LowePro MiniMag AW Review-
Why is it that buying a camera bag can be so difficult? It's just a bag right? NO! Taking pictures is so fun, but carrying all this heavy gear is far from it. I'm currently trying to find a bag that will be good for location shooting. My first attempt has been with the
LowePro MiniMag AW.
1st- My setup...I have a camera with a grip...enough said. This requirement adds a whole new level of difficulty when buying a bag because it's roughly 6 inches tall. I wanted to get the smallest bag possible to accommodate this requirement while still being able to carry some flashes and maybe another lens. The MiniMag seemed to be the answer.
2nd - The bag...is big...more wide than anything. I can comfortably fit my Canon XT w/ 17-85 lens attached, two flashes, remote triggers, and a 24mm with no problems. I can even fit my camera in the bag as if it were a top loader with the grip still on! Stoked!. The bag is sturdy and it definitely looks and feels like it will provide protection to your gear.
3rd - The Problems...This bag is wide and i mean wide. 11 inches wide when you fill the front pocket to be exact. When you are using this as a shoulder bag, being so wide is very cumbersome and awkward. It's also heavy when fully loaded. Too heavy to be a shoulder bag for location shoots lasting more than 30 minutes. And then there is the pocket problem(pictured below). The front pocket protrudes from the front of the bag adding ~3-4inches. This adds to the bulk, but it's not big enough to put too many accessories. Not cool!
4th- Help! I seriously need a new bag for occasions when I'm on location. I don't want to bring the whole kitchen sink, just the items that I need for that particular shoot without breaking my shoulders. I'm considering a top loader from
ThinkTank like the Digital Holster 40 or the Urban Disguise 20 or 30. Does anyone have these bags and if so, can you fit an SLR with a grip w/lens attached?
5th - Recommendations and Link - Buying a camera bag is not easy. You need to decide a few things before you make a purchase.
- Is this bag going to be for transporting your gear from place A to B or if it's going to be a tool for the actual shoot? If you want to carry everything from place A to B then this bag may be right for you (assuming you don't have much gear). You could probably fit longer lens like the 70-200 in this while still having room for other gear. If you want a location bag or a walk-around bag, this is NOT the right bag for you.
- For a shoulder bag, get the thinnest possible for your needs! I can stand some weight, but being cumbersome is just a pain!
I hope this review was helpful for those considering this bag. Check out my gallery for more pics of the bag. Click the image below->
2nd - Layers Magazine - RC Concepcion and friends over at Layers Magazine have always been a great resource for tutorials. This week, Jean Francois Okane brings us a cool tutorial showing how to use 7 different lighting positions with one light(two at most). Check that tutorial out here
Hyperdrive Colorspace UDMA and LensAlign. The Hyperdrive is a portable device that allows you to view and backup your photos while in the field without the need for a laptop. The LensAlign is a cool device that allows you to correct your lenses if they are back/front focusing and giving you out of focus pictures. One thing I hate is misfocusing...I just wish I had a camera that had micro-lens adjustment :(. Both are pretty cool devices that would make for great Christmas presents :)
Posts
