Lowepro unleashes load of new cambags

By John Mello on August 5, 2008 3:14 PM

Camera bag king Lowepro released a deluge of new products last Friday designed to appeal to a range of shutter toters from the environmentally concerned to the fashion conscious.

Leading the parade of new camera carriers is the Terraclime line of multi-purpose digital bags. Terraclime models are made from 95% recycled materials. Exterior fabric for the sacks is 100% post-consumer, recycled Cyclepet material. The spacer mesh is 60% recycled PET. In addition, the bags' hardware--hook closures and zippers-- are composed of plastic regrind, recycled and repurposed industrial trimmings from the factory floor.

Available in black, plum or grass, the four soft-sided bags in the line can accommodate a spectrum of needs from carrying around ultracompact point-and-shoot digital cameras, lenses, GPS units, iPods or smart phones to transporting full-size DSLRs. Pricing for the bags range from $19.99 to $79.99.

For devotees of ultra-slim DSCs, Lowepro has introduced a small leather pouch it's calling the Luxe. Diminutive in size--it measures 3.7-by-1.0-by 2.3 inches-- but stylish to the eye, the camera clutch is designed to meet what the company sees as a growing demand by some shutterbugs to meld fashion and function in their photographic pursuits.

"Luxe makes its debut at a great time in the marketplace," Lowepro Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Nicole Mummenhoff said in a statement. "Each day we see more and more evidence that women are becoming the primary digital photographers in their families and among their friends."

"We want to offer our female customer a stylish alternative,"she added. "She doesn't have to sacrifice a modern, refined look for protection when she carries Luxe."

Offered in black, pink, eggplant and light teal, Luxe sells for $39.99 at the Lowepro Web site.

The bag maker also introduced the Flipside 400 AW, a high-performance camera backpack designed with a large capacity, premium security, all-day comfort and protection from the elements. According to Lowepro, the bag has room for a professional DSLR with attached zoom lens and four to six additional lenses. The inside of the bag can be customized with adjustable dividers. It also has a wastebelt and a backpad that's mesh-covered and padded, as well as contoured straps for comfort. Other features include a hideaway tripod holder, built-in memory card pockets and mesh pockets for storing additional gear.

List price at the company's Web store for the Flipside is $189.99.

Lowepro also added new models to its Primus AW series and its Slingshot AW line.

The Primus Minimus is designed to carry a compact DSLR with a medium zoom lens and one or two additional lenses. The Minimus's big brother, the CompuPrimus can carry one pro DSLR with an attached lens and three to five additional lenses. It also features a removable notebook sleeve with integrated sunshade that fits most 15.4-inch notebooks.

Both backpacks have an ergonomic, eight-point harness system with a lining to distribute weight evenly and provide breathable comfort; an all-weather cover to protect the contents of the pack from the elements; and a side-access panel to quickly access small DSLRs with a medium lens without removing the pack.

Also environmentally friendly, this series of packs is constructed of 100% post-consumer, recycled Cyclepet exterior fabric.

The Primus Minimus AW sells for $249.99 and the CompuPrimus for $349.99.

Another camera-computer combo bag announced by Lowepro is the SlingShot 350 AW. This line of pack includes an ergonomic sling strap which evenly adjusts weight and rotates from back to front making it easy to work out of the bag and quickly capture a shot. According to Lowepro, the new 350's main compartment can comfortably fit a professional DSLR with a 70-200mm lens, plus five or six extra lenses or accessories. The pack also has a padded notebook compartment for a 15.4-inch portable computer.

The SlingShot is selling at the company's Internet storefront for $179.99.