LowePro Vertex 200 AW Backpack – Review Date May 18, 2007 – Dennis Hays

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Getting a new pack for your photo gear is not an everyday occurrence. Usually, a photographer has a few bags he (and she) use, depending on the event. Traveling and hiking photographers tend towards the backpack style, while studio and location uses dictate a rolling bag or rather large case. And you’ve seen the journalist, over-the-shoulder bags almost everywhere.

One common denominator is getting intimate with whatever style is being used. To be effective, you must know where every piece of kit is stored, so you can reach it a moment’s notice. Nothing is more frustrating that not being able to find that one item necessary for the next image.

I needed something that would cross the boundary between backpacking to a location and, for a completely different purpose, carry most of my portable portrait studio–sans light stands and umbrellas.

The Vertex seemed to be able to handle my needs and, the day it came in, I started my acquaintance. Immediately after taking it from the shipping box, I put it on top of my dining room table and began my detailed examination.

The LowePro Vertex 200 AW is not your poppa’s gadget bag. It has more pockets, nooks and crannies than I expected. Besides the ubiquitous padded slots for the camera(s) and lenses, there are pockets and zippers all over this baby.

While I can’t vouch for other photographers, my first thoughts are about mentally placing my equipment, as I’m reviewing the Vertex’s environment. However, no thoughts work as well as actually filling the bag with your equipment.

I brought all of my goodies up from my office and placed it next to the Vertex 200 AW on the table. First, I placed my Canon XTi and lenses in the main part, in places I felt were logical (more on this logical bit later).

The zipper that opens the main part of the bag to the padded slots for the hardware on one side and the translucent zippered bags onn the other, is surrounded closely by a rubbery material, which helps keep the moisture out. Quite well engineered and this binding does not impede the zipper (another strap, placed midway along the sides, does hinder a quick zipper opening however – even when unsnapped).

On the underside of lid, the Vertex has three translucent, mesh zippered pockets and an opaque velcro pocket. While most photographer’s kit bags have pockets like this, here is a suggestion. After you sort your small bits into these pockets, it makes sense to put a strip of white gaffers tape over the plastic pockets and make a list of the contents. Rather than looking here and there for some item, you can refer to the written list amd go right to the item quite quickly. If not a list of contents, then separate the parts into some categorization and write the categories on the tape.

I need to segue into an explanation for a moment. Breaking in a photographer’s kit bag is an iterative process. No matter where you put some items in this first placement, you’ll find, over use and time, you’ll want to move some items to a different place that seems better for ease of use. What you found logical at the beginning needs to be borne out in actual use.

For instance, consider being on a hike and stopping to take an image of that grand vista before you. Shrug off the Vertex and quickly zipper open the main part (part way) enough top grab your camera and wide-angle lens. Suddenly, you realize the sun is breaking from a cloud and there is a possibility of a lens flare. Where did yopu put the lens shade?

In between this main section of the Vertex 200 AW and the outer pockets, the case opens with another zipper to reveal a full depth pouch, good for a laptop computer or, for my needs, user manuals and light modifiers, such as speedlight gobos and the like. Most any flat, large object will fit here.

On the outer, top of the case, there are two full-length zipper pockets. One of these pockets, when unzipped, reveals an additional set of pockets both on the inside of the lid and on the case side. There are opaque and good for small item storage, such as small recharger, batteries and other various items.

The other outside pocket is designed quite well with four velcro pockets about the right size for memory cards and a singular large opaque, black pocket. The case side of this pocket has four, non-closing opaque pockets (open slot facing up). Great for stashing battery sets (see Figure 6).

One of most interesting aspects of the Vertex 200 AW–by the way; “AW” means all weather (there is a hidden cover that can be pulled out and wrapped around the entire backpack)–are the three GlideLocks™. One on the back of the Vertex and one on either side. These have straps attached and can be moved within their slots to provide “tie down” for small lengthy items, such as tripods. In fact, the main one on the back of the bag can be used with an attached rest for the bottom of the object. (See Figure 7). For instance, you could place the feet of your tripod in this attachment and use the GlideLock™, immediately above, to fasten the tripod securely to the Vertex.

When I was examining the Vertex 200 AW after delivery, I couldn’t understand how to slide the GlideLocks to a different position. I looked for a catch to release the GlideLock from the bindings, to which they were attached. I think I spent quite a few minutes pilling and tugging before I found the “aha!” moment. All you need to do is pull the entire GlideLock up or down to a new position–no latches, catches or other secret clasp.

Lastly, the front of the Vertex 200 AW has the requisite backpack straps. These are fully adjustable and substantial and do place the weight of the bag over your hips, like it should do.

The only gripe I have, and this is with all large backpack style photographer’s bags is the fully loaded weight. If you expect to take any backpack in the field, your mileage may vary with the amount of goodies packed. This is not an indictment of LowePro, by any means, as it’s always possible to take some and not all of your equipment with you.

The Vertex 200 AW meets my purposes quite well as I use it mainly as a posrtable portrait studio and have all my cameras, lenses, sync cords, light meter, radio slaves (and optical slaves) packed in one bag; I can sling over my shoulder and take on location. The only other items I need to carry separately are the light and backdrop stands (the backdrop I have tied to the Vertex).

For field use, I highly recommend taking what you need and leaving the rest behind, due to weight. If you absolutely have to have a healthy complement of photo equipment with you, the Vertex 200 AW can handle it.

Any negatives… No, this is a well designed and complete photo backpack. Any suggestions… Yes a couple. I’d like to see a slip in label system for the many internal pockets, a means of tagging batteries and memory cards as used or new and along with the advertising tags, a suggested packing diagram with instructions for the GlideLock™!