Review: Lowepro Pro Roller X100

I've been asked a LOT about my rolling camera bag preference lately so I thought it would be a great thing to review for PLC. Please note that this item was not given to Photo Lovecat for review.

Item: Lowepro Pro Roller x100

Product Website: Lowepro

Price: $359.99 (I paid $200 @ WPPI)

What I Bought Bag For/What I Expected: I bought this bag when I got frustrated with the umpteenth flight where my Think Tank International was forced to be plane side checked. Since I fly in/out of Ohio where we have virtually no hubs, I often fly in smaller commuter jets which means that the overhead bins are tiny and do not fit the Think Tank, no matter what. I have no choice BUT to check. Then there are also the times that I've had to plane side check because of the overhead bins being full due to excessive carry on items since the bag fees have taken over the airline industry. Often I plead my case when getting to the gate to be allowed on early (I highly suggest doing this!) but it doesn't always work or sometimes my connections are late. Then it's a hurry to stuff everything that was in the Think Tank into my purse and/or backpack and try and pad it as well. Why even bother using it when I have to take everything out anyways?? When I first got it I trusted that it would be safe plane side checking it, but after a few scary stories of people having gear stolen doing this, I've stopped doing it (and I had lens caps stolen when checking it once). I bought the X100 in hopes that it would fit on, no matter what and stop the plane side checking nightmare.

Expectation Met: YES! *happy dance*

Pros:
+ The bag fits in most overhead bins.
+ The bag fits underneath the seat!!!!!!
+ The wheeled part of the bag unzips from the case making it two bags, one a backpack and the other a standard wheeled carry on roller. So if worse comes to worse, you can bring on the backpack and check the wheels (or if you overpack!).
+ Fits two camera bodies.
+ The handle turns into a tripod.
+ The bag locks.
+ Lots of little compartments.

Cons:
- Wish it fit just a smidge more.
- Wish it could fit a laptop bigger than a 15"
- Wish you could lock it TO something like the Think Tank International.

Picture of the bag loaded up on my trip home from Punta Cana:



What's packed? (2) D700's, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 10.5 fisheye, 50 1.4, 85 1.4, 60mm macro, SB-900, SB-800, (2) Pocket Wizards, SB-8A battery pack, (2) CF card wallets, (2) Sto-Fens, AA batteries, (5) Nikon Batteries, sync cords, Canon G11 charger, Canon G11, (3) bottles of Ron Barcelo Rum and (2) Mamajuana Rum Spice packs (HA!).

Corey Ann is a wedding & lifestyle photographer from North Canton, OH. She is a mix of everything - fashionista (runs Clothes for Pros, clothing suggestions for photographers), travel guru, deal hound and geek rolled into one. She's had a website online since 1997 and a blog since 1999. When not plotting world domination or her next trip, she can be found reading one of the 100+ books she reads a year. Follow her on Twitter.