If you are anything like me, then your accumulation of camera gear that you want to have with you on every shoot is ever growing. The time will come where one day, you are going to need a larger camera bag to assist with getting it to shoots safely. I’ve always opted for smaller bags in the past, so the the Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II was my first larger camera bag which I’ve worked into my every day use. Needless to say by the fact I’m writing a review of it, I’ve been very impressed.
With its multiple outside camera access points, this bag allows you to easily gain access to your cameras whilst on the move or without having to put it down. The 15″ laptop pouch ensures your laptop remains safe whilst travelling and this bag has room for my camera with a 70-200mm lens attached and several additional lenses or flash units, with customizable dividers for flexibility. I’ve found the bag to be comfortable on long days travelling and am a big fan of the lower back support and the materials used which stop the ‘back sweat’ on hot days out in the sun.
Upgrading to the Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II from its smaller sibling felt like moving from a cozy apartment into a spacious, well-organized house. Having owned the ProTactic BP 350 AW for many years it was always a bag I enjoyed using and had recommended to others. I found myself needing to take more equipment with me on my photoshoots these days, so it was a no brainer to opt for the larger version of the same bag I’d loved for so long when deciding to upgrade. What I found was that it wasn’t just bigger, Lowepro had implemented many more upgrades on its newer, larger bag which had vastly improved it.
Being a photographer who lives at the beach in Cornwall, not having to put my camera bag down in the often-wet sand is of upmost important to me so having 4 individual access points to the bag is extremely useful from a practical sense. This bag offers top, side, and rear entry options, making it incredibly versatile. Whether I need to grab my camera in a hurry, switch out a lens, or dig around for a specific accessory, I never have to wrestle with the bag or put it down in places I rather wouldn’t. This multi-access design has made my shooting process whilst on the move a far more practical experience.
The laptop pouch is another great feature for someone who often edits on the go. Having a dedicated, padded compartment which fits my 15″ MacBook Pro is essential. The laptop is very well-protected, and the location of the pouch ensures it’s easily accessible but also secure from bumps and knocks. I love that I can carry my entire mobile editing suite in one bag, which has made traveling for shoots much more convenient.
As my ever aging body (I’m in my forties you know!) struggles to carry camera gear like it did when 10 years ago, one of the features of this bag I like the most is the lower back support. Carrying a lot of camera gear for long periods of time can become uncomfortable for my back, the Lowepro BP 450 AW II is the first bag I’ve ever owned that has this back support built in and I’m left wondering why I hadn’t sought out a bag with it incorporated previously.
The chest straps on the bag are adjustable as you’d expect, whilst I’ve found the waist straps help to further distribute the weight more evenly taking even more pressure off of my back, offering further stability whilst dealing with tricky terrains like climbing mountains. You can tell that comfort levels when the bag is fully loaded have been a high priority and Lowepro have obviously put a lot of thought into it’s design.
The main reason for my upgrade to this bag is its impressive load capacity. I was initially concerned about moving up to a larger bag, slightly worried that it might be too bulky for every day use. However, the ProTactic BP 450 AW II strikes a good balance between capacity, comfort and manageability. It comfortably fits my camera with a 70-200mm lens attached, along with multiple additional lenses and flash units. There’s still room for other essentials like batteries, memory cards, and filters. The internal dividers are customizable, allowing me to tailor the layout to fit my specific gear setup. This flexibility means I can rearrange the compartments depending on the shoot, whether I’m packing more lenses, lighting equipment, or even a drone.
For overnight trips, I can often fit my camera equipment along with a spare T-Shirt and other personal accessories into the bag meaning I don’t have to take 2 separate bags with me, which is especially practical when travelling on public transport.
The Sliplock™ compatible exterior attachments are another area where I think this bag shines. It comes complete with water bottle pouch, accessory case, tripod cup and 2 cinch straps. These can attach to the bag in all manners of configurations giving you flexibility in how you choose to set them up. I take a tripod with me on most shoots so being able to attach it to either on the side or the front of the bag allows me to continue my photographic adventures without the tripod swinging around awkwardly. These exterior attachments are all well-designed and durable, adding to the overall functionality of the bag without feeling like an afterthought.
Durability is, of course, a major factor in any camera bag, and this bag definitely appears to have taken that into account during its design. The zips are robust and glide smoothly, even when the bag is packed to the brim. I’ve had too many experiences with zips that catch, snag, or just feel flimsy, but these are clearly built to last. The all-weather cover which is attached to the bag is another good feature, especially given the unpredictable weather in Cornwall. I’ve found the cover comfortably protects my gear from rain and sand whilst packing away into the bottom of the bag when not in use.
I was surprised by is how well this bag balances its durability with a sleek, professional appearance. Despite its tough exterior, it doesn’t scream “camera bag”. It looks professional, understated, and it doesn’t draw unnecessary attention, which is great when I’m shooting in towns and cities where discretion is key.
Overall I’m really impressed with the ProTactic BP 450 AW II, it’s not a small bag by any means but this was a purposeful acquisition to take more gear with me on shoots. At the same time, it doesn’t feel too big that you wouldn’t want to take it with you anywhere and it feels like Lowepro have found a good balance here. I loved the smaller version of this bag I owned for so many years as it always protected my gear really well and when you spend so much on cameras and lenses, you want to ensure they are well protected whilst travelling to and from your shoots. This newer, larger version is super sturdy and appears to offer superior protection, so all in all I think I’m going to be very happy using it for years to come.
Bag Specifications
External Size : H52cm x W36cm x D22cm
Internal Size : H44cm x W30cm x D16cm
Storage Capacity : 25L
Weight : 2.48kg
Laptop Compartment : H37cm x W29cm x D2.2cm
Colour : Black
