Lowepro LP36432-PWW Photo Hatchback 16L AW (Galaxy Blue)

After spending some time looking at bags for my NEX-6 (to be delivered), I ended up with the 16L Photo Hatchback by Lowepro. I went through their gear tool in order to determine which pack would be best suited for my needs. I went based off of the NEX-7 since it is virtually the same size as the 6. With this, a few lenses, and a tablet in mind, the Photo Hatchback seemed to fit the bill.

Once I received the product, I was not surprised to find out that the Pepper Red was actually more of an Orange (knew this by other reviews and videos) but I was very happy with the color. The bag has tons of great features, it is quite comfortable, and overall the build quality is excellent. I just reviewed the tripod that I purchased (Benro MeFoto Travel Tripod Kit, Titanium (A0350Q0T)) and although it doesnt fit in the bag with the carry case, it does fit in one of the side water bottle pockets. It is exposed, but it is still a nice thing to know that it will fit (may need a water bottle to counter the weight on the opposite side, but thats not a big deal to me really).

The photo compartment is compact, but has more than enough room to be sufficient for the gear that I plan on taking. In addition, there are other pockets for anything else youd want to bring with you.

I am very excited about this bag, and extremely pleased with my purchase.

I bought this for travelling with my 60d, 17-40mm, and 100mm lenses and the space is highly customizable. Everything fits snug and I have room for 2 water bottles or one water bottle w/mini tripod plus my tablet and a jacketnice deep pockets on the front. There is plenty of room left in the top for misc. snacks or whatever as well. One of my favorite features of this pack is that the waist belt is easily removable. I don't particularly care for one on a pack this size so I was delighted that I didn't have to cut it off as I've had to do with some packs in the past, plus I can quickly throw it on if the situation calls for it. I looked at these bags in the store and there doesn't appear to be a lot of space difference between this bag and the 22Lthe extra space is mostly in the upper portion of the pack. If my impression of this pack changes after my trip I'll make sure to update this review, but as for right now I am thrilled with my purchase.

Buy Lowepro LP36432-PWW Photo Hatchback 16L AW (Galaxy Blue) Now

In my never-ending quest for the ultimate photo backpack, I recently came across this new Lowepro Hatchback. It attracted my attention with it's combination of lightweight materials, sleek design and modest size (at least for the 16 liter model). I was looking for a small to medium-sized daypack with good ergonomics, and so I thought the Hatchback 16L would fit the bill nicely.

First things first: the Pepper Red definitly isn't red! It is actually bright orange, which is not ugly at all, but it will take some getting used to.

Secondly, the bag really is lightweight. The materials do feel a little thin, but they seem to be tough enough. The wide shoulder straps are very good and nicely padded, as is the back panel. This will certainly not cause issues on a long day in the field. The inside camera compartment (accessed via the back panel) is also padded very well and has an extra storm-flap closure, which is good against dust or moisture.

Beware that the camera compartment of the 16 liter version will only hold a medium-sized DSLR with standard zoom lens attached, and some smaller accessoiries. I have a Nikon D90 with 18-105 lens, and this setup occupies about 75% of the space inside the compartment. This means there is not enough room left for any additional lenses! If you want to take extra lenses, they will need to go in the top compartment, which is roomy enough, but of course not padded.

This upper compartment is surprisingly roomy and adds a great deal to the bag's functionality. It will easily hold your lunch box and a light jacket or rain gear (although it will be a little tight if you also carry addittional lenses in there). It has 2 elastic mesh pockets and 1 zippered compartment. These are useful for smaller items such as keys, filters, cables, etc. A water bottle can go into 1 of the 2 outside mesh pockets, and the front pocket is useful for flat items such as books, newspapers or a tablet PC. There are no dedicated tripod attachments, although you could put a compact model in one of the side mesh pockets.

Overall, I think the Hatchback 16L is a well-designed and very functional camera bag. I really like the sleek design and low profile of the 16L model. It's not a giant of a backpack, which will make it ideal for day trips as well as longer travels. Toughness "on the road" has not been tested yet, but as it's a Lowepro I expect no problems there. The only drawback is the size of it's camera compartment, as it will definitly not accommodate any additional lenses. It's bigger brother, the 22L model, will probably do better in this respect, but the increased size does qualify it as a large backpack.

Read Best Reviews of Lowepro LP36432-PWW Photo Hatchback 16L AW (Galaxy Blue) Here

So far I am very happy with my purchase. It is light weight, comfortable, well built and looks like a day bag versus a camera bag. It is large enough to carry my basic camera gear and enough personal stuff for a day hike or when traveling. In fact the 16l capacity is larger then they advertise. The specs say that it will only fit a standard camera with a 18-55 lens. I have been able to put in the camera compartment my D5000 with the 18-200 on it, plus my SB400 flash (with defuser) and my DX 35mm lens. The fit is snug but by no means cramped. As such this is an ideal bag for someone who only wants to carry the basics and have space for a few other important things (like snacks for the kids).

Want Lowepro LP36432-PWW Photo Hatchback 16L AW (Galaxy Blue) Discount?

Found this bag perchance while looking for a mid size bag to occupy the daypack region. My Carry all is too big for hiking, etc and pretty much just carries camera gear. I have a small Domke that holds all my lenses and a few Filters, but was too small for my Cokin P setup, a flash, and the camera itself. If I needed them then it was the carry all or two smaller bags. Enter the Lowepro 16L AW.

I generally have my camera out and ready to go on a hike, so i reconfigured the camera compartment as was able to fit a Nikkor 70-300 f/3.5-4.5, a Tokina 11-16 f/2.8, a Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 and an old Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AF-D pancake as well as one remote flash trigger and receiver in the compartment.

The top area was completely unused for any lenses, but fits a complete set of Grad NDs and a Cokin P Head/hood as well as an SB-700 Flash and accessories (in the pouch) as well as several screw in filters, and miscellaneous smaller items like a remote, lenspen, and rocket blower. Even with all that I still had room for my D7000 with a Nikkor 28-70 f/3.5-4.5 attached, a microfiber towel, and/or a compact rain jacket. None of this was really crammed in the bag and it does not bulge or look overfilled. Granted it took a bit of creative layout in the top compartment, but it all fit well and was not jammed in.

The camera/lens compartment is padded, removable and has a weather flap that can be closed over it and zipped up inside. The bag itself it water resistant and includes a rain cover, so all in all my gear it pretty well protected from the elements inside.

Downsides are that the removal dividers in the camera compartment aren't really well suited to true customization. there is really only a finite set of ways you can organize the inside. I might be grabbing some other dividers from some other bags to get it working better. This is not the bag you want to carry a large body in. the 22L AW is better suited for that if you want to carry more than 1 other lens. The other thing is that I haven't really found a way to attach a tripod to the bag. There are two elastic pouches on the sides for water bottles or whatever, but there is no way to really secure a tripod at the top if you use the pouches to hold a leg. Big thing for a hiker/landscape photographer. I am sure I'll figure something out with a D-ring, but a simple velcro strap at the top would have solved the whole issue.

All in all, this is my new day hiker, day at the park, commuter bag. Well made, thought out design, and not overly obnoxious as a camera bag means that it will be getting a lot of use.

Save 10% Off