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Wolfgang Kaehler's Brand New Bag by Mark Lapin Lowepro Fastpack 350 protects gear, provides fast access Article rating: 8.73

Wolfgang Kaehler is a veteran travel/location photographer who is in more or less perpetual motion around globe, shooting on assignment or leading photo workshops to remote and romantic destinations, including the Galapagos Islands, Bali, Antarctica, Asia, Africa and India.  In the course of all that travel, Wolfgang has become a real authority on packing and carrying camera bags. 

Between the bags he’s schlepped himself, and those he’s seen on the shoulders of colleagues and tour members, Wolfgang has been exposed to just about every conceivable camera-carrying solution.  He swears by Lowepro products.  The innovative company was founded in the 60s by outdoor enthusiast Greg Lowe and has more than 40 years of experience making backpacks and camera bags.  Since Wolfgang is meticulous about packing his camera gear, and has acquired a bad back in the course of his long and arduous career, his endorsement carries extra weight.

‘I’m travelling all the time,’ he says.  ‘My clothes, I throw in an hour before leaving but I usually pack my equipment two or three days before a trip.  You can always buy clothes but if you’re going to a remote destination and you forget something for your camera, you’re in trouble.  It’s really important to plan ahead for shooting in warm, cold, rainy, or dusty conditions.  Lowepro bags are very well equipped and sealed off for harsh weather.  My large bag even has a fold-out tarp.’

When TGP caught up with Wolfgang, he was unpacking from a three-week tour to photograph snow monkeys and the mating rituals of Japanese cranes in the frozen north, and repacking for his next expedition to the sub-Saharan deserts of Mali.  For his assignment in Mali, Wolfgang is taking two Nikon camera bodies, four zoom lenses and filters, his laptop and back-up drives, strobe, power-cables, batteries, tripod and flashcards, all of which fit neatly into one large Lowepro bag.   ‘Fully packed, it weighs about 25-30 pounds,’ he says, ‘but it feels lighter. It carries very comfortably.’

Once he’s out on location, Wolfgang sheds the big bag in favor of a lightweight Lowepro backpack, called the Fastpack 350.  Wolfgang has been using backpacks in the field for the last ten years, and he thinks the Fastpack is the best of the breed.

‘I’ve tried all different solutions,’ he says, ‘and I think this backpack is the best.  With shoulder bags, the spine turns crooked after a few years.    This bag lets you carry light or even heavier equipment all day long without getting tired.  It’s designed to give you quick access to your equipment.  I use it a lot when I’m skiing or bicycling.  If someone is coming down the slope, you can swing off the pack, unzip one compartment, grab the photo and go on your way.’

The Fastpack has three large compartments, one for the camera body with lens, one for a laptop, and one for extra lenses.  Additional pockets hold cables, filters, spare CF cards, strobe and other accessories. 

Wolfgang usually loads his Fastpack with two extra zooms (20-35 and 70-200mm), strobe, filters, cables and (sometimes) lunch.  For sports photography, he keeps a 35-70mm zoom on the camera.  ‘You have to think ahead,’ he says.  ‘The lens I use most goes on camera.  The 35-70 lets me catch a skier or biker in the environment. I only need to open backpack entirely only when I want to change the lens.‘

Wolfgang also likes the Fastpack for working in crowded environments such as outdoor markets.  ‘In a crowded place like a market, where you’re constantly bumping into people, the backpack is very convenient.  It gives me fast access and protects the camera from the crowd.’

Wolfgang usually leaves his laptop back at the hotel but he’s noticed that the avid amateurs on his tours (called Wolfies because of their loyalty to his expeditions) often use laptops out in the field.  ‘Sometimes it’s very difficult to view an image on the back of the camera.  So it’s nice to have the option of carrying your laptop,’ he says.  ‘Especially if you’re not 100% sure of what you’ve captured.  The Fastpack is perfect for amateurs.  It will hold all their equipment, which is usually a little smaller and lighter than professional gear.’

For more information on Wolfgang Kaehler, the Wolfies and his tours, check out his website—www.wkaehlerphoto.com.

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Informative! I recently traded down 2 Canon DSLR's for 1-5D Mark II so my Lowepro Vertex 350 is now too large. When flying on domestic airlines in Asia, I carry my 15" laptop in my backpack to save checked baggage weight. I am ordering the Fastpack 350 over the similar SlingShot 350 because I think the weight will carry better with two shoulder straps rather than the SlingShot 350's one strap. In any case, the FastPack 350 has more room in the top "carryall" pocket and is available with red trim! Posted by: Randall Sherman Dec 20, 2008 @ 8:45 AM EST

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