I have never really been too concerned with having a premium camera bag. I’ve always believed that most camera bags were created fairly equally. I typically carry my gear in whatever is convenient and although that approach works fine when carrying a simple point-and-shoot camera, I’ve come to realize that it doesn’t work quite as well when using a DSLR with a variety of lenses and filters.
With expensive camera equipment to carry and protect, having a secure and durable bag becomes that much more important. Lowepro has a long history, more than 40 years, of being a leader in designing innovative and durable bags; with a wide selection of bags that fit the needs of both the professionals and the hobbyists. One such bag is the Inverse 200 AW, which has enlightened me on the importance of a well designed camera bag.
As mentioned earlier, I have never given much thought to having a quality camera bag and that has led to more than one occasion where a photo opportunity was missed as a result of not having the right equipment at the time. There is little that is more frustrating than missing a photo because you don’t have a backup battery or memory card available, or you had to leave the right lens at home because you couldn’t carry everything. At first glance, the Inverse 200 AW looks like the answer to these potential problems.
Specifications
Lowepro indicates that the Inverse 200 AW has the capacity to hold:
- 1 pro DSLR with medium zoom lens attached plus 2 additional lenses; or a 70-200mm attached lens in horizontal position plus 1 additional lens
- charger and cords
- filters
- memory cards
The Inverse 200 AW has the following measurements:
- Interior Size: 12W x 6D x 8.3H inches (30.5 x 15.3 x 21.2 cm)
- Exterior Size: 12.9W x 8.6D x 8.8H inches (32.8 x 21.8 x 22.3 cm)
- Weight: 2.12lbs / 0.96kg
The interior fabric features a smooth polyester and brushed Tricot fabric that is intended to protect the LCD screen of your camera from scratches. The exterior of the Inverse 200 AW features an extremely durable combination of polyester and nylon that will keep your gear protected. Lowepro is known for creating stylish bags and this is no exception with the option of three color combinations: black, arctic blue and black, or leaf green and black as shown.
First Impressions
When the Inverse 200 AW arrived at my door, I have to tell you that my first impressions were that it was not the most attractive bag that I have ever seen. Not so much because of the style but rather because of the size of the bag. Designed to be a beltpack camera case, I could not help but think that this bag was too large and bulky to carry comfortably around the waist.
The leaf green and black color combination, while attractive, is not something that everyone will like, although the black and arctic blue options provide suitable alternatives. On the flip side, this color combo will make you easy to spot in a crowd. At first glance, I expected the Inverse 200 AW to have more storage options beyond the main storage area; although after using the bag for awhile I have since learned that this bag presents inconspicuous storage areas that will provide ample space for all of your accessories.
Two features that immediately jump out are the soft, thick padding of the lumbar belt that is used to secure the bag around your waist, as well as the number of straps and clips that are used to customize the fit of the bag. While the lumbar belt appears to be somewhat bulky, one quickly learns to appreciate the contoured padding after carrying the bag for an extended period of time. The addition of the padded shoulder strap provides an alternative carrying option, or you can use the lumbar belt and the should strap together for added security and weight distribution.
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Exterior Features
Taking a look at the exterior of the bag, there are a number of cool features that demonstrate the fact that Lowepro has a good understanding of what a photographer wants and needs in a bag. Lets take a look at a few of the features that you are sure to enjoy with this bag.
One of the features that Lowepro has been known for with some of their other bags is the use of a quick-access storage compartment like the one used on the previously reviewed Lowepro Fastpack 350 bag. The Inverse 200 AW fits in this group as well, as the camera compartment features a quick-access lid that can be opened with a single pull. This is an extremely convenient feature as it provides easy access to all of your gear without having to remove the bag. There was an initial concern about how securely the quick-access lid would hold my gear while traveling around; however the two zipper pulls keep the lid tightened down quite well when you close them completely. In addition, for added security you can simply slide both zipper pulls to the same side as this essentially removes the ability to utilize the quick-access feature.
Without much experience using a well designed camera bag, I cannot say how common this next feature is among the different manufacturers but I found this to be one of the most useful features of this bag. The Inverse 200 AW offers a convenient tripod carrying system consisting of two adjustable SlipLock straps that secure a tripod to the bottom of the bag. While the Quantary QSX 7001 tripod that I have was a little too bulky to comfortably carry for extended periods, there were not any problems securing it to the bag with room to spare. The tripod storage system also will accommodate smaller mini tripods, monopods, or even items such as a sweatshirt or jacket.
It doesn’t take long to realize that the Inverse 200 AW offers a wealth of storage options to handle everything from your primary gear to the smallest of accessories, while also paying attention to the often overlooked details such as the ability to carry a water bottle. With the side mesh pockets, one can easily store a water bottle to stay hydrated while out exploring with your camera. The larger mesh pocket easily handled a drink as large as my 24oz insulated water bottle.
At the front of the bag, you will find a zippered pocket that can be used to secure a handful of small items. This is a convenient location to store small items such as a cell phone, car keys, and wallet. On most of my excursions, I found it to be an ideal spot to store a backup battery, filters, and my lens cap while I was busy shooting.
There is an additional storage area located at the front of the bag, just in between the main camera compartment and the zippered pocket mentioned above. However, this area of the bag could use some improvements as it did not appear to be overly secure. I was hesitant to store anything in this area for fear that it would slide out unnoticed and never be found. It would be nice to see more substantial mesh edges to enclose this pocket a little more to avoid the risk of a small item being lost.
Since I try not to go out with my gear when it’s ugly out, I am not sure how much use I would have for the All Weather Cover that is incorporated into the Inverse 200 AW bag; although it is reassuring to know that your gear will be protected should you be caught out in the elements. This is a feature that is standard on all of Lowepro’s AW offerings including the pro-quality Primus AW backpack and top end Computrekker Plus AW backpack. Clearly, it’s a features that the Pros use so it’s nice to see the trickle down to consumer level bags.
When testing the use of the cover, I found it be somewhat difficult to remove from the storage pocket and cover the bag. This is made more difficult if you are carrying items such as a large water bottle or tripod, but should you need to protect your gear you will be happy to have the waterproof cover. Also, in hindsight, the tight fit further ensures that your gear will be safe from being exposed in a moonsoon or a sandstorm, should you find yourself in such elements.
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Interior Features
After recently purchasing a Canon VIXIA HF100 camcorder, I was anxious to see if the Inverse 200 AW would offer a solution to carry that along with my Nikon D40x DSLR. The interior storage consists of one large compartment that features adjustable dividers to customize the storage area to fit your gear. Similar to the exterior of the bag, there are a few small details that are sure to be appreciated.
Along the underside of the quick-access lid, you will find two convenient pockets that can be used to store additional memory cards. Due to the small size of memory cards, it can be quite frustrating to dig through a large pocket of accessories looking for an extra card. These pockets are a nice design touch, yet when you notice the soft Tricot fabric you realize how much Lowepro has covered the finest of details. When your camera is loaded into the bag, these pockets are directly over the LCD screen and the soft fabric is designed to protect the LCD screen from scratches and dust.
While there may only be one primary storage compartment, using the adjustable dividers offers the ability to use multiple configurations depending on the gear that you are carrying. The dividers are quite sturdy, so there is no need to worry about your lenses or camera sliding around inside the bag, and attach to the interior sides of the bag with a strip of velcro. One thing that would be nice to see is the ability to secure the dividers to all sides of the bag, as well as to the other dividers; however the velcro can only be secured in a section on two sides of the bag.
Usability and Durability
Anyone that has endured a long day of carrying a traditional camera bag will appreciate the intuitive design of the Inverse product line, as the contoured lumbar belt coupled with the padded shoulder strap provide multiple carrying options. For most people, using the thick padding of the lumbar belt and the adjustable straps provide hours of comfort. If you have ever used a traditional fanny pack, you may have experienced the discomfort of fabric that does not breathe. Fortunately, the cushioned lumbar belt of Inverse 200 AW is designed to help wick away moisture.
While my initial impressions of this bag may have been that it was too large and bulky, that never was a problem when actually using the bag. It did take some time to get used to it and I found it quite comfortable only using the lumbar belt and adjustable straps to secure the bag. On many outings, I opted to pair the padded shoulder strap with the lumbar belt for added stability and peace of mind.
The quick-access lid proved to be an extremely useful feature. There are times when every second counts and can be the difference between a great photo and a story of what could have been. With the ability to quickly retrieve your camera and lenses, you will find yourself with the great photo more times than not. The quick-access design is particularly useful when taking photos while out hiking the trails or traveling the city streets, where you will likely take out the camera for a quick picture and immediately return it to the safety of the bag many times throughout the day.
The Inverse 200 AW might not offer enough storage space to cover all of your shooting needs, but it is more than adequate for most every day situations. On most outings, I had the following equipment stored in the bag: Nikon D40x body with Nikon 18-55mm lens attached, an extra Nikon 55-200mm lens, and a Canon VIXIA HF100 camcorder. This left more than enough room to include an extra battery for both the Nikon and Canon camera, memory cards, and filters. The camera fit in the bag comfortably with either the 18-55mm lens or the 55-200mm lens attached, although anything larger than the 55-200mm lens would require you to store it horizontally or you would have to remove the lens.
Over the last month, I have had numerous opportunities to use the Inverse 200 AW and the bag has easily handled any of the abuse that I have dished out. The exterior fabric is quite durable yet also flexible enough to maintain a high level of comfort. The various straps have held up nicely under heavy use and load, although I did find that the bag seems to sag a little bit when fully loaded and only when using the lumbar belt with the adjustable straps fully tightened.
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Final Thoughts
With the Lowepro Inverse 200 AW being my first introduction to a quality camera bag, I believe that I have been spoiled as this bag offers so many features that make it quite enjoyable to take an assortment of equipment on an outing. While the bulky size and leaf green color may have initially turned me off, I quickly forgot about those gripes once I began to use the bag. This is clearly a case where the functionality of the bag more than compensates for any of the style issues that I had with the bag.
While the bag does so many things well, there are a few changes that I would like to see made to improve upon the design. When wanting to use just the shoulder strap carrying mode, I would like to see a more secure and easy way to tuck the lumbar belt away. It would also be nice to have access to the front zippered pocket without having to release the two latches securing the front panel. While I can see that security being a good thing at times, I think a more accessible zippered pocket would be a welcome addition. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I would like to see the front storage area be given a little extra mesh on the sides as I never really felt comfortable storing anything of value in that section of the bag.
Overall, I was quite impressed with the usability and convenience of the Inverse 200 AW. The quick-access lid to the camera compartment makes it a breeze to take out and put away your gear. With the use of the lumbar belt or shoulder strap, it is easy to access all areas of the bag. The assortment of adjustable straps means that photographers of all shapes and sizes will be able to securely carry the bag without any loss of comfort. This is a fantastic bag for day trips where you will be making frequent use of your camera and lenses, while also fully capable of carrying enough equipment for an extended outing. There are a few minor issues that would be “nice to have” features but the Inverse 200 AW is an outstanding bag that is more than capable of meeting your needs.
Pros
- Quick-access lid extremely convenient and easy to use
- Functional storage areas, including space for a large water bottle
- Ability to carry tripod, monopod, or items such as a jacket
- Thick padding and adjustable straps provide outstanding comfort
- All Weather Cover offers protection from rain, snow, and dust
Cons
- Slightly bulky size
- Could use more secure storage pocket in front
- Could use more dividers and velcro area inside bag
Overall Rating: 9.0 / 10.0
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