( 37 reviews )
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Posted: Jul 22 2009
I purchased the Fastpack 350 as a replacement for my Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW so most of this review will be a comparison between the two. After owning the SS 200 for around a year, I found that I quickly out grew it and I ultimately felt that moving up to the SS 300 or SS 350 would not do the trick. The SlingShot series is good if you do not have a lot of the extras like a filter pouch, lens hoods, spare batteries, chargers, etc., but if you have any of that gear a SS simply does not work out...and forget about carrying a book or anything else with a Slingshot. One other aspect of the Slingshot that I ended up not liking was the single strap sling approach. At first I thought that was going to be a great feature but it was cumbersome and awkward for me...this Fastpack is much easier to simply take one arm out of the strap and swing around. That is a more natural approach and works much better in my opinion. This bag seems to be a better fit for my needs and easily holds my Canon 50d with battery grip, 28-135mm, 10-22mm, and 50mm lens. I even have 1-2 lens spaces open depending on what is mounted and there is still room for more. I can see how this bag will hold a 70-200mm (if I am fortunate enough to aquire one). The top storage area on the Fastpack 350 has plenty of room for the extras mentioned above and there is still room for a book and snacks on a trip. The mesh side pocket is nice, but it doesn't feel that sturdy so I will be curious how it holds up over time. The laptop compartment is very well padded and makes this bag a true must have travel companion. As far as the size, I would consider this a large camera backpack, but it is not too large as some have suggested. The materials are good, but it does seem that the SlingShot was a bit more refined (i.e. this bag does not have a microfiber cloth attached at the side opening which was a great touch on the SS and the memory card holders on the main compartment flap are not as nice as the SS and there are two less spaces for cards which seems odd for a bigger bag?) The zippers and clasps are good, but the SS just seems like it was built with better materials. Also, it always seems as though every Lowepro bag I have purchased (this makes #4) is missing that one thing, but this one has a couple. I am disappointed that there is not an AW cover built in...that should be automatic on a higher end, premium brand product like this. Also, why is there no tripod attachment? Give me those two features and a couple more sliplock attachments and this could be that elusive perfect bag. All in all this is a good bag and a better alternative than the SlingShot series if you like the side entry and extra storage space.
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Posted: Jul 18 2009
This is a great camera bag. Plenty of space for all your accessories. Only one problem, camera slides around in compartment a little to much, but a little well placed foam and velcro take care of that problem. The computer compartment is great, well padded and protected.
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Posted: Jul 16 2009
At first glance, this looks like any ordinary backpack, nothing special about it. SO WRONG! It doesn't look cheap (very surprised since it's the lower end on cost for laptop/slr backpacks). Seems very durable (we've had it for a few months). The build of the backpack is VERY STIFF. Extra padded to protect my laptop and also in the camera compartment. It's very big for me (I'm 5'3) however, when I have it on, I don't feel that it's big. The straps distribute the weight evenly and makes it very easy to carry. I haven't had to use the "waist" buckle. AIR TRAVEL: It makes going through security a breeze. Unzip the separate laptop compartment, pull laptop out, DONE! No need to fumble around my bag or shove it back in between files/blanket/toys. SO EASY! SMALL COMPARTMENTS: There are 2 little compartments in the camera section that holds SD cards, small pieces for my camera. Very nice detail. In the top compartment (for all your knick knacks), there are 2 pouches with Velcro cover that I keep my business cards in one, and my thumb drives in the other. The mesh pocket I use for holding a few granola bars. Within that top compartment, I've stuffed our NDS, Headphones, 2 ipods and wallet. Very helpful to travel with kids. There are several other smaller zipper pockets to hold items like passport, manuals, blank DVDs. All my external computer equipment. DOUBLE DUTY: I have 1 lens for my DSLR so all the 6 compartments would be wasted if they were only for lens. This bag is AWESOME FOR TRAVEL! I no longer need to schlep around all my electronics in their own separate cases. I used slots for my camcorder, all the adapters/chargers/wires for all my electronic equipment. Even had enough space to store several pais of sunglasses. Also stored bottles for the baby, along with a copuple of diapers, changing pad (stuffed in the laptop compartment), snacks and a few incidental items. CAMERA/LENS COMPARTMENT: The separators are Velcro so it's very easy to make things fit to the size that you want. It's a nice space to house all my media equipment in 1 bag. NOTHING was squished. This is the clown car of backpacks. I couldn't believe how much stuff we were able to put in it. Everything stay organized and came out intact. Carrying this backpack was a breeze through large airports. Everything is easy access. Well worth the investment. I'm so glad I got this instead of anything else on the market. ONE SUGGESTION: I do wish that it had a little pocket on the shoulder straps for my cell phone. It would be nice to have easy access to that right there in a secured slot. I've looked into buying an accessory pouch for the package to make it functional. DO NOT BUY: Thee is LITTLE storage for files/papers. It fits my laptop and a letter size notepad in the laptop compartment but nothing more. The other 2 front compartments are too short to hold anything beyond a mini legal pad.
