Lowepro Cirrus TLZ 25

The holster design has been a staple of camera bags for a long time. Lowepro's Cirrus line is a new take on the holster design. If you're not familiar with the holster-type camera bag, it's based on a triangular shape, tapering toward the bottom, and holds an SLR or SLR-type camera, typically with a small zoom lens. There's not too much you can do to update this idea, but you have to hand it to Lowepro, since they do a great job of modifying simple things and giving them a classy contemporary look.

One great example of this is the Cirrus TLZ 25's handle, which carves a cute curve over the top of the bag, while its gray color provides a counterpoint to the bag's otherwise mostly black color scheme. The bag has another splash of gray in the band that sits below the bag's top flap. Part of the gray band forms the top of the small front pouch, which has a tab of Velcro behind the Lowepro logo to keep it closed. This pouch doesn't seem very large, but it's bigger than it seems and can hold a few extra batteries, and depending on the camera, maybe even a charger.

Like all holster bags, the Cirrus TLZ 25 is a top-loader. Inside the top flap you'll find a small pocket for memory cards or other small items. The top flap opens away from your body when wearing the bag, which is more ergonomically sound than the opposite way. Unfortunately, there's no place to store a hot-shoe flash unit in this bag, but that is common for holster bags. On the plus side, the Cirrus TLZ 25 has a belt loop if you're the type to wear a camera bag as though it's a fanny pack.

As the largest in the Cirrus line, the TLZ 25 can accommodate an SLR as large as the Canon EOS 40D and can hold it with its 28mm-to-135mm kit lens. Lowepro also makes two smaller sizes, called the Cirrus TLZ 15 and the Cirrus TLZ 5, for smaller SLRs or superzooms. I don't typically go for a bag such as this, since I always bring along more than one lens. However, this is a well-built bag, made of water-resistant fabric with reverse-mounted zippers that help keep dirt and dust out of the bag when it is sealed. If I were to need a holster bag, I'd seriously consider the Lowepro Cirrus TLZ 25.