Lowepro Street & Field pro test

Lowepro is well known for its extensive range of camera bags, but I’ve been asked to test its latest modular kit system, called the S&F, which stands for Street & Field. The S&F range has loads of options, but I selected what I thought I’d need to cover Premier League games: the Deluxe Technical Belt (£40), Slim Lens Pouch 75 AW (£40) and Utility Bag 100 AW (£75).

First impressions was that it was very well put together and I really liked the way the pouches attached to the utility belt. With some of the modular kits I’ve used in the past, the fitment onto the belt has been rather slack so the pouches wobble about, but that wasn’t a problem here – the double Velcro system held everything in place, even when I was moving at speed to get from one place to another. If you already own Lowepro gear, it’s worth noting that the SlipLock system allows the pouches to be attached to other Lowepro products too.
I used the Slim Lens Pouch 75 AW to hold my Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. This pouch, like all the S&F options, comes with a limited lifetime warranty and is made from high-density polyethylene, which is durable and robust. I liked the way that the top of the pouch sealed over the main section. The Velcro fastening tab meant I could get to the lens quickly and when the pouch was empty, it compressed so that it didn’t get in my way.
The key to modular systems is matching the kit you need with the job you’re on. The full S&F range will fit in the Transport Duffle Backpack, a huge bag that, once empty, can be rolled up to store away in a relatively small space. Manoeuvrability is important to me when covering football games and I can’t afford for my kit to slow me down when changing positions or locations. Wearing the belt with two pouches allowed me total freedom. The belt felt balanced and after a few minutes, I forgot I was wearing it.
My favourite pouch was the Utility Bag 100 AW, as its square shape made it very versatile to use. It’s big enough to hold a back-up body, but I found it more useful for holding a flashgun, filters and memory cards – basically all the bits I need to get to fast during a game. I shoot in all manner of weather conditions and although it was dry while testing the kit, I have no doubt that the pouches would have done a good job at protecting my camera gear in the rain.

I was also impressed by the Deluxe Technical Belt, which can be paired with the Technical Vest and features ergonomic padding in the lumbar area. The belt is the most important part of the system, as a poorly made belt can make your life hell. The Deluxe Technical Belt suited me fine as it had ample padding and felt comfortable to wear all day. More importantly, the main buckle on the belt snapped shut securely and didn’t feel like it was going to pop out. I’ve had belts in the past where the buckle has just popped and my gear has fallen onto the ground.
The S&F range is suited to sports, news and event photographers who want two hands free at all times and the flexibility to move around without being obstructed.Because the range is vast, photographers can build up the modular system that works best for them, and with lens pouches starting from £35, it’s safe to say that the system 
offer good value for money – I’m already looking at using the S&F system in future.

The Street & Field range:
The new S&F range currently offers 15 different types of accessories, including a utility backpack, choice of belts, a technical harness for heavy loads and pouches for lenses, filters, memory cards and other accessories, allowing you to pick and mix for your needs. All are robust, well priced and suitable for enthusiasts and professionals. For full details visit: www.lowepro.com/sfseries


Verdict:
A well made kit that is comfortable to use and well designed. It’s a great choice when you want the fastest access to gear.
Build quality: 5/5     
Features : 4.5/5
Performance: 5/5   
Value : 4.5/5
Overall: 5/5