for Canon 350D / 400D XT / 1000D / 450D
Modular methods with Lowepro Toploader 65AW and Sliplock pouches/cases:
The Lowepro Toploader 65 AW bag is large enough to accommodate the Canon Digital Rebel XT 350D with BG-E3 battery grip (a popular accessory) attached. The main compartment is generous enough to loosely fit a healthy sized Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM zoom or similar; the fit is nearly perfect, leaving a small amount of wiggle space in each axis (about 0.5-1 inch); alternatively, it may be assumed, a slightly larger body combination may fit just a bit more snug. Bottom of main compartment is generous enough to accommodate respective lens hoods attached in reverse orientations. Front and back interior panels are provided with large swatches of Velcro to allow positioning of (3) included section dividers as desired. One thin accessory pocket resides in the interior case zippered lid for: filters, CF cards, batteries/cap/covers or remote. One, larger front pocket with a clever second zippered section is separated by a Velcro divider. An inner zippered pocket, holding the All Weather Cover, resides in the upper section of the front pocket. A large belt loop is integrated into the exterior rear panel for S&F Deluxe Waistbelt or Light Waistbelt. A sturdy, nylon hand carrying loop is woven into the upper rear exterior panel.
The outside of the bag is equipped with a variety loops and slip-loops to fasten included shoulder strap, belt or chest harness (belt and harness not included with 65AW model), or hang accessory pouches and lens cases (not included). The Lowepro SlipLock system lens cases and accessory pouches are smartly designed to fasten securely providing a modular system for toting your gear; or subset of your gear.
The toploading design is quite versatile allowing very quick access to camera and accessories. Chest harness or S&F Waistbelt + shoulder strap function nicely, offering hands-free, secure attendance of bag. The provided shoulder strap is what some larger sized users might consider “on the short side” for across-the-chest carrying, but appears to be durable and is orientation self correcting.
Food for thought: While the Toploader system is ultimately sporty, it’s probably not the bag “for all occasions.” Many shooters prefer to carry larger selections of lenses and/or accessories and may feel limited by the number of items they can carry as a unit (attached to bag). Wearing a photog accessory belt may not be appropriate for many shooting environments. The bigger brothers 70AW and 75AW will accommodate longer lenses “attached-and-ready”, but may be larger than some are willing to carry in this configuration. Also, the style is somewhat conspicuous, and to some may think it inappropriately advertises “steal me!”
In the bag:
Canon EOS 350D XT + BG-E3 Grip w/ Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM (hood reversed)
Lens Case 4s w/ Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM(hood reversed)
Rezo 30 w/ Casio EX z750 P+S
Bottle Bag
thanks to ValveTubeHead for photo & info
Reviews for Nikon D70 / D100 / D200 / D300 / D700
Review #1
Like all Lowepro Toploaders this bag is of excellent build quality, has ample padding and enough space to hold a big camera with a medium sized lens. The dimensions are W 6.5" x D 6" x H 8" which makes it only half an inch less wide than the significantly bigger 75 AW but obviously it's much shorter.
The bag will hold a Nikon D70 with a Tokina AT-X 124 Pro DX with reversed hood (lens diameter 77mm, see image) or a Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G zoom with reversed hood and similar sized lenses. If you'll add some SlipLock units it actually becomes a compact but versatile system, e.g. a SlipLock Pouch 60 AW and two Lens Case 1 attachments give you enough room to carry the camera with the Tokina 12-24mm f/4 , the 18-70mm
kit lens and the 70-300 zoom as well as the SB-800, spare batteries, cleaning stuff, etc.
thanks to Tim for photos and comments.
