52 3 August 2019 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113
Testbench ACCESSORIES
Ataglance
●25-litrecapacity
●Carry-oncompatible
●1.48kg
●31x19x48cm
(externaldimensions)THEPHOTOActiveBP 300 AWis the
latesteverydayphotobackpacktobe
addedtoLowepro’sextensiverange
of bagsforphotographers.Aimedat
enthusiastswho’dlikea backpackthat
splitsitsinternalspace50/50betweenan
areadedicatedtocarryingcamerakitanda
topsectionforpersonalitems,it hastopand
dualsideentrypointsforconvenientaccessanda
numberof pocketsinsideandout.A three-tiershelf-
dividersystemprotectscamerasandlensesin transitand
canbesnappedflat,pulledoutandeasilystoredwhenthe
bagis usedasa daypack.Withthedividersfittedthere’s
amplespaceto carrya pro-specDSLRormirrorlesscamera
witha standardzoomattached,plusroomfora 70-200mm
zoomandanadditionalsmallerlens.Thedividers,withtheir
strongVelcrostrips,canbestrippedoutandcustomisedto
yourliking– I evenmanagedtoloada pro-specDSLRwith
150-600mmtelephotozoomattachedviathetopopening.
Somethingthebagdoeslackis a zippertoseparatethe
bottomcameracompartmentfromthetopsection.Thisis
reallyneededto preventsmallpersonalitemsfallingthrough.
Ontheinsidethere’sa zippedpocketdedicatedtotheAll
Weathercover,whileontheoutsideyougettwoexpandable
sidepocketsthatcanbeusedtocarrya trip
securingstraps.Otherusefulpocketsinclude
linedfrontpocketthat’shandyforstoringsu
a stretch-meshoverflowpocketwitha drain
holetostorewaterproofs,anda 15inchlapto
compartment,whichcanalsoaccommodate
two-litrehydrationreservoir.Ontheinsideof
sideopeningsyougetadditionalpocketstos
cables,memorycardsandsmalleritems.
Thebag’sshoulderstrapsarenicelyconto
andthesternumstrapandremovablewaist
preventedunwantedside-to-sidemovemen
whenI waswalkingbrisklywitha heavyload
Thebackpanelfeaturessoftsidesanda cent
channelto improveventilation,whilethezippe
have long pull loops so that the main areas of
bag can be accessed quickly with minimal fuVe r d i c t
The Photo Active BP 300 AW is a functiona
backpack that’ll serve enthusiasts with a cam
body and small selection of lenses well. It’s g
being able to lower the bag off one shoulder
to kit without having to put it down in the dirt, but a few
extra dividers wouldn’t go amiss and I’d have liked it more
if the internal padding was a touch softer. That said, it’s a
comfortable bag to carry on day trips when you’d like to
travel with your camera and personal items. But it’s not
ALL PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE STREET PRICESquite perfect enough to deserve our fi ve star award.
allerversionof thebackpackreviewed
s the Lowepro Photo Active BP 200 AW
It has the same three-tier shelf
ement for storing photo kit, but
igned for those using smaller
or mirrorless cameras who
carry one attached lens such
andard zoom and an additional
lens.The camera compartment
measures 22x11x27cm, there’s
space to store a 10inch tablet or
two-litre hydration reservoir, and it
weighs 1.22kg. Otherwise, it’s virtually
identical to the Photo Active BP 300 AW.SO CONSIDER
Lowepro Photo Active
BP 300 AW
Michael Topham tests a versatile,
multi-access backpack
● £175 ● http://www.lowepro.co.uk
Quickshelf
s is thenamegiven
heremovabledivider
em.It combineswith
ulti-accessviathe
topandsides.Recommended
Hydration
Thebagfeatures
a tunnelpass,allowing
a two-litrehydration
reservoirtobeused.Colour
Thebagis available
in a brightblue/black
ormoreunderstated
black/darkgreyfinish.Camera
compartment
Thespaceallocated
tocarryingcamerakit
measures26x13x46.5cm.