reporters

Lowepro Stealth Reporter D200 AW Camera Bag
$99.95
I got this bag with my Nikon D300, a Nikkor 24-70mm 2.8 Lens, and MB-D10 battery pack. Not only can it support all three of these items fully assembled (lens hood turned backwards on itself being the only exception), but I have room left over for my SB800 flash, extra batteries, 4 77mm filters, and two battery kits for the MB-D10 and SB800 if I decide to add more AA batteries in a jam. I could swap out the flash for a smaller lens (Nikon 18-200mm or smaller), but I like having the flash with me too much to part with it. All total that's a little less than 10lbs worth of camera equipment in the bag and I had no problems hauling it around for a day. The neck strap is very comfortable and I'm really excited about the additional strap at the bottom of the bag... I'm not sure if the idea was to wrap the lower strap around your waist (very uncomfortable), or wrap it around one of your legs (very comfortable). Either way, if you're traveling overseas a lot it's a great sense of security knowing that if a pickpocket cut your neck strap and tried to run away with the bag it's still connected to your hip or your leg. It also comes with a water-proof pouch that can cover the whole thing if it's raining. There's also lots of little pockets and a memory card holder tucked away inside that have all proven useful so far (the memory card holder especially so, it's a small binder with a zipper going around it to keep everything inside safe).

The only thing that's something of a waist of time is the slit on the top of the bag that I guess they thought you could pull your camera through in a hurry. At least with a D300, it's simply not an option. I used the quick release clip while the zipper was left open underneath all day and had no problems with getting my camera out or losing anything through the open zipper (although I did zip it all the way up if I knew I wasn't going to be shooting for a while). I do need to continue shopping for a larger bag to haul all my stuff around from one destination to another, but when it comes to the bag I'm carrying for the day this is definitely it for me. I'm very happy with this bag and I'd recommend it to anyone that plans on traveling a lot with a large DSLR and 1 or 2 lenses at a time.

Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan
$26.00
I was up and I was down reading Tokyo Vice. Was this book going anywhere? I was kinda stuck. Was I reading a novel? Was this real? I was going to put it down. Then, there were some very touching parts. I thought I was going to cry at one point because there was a part that I felt was just so sad. Then I cannot put it down. I'm racing to the end. I'm not sure where this whole thing is going to end. I'm not sure if Jake is going to end up being a good guy or a bad guy.

Jake is a good guy. We need more folks like Jake in this world. Jake, continue doing the right thing. Stay out there, take lot's of notes and give us another book.

A Reporter's Life
$17.00
A superficial concern about others.

A superficial concern about right and wrong.

Same old boring selfishness.

Lowepro Stealth Reporter D650 AW Camera Bag
$159.95
I returned it and ordered the D550 AW because it was WAY TOO BIG. I don't know what use a bag this big would do other than transport gear. A shoulder strap on this bag is a back breaker.

Pros:
Quality made, Strong enough for pro glass, and anything you could think of


Cons
TOO BIG
Half the size of me



MY review for the D550 AW
Yes and amen. This has been an answer to my dream bag. I first ordered the

Pros:
Quality made, Strong enough for pro glass & more
Fast & accessible
Holds a lot, not too big
Concise organization dividers
Includes accessory bag, Memory card divider
Holds 13in MacBook with an inch to spare
Built in rain cover
Comfortable
Looks
Price

Cons
I didn't know about it sooner