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As promised, I’ve just completed a four day travel test of a new bag, the Lowepro Pro Trekker 300 AW, and the result is, “I love it!” I’m, unfortunately”, known for having a number of short term affairs with various camera bags, this however looks like a long term relationship…….. Let me run down what I love about this bag.

1. It really does make the “carry on rule” of the TSA. As you can see below, it fits very well under the seat even on a CRJ (Bombardier Canada Regional Jet).

1. It has industrial grade
closure snaps and zipper
pulls, waterproof zipper
on the main compartment
as well. Should keep out
the rain, salt spray, and
dust very well.

1. This is the most comfortable backpack I’ve ever worn, thanks to an extremely well designed and sewn harness system. It is adjustable to fit different peoples backs and the belt assembly really helps take the weight off the shoulder. Since my shoulder surgery, shoulder bags and backpacks have been out for me, this one just works.

1. Very well designed side pockets
allow you to carry often used
filters and close-up devices, and
other things you need quick
access to.

1. Above and right, the bag has several handy and strong handles for hoisting the bag around
when it is not firmly placed on your back.

1. Below, another thoughtful touch are the many compression straps the circumnavigate the bag.
(the Nikon stickers are from my vast collection of throw back Nikon logos….)

1. The top cover flap has lot of great storage in several zippered compartments that I use for cleaning swabs, small tools, and my shower cap (to protect the camera from sand in slot canyons and desert environments), and other small accessories like spare remote cable releases, Visine, and camera instruction manuals. The bag has numerous slash pockets for memory cards with hand rubber flaps that allow you to indicate if it is filled with a card or not.

Best of all, it comes in at just 21 pounds
fully loaded and ready to go. (Right)

Below, the top has two deep slash
pockets that are perfect for an in
flight snack and your pocket for
quick pics on the run.

On the outside back is a slash pocket
that will hold your laptop or iPad
in a matching, supplied case. I put
my laptop in a rolling Lowepro case
that also includes all the hard drives,
cords and other needed accessories
so the Pro Trekker 300 can be devoted
to the camera gear I want to keep close
by while traveling. I carry my iPad
on the plane in that slash pocket and re-
move it before I slide the bag under
the seat in front of me, or in the over
head storage space.

To the right, once I have the bag fully
packed I further bad everything with
a bunch of micro-fiber cloths to protect
lenses and bodies, plus they’re handy
for cleaning LCD’s, viewfinders and
front and back lens elements.

So there you have it, my favorite backpack yet. Tomorrow I will go into answering Paul’s question about how I pack for a field trip, what I take and how I carry it.

Now, a moment to thank God for the great opportunity I have, to do such fun stuff, and get paid for it!!!! It is a blessing to have a job, and an even greater blessing to work with such great people, in such a great company. I’m very proud to be a Nikon tech rep and I believe we make a wonderful product. I do not use this blog to promote products, just share what I’m learning about
photography and more importantly, what God is teaching me in this life.

Thank you Father, for family, friends, and great things to do, all while serving you. Amen

Blessings,

the pilgrim

*Photo Note: All images with the Nikon Coolpix P300.

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of teaching a couple of hundred members of the Midwest Photography Symposium in the great company of Jason Stewart and Terrence Campbell. On Sunday morning we took a group of almost 60 shooters to a railroad museum in Eureka Springs,
Arkansas to shoot some railroad history. We had a great time and I want to share images from the weekend over the next few days. The special time was Saturday evening when I gave the keynote address for the entire group. It was a warm and inviting crowd and we had a great time together honoring God for all He has done in all our lives as we talked about how photography has changed us all. It was a great time for all, and I was very touched by the countless comments about the message. I give all the honor and praise to my Heavenly Father. I owe Him a debt I can never repay. I hope you like some of the graphic things we discovered in the field.

I will be home this afternoon, looking forward to a few days off the road after almost five straight weeks on assignments, and resting up for the next four weeks of travel starting soon.

Sharing His love,

the pilgrim

*Photo Note: All images D7000, 24-120 AFs-VR and 12-24 AFS lenses.

You guys know by now I’m a member of the “Bag of the Month Club”! Actually in recent years I’ve settled on several bags I use most of the time, but I just got one that is going to turn out to be one of my ”all-time” favorites. The new Lowepro Pro Trekker 300AW is really a sweet bag. Now you guys know I don’t promote products on this blog, but this is a bag I really like and think it will fill a real void I’ve had for some time. I own bags from several manufacturers, but some of my very favorites are from Lowepro. This is a small to slightly medium size backpack that can hold my traveling system with a very comfortable harness system, with lots of adjustments.

I can carry the following, and the bag is still not too heavy. Two DSLR bodies, 12-24, 24-120,
70-300, 85 Micro Nikkor DX, and most of my accessories. The outside slip pocket will take a
15” Macbook Pro, or your iPad in padded case, supplied. The same bag comes in a 400
and 600 models, both larger than the 300.

This is my first four day trip through airports and for field work. I’ll let you know how it performed
later in the weekend. I’m very impressed with the construction and materials used in this bag.
It sure is fun, playing with photo gear……

blessings,

the pilgrim

* Images courtesy Lowepro website.

What can you be sure of today? You may think, not a lot. One thing I’m sure of is the love of Jesus. You know what happens here, so seeing the image above may not come as a shock to you.
To some the name, “Jesus” is shocking. Ever wonder why. If you mention the name of Buddah few people react, one way or the other. But the name, Jesus is very polarizing. Why? Let’s examine this for a moment. Let’s take the factual first, Jesus was a real person, a historical figure with reams of documentation to prove that He not only lived, but that He was who He claimed to be. Second,
no other person in history has had a bigger influence on the world in which He walked. In the wonderful book, Mere Christianity by CS Lewis, the strongest case ever was made for Jesus. It was the opinion of Lewis that Jesus, was not a great leader, but the Son of God. Jesus claimed to be God’s Son, He either was or a He was a mad man. Even if you eliminate the countless miracles He performed, like restoring sight to the blind, and raising the dead, (countless witnesses are recorded to all these acts), the simple fact is, only an insane person would claim himself to be the Son of God, unless He actually was.

So Jesus was, and is a real person, and God’s only Son. More importantly He loves you and even
gave up His life to offer you forgiveness and eternal life. He is worth believing in, after all He believes in you……

the pilgrim