Lowepro Vertex Review

For the last three years or so I’ve been using a Lowepro Slingshot to carry my camera gear in, and I’ve got to say its a fantastic little bag, big enough to fit a decent sized DSLR and lens plus a few accessories, with the added bonus of allowing easy access to your camera without having to remove the bag from your shoulder.

There are a few shortcomings to the Slingshot – ease of attaching a tripod or monopod and the inability to carry larger lenses while attached to the camera body being my main two issues. Neither of these issues would stop me wanting to own the Slingshot – for days out with normal sized lenses and no need for the tripod its fine and will continue to be used.

However, if you are using bigger lenses such as an 80-200 or 70-200 f/2.8 that have a fixed length, the Slingshot isn’t big enough to fit the camera with the lens attached. It also lacks storage space for the items I like to carry around if I’m shooting at a motor racing circuit, such as waterproofs, drinks, and food – not exactly essential photography gear, but for a long day at the track having everything in one bag makes life easier.

With this in mind, I started to investigate larger camera bag options and came up with a nice shortlist of one, mainly based on its price on Amazon at the time – Lowepro Vertex 100 AW Photo/ 14″ Notebook. At just over £60 including shipping (saving £80 off the list price), this particular bag met all the criteria I’d listed – big enough to carry a DSLR with a fixed length lens, storage for additional lenes plus a few other essential trackside items, ability to securely attach a tripod or monopod, and a decent price.

The Lowepro Vertex appears to be made to the same high standards found on all of the Lowepro range of camera bags. Good strong straps, adjustable compartment sizes, numerous zipped and velcro’d pockets for storing everything from lens cleaning pens to memory cards, and weather sealed zips and a fold out rain cover ensure your kit will stay dry in the rain.

Any downsizes? The bag is bulky, especially if you are used to the Slingshot, so it will take a bit of getting used to. However it should meet hand luggage restrictions on most airlines, so you should be able to take it on board. The bag is designed to take a smallish laptop or netbook, which I assume it will do but I’m more likely to use this particular compartment for storing race programmes. Anyone who has been to a motor racing event will understand why I have always waited until the end of the day to buy a programme rather than buying one at the start of the day.

If you buy a Lowepro Vertex using the following link (Lowepro Vertex 100 AW Photo/ 14″ Notebook) then I benefit from a little bit of commission, that helps support this site and my hobby.