paid by them or anyone else for presenting the product in any light - this is solely my opinion about both backpacks and nothing else.
Timestamps / Content:
00:00 - Intro
00:34 - Disclaimer - Not A Marketing Campain, Bought With My Own Money
02:45 - The Top Handle
03:12 - The Back - Ventilation System
03:57 - The Shoulder Straps
04:32 - Thoughts On The Breast Straps
06:27 - The Waist Belt
07:34 - Drain Hole
08:05 - The Rain Cover
09:05 - Tripod, Walking Sticks, Monopod, etc. Attachment Loops
09:35 - Velcro Tripod Holding
10:02 - Outside Front Pocket
10:50 - The Camera Compartment / Bag
12:50 - The Detachable Camera Bag
13:35 - Included LowePro Straps / Attachment System
14:23 - Set Up The Camera Bag For The Strap
16:19 - General Thoughts About The Camera Bag
17:02 - Some Examples Showing The SIze With DSLR, Mirrorless And Some Lenses
17:44 - Camera Bag Usability
19:27 - The Insides
22:12 - The Outside
23:38 - Other Things I’ve Noticed
24:08 - 75% Recycled Materials, Yay!
24:19 - Conclusion
25:58 - Your Thoughts?
If you're interested in the backpack, check out LowePro.com: www.lowepro.com/us-en/photosp...
Music by Epidemic Sound ➜ (*) www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Thank you for providing such a detailed and informative video for this bag. So many bag reviews on CZcams don't go into any detail but you covered everything in a very clear manner. Keep up the good work :)
Thanks for the detailed description of all features. It was a pleasure to watch. Keep it up!
Amazing, detailed and useful review. Thanks for creating this content with so much detail and specially for the comparison with the previous model.
Love the level of detail! Thank you
Thank you for this detail review and you have told me all the items I'm concerning!
Thank you for the great review! I've been wishing someone would do a comparison of the Fastpack II and III bags, and it's great that someone is doing that with one of Lowepro's other multi use bags!
Thanks for your kind comment! I'd love to test out more LowePro bags and make videos about them, but as I'd have to buy them myself (not really assuming anyone would send them to me for reviews with such a small channel) that's probably not happening anytime soon, also I'm still rather happy with the new PhotoSport for what I intended to use it :-)
Great review! Exactly what I was looking for. I am a happy user of the smaller "old one", BP200AW II, and totally love it! I really like the detachable camera compartment of the new version - really adds a ton of versatility. Most of your comments are spot-on! I liked the old one's two pockets on the hip supports - to me it's more interesting than the new one's "molle-ish" attachement loops. The rain cover pocket was much better on the old one IMO. The back panel looks better on the new one, but I agree - with the exception of truly "ventilated" backpacks with a suspension mesh structure (like Lowe Alpine's AirZone system), all other backpacks make your back sweat no matter what marketing names they give to it lol!
Thanks for the video. Will wait until the new ones make it to local stores, so that I could go there and get a closer look/feel.
i bought this backpack a Hour ago, and i´m searching for a video like this..reeeeeally good Work, well done....thanks...you got a new follower man..have fun,,,happy new year and greetz from Germany, Munich...
This was good information. Thanks for the review.
Super review!
Seriously, I really appreciate this video! It's surprising how much effort someone with a very small channel puts into a video like this - but it was definitely worth it! This video contains way better and way more specific information than any other online source that I have found for the new PhotoSport III.
Thanks Christopher, appreciate your kind comment =)
I was trying to make a video that I would want to watch for learning about a product. I usually use CZcams (probably like everyone else these times) to inform myself about things I think about purchasing. And as you mentioned, most are basically just sales pitches (which is totally fine, don't get me wrong) or done by people who don't really care about the stuff they present and usually I don't get the full details or it's slightly off for a positive presentation. Which annoys me quite a bit most times as it's wasted lifetime for me watching a lot of video with no real content. That's why I went into the effort in trying to create a review that would give ME the details I would be looking for (despite I ordered the backpack when it was not even really in the marketing already). I'm going out for some travels for shooting the next weeks, so I'm hoping the get some update video going on next month how it's been working for me there as well - but we'll see ;-)
Thanks again mate, Cheers
@@dowe-photography4972 You definitely nailed the review! I ordered the backpack just after I had finished your video ;-)
Looking forward to your upcoming videos!
Very informative. Thanks very much for the review.
Great review
Thanks for the effort on the vid. I’m going for the backpack, only in grey/black :)
Great comparison
This is the first review on CZcams - just ordered mine today
Hi Denis, I'm sure, you'll be happy with it! I talked to LowePro shortly before the first 5-or-so were able to be ordered and they mentioned it'll take until late August until it'll be widely available due to material supply issues. So I'm glad you've been able to catch one already now! Cheers!
@@dowe-photography4972 yeah I think I got quite lucky, I'd been checking Amazon regularly since I saw this was announced and it appeared today. It's good timing too as I have a trip coming up.
This review confirmed my purchase was a good one btw, I think the short comings you listed are fair and the biggest issue for you (compartment size) shouldn't effect me as much with my smaller apsc mirrorless
@@DenisMcD I've bought it directly from LowePro, here in Germany basically no (trustworthy) shop had listed it when I bought it. Google gave me a couple US shops, but availability wasn't great either and I didn't really wanted it to be shipped around the world, get stuck in customs and all that fun that comes with ordering abroad. LowePro sent it out within 24 hours from Italy, so that was rather quickly.
In regards to size - I mainly use my R6 with the RF 15-35 and the EF 24-70 (with the EF to RF Ring Mount Adapter attached) and that fits very nicely (oh and by the way, I tested the RF 24-70 2.8L today too instead of the EF 4L I used in the video, fits as well - but I don't own that lens, so it didn't make it in the video), but if I dediced to take the 70-200 I probably will have to have that on the body when it's stowed even on the R6 - we'll see. The 6D MkII is just my backup body, I wouldn't take on hikes anyway. Both of the backpacks are not really "going to a professional shoot and taking everything you own with you" kind of backpacks in the first place, so I didn't expect much space (that then would make the luggage compartment smaller again, which I wouldn't like either :D - however I would've liked at least a similar sized camera compartment... but that's my only major downside and I'm sure it won't bother me really
I have the original Version, the predecessor to your "old one" I think neither the Version 2 nor Version 3 have gone better than the original so I am happy to stick with my original. So much so I bought another one to keep for when mine dies. BTW I did try the Version 2 (your old one) but sent it back because it wasn't an improvement.
Thanks for the video it was very helpful in my decision. I am interested to know if you heard any similar alternatives? Thanks again.. and great video!
Thank you for the review. I had the previous version and disliked it for the following reasons; thin shoulder straps, small item got lost in the main part of the bag, poor back ventilation, useless hip belt pockets, I couldn't configure the camera compartment to suit my gear, no structural frame to the backpack. Most of these nit picks seem to have been fixed, I'd be very interested in trying this one.
On the photosport aw ii when you put a hydration bladder in the back panel it would loose its shape so bad making the back panel rounded making the pack extremely uncomfortable. Have they fixed this on the 3rd model?
Thanks for the review. I have the Photosport 300 AW II (like some other photo bags) and the camera compartment of the new one is too small for me. I woiuld like to see a little bigger bag than a 24L...
Agree, also have the 300 AW II, and a bit more room in the new one would be great. For me though I believe that the new compartment has a better fit for my gear so even if the volume is slightly smaller I'd be able to fit more or less the same, and with easier access as it slightly wider.
The old one is my fav packpack, but haven't been able to use it as my EDC because it cant have A4 documents, and also the non removable camera comparrtment (though it is falling appart).
Can you fit a4 docs on the back of the new one? it seems a bit wider
Would you say it‘s possible to have a battery bundle attached to a Nikon fx-cam? And has one an idea of the camerabag is water resistant? I want to take the backpack with me skiing
As a long time Lowepro fan, I really appreciate the thorough review, thank you !
I’m still using the original Photosport 200 AW, and the detachable camera compartment is a feature I would really enjoy, as many times I had to resort to using another hiking bag, when I had a smaller photo setup, and wanted to bring more food or something.
About the water bladder compartment, can it hold a laptop? I may have misread the subtitles but I didn’t exactly get which part you were talking about, when you mentioned fitting a 15 inch MBP.
Thanks for your kind words, I'm glad the review was helpful =)
It actually never struck my mind to show what and which size of laptop would fit in the water bladder compartment to be honest. Which is mostly because I don't quite like having a hard, flat surface on the back of a backpack, at least in the summer when not wearing multiple clothes on top of each other, (part of why I don't like water bladders in these "outside" compartments - usually it follows the shape of the back a bit better when there's nothing in the bladder compartment and I prefer that for comfort) - and I personally would only do that if I really have to - and only for flights or thereabouts where I wouldn't carry the backpack for longer periods of time. I'm not sure if that's overly careful but with a laptop there between your back and the backpack and its contents, I'm not totally sure how well that is for the laptop giving it's now sandwich-ed in between the load and your back.
Anyhow, I should have covered it in the video - but then again that all was my point of view and how it works for me and since I never use it that way I totally missed that... so, thanks for your great question!
It goes the full width and the full height of the back part so it absolutely fits a 13" MacBook and there's still quite a bit of space left and right so you should be able to fit any slim 14" laptop "ultrabook" (or whatever they call these nowaways) and -maybe- even a 15" one, but I can't test that due to the lack of one. I measured it to be roughly 25,5cm (10") wide and 39,5cm (15.5") deep. The height I didn't really know how to measure easily, as it gives a lot way but would depend on what else you got in the backpack (or rather how much) and it also probably will go down on the carrying comfort size quickly too.
So: yes, it should fit any modern laptop depending on how thick it is and how thick your sleeve is - if you want to carry it in there, though I'm personally not totally convinced about that ;-)
What I was talking about in the video (got a tendency to mumble, I know...) is putting it in the main compartment. I put it in some sort of protective sleeve (I got a very cheap no name neoprene thing from Amazon I bought probably in 2013 or so), put it in the back in front of the pockets there so it is more or less flat on the back and doesn't waste much space and that works great for me. The same I did with the Photo Sport 300 AW II and that has worked nicely for me all the years over dozens of flights and hikes. I have mainly soft things in my backpack though. If I'd be carrying stones or anything else with sharp and pointy edges (to exaggerate) I might not want to put the laptop in there, but yeah, so much for common sense.
Cheers
@@dowe-photography4972 Thanks for the detailed response ! No worries, your review reflects real world use, so it’s very good 👍
I’m a bit reluctant to fit a laptop in the bladder pocket for the same reasons, but maybe in a sleeve and for a short a to b trip (in a plane or car mostly) it could do the trick.
It’s good it fits in the main compartment though, on the original Photosport the camera compartment can’t be folded and unless putting the laptop in the front, where it would get crushed on the side, it’s not ideal. An iPad fit more nicely in the bladder pocket, with a sleeve, so there’s still that.
The new model is quite pricey (I got my old original model second hand but good-as-new for like, 30 euros so it was a real bargain :p ), so I probably will wait a bit to get it, but it really seems nice.
Maybe I’ll get the version II in the meantime 😅
@@dowe-photography4972 1st of all thank you very much for this great and detailed review! I appreciate it very much. I'm currently owning the Photo Sport 200AW and I'm quite satisfied about it. It's great for hiking and bicycle day trips. When I travel by train I put a 14" laptop into the water bladder compartment which barely fits in there. In my opinion it's quite well protected there.
Anyway - the BP24 seems to have some great advantages which I miss on my 200AW. I just haven't decided yet if I'll go for the BP15 or the BP24 🤔 - I might sleep a few nights over it but more likely it will be the BP24...
Great review. Do you think it will fit a canon R5 with rf 24-70 f2.8 L attached plus an additional rf70-200 f4L on the side or vice versa? If not, any recommendation? Thanks
hey, thanks. Not comfortably (neither for you having to push it in with too much force, nor the equipment hanging around in there then). Maybe without the lenshoods and with the 70-200 attached to the body... Check at minute 17:05 (and onwards) in the video, I actually show some examples. The problem is mostly the width of the compartment - and the shallow depth doesn't really help.
I switched back to my BP200AW for anything longer than an afternoon stroll in the city as the daily use of the backpack actually showed some downsides for me I couldn't really get along with, despite all its upsides. Planning to make a follow-up video for months, but just can't really find time to do it right now.
Great video thanks. At 6.03 when you open. I don't have that little button and i can't open there. Any idea? Thanks
En français. La petite fixation frontale du haut à la minute 6.03 n'a pas le petit bouton pour ouvrir le sac. Que faire? La fermeture est impossible à ouvrir.
Merci pour cette video et surtout pour les commentaires en français
Do you think would it fit a Nikon D500? I see it's 4-5mm taller and I'm wondering if would be too hard to take it in and out while keeping the backpack on a single shoulder strap.
No clue, I believe I never had a D500 in my hands and no idea how it compares size wise to one of the Canon bodys I know - sorry, can’t really say something about that you can rely on, so I won’t.
I’ve just received the 24ltr backpack and I’ve got my Nikon d500 in the camera compartment with the L plate attached, it’s a tight fit but it’s in, also have zoom lens attached.
Does a Nikon D4 fit in the camera compartment?
I have no idea, never had a D4 in my hands, I'm a Canon guy. However I very very much doubt it. The Canon R6 (which is a rather slim camera already) without any battery grips attached is somewhat of a tight fit all around. I don't think a body with attached battery grip would be able to fit in at all.
@@dowe-photography4972 that is my concern around this, the most of photographic backpack doesn't support large reflex