I had bought Lowepro Event Messenger 250 camera bag couple of months ago. Since I wanted something which was lighter and easier to carry and didn’t stick out like a sore thumb at indoor events (which my Lowepro Flipside 400AW backpack does).
Lowepro Event Messenger 250 can easily accommodate my Canon 60D, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 II, Canon 50mm f1.8, Canon 55-250 IS, Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and Canon 430EX-II Speedlight. And with a little bit of effort I can even accommodated my Canon 1000D with the above gear and still have space left for a 13” laptop/tablet along with spare batteries, cords and even couple of water bottles!
While all this sounds wonderful, in actual usage, it isn’t.
Carrying 2-2.5kg (4.4lbs to 5.5lbs) of equipment for a few hours in a shoulder bag which itself weighs 800gms (1.76lbs) is no easy task. Filling it to maximum capacity and then taking it to an event is something I wouldn’t even dream about!
Maybe it is due to the fact that I have never really used shoulder or sling bags (not even in school or at collage) and have always preferred to carry backpacks instead. Or maybe it is due to the fact that due to slanted shoulders, I usually end up carrying it as a sling bag and that makes it ride up my neck.
Whatever the reason might be, I am just not found of Event Messenger 250 camera bag. Even though I love the built quality of Event Messenger and ease of use (whether taking out gear or changing lenses), I still end up picking up my backpacks instead of this bag.
I guess shoulder bags are good when you are only planning to carry one body with one or two lenses and that is likely how I would end up using it in future. However for such a purpose, Lowepro Event Messenger 250 is overkill and its smaller, lighter and cheaper variants would be a better bet.
Lowepro Event Messenger 250 Specifications
Fits: Pro DSLR without grip, with attached lens, 3-4 extra lenses (up to 70-200mm f/2.8) or a flash and 3 lenses, up to a 13? laptop and accessories and personal items.
Internal Dimensions: 35 x 12 x 24.5 cm (13.78 x 4.72 x 9.65 in)
External Dimensions: 38.8 x 18.8 x 29.8 cm (15.28 x 7.40 x 11.73 in)
Front Compartment: 34 x 2 x 19 cm (13.39 x 0.79 x 7.48 in)
Weight: 0.8 kg (1.76 lbs)
8 Comments
Yogesh bhai, it’s amazing how you end up buying exactly what I plan to buy next! 🙂 You posted your thoughts on the 10-22 versus the 11-16, just when I was pondering over those two lenses. Thanks to your advice, I was able to decide on a 10-22 and got a good deal on a second-hand one.
Now you have reviewed the 250 bag and I’m similarly wondering about one! I see from the specs that it’s 245mm internal depth. In your opinion, what would be the scope to place a slightly longer lens (257mm) inside, slightly inclined to fit. Would it be possible? Or would it be tough? It’s ok if the lens is not attached to the body and I intend to carry at most one other small lens along with that tele and body at a time in the bag.
Thanks for your time and useful posts.
Amit, I just measured it, it is around 245mm. So fitting 257mm in it is going to be quite difficult, with inclining it might fit, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Better bet would be to get a slightly deeper bag.
Thanks for the feedback! A deeper bag would be ideal, but it would also mean a much larger bag. And like you mention in your article, the 250 is already overkill for just one body and a couple of lenses. Since I don’t intend to carry anything more at a time, a bag bigger than the 250 will be too big. Will try and get my hands on an actual 250 and see how the lens fits before taking a call.
If possible, go for a backpack. They are far easier to carry, though they do inconvenience those around you.
Just bought the 250 Messenger. Just wanted to add that the lens I had in mind fits perfectly with minimal tilting. Great bag, very comfortable.
Congrats Amit. I too have used it a few more times now and now that my shoulders are slightly better, it works perfectly :).
Hi Yogesh,
This is mahesh from Hyderabad.
I have opened a PPF account through ICICI Bank in Hyderabad. The standing instruction is 10th of every month.
Is it prefered to continue PPF account with ICICI bank because I have heard from my colleagues, better to have PPF account from SBI or postoffice. Give me suggestion what step should i take now. Thanks in advance.
Mahesh, as far as I know, PPF account money is deposited into government bonds, so it doesn’t really matters if you have it in ICICI or any other bank. Having said that, you might want to confirm the same with the bank or a tax professional.