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LOWEPRO D-RES 8S CAMERA BAG
BY KATHLEEN WATERS
OWNER REVIEW
February 07, 2009
TESTER INFORMATION
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NAME:
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Kathleen Waters
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EMAIL:
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TheMiddleSister@usaring.com
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AGE:
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57
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LOCATION:
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White Lake, Michigan USA
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GENDER:
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F
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HEIGHT:
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5' 4" (1.63 m)
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WEIGHT:
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125 lb (56.70 kg)
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I started hiking in 1998 after an eye-opening climb up Hahn's Peak in Colorado. Hooked, I return to Colorado often. I've hiked/snowshoed glaciers, rain forests, mountains and deserts in domestic and exotic locations, including Iceland, Costa Rica, Slovenia and Death Valley.
At home, I plan for 2-3 hikes of 6-8 mi (10-13 km) weekly and one weekend hike monthly. Weekday hikes take place in Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, a mixture of heavily-wooded moderate hills and flat terrain. Weekend hike locations vary.
My hiking style is comfortable, aiming for lightweight. Current pack averages 25 lb (11 kg) including food and water
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Lowepro
Year of Manufacture: 2002
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.lowepro.com
MSRP: N/A
Listed Weight: N/A
Measured Weight: 2 oz (57 g)
Measurements: 2.6 x 1.6 x 3.9 in (6.6 x 4.1 x 9.9 cm)
Color: Black/Silver |  | | Picture Courtesy of Lowepro |
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Other details:
Soft, brushed tricot lining
Special inner pocket for memory
Attachment tab that fastens to a belt
Includes removable shoulder strap
Capacity: compact digital point & shoot camera, 1 memory card with case, lithium-ion battery
Limited Lifetime Warranty
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Lowepro D-Res 8S Camera Bag is a small black pouch with a silver U-shaped flap that folds down over the top of the enclosed camera and zips shut with a black nylon zipper. A small black rubber-like oval is centered on the flap and sports the Lowepro name and logo. There is also a black rubber-like zipper tab cover with the same.
The bag is constructed of water-resistant 420D nylon/TXP crossweave and 1200D ballistic TXP outer fabric for all-weather, rugged protection. I could find no mention as to the water-resistance of the zipper.
On the back of the bag is a 2 in x 5 in (5 cm x 13 cm) same fabric strap with two hook and loop strips. These strips correspond with matching strips on the back and bottom body of the bag. This strap is used to "wrap" around a belt and then fastened via the hook and loop strips which leaving the bag to hang securely from the belt.
At the top rear of the bag are two plastic D-rings on either side of the bag. These D-rings are used for attaching the detachable shoulder strap to the bag.
Inside the bag is a light grey soft brushed tricot lining with a slot pocket on the backside of the bag. A black cloth label is just above the slot pocket and gives the Lowepro website address - www.lowepro.com.
FIELD CONDITIONS AND USE
Over the past 7 years, I have carried my Lowepro D-Res 8S Camera Bag (hereinafter called simply "bag") just about everywhere I've hiked including tropical locations and hot desert regions as well as frigid glaciers and mountain tops. From Colorado to Michigan and Iceland to Costa Rica, I've used the Lowepro to protect my camera from the elements. Terrain varied greatly from rain forests to deserts, glaciers, mountains, prairies and just about everything in-between.
I've carried the Lowepro in temperatures as low as 1 F (-17 C) and temperatures as high as 65 F (18 C).
Rain, snow, sleet, wind and sunshine all have been experienced by me while the Lowepro kept my camera secure.
 | | Belt Strap for Camera Bag |
| Using the bag is very simple, no instructions required. To attach it to my belt, I simply grab the end of the back strap and pull outward from the bag. This releases the hook and loop strips. Then the strap gets wrapped around my belt and the hook and loop strips then secure the body of the bag to the inside of the strap. To remove the bag from my belt, I just reach under it, pull the strap away from the hook and loop strap at the bottom of the bag and slide the strap from my belt. Very easy.
The attaching strap will accommodate up to a 2.5 in (6.4 cm) wide belt. This makes it impossible to use with the wide hip belts of some of my packs. When this situation comes up, I usually can find some other strap (shoulder, usually) on the pack to work with. When all else fails, I put the camera inside the bag into a side pocket of the pack for easy, but still protected access. |
The detachable shoulder strap attaches to the rear top-mounted D-rings with a slide lock plastic clip. I have never even used the shoulder strap and it would have no applications that I can discern while backpacking. Quite honestly, I don't even know where I have the strap stored at this point!
The zipper is easily engaged, both opening and closing with one hand while the bag is mounted on my belt. I can readily access my camera, again with one hand.
I currently have a Canon PowerShot A520 digital camera with a fabric wrist strap attached. I previously had an earlier version of the same series. While Lowepro states the bag will hold a "point and shoot" digital camera (such as the Canon A20), memory card and battery, I have not found that to be easily accomplished with my A520 which is slightly larger. I can get two extra batteries in the bag at the same time as the camera, but it is a very tight fit. It is possible though.
The outer material is very rugged and hasn't a snag, scrape or mark on it after hundreds of uses in the field. It's been stabbed by branches, scraped on rocks and still looks great.
I take my camera in the bag with me almost everywhere whether in town or the brush and most of the time it is exposed to the elements on a belt of some sort. The bag has gotten rained and snowed on and once even got dunked in a stream (I think less than 2 seconds elapsed before I grabbed it though). Water beaded up on the bag but not a drop of water has ever seeped through to damage my camera inside.
The only care I have given to it is a wipe of a damp cloth on occasion to remove dirt. It's a valuable product for me.
THINGS I LIKE
1.) Small and light.
2.) Easy to zip and fasten to my belt.
3.) Offers good protection.
THINGS I DON'T LIKE
1.) I wish it were just a tiny bit bigger so I could carry replacement batteries more easily.
SUMMARY
The Lowepro D-Res 8S Camera Bag has outlasted 1 camera so far and from its ruggedness, I suspect it will probably outlast my current one. I will continue to use it until it falls apart and then will replace it with what the current version from Lowepro is available.
Thanks to Lowepro for a durable and functional product.
Kathleen (Kathy) Waters
This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
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