Anyone got a Lowepro Super Trekker AW II/Pro Trekker AW II/Photo Trekker AW II?

Messiah Khan · 18 Oct 2007 at 15:21

Im looking at the Lowepro Super Trekker AW II as my next bag. Im sure i'll collapse under the weight before I outgrow something like that. Has anyone got one or know of any decent reviews? I could do with seeing some pictures of it. Im also interested in the slightly les extreme Pro Trekker AW II and Photo Trekker AW II. anyone use either of these? Again, any decent reviews or photos would be appreciated. What are they like for non camera stuff, ie clothes, food etc?

SDK^ · 18 Oct 2007 at 17:44

I have a Photo Trekker AWII and its massive !!! See the photo below for a comparison against the Mini Trekker AW.

It is extremely rare that I need all of my gear on one shoot so 99% of the time I just transfer the stuff I need to the Mini Trekker and use that.
In terms of extra capacity for food etc – The higher end LowePro bags come with an additional 'Day Pack' backpack which can be clipped onto the exterior to provide even more carrying space.

I would only recommend you get a bag this size if you are going on long photographic expeditions and you don't have a facility to leave some gear in a room.

Some reviews here : Click

ElDude · 18 Oct 2007 at 17:57

That's nice and deep. I'd be interested in a bag like that for my 30D and grip with lens attached. I can't quite do it with my current bag.

Irish_Tom · 18 Oct 2007 at 18:01

Been looking at the Computrekker myself for taking camera/laptop and my worldly possessions with me travelling. Think it will be big enough? Only going to take the D50 18-200, Sigma 10-20 and 2x teleconverter as far as camera equipments goes but will need the charger and spare batteries, filters flash etc as well as the accessories for the lappy and of course a change of cloths etc.

Panzer

Messiah Khan · 18 Oct 2007 at 18:39

Thats great SDK^, thanks. I tend to take all my camera kit with me most of the time as I would hate to be caught in a situation where I needed a certain lens, but had left it at home. My main concern at the moment is to have bag big enough to fit my 300mm f2.8+ camera+battergrip+tripod collar+arcam quick release plate all ready to go with the lens hood on etc. I also want it big enough to carry a fairly significant amount of food and clothes so I could spend at least a whole day out in harsh conditions on the mountains say. Does the Photo Trekker AWII come with the day pack, or is it just the Pro Trekker and Super trekker?

emetic · 18 Oct 2007 at 18:55

i have the nature trekker + day pack, not on your list but similar. plenty of room for kit. the day pack isn;'t massive though, big enough to get lunch + supplies and some wet weather gear in.

9designs2 · 20 Oct 2007 at 00:21

I have the Vertex 200 AW, Which gives you a laptop compartment as well. Worth a look, it has plenty of space.... Plus I have got it through airports a few times now without issue. Technically it's a bit to deep to fit the cage. Though it is shorter than the max.

Messiah Khan · 31 Oct 2007 at 09:35

Ive just ordered the Lowepro Pro Trekker AW II. Should hopefully arrive tomorrow or Firday, ready for my Seal hunting adventure on Sunday. I decided to go with the Pro in the end as its just on the limit of Airline handluggage limits, so if I packed it tightly I should be able to get it on. It also comes with the daysack and accessory pouches which will be very usefull for me. And although the size of the Super Trekker was very tempting, I think by the time I get a lens big enough to fill it I will be able to afford yet enother bag. The Pro should hoepfully be plenty big enough for me to keep my D40X+BG, Sigma 300mm f2.8 with lens hood on all in ready position, and another body with a wideangle lens on in ready position. I'll do a bit of a review when it turns up

Irish_Tom · 31 Oct 2007 at 10:51

Cheers for the update MK, looking forward to the review.

I don't know if you saw my thread on TP but I'm looking for a bag to take travelling so could you include a small section in your review on the other pockets and spaces available. I think the computrekker that I mentioned above is going to be too small so I think it's either going to be the Vertex 300 or the Crumpler Zoomiverse.

Panzer

SDK^ · 31 Oct 2007 at 12:31

Messiah Khan said:
I decided to go with the Pro in the end as its just on the limit of Airline handluggage limits

The current UK Airport hand luggage restriction is : maximum length of 56cm, width of 45cm and depth of 25cm (including wheels, handles, side pockets etc
This is approx the same size as a medium sized laptop bag.

Even if that doesn't apply to your airport - The Pro Trekker is massive and it's a big gamble to take hoping they will allow you to not check it in.

Messiah Khan · 31 Oct 2007 at 12:37

SDK^ said:
The current UK Airport hand luggage restriction is : maximum length of 56cm, width of 45cm and depth of 25cm (including wheels, handles, side pockets etc
This is approx the same size as a medium sized laptop bag.

Even if that doesn't apply to your airport - The Pro Trekker is massive and it's a big gamble to take hoping they will allow you to not check it in.

Well that sucks. Seems the american airlines are more forgiving then. It doesn't matter a huge amount as its ages since ive been on a plane, and might be awhile until I am again. The most important factor for me was to get a bag that could hold my 300mm in the ready position, instead of having to carry the Sigma lens case over my shoulder all the time.

9designs2 · 1 Nov 2007 at 00:40

My Vetex 200 is actually to "thick" to meet the restrictions, and does not fit inside the airport gauges. But in height it is under. Done a few trips now, and so far been ok. BUT what ever bag you have the issue is weight !!.... 10Kg carry limit is real problem for any amount of kit. A 5D and few bit's of L glass adds a lot weight. At Stansted they do weight spot checks at security check point.
In the V200 I can get easily get my 5D, 24-105, 17-40, 70-300 then my Contax N1, 24-85 and 80-200, couple of flash guns and a laptop.... I would estimate around 15kg....

Messiah Khan · 2 Nov 2007 at 08:42

Well its erm... big! And heavy!

It arrived yesterday, and I managed to find time to pack it with my kit. I haven't got any pics yet unfortunately but i'll sort that out when I get time. Initial impressions; Its a little large. I really wouldn't want to go any bigger so im glad I went with the pro over the super. Unloaded its about 5.5Kg and fully loaded im looking at around 15-16Kg which I think is about on the limit of my happy zone. Any more and I think id start suffering. On the positive side though it fits;

300mm f2.8 with 2X teleconverter and D40X body with battery grip, all in the ready position with lens hood on and tripod collar with long quick release plate.
150mm f2.8 with lens hood on, tripod collar and long quick release plate.
30mm f1.4 with lens hood on.
10-20mm with lens hood on.
18-55mm

190XProB with 322RC head, and Gimbal head attached to back.
Lee filter pouch
3x Lee adapter rings+lens caps
4x screw filters
Memory cards and spare battery.
Full cleaning kit including; Rocket blower, cloths, fluid etc
An assortment of coloured cloth, tinfoil(my ghetto macro reflector) and other bits and bobs
Waterproof jacket, waterproof cover for camera
Mosquito replellant and Suncream (covering for all eventualities)

I think that about covers it all. That is all in the bag and one accessory pouch. So I still have the lens pouch and daysack to expand into. Im heading out for Seal Sands on Sunday, so that should provide a good test for my fitness and strength.

As for the layout, it took me good half an hour of playing with the internal dividers until I found a layout that worked for me. Most layout seems to have the longest lens down the middle, with others arranged round the edges. Just to be different, ive moved the long lens down one of the sides. this was mainly to make the remaining space wider in order to accomodate all the filter kit which is quite wide. There is still some spare space in the bag, and I could probably fit something like a 70-200 f2.8 with a bit of juggling, but all my excisting kit seems to fill the space very nicely. As I say, i'll get some pics up when I get time.

SDK^ · 2 Nov 2007 at 17:39

I said it was going to be big

Get some pics up of it fully loaded!!

Messiah Khan · 3 Nov 2007 at 22:28

Sorry for the rubbish quality, but unfortunately I couldn't use my DSLR as its in the shot. I'll probably take some better shots with my dads DSLR when its daytime. but for now, this is how ive got it filled;