Hi my name is Pete Hill and I am the VP of Design here at Lowepro.

Earlier this summer I attended the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City. While the show is not focused on photography it is a great place to look at new materials and trends in rugged good-looking bags. It also represents my professional roots, with more than 25 years spent designing products in that industry. With such a long history in outdoor, the show is a great place for me to catch up with old friends and now their children.

At this summer’s show I was introduced to the niece of and old friend, Todd Skinner. Todd, a professional rock climber, was killed in a climbing accident a few years back and his passing left a void for me as it did all of his friends and family. So it was a real pleasure to meet his niece Becca.   A college student and a hard working photographer, Becca was in Salt Lake to meet up with Lowepro photographer Chris Noble  to work as his photo assistant on a shoot in West Water Canyon. 

After meeting her I took a look at her blog  and her site . It’s the work of a young photographer, but one that is putting the time in to create sincere work. As family of an old friend I wanted to make sure she had the right bag to support her work. The one she chose was the ProRunner 450 AW. She needed the size for all her gear and her computer.  I am looking forward to getting her feedback.

Rear view of the Lowepro Magnum 650 AW (bottom) and 400 AW attached to a trolley.

When you have *a lot* of equipment to move from point A to point B, there’s nothing better than the Lowepro Magnum 650 AW or the Magnum 400 AW. Why do I make such a bold statement?

I’ll start with capacity. In its main compartment, the 650 AW holds 1-2 Pro DSLRs with one 70-200mm F2.8 zoom attached, plus 8-10 lenses. Then there is room for accessories (flash, etc) and a 15.4″ widescreen notebook. Next, let’s talk about handles. You have great ones on top for two-handed loading. Then you have plenty of straps, buckles, and a trolley sleeve for attaching to carts or luggage. And if you have more equipment, the Magnums are designed for secure stacking, so you can really load up the gear.

Oh, and there’s one more thing, and this is a fun one. The laptop sleeve included with the Magnum 650 AW has an integrated sunshade for protection from glare and increased privacy. In fact, you can use your laptop with the sunshade on the top of the bag as an impromptu work platform in the field. It’s pretty cool.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

I thought I knew everything about the new Lowepro Pro Roller Attache x50. That is, until I spent some time with product manager Tim Grimmer. After watching him work the bag in magic ways, I asked him if I could record his inside tips to share with you. Of course, he agreed.

So here’s a short, but pithy video that illustrates how versatile and amazing this bag is.

I filmed it at photokina in the Lowepro booth. So if you couldn’t be there in person, this is the next best thing.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

Photokina: Cologne, Germany — I haven’t been surprised at all by the interest that our new products have generated here at photokina. But as I watch interactions in the booth, I begin to think about our existing lineup too. What are the favorites? For example, it seems like there’s always a Pro Trekker disassembled somewhere on the floor.

At the end of the day Thursday, I asked one of helpers, “What was your most requested product today?” She said the Flipside. I had noticed her conducting countless Flipside demos, so I wasn’t surprised at her response. Many booth visitors seem to appreciate the security of the bag while wearing it, and how you can access its contents just by swinging it around and opening it up like a table while it’s still secured to your waist. This capability is very handy when working in snow, rain, and muddy environments. It’s really quite innovative.

And that’s the thing about big shows like photokina. It’s not just the new stuff. I find it a great opportunity to watch how people use our bags, and observe their reactions to the various features. In the end, that is what we really care about.

One of my favorite components of the new Street & Field Series is the Lens Exchange 200 AW. This is the case that I’ve needed for years. Now when I have to make a change, I have a secure place for both lenses during the process. Here’s a short video featuring Lowepro Product Manager Tim Grimmer demonstrating the Lens Exchange at photokina.

I have lots more to discuss about this camera transport system, but I just had to show you this case today.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

Photokina: Cologne, Germany — The just-announced Pro Roller Attache x50 is one of the most ingenious products I’ve seen for camera transport. It’s a roller, yet it’s compact enough to fit in an overhead compartment when traveling. It’s wildly stylish, yet a very easy case to work out of. You can roll it or remove the insert and work with a shoulder bag. And for short trips, it also serves as your carry on luggage for clothing and personal items.

The Lowepro Pro Roller Attache x50 is as functional as it is stylish.

To fully appreciate this transport system, spend a few moments on the product page. I also recommend that you watch the video. Every time I think I know this bag, I discover something cool and new about it.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.

Photokina: Cologne, Germany — Lowepro announces the new Street & Field system that includes modular components to customize the perfect solution for your shooting style. Shown here is the technical vest with belt and just one of the many equipment pouches. We’ll be reporting much more about the entire system in the coming days. I just wanted to give you an early peek.

Shown here is the technical vest with belt and one of the many pouches.

Derrick Story is the Photography Evangelist for Lowepro.