While I was sitting in a meeting yesterday, one of my partners in crime, Frank Filice, got this look on his face. It’s a look that’s usually followed by a great idea. He said to me, “What if we did this new thing on Facebook called Free Bag Friday? Every Friday we provide the opportunity for someone in our community to get a Lowepro bag.”

It took me about 3 seconds to realize the beauty of Frank’s idea. At the fourth second, I said, “Let’s do it.” Others have come up with the idea of giving away bags on our site, but it’s the name, Free Bag Friday, that’s so cool. Here’s how it works.

Anyone can win by clicking “Like” and simply adding a brief comment to the Free Bag Friday post our our Facebook page. You have until 6am PDT Monday morning to participate. We then randomly choose the name of one of the folks who commented, and announce the lucky shooter on our Fan Page later that day Monday (with instructions on how to send us their shipping address). That’s all there is to it! This week’s Free Bag Friday prize is a SlingShot 100. Tell us how you’d use the bag… maybe you’ll win it.

We’re off to a great start with it this week. And if you don’t win, don’t worry. We’re going to do it again (and again). Way to go Frank!

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

For some time now, I’ve been testing a brand new backpack from Lowepro, and I want to share my thoughts with you about it. It’s called the CompuDay Photo 250. I really like this bag for everyday use. Why? For starters, it’s very light, only weighs 1.9 lb/0.9 kg. Yet inside this “not too big” exterior (32 x 20 x 43.5 cm / 12.6 x 7.9 x 17.1 in), it holds my laptop (up to 15.6″), iPad, Canon 60D with kit zoom, 50mm prime, hard drives, compact camera, and lots of personal accessories. And if you’re not toting a DSLR, the camera compartment magically compresses so you can use the space for other items.

The Lowepro CompuDay Photo 250 backpack is light, but holds an amazing amount of equipment for the photographer on the go.

The CompuDay Photo 250 has one of the most clever compartment designs I’ve ever seen. My DSLR is completely protected in the side-access pocket. I don’t have to worry about it banging against other items in the backpack. My laptop and iPad each have their own sleeves… again, protected and easy to access through the top of the bag. But there are also many smaller compartments that allow you to organize everything else you’re toting, including hard drives, small electronics, keys, pens, and even a sleeve that’s perfect for #10 envelopes.

The DSLR compartment compresses when not in use so you have that space available for other items.

This is also a great backpack for travel. The easy-grip top handle is comfortable to grab. The shoulder straps are nice and wide. And, unlike many backpacks, this one includes a trolly sleeve so you can slide it over the handle of your rolling suitcase. The CompuDay Photo 250 fits easily in overhead compartments on planes, under seats, or just about anywhere else. And it includes a side mesh pocket plus a front zipper pocket for those items you need to quickly access.

Here’s a quick run down of its main features:

• Lightweight, slim and protective design
• Dedicated storage for laptop, camera and personal electronics
• Adjust-to-fit, padded camera chamber
• Burnt orange lining
• Removable accessory pouch
• Multiple organization pockets
• Mesh-covered trolley sleeve
• Rain-flap lid
• Adjustable, lightly padded shoulder straps
• 2 SlipLock loops on shoulder straps
• Durable and water-resistant outer fabrics

There are pockets galore in this backpack to store everything you need.

The CompuDay Photo 250 should start showing up at Lowepro retailers now. Street price is around $75 US. There’s also a messenger style version of the bag that I’ll talk about in another post.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

After spending a week working with photographers at the Nature Photography Summit in Texas, I have a good feel for the features that interest these adventurers the most.

Our most active table in the booth was where we displayed the Pro Trekker and Vertex series. You would have thought these bags were loaded with magnets. Typically, visitors would start with a midsize Vertex, because in part I think they were attracted to their sleek design and weatherproof zippers. The Vertex series is also fairly efficient in terms of storage space vs bag size. And for many photographers, the shopping stopped right there.

But those interesting-looking Pro Trekker backpacks were hard to overlook. The feature set for the Trekkers is a bit different. You can remove the belly band and shoulder straps, making it easier to fit a Trekker in tight storage. All of the Trekkers are hydration ready. Also, the top lid removes and can be used as a fanny pack once you’re in camp. Plus, the larger Trekkers hold more gear than the large Vertexs.

By discussing the differences between these two models, I got a feel for the priorities of serious nature shooters. Each bag has to hold a long zoom on camera. It needs to hold-up in challenging weather conditions. The bag has to fit on airplanes. And it’s important that the photographer can wear the bag all day without over-tiring the back and shoulders.

At the end of the day, the preferred bag depended on the specific type of shooting engaged most often by the photographer. I’m glad that we have two distinct backpack options to offer the nature photographer who works in very demanding conditions. Personally, I like the Trekkers a bit better. But I tell you, those Vertex models look sharp.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

I received an interesting email from Lowepro photographer Julie Dermansky about her travels to Egypt to cover the transition from former president Mubarak to the new leadership. I thought you’d find her comments interesting on many levels.

“I got to Cairo just in time for the key moment when Mubarak stepped down,” writes Julie. “Unfortunately my gear was confiscated at the airport. I managed to bring in a flipcam and a pocket camera, having hid them in advance, knowing that my gear might not make it past customs. I’m shooting with a point and shoot, but longing for my SLR. It’s hard to rely on limited gear in such an electric situation. That being said, I’m up for the challenge at hand.”

“The Embassy wrote a letter on my behalf to help get my gear back. There’s a room at the airport with over 100 confiscated bags/boxes of camera equipment.”

Tahrir Square in Cairo after Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman stated Hosni Mubarak's stepped down. Photo by Julie Dermansky.

I responded to Julie asking her to please keep me updated. The next day I received this note from her:

“I recovered the gear today with a dose of tenacity and luck! There are still hundreds of bags of confiscated gear — some nice Lowepro models among them.”

Yaay for happy endings! If you want to know more about the reporting of the event, here is a piece on The Atlantic website with video clips shot just after the VP announced Mubarak had resigned.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

When I’m on the road, I often use the “bag within a bag” approach to carrying a camera so I can keep a low profile in urban settings. This is particularly important when exploring parts of a city that I’m not familiar with.

In this situation, I’ll work with a smaller camera, such as an Olympus E-PL2 and a handful of lenses. In addition to being easier to pack, the micro four/thirds body attracts less attention because it doesn’t look like an “expensive pro camera.” Acting like a tourist adds further to the effect.

Lowepro Exchange Messenger (left) and ILC Classic 50 with Olympus E-PL2 camera and 17mm pancake lens.

A typical kit might be an ILC Classic 50 holding the E-PL2 that is tucked inside an Exchange Messenger. I position the ILC 50 standing upright inside the Exchange Messenger, like a lens case. I keep the ILC unbuckled, but do keep the lid closed using the hook-and-loop fastener. If I need the camera quickly, I just pull back the flap on the Exchange Messenger, then grab the camera out of the ILC Classic.

As I’m walking around, I look like a guy with a small messenger bag. Yet, there’s enough room inside for a light jacket or lunch next to the camera bag.

You can use many different combinations for a similar set up. The idea is not attract attention to yourself, yet still have the protection you need for your gear.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

Pro shooter Ed Heaton just sent us an update about his latest adventure in upstate PA. As you can see, the conditions were rather icy. Fortunately, Ed’s gear was protected in a Pro Trekker 400 AW backpack. Here’s what Ed had to say about the adventure.

As a professional landscape photographer and workshop instructor, I spend a ton of time in the outdoors. Whether it’s making images for clients, my website or creating new images to use as teaching aids, I always have my gear in my Lowepro Pro Trekker 400 AW. It’s comfortable to carry fully loaded, and I feel pretty good knowing that my gear is protected from the elements.

Ed Heaton with Lowepro Pro Trekker 400 AW

My latest adventure was a visit to Rickett’s Glen Natural Area, a national landmark that boasts a series of wild, free-flowing waterfalls, which this time of year are frozen! The 94-foot Ganoga Falls is the highest of 22 named waterfalls in Ricketts Glen State Park, and it’s one of the most scenic areas in Pennsylvania. In order to hike into the falls area in winter, you’ll need a good set of ice crampons and a solid nerve. With the mist from the falls combining with the below-freezing temperatures, it’s a winter wonderland.

Thanks Ed for the update. You look great with that backpack. Photo credit: Michael Lawrence (a friend of Ed’s).

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

I have a couple memory card wallets laying around that I would love to put to good use.

I remember when I discovered my first Lowepro memory card wallet tucked inside a Classified 200 AW shoulder bag. I thought to myself, “Oh, this is neat. What should I do with it?” I didn’t really want to store my CF cards inside of it, but it seemed too cool not to use for something.

As a coincidence, recently, one of my photographer friends shared a video with me about his Photographer’s Survival Kit. These little kits contain a handful of essentials that come in handy when you’re shooting out in the field. As it worked out, my friend Stefan used a Lowepro memory card wallet to house his survival kit. It’s really clever. You might want to check out this short video that he made.

Slick, isn’t it? If you come up with something clever for these card wallets, be sure to post a comment to share with others.

Derrick is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.