| Author: | | Seeker of Knowledge Registered: August, 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 24,581
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 10, 2019 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | size and ability | | Cons: | chest strap pull off easily | |
I currently have filled the main compartment with the following:
K 3 II, with battery grip + HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5 - 5.6 ED DC AW telephoto plus
SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8
SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro
Sigma 10-20mm 3.5 DC HSM
HD Pentax-DA 16 - 85mm F3.5-5.6 WR
HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW
HD Pentax -DA AF rear converter 1.4 AW
with a little room left for batteries, SD cards etc.
| | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: May, 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,697 | | Review Date: April 27, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 5 |
| Pros: | "Flipside" design | | Cons: | Less usable than my AW350 & fewer "pockets" | |
Bought, used (so it's probably the 1st version), to "replace" my AW350 because it is (or should be!) bigger - but it's actually not!
Biggest issues:
- with the main compartment unzipped, access to the kit is actually more restricted than the AW350.
- it has fewer "pockets" than the AW350 - access to the internal pocket in the "lid" is restricted because the "lid" does not stay "up" as easily as the AW350.
Still got the AW350 in the attic - and might go back to that now that I've sold the "huge" Sigma 150-500 (on its way to Russia as I write)!
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2018 Posts: 12
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 25, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Packs a lot in a small space | | Cons: | Flipside questionable, only one way to fit camera | |
This is actually a small rucksack and feels smaller in the flesh than it looks in the photos. Nevertheless it's currently holding
K3ii with battery grip
FA* 70-200 f2.8
100 f2.8 D FA Macro
HD 16-85
Sigma 8-16
1.4X HD AW TC
Flash gun
Pentax charger
Filters
SD cards, FluCard and bits and bobs
So good to carry a fair amount for a hike.
The 'flipside' aspect has a couple of good points in that the straps don't go in the mud when you put it down to open it, and it's theft resistant as no opening to the camera from outside when wearing.
The idea that you swivel this round your waist to have a 'shelf' in front of you might seem a good idea but because it's so small, if you're anywhere near my size (6'2" tall) then the 'waist' belt is about on your navel, and in any case slipping it off, laying it on the ground and grabbing kit from there is at least as quick and convenient. So in my experience best to just treat it as a backpack and forget about the gimmicks. As a backpack it's well equipped with a retractable tripod sock, rain cover and enough little nooks and crannies for your batteries and SDs. It's got water bottle pockets either side too.
As others have noted it's got more than enough padded dividers out of the box and first step is to get rid of a few.
It's currently discounted as they've brought out a Mark 2 version so this could be a good bargain if you're after a basic, well built camera pack.
A comment that is common to a lot of backpacks of this sort of design is that if you have a 'fat' pro lens like the FA* 70-200, there's pretty much only one way to carry it which is attached to the camera hanging down vertically. The lens I would like to have as first pick is the HD 16-85 but putting that on the camera rather than in one of the side compartments leaves me scratching my head where the 70-200 goes. That particular layout seems to go with the territory on these things though.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Posts: 5,361 | | Review Date: September 6, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Holds a lot of gear | | Cons: | Not all day comfortable | |
I bought this bag for the security of the flip concept. It's a simple and clever idea that works well. Over the years, it has become my go-to bag when I want to bring a lot of gear to a place (like a photo assignment) and then put the bag down. For short stints I can carry a bunch of gear on my back comfortably and securely. I have a LowePro Stealth Reporter 400 as well, which holds as much stuff but putting a full bag on one shoulder provides better access but is less comfortable.
With the Flipside, I can haul the gear, get to my shooting sport and zip it open. For that, it's perfect. It is less perfect for more fluid shooting situations where a messenger bag is more accessible, or for long treks. The harness system is ok but begins to show its lack of adjustability on longer walks.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2013 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: May 1, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Rear access = good security | | Cons: | Can be overloaded! | |
Well thought out and reasonably well made, zips not heavy duty, time will tell.Lots of padded compartments, probably too many for most of us, but easily adapted via Velcro tabs to suit your use. Comfortable back padding and the straps are good too, in use slide each shoulder strap off your arms, and rotate the bag round to your front, the waist belt holds it all firm, and then open the rear flap, and remove camera etc. Excellent anti-theft idea, no one can access any gear whilst it is against your back, only the outside pocket can be opened when wearing. Rain cover is a great idea, although the tripod straps cannot be used at the same time, only a short tripod will comfortably fit too, the top strap is too far down the back of the flap.
Removed the logo label from mine, makes it look just like an ordinary rucksack to a casual observer, just my take on it.
Would highly recommend as a carry on bag for flights, overall it is a great product for the price, with innovative design features.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: May, 2007 Posts: 2,287 | | Review Date: September 4, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Lots of room, comfortable, well padded | | Cons: | Have to get used to opening at the back | |
Just purchased after the zippers on my M-Rock slingbag gave up (maybe my own fault for stuffing too much in it). I'd about had it with sling bags as I found the weight on one shoulder and especially the strain on the neck muscles becoming bothersome. The M-Rock I had didn't fit all of my gear all at once but quickly became uncomfortable to wear as well as a mess to find stuff in the undivided top compartment.
I shied away from the 500 as it seemed a bit too bulky and am happy I did. There are waaay too many velcro dividers in the bag (unless you have about ten 50mm lenses or lenses of similar size that go in the pre-defined squares so I started out by removing at least 4. The extra padding that protects a camera without grip is a nice touch although I removed it because I almost always leave the grip on the camera.
One point of criticism is the way the camera is suspended - I suppose it fits perfectly well for a full-frame monster but my sleek K-5 kind of wiggles in there a little - I may yet find a use for those velcro dividers I removed
As of this morning's fitting, my bag now contains:
Main compartment:
K-5 with fitted grip and DA*50-135mm
Tamron 70-300mm
Sigma 50mm macro
Sigma 17-70mm
Sigma 8-16mm
Tokina 2x converter
Metz 58 AF-1 flash
Side pocket:
GPS geolocator
Front compartment:
2 ND filters (67, 77) and 2 CPL's (67, 77) in their protective boxes
4 AA battery charger with 1 extra set of rechargeable penlites
Pentax charger
Lenspen
Rocket blower
2 step-up rings
And the bag is still comfortable to wear, unlike my previous slingbag with half the equipment. First time I can actually take my whole kit (minus the bulky Gary Fong) all at once so a big thumbs-up from me!
Apart from my own observations as to content, I agree with the previous reviewer on things like raincover and padding. All in all a beautifully made and reasonably priced (at least here in NL) backpack.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 507 | | Review Date: March 4, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Lots of room, front pocket, comfortable, light | | Cons: | limited available colors | |
This bag holds a ton of gear! I was looking for a large size backpack but not something to big that I wouldn't be able to carry it on airplanes and this bag is perfect. I'm able to fit all my lenses, body, flash and a few accessories into the back without any struggling. The front pocket is very deceptive as to how much fits into it. At first it looks small but once opened it is very large and you can fit all your accessories needed into it. The bag itself is extremely comfortable thanks to the extra padding on the shoulder and waist strap as well as the part that rests on your back. A few added bonuses are the side pockets,for holding water bottles or anything you feel like sticking into them, a rain cover neatly hidden out of sight until you need it and the tripod holder. If your looking for a light backpack to hold a ton of gear you need to look no further.
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