In summary
A heavy-duty, high-capacity back-pack that provides security and protection for camera equipment.The Primus AW, Lowepro’s first photo backpack in which recycled material represent 51% of its content, is designed with travellers in mind. Most of the exterior material is Cyclpet, which is manufactured from recycled soft-drink bottles and is tough and resilient. Each bag contains the equivalent of 22.6 soft-drink bottles. . . [more]
Full review
The Primus AW, Lowepro’s first photo backpack in which recycled material represent 51% of its content, is designed with travellers in mind. Most of the exterior material is Cyclpet, which is manufactured from recycled soft-drink bottles and is tough and resilient. Each bag contains the equivalent of 22.6 soft-drink bottles.
Primus packs have three compartments. The main camera compartment, which measures 320 x 145 x 185 mm internally, lies at the bottom of the pack. It can accommodate a large DSLR camera with lens attached plus one or two additional lenses or a lens and flash unit. The compartment opens inward, with a zipper on the side facing into the wearer’s body to provide security and protection. Adjustable padded dividers allow the space to be customised to fit the equipment. A side-opening zipper provides access to this compartment without requiring the wearer to take off the pack. However, removing items that are behind dividers can be awkward.
The camera compartment opens with a zippered flap that sits against the wearer’s back.
Above the camera compartment is a daypack compartment, which measures 300 x 160 x 300mm. It has no dividers but is large enough to accommodate other personal equipment as well as a variety of photo accessories. Flat pouches on the rear side of this compartment can accommodate memory cards, filters, cables and other small items.
An outer hatch pocket will hold a rain jacket and accessories like collapsible light reflectors or ‘back-country tools’. Clip closures are provided for this compartment, which is open at the top but can be pulled in close to the daypack compartment. A side pocket with an open elasticised top is located on the opposite side of the pack to the side-opening to the camera compartment. An adjustable Glide-Lock attachment on the rear panel provides an attachment point for a tripod or other compatible accessory. There’s also a tuck-away tripod mount with an ice-axe loop at the bottom of the outer panel.
The entire pack is fitted with an eight-point lightweight harness system with fully adjustable straps, including waist and chest straps. Back and lumbar pads are covered with ‘dryflow’ mesh to keep the wearer cool and comfortable. The pack can be configured to fit a wide range of body types.
Tucked into the base of the pack is a seam-sealed all-weather cover, which pulls up and over the pack to provide protection against rain, mist and spray. The compartment holding this cover is sealed with Velcro strips. The zippers closing the main and camera compartments are of the silent type to minimise noise when equipment is accessed.
The bag itself carries a logo for Polar Bears International, a charity that raises funds for conservation of these Arctic mammals. A percentage of the sale of each Primus bag will go to this organisation. The gesture is part of a celebration of Lowepro’s 40th anniversary.
Although rather heavy and bulky (and also quite expensive), Lowepro’s Primus AW bag will suit professional photographers who want a tough, versatile bag for location work. It is also comfortable enough to suit bushwalking photographers who require a durable weatherproof backpack that can be customised to accommodate both camera equipment and personal items for a day in the wilderness.
Equipment is not as readily accessible as it is in Lowepro’s Slingshot bags.
The main weakness of this bag is that equipment is not as readily accessible as it is with Lowepro’s Slingshot series of bags. The zip on the side opening to the camera compartment goes only a little over half way around so removing a large DSLR is quite difficult. Reaching extra lenses and/or flash units stored in this compartment is also tricky. However, the level of protection provided to camera equipment is superb, making this bag a good choice for both outdoor photographers and photographers who travel in out-of-the-way parts of the world.
Specifications
Type: back-pack
Interior Dimensions: 320 x 145 x 185 mm
External Dimensions: 335 x 235 x 510 mm
Weight: Approx. 1860 grams
Retailers
CamBuy
www.cambuy.com.au
Digital cameras, lenses and accessories with 100% genuine Australian manufacturer’s warranties.
Ph: (02) 9029 2219
Camera House
www.camerahouse.com.au
Ph: 133 686
The largest speciality photographic retail chain in Australia.
Camera Pro
www.camerapro.net.au
CameraPro Pty Ltd
Suite 607, 180 Queen St, Brisbane 4000
Tel: 07 3333 2900
Australian owned and run company based in Brisbane.
Camerasdirect
www.camerasdirect.com.au
Retailer of digital camera equipment and more.
Secure online shopping and delivery across Australia.
Ph: 1300 727 056
Camerastore.com.au
Camerastore.com.au
Ph: 1800 155 067
Camera-Warehouse
www.camera-warehouse.com.au
Comprehensive range of digital cameras and accessories online (www.camera-warehouse.com.au) and an online print service (www.royalexpress.com.au).
Digital Camera Warehouse
www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au
174 Canterbury Road 367 High Street
Canterbury Northcote
NSW 2193 VIC 3070
Ph: 1300 365 220
Electronics Warehouse
www.electronicswarehouse.com.au
1300 801 885
Australian retailer of Vapex rechargeable batteries offering factory direct prices and fast, free shipping Australia wide.
Photographic Equipment & Supplies – Retail & Repairs. Click here for list of stores.
Ted’s Cameras
1800 186 895
Big range of cameras and photographic products with stores in most states and online.
Rating
RRP: $305
Rating (out of 10):
- OVERALL: 9