Lowepro Inverse 200 AW Camera Beltpack (Black)

I must admit that I purchased several camera cases prior to the Lowepro, but there was always something missing from each. This Lowepro fits my needs perfectly. First, it has several carry options: top handle (OK, not great), shoulder strap (solid, comfortable), waist straps (excellent, best in the business), and combo - waist strap plus shoulder strap. I have an Olympus 4/3 camera which means small and light - both camera and lenses - and the size and flexibility of the main storage area on this case is perfect for my camera body and three lenses, with room for at least one more. Case is nicely padded for protection yet light enough not to weigh you down. One extra is the lightweight and hidden rain protection. The opening is not just a single zipper that jeopardizes damaging your camera and lenses when they are removed or put back in; it has a large opening u-shaped plastic zipper that can be opened or closed with one hand (with minor adjustment). It sits securely on my waist, and when I rotate the case to the front it acts as a shelf to safely exchange lenses. One thing I was looking for and could not find on similar type camera cases was a pouch (2 in fact) to hold water bottles. Some have complained that the waist strap goes over the bottles, and while they are correct, I have not found that an issue for using the water bottles or disturbing the fit of the belt around my waist. For those looking for many pockets to hold various other items outside of the lens and camera body area, you might be disappointed. For me, this was a positive - this is a camera case, not a carry everything you need for every possible need - just two roomy and easy to get to areas, one zippered, and one open topped yet secure carry. Perfect to hold extra memory cards, batteries, sunglasses and to quickly place and retrieve lens caps and sun shields. I am thoroughly satisfied with this camera. case.

I have gone through many camera bags to finally find my perfect match. Everyone has different needs and preferences, so my perfect bag may not be yours, but here are my observations. 1. I first passed this bag over because it looked huge in the photos. I'm a skinny 5'7 female and didn't want something that looked huge on me. After receiving it though, I am pleased with the size in proportion to my body. The width works well and doesn't stick out past my hips. The depth is a necessary evil as I feel it sticks out a bit more than I'd like but I don't think I could go any more narrow and still fit my full frame Nikon dSLR. 2. Main compartment opening-- I had ordered and returned 2 other bags before this one (a Tamrac sling and a moutainsmith hip pack) and I felt like I was forcing the camera into the opening due to the u shaped lid. The double zip opening on this bag makes my camera easily accessible and I don't feel like I have to shove it past a bunch of padding first. 3. Hip bag style. I was original looking for a hip pack as I sometimes carry a small child in a carrier (front or back) and wanted my shoulders free. I had a mountainsmith hip pack (non camera style) that I used for several years that I loved as the weight is supported off my shoulders onto my hips (much better for my neck as well as much cooler in the summer heat). There really isn't much out there with a hip pack design, but this one is a great design. The hip belt is very well padded and fits snuggly on my waist. I wish the shoulder strap (also very well padded) connected a little differently, but the way it's designed allows open access to the main compartment and keeps your pack from flopping around if needed. I probably won't use it much, but I can see the usefulness of it. 3. Space. The design of this bag makes everything visible and you don't have to layer your lenses. I currently own a Nikon d750 with an 85mm 1.8 and a 50mm 1.4. Both can fit attached to the camera and stowed with plenty of room for another lens or flash. The front pocket expands so it will stick out further from your body but allows for more wiggle room. When I pulled this bag out, I thought, finally! Lowepro is also very durable (I've owned them before) and am excited to use this bag for years to come!

I researched a ton of bags before I decided on this one. When I got it, I was a little bit disappointed and was even thinking about returning it. But before I did so, I did even more research, and I have concluded that this is adequate for what I need right now. Why did I want this bag? - I wanted a waist (or fanny) pack rather than a sling because I didn't want to have a significant amount of weight on my shoulders (or rather, 1 shoulder, as is the case with slings) - I already have a larger camera backpack (Clik Elite Obscura) for hiking but this was too big for me to take on smaller outings. Also, the backpack was great for easy access to my camera itself because of the side compartment, but because the lenses were in the main compartment, I did not have an easy time changing lenses while keeping the backpack on. What disappointed me? - Well, pretty much what a bunch of reviewers said: the pack just has a hard time hugging your waist and tends to tip away from your body. The only way to prevent this from happening is to cinch the belt really tight but then that prevents you from easily swinging it from back to front when you want to get your camera out in a hurry, which kind of defeats the purpose of a waistpack. What did I like about the pack? - The materials and construction seem to be very high quality - Rain cover - Small pocket in the front fits extra batteries, lens pens, wipes, and some filters nicely - Water bottle holders on the side (good if you have kids and need extra sippy cup holders) - Fits my Canon 7D with a zoom lens attached, plus 2 other lenses and my 430 EX II flash in the main compartment. I own a Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, 35 mm f/1.4L, Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6, and Canon 85 mm f/1.8. I can work it so that any combination of 3 lenses and the flash can fit in there. If you have a 70-200 mm f/4 IS that should be no problem as well. Put on a 70-200 mm f/2.8 and you probably will have to ditch either one of the other lenses or the flash. What alternatives did I find out there? - Kata KT DL-HF-495 HandsFree Waist Pack for DSLR Cameras and Accessories. (I think the 493 may be too small for a 7D but I may be wrong.) - Case Logic SLRC-205 - Clik Elite Trekker waist - Clik Elite Seeker waist - Tamrac 5765 Velocity 5x Photo Hip Pack Convertible - Tamrac 3458 Rally 58 Hip Pack - Think Tank Speed Freak v2.0 Waist Pack Conclusion: Why did I stick with the Lowepro Inverse 200 AW? When I did my research, pretty much all the beltpacks had someone complaining about the fit of the belt around the waist, and at least one other one had someone complaining of the same problem regarding the top of the bag tilting away from the body. The Clik elite bags and the Kata did not seem like they would fit as many items as this bag. The Think Tank Speed Freak v 2.0 seems like the BEST and most well thought-out bag of the bunch. It has very high quality engineering (and it has a lifetime warranty, which sets it apart from the rest). However, it looks about as bulky (if not more) than this bag, and it costs almost twice as much. Also, when you look at some of the video reviews on youtube, it really seems like people use it with the combination of the shoulder strap and the belt strap. The Tamrac bags also seemed to be best used as shoulder/hip bags when I combed through their reviews. When it came down to it, I realized that I might be asking for too much to have a fanny pack that will let me carry my 7D (a pretty heavy body) with 3 lenses and a flash safely while only using a belt strap. So I tried using this bag with both the shoulder and the belt straps together. It works well enough that I am no longer afraid of it tilting away from me or having the belt loosen while walking, and it makes it much easier to swing the bag from back to front (because the belt does not have to be so tight). Yes, this was what I was trying to avoid when I bought a belt pack in the first place, but I can barely feel the weight on my shoulders as most of the weight is still distributed to my legs and torso with the large belt strap and the shoulder strap itself, which goes across the body. (The shoulder strap can also easily go over either shoulder if you want to switch it periodically). So if I am using this as a shoulder/belt pack, why not just get a sling? Good question...I don't really have a great answer for this, except that I really do like having the option of using this as a waist pack alone when I want to change lenses. I also like the look of this (though any fanny pack is unlikely to win you any style points) more than the Lowepro Slingshot. If I had the choice of getting the Case Logic SLRC-205 in a larger size (it really only can fit as much as the Lowepro 100 series), I think I would go with that because it has the best looks, is a little bit less expensive, and is very well reviewed. In the end, I decided I am satisfied enough with my Lowepro that I don't want to go through the trouble of returning it and buying a new bag.

Reading other reviews of this bag, I almost didn't buy it. But I am very happy that I did. Because of one review I read, I was concerned that it would "flop" open. Or that it would be "huge".... or too small. The one reviewer that said their gear looked like it might fall out everytime they bent over.... all I can think is that they must have been doing weird yoga moves because I find that the bag does nothing of the sort. Things are very secure in this bag. And, as far as the size....... Well, I guess I'm Goldylocks.... because this bag is JUST THE RIGHT SIZE! I wanted something to carry a few of my photographic needs for extended walks, hikes, short trips, etc. I like lumbar bags or as some call them "fanny packs" because your equipment is so very very much more accessable than in a back pack. I often wear the thing in front and everything is immediatly accessable. This bag is just the right size. You don't want to load any bag with so much gear that it weighs you down. And, the belt can be tucked in and you can use it as a small shoulder bag with the shoulder strap. Or you can carry it as a small hand bag by the hand straps if that's what you prefer. If I'm going to do a big photo shoot and I want all of my gear, I take a much larger bag that holds all of my lenses (I have 7) and all of my accessories etc.. I find that in the Inverse 200AW I can carry my D300, a few filters, lense cleaning gear, my two do almost anything lenses: 70-300 and my 16-55, several memory storage cards, a tripod clamp, and a few small accessories ....with plenty of room to spare for a light wind breaker and I can clip a water bottle on the outside. or stick a small one in one of the mesh pockets) I think the Inverse 100 would be more appropriate for a one lens carry or a point and shoot camera bag. I like all the features of this bag. The built in rain cover, the outside pocket, shoulder strap, etc to name a few. It is very well built and thought out. I would definently buy this bag again.

I've been trying to find the perfect bag on Amazon - at this point, I've tried several (which I list at the end of the review). I would have to recommend the Dolica Shoulder Bag over this. Why? I was expecting to love a belt pack camera bag, being easier to access than a shoulder bag. However, this bag is simply too large to be a comfortable and usable belt pack - it tips noticeably forward when loaded, and its large size makes it awkward to deal with while moving and walking. I've also tried the Amazon Basics shoulder bag bag ($25): http://amzn.to/1meJgNj A shoulder mounted bag about the same size and capacity as this bag Pros: - cheap! Cons: - hinges are plastic and squeak A LOT And the Dolica Shoulder Bag ($45): http://amzn.to/1meJjc2 A shoulder mounted bag about the same size and capacity as this bag Pros: - noticeably higher quality than the Amazon bag, including metal hinges that don't squeak Cons: - $10-20 more expensive than the Amazon bag. Considering how much I use my camera bag, I was willing to pay the little extra to not have to deal with constant loud squeaking, but that's your decision. Hope you found this helpful!

Whoever at Lowepro designed this abortion has never carried a loaded belt pack camera bag (or fanny pack or whatever). A belt pack needs to be stripped down to only what's necessary, not loaded with useless straps, buckles and compartments to hold more stuff. Belt packs sag when loaded; that's what they do. You can reduce it with compression straps, but you can't stop it. And when you walk or hike, they bounce. And the more you load them, the more they sag and bounce. But when you are wearing a backpack (or kid pack or whatever), a belt pack for your camera gear is your only option. I wear mine in front because there's no room under my backpack, and I can access my camera gear easily. So when Lowepro adds more straps and buckles and compartments so you can load more stuff into and on your belt pack and make it sag and bounce more, they miss the mark. I have carried a Lowepro Orion 2 for so many years that the faded Cordura is finally wearing through and the zippers are finally blowing out. And your can't even find them on eBay anymore. So I'm forced to replace it. Unfortunately the Inverse 200 AW has been Lowepro's only comparable pack for years. And no one else offers a better belt pack. I've avoided this abortion for years. The main compartment is taller and narrower than previous packs, which actually reduces sag and bounce, so good job there. But the outer compartment/pocket/flap thingy is stupid. It's big and deep and unpadded so there's no organizing anything, and everything falls to the bottom where it gets beat up when you lay your pack down or sit while your pack is on. Then they attach it only on the bottom so you can stuff your jacket or something between it and the pack and buckle it down and cinch the straps. But now you can't access the one-way zipper (which should be 2-way and outside the straps)! And when you tighten the side compression straps to pull the pack closer to you, the straps are attached to this pocket flap thingy so you squish the hell out of everything inside and can't access anything without undoing the whole mess! This pack needs one or two small to medium pockets for little stuff. The Orion has a large see-through pocket on the inside of the lid, perfect for filters. It's gone on this pack, replaced by two tiny SD card pockets and empty space. Then they put more straps and buckles on the bottom to attach your big heavy tripod... more sag and bounce. There are a couple more useless straps for finger pulls. Now for zippers. Back in the 70s and 80s, outside clothing companies used flaps outside their zippers to keep water out. But those flaps often made zippers hard to access and got stuck in the zipper. Around 2000, Arc'teryx invented a zipper that kept water out without a flap, thereby eliminating the flap problems and saving weight. Those zippers are all over the market now. On the Inverse 200 AW, the flap on the tightly curved zipper will always be flipped up to access the zipper. It doesn't even lay flat when you want it to. Stupid. Use waterproof zippers and lose the flap. So there. I hate this pack. But I don't have an alternative until Lowepro pulls their head out. PROS: it's a belt pack, durable, comfortable CONS: no useful pockets, the one big pocket zipper is blocked by two straps with buckles, too many other useless straps and buckles which make it easy to overload this belt pack and make it sag and bounce, what do I do with the straps and buckles on the bottom when I don't have a tripod attached? Total cluster****. EDIT: Screw it; I'm sending it back. I'll make due with my old faithful Orion 2 until, hopefully, Lowepro gives up the gimmicks and goes back to a no-nonsense, belt pack for serious users.

I wanted to use this bag for hiking with my Canon 5D3 and 24-105 but it didn't work out well for me. Other reviewers are correct; the bag tilts away from your back no matter how hard you tighten it leaving the lower internal edge digging into your butt shelf. In the meantime the belt is pulling up on your belly. This is particularly the case in if you place the camera lens down. I removed the dividers to place the camera laterally and that helped a bit but not enough. I suppose the shoulder strap would help put at that point the bag is not really a waist pack. Incidentally pulling the bag to the front is hard to do if you have it cinched in nicely. You have to loosen it up to pull it around......slow and awkward. Quality construction for sure but the ergonomics were wrong for me. Going for a Lowepro Sport 200 AW.

I recently purchased a Canon T2i DSLR and needed a bag to carry it (with an attached lens) and a two extra lenses. This bag is the perfect fit for what I was needing. I didn't want a bag that invited carrying all sorts of extra stuff other than the essentials (extra batteries, media cards, remote control and lens cleaning kit). What I especially like about this bag is when I need to change lenses, I easily unbuckle the belt, bring it around in front of me (utilizing the shoulder strap), unzip the bag with the flap opening out-of-the-way, change lenses on the secure platform of the open bag, making the changing of the lenses convenient, fast and safe. The shoulder strap and waist belt make carrying the bag for hours on end very comfortable. And as I'm often kneeling, with the bag behind me, it's out of the way. Plus, as I often carry a shoulder-strapped Manfrotto 3021 tripod, the weight of the tripod is carried by the bag and not weighing down on my shoulder. Also in the design is a side pocket (there are two...one smaller than the other) that easily holds a bottle of refreshing drink. Finally, the front pocket is convenient for carrying just a few extras. It's a great bag that other photograpers have commented as to just how practical it is over the bags they have. I don't have a single hesitation about recommending this bag as a first choice.

Ya recibí el producto nuevamente. Quedé contenta con la Lowepro Inverse 200 AW. Ahora sí viene completo. Ayer me lo habían enviado sin correa, pero hoy llegó muy puntual y ya con la correa al hombro y además todo dentro de una bolsa de plástico. Ayer venía sin bolsa de plástico ni correa al hombro, pero hoy ya llegó todo muy completo. Gracias

Ich besitze eine Olympus E-510 inkl. Zoom-Kit. Für unseren Kanada-Urlaub, in dem wir diverse Wanderungen planten, brauchte ich eine Tasche die nicht im Wege ist, kein hohes Eigengewicht hat, ein unkomplizierten und schnellen Griff zur Kamera garantiert, wasserdicht ist und, sofern möglich, die Schultern nur gering belastet. Nach 3 Wochen Kanada bin ich begeistert! Die Tasche habe ich in Kombination mit einem Rucksack getragen. Beides kam sich nicht in die Quere. Die Tasche wird fast ausschließlich durch die Hüfte getragen, was aber auch nach Stunden nicht negativ auffällt. Der breite Hüftgurt ist äußerst angenehm und das Tragen des Rucksacks stellte überhaupt kein Problem dar. Auch eine wilde Wal-Beobachtungstour auf dem Pazifik mit ordentlich Wasser im Boot hat die Tasche und, was viel wichtiger ist, das Equipment zu 100% überstanden. Die Regenhaube, die mit der Tasche fest verbunden ist, leistet einen überdurchschnittlich guten Dienst. Es kam nicht ein Tropfen in das Innere der Tasche, was ich kaum glauben konnte. Die Haube war von Salzkristallen nur so übersät. Die Tasche bietet ausreichend Platz für meine Kamera inkl. der 2 Objektive. Ich kann die Kamera selbst dann noch verstauen (senkrecht), wenn das 150 mm Objektiv mit Gegenlichtblende aufgeschraubt ist. Links und rechts neben der Kamera habe ich Platz für das zweite Objektiv, sowie für meinen Sony-Camcorder. Es gibt nur ein Zusatzfach. Dort hatte ich Müsliriegel, Speicherkarte, Ersatzakku, und weiteren Kleinkram. Alles andere musste im Rucksack auf dem Rücken Platz finden. Eine 0,5 l Wasserflasche findet jeweils in den Netztaschen links und rechts Platz. Somit hat man eigentlich alles griffbereit, was man regelmäßig benötigt und das, ohne das lästige Ab- und Aufsetzen des Rucksacks. Es gibt eigentlich nichts, was ich kritisieren möchte. Ggf. wäre es wünschenswert gewesen, wenn der Schultergurt ähnlich gut gepolstert worden wäre wie der Hüftgurt. Doch gerade durch sein "schlankes" Design kann man einen Rucksack tragen ohne das sich die Gurte gegenseitig stören.

Heureusement de l'avoir prit en 200 car le 100 aurais été trop petit même si le 200 reste assez étroit, j'y met mon 70D avec mon Tokina 11-16, mon Tamron 24-70, ainsi que la boite rigide niais pour mes filtres. Par contre la boite de transport du porte filtre Nisi étant trop imposante obliger de mettre le contenant sans la boite dans la poche devant. Pour mon Tamron 70-200 j'ai fait le choix d'attacher le lens-case 11x26 sur le coté sur sac. Je l'es acheter pour une pratique de la randonner, pas encore tester en conditions.

An awesome bag! Comfortable with the waist b lot and sling-bag strap. Holds my 3 lenses, camera body and other stuff securely. I can easily access everything.

This is a review of AW 200 Inverse Beltpack. AW stands for All Weather. And this bag meets the goal to keep elements of weather out with the following standard features: 1. Covered zippers 2. High grade outer fabric 3. Included, tethered rain cover (rain cover is useful for splash/drizzle more than a downpour. This bag offers convenience and utility with well placed pockets inside and outside and a pouch for water bottle. (See picture) Adjustable partitions allow for multiple uses. The inside space is sufficient for even a camera mounted with 70-300mm lens, and then a little more. This is something I was struggling with bags this size. This bag provides several options. Upon wearing as a belt pack, the bag provides support to the waist with sufficient padding/cushioning. Tip: When using with shoulder strap, it’s better to wear it cross, like a sling bag. Given that the shoulder strap gets hooked to one side of the bag, the bag could easily roll off the shoulder. Overall, it’s the perfect bag for a day’s trip with one medium telephoto mounted or maybe even 2-3 small lenses/accessories with smaller lens mounted. If you think the details in this review helped you make a decision, please vote as ‘helpful’.