Lowepro ProTactic SH 200 AW Review

Features
Handling & Performance
Verdict
Specification

The Lowepro ProTactic SH 200 AW is described as a 'mission critical messenger' and is a shoulder bag with easy top access to your DSLR. It's designed to hold your Pro DSLR kit plus a laptop and tablet as well as other accessories and the available space can be expanded by adding modular attachments to the side of the bag. The ProTactic SH 200 AW is the largest of 3 shoulder bags in the ProTactic Range and is available for £125 in black. 

Lowepro ProTactic SH 200 AW Features

The ProTactic SH 200 AW can hold a Pro DSLR with attached zoom lens plus 2 additional lenses and a flashgun. There is also space for up to a 13 inch laptop and a 10 inch tablet.

The main compartment of the bag is secured with a clip down flap as well as a dual zip. There is a zip on top of the flap too for quick access to your camera and there is also a molded form shell section on the top to protect the camera from bumps.  

The front and sides of the bag are covered in heavy duty fabric loops, allowing you to attach modular accessories to the bag wherever and however you like. On the back, there is a zipped compartment accessed from the bottom where the rain cover is stored. There is also a velcro close pocket on the back.

Open the clipped flap and you'll find a front pocket with tablet sleeve and two pockets for smaller accessories along with a zipped pocket on the front wall. Unzip the dual zips to access the main compartment and there is a laptop compartment and a removable modular padded insert for your camera and its gear. All the dividers can be moved and secured by velcro to suit your kit. 

If you want to use the bag as a daypack without your kit simply lift the padded section out. In the roof of the flap there are 2 memory card holders secured by elastic. 

The bag comes with a rubber handled carry handle built in as well as a removable shoulder strap and 2 modular straps that can be used in a variety of ways, either to secure a tripod to the bottom of the bag or allow it to slot over the handle of a rolling suitcase when travelling. Also included is one modular pouch to expand the storage capacity of the bag. 

Key Features

• Easy Access to gear from top 
• Moulded hard shell top for added protection
• Raincover included 
• Removable padded camera and lenses insert 
• Space for laptop and tablet
• Can hold a tripod
• Versatile modular accessories

Lowepro ProTactic SH 200 AW Handling & Performance

The ProTactic SH 200 AW feels robust and well built. It's really easy to clip on the included shoulder strap and position the optional modular pouch to your liking. To secure a tripod to the bottom of the bag you simply attach the 2 included clip straps through the loops on the bottom. 

We actually managed to comfortably fit an Olympus E-30 DSLR With attached long lens and 3 spare lenses, a laptop and a diary along with a compact flash unit in the modular addition. The fact that you can pull out and fully remove your kit while it's still packed away in the padded modular holder is a great advantage, allowing you to use the bag for other things while keeping your kit safe. 

The shoulder strap is heavily padded and features a rubber grippy part as well as an aerated foam lining to make it breathable. It's also fully adjustable from both sides allowing you to get the perfect fit. 

The modular pocket is a nice touch and enables you to carry more. It's padded, so it could be used to house a backup camera such as an advanced compact to save you carrying another bag over your shoulder. 

The hard shell top is a nice touch and gives you that extra level of confidence that your kit is protected. 

Value For Money

The ProTactic SH 200 AW is available for £125 from Amazon. Bags of a similar price include the Vanguard Heralder 38 shoulder bag, which can hold up to 2 DSLRs and 5-6 lenses. However, this will most likely prove too heavy for your shoulder once fully loaded and also doesn't offer the extra protection of the hard shell like the Lowepro. 

You can pick up the Vanguard UP-RISE II 38 shoulder bag for £119 from Amazon which will fit a similar amount of gear to the Lowepro, however it doesn't feature the hard shell top and doesn't have the ability to hold a tripod or slide over a suitcase handle when travelling. 

If you're after something more stylish the Tamrac Apache 6 can be picked up for £84.99 however it doesn't feature a fully removable gear insert. If you really want to push the boat out the ONA Union Street messenger holds a similar amount of kit and has real leather trims, for £245.

£125 for this bag is not unreasonable considering the flexibility and customisability it offers as well as keeping your gear really safe. 

Lowepro ProTactic SH 200 AW Verdict

Overall, the Lowepro ProTactic SH 200 AW will make a reliable camera bag for anyone who has professional kit and wants a shoulder style bag. As with any shoulder bag though, too much kit can make them quite heavy and uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. 

What's great about this bag is that the camera gear insert can be fully removed, meaning that you can use the bag for other things without having to disturb how your kit is packed. The hard shell top on the roof of the bag is also a really nice touch that gives you increased reassurance that your expensive kit is safe, even if something were to accidentally fall or be dropped onto the bag. 

It feels very well made and the positioning of things is well thought out. As such, we are happy to recommend the bag. 

Lowepro ProTactic SH 200 AW Pros

Fully removable gear insert
Hard shell top For extra gear protection
Can hold a tripod 
Expandable with attachable pouches

Lowepro ProTactic SH 200 AW Cons

No feet on bottom to help protect from wear
Could feel really heavy on your shoulder when fully loaded
 

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT

The Lowepro ProTactic SH 200 AW is a well thought out camera shoulder bag for those who want to make sure their professional gear is safe on the go.

Lowepro ProTactic SH 200 AW Specifications

View Full Product Details