Lowepro Toploader Zoom 45 AW - Black

I have a Canon EOS 5D Mk3. I use a Lowepro Slingshot 202AW to carry it and lenses, flash etc. I bought the Toploader Zoom 50AW to use as a compact day bag whilst on holiday, to carry the camera and fitted 24-105mm lens. At this point I'd like to point out that I used the Lowepro website bagfinder, and that shows their Toploader Zoom 45AW as being able to carry this combination. BEWARE, their own website is wrong, and they would not fit into that bag. The reason I say that is that my suspicions were confirmed when I received the 50AW and the camera and lens only just fit, with no slack, and with the velcro secured padded insert removed. The lens hood also has to be fitted reversed and not in the shooting position. There is barely room for the attached standard camera strap.I had worked this out before I purchased the bag so it is not a criticism, just a tip for prospective buyers.So far as the bag goes, it is of the usual Lowepro quality and is ideal for my use, as a day bag on holiday. It will definitely be my second choice bag and used only occasionally because it does not afford much protection due to the tight fit. For everyday use I will stick with the Slingshot as the extra space provides greater protection, and ease of packing and removal. One thing I will be doing to the Toploader Zoom 50 is to use a stitch picker to remove the velcro patches fitted inside the bag. They catch on the lens hood as you remove the camera and rip the hood from the lens. A reason for the velcro catching is that when the rainhood is stowed it causes the interior of the bag to bulge, and as I've mentioned, there is no slack.If in doubt about the size of your camera and lens, and especially if you want to carry a spare battery etc, go for a bigger bag. Otherwise, a well made bag. Lowepro are always expensive, but I could not find a cheaper alternative for my purposes.UPDATE OCTOBER 2013I took this bag with me to Greece this summer to be used as a walk-around bag for my Canon 5D Mk3 plus 24-105. It was excellent. Compact enough to not get in the way, access to camera was easy, and it was very comfortable to carry either on my shoulder or, more usually because of the heat, by the handle. When carrying on the shoulder I was able to comfortably grip the handle and strap together to keep it more secure in crowded places. I was also able to carry my spectacles and other small items in the front pocket. Well worth the money.UPDATE NOVEMBER 2014I have upgraded my rating to four stars. I use the bag more often now as I have more confidence in the protection it affords. In Greece this year it had to contend with torrential rain. The rain-hood coped very well, and the bag dried just by leaving it open overnight. The straps and rubberised grip have not deteriorated at all. It is compact enough to be useful at functions, parties, walking about, etc without being too cumbersome.

I bought this bag to supplement my larger camera bag that carries the majority of my photographic gear. There are times when I just don't want to carry it all around with me when a camera with a single walk-around lens is all that I need.My camera is a Canon 50D with an EFS 18-200 zoom which fits perfectly into the Lowepro Toploader Zoom 50AW when the lens hood is reversed. There is room left over for the camera strap too. Now that may seem daft to mention but I have tried many of this type of bag where the camera fits so snugly that there isn't actually room for the strap unless it is pressing on the LCD screen which is not ideal. The shoulder strap is of a reasonable width, appears to be strong, and is easily adjustable to suit the length that I need. It isn't cushioned for the shoulder but it does have a very grippy pad that stops it slipping.The rain cover stows neatly and is easily fitted although, as other reviewers here have mentioned, it doesn't cover the back of the bag and you will have to remove the shoulder strap to fit it properly. This isn't a deal-breaker for me as I can hardly remember a time when I've ever had to put the rain cover on any other bag.The front pocket is roomy enough to stow a couple of spare batteries and other small items and the inside pocket will hold spare Compact Flash cards.Delivery of this item was very quick and within 48 hours of ordering by the Free Supersaver Delivery option. So far, so good but I'll be taking this to an event in the desert in northern Spain soon so we'll see how it stands up to that.

I am already convinced, having bought in to the Lowepro system some time ago.This is the 3rd Toploader Zoom case I have acquired.As ever with Lowepro, you get 'bullet-proof' construction, well thought out features and a lot of bang for your buck!This model is for a smaller rig - as such, it is ideal as a second body/lens pouch, so that you do not have to swap lenses when out in the field.Alternately, as a simple stand-alone, you can fit a DSLR with grip and a standard 18-55 lens with no troubles. The pouch also has two lateral fixing bands sewn in , which allow you to fit a secondary lens pouch or accessory pouch - there are a variety of these available from Lowepro - to add felxibility.This, coupled with a very useful external zip pocket for the odds & sods you need, and internal storage in the lid for both memory cards in two dedicated pockets and a clear (opaque) vinyl zip pocket for storing a remote and that damned expensive lens cap safely, make the 50AW a very useful light weight and robust choice for the travelling photographer.The nice, wide and widely adjustable shoulder strap gives you every opportunity to find a comfortable position for your own taste - and the 'AW' is completed by the tuck-away rain cover in the base of the bag.I now use 2 AW's, this and the AW 55, for my Pentax K5 and back-up K10D on my regular field trips and can attach 3 lens pouches as well (the 55AW allows 2 additional pouches and my K5 with DA* 50-135 attached stored inside).This rig is easy to carry and leaves you with better hands-free access to your equipment and has basically replaced one pouch and my Slingshot 300. I still have the slingshot available in the car, but usually with my film bodies in it (I still shoot 35mm as well as digital).I mentioned a third TLZ. I have TLZ 2, wich was my first Lowepro purchase. It is still going strong after 5 years heavy use (it now houses my *ist-D with grip and 28-105 FA lens).I know how good and hard-wearing Lowepro gear is and would never change.For any one looking for a really duarble 'over the shoulder' camera pouch, who does not want to walk around with long telephoto lens attached, I can heartily recommend the Lowepro AW 50.I hope this helps anyone who might want to make the same choice as I did 5 years ago.Randal Williams