Customer Reviews

Lowepro Fastpack 100 (Red)

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a great small/medium camera backpack. I wanted something I could carry on my back (both for weight distribution and theft deterrence). My Canon Rebel XSi EASILY fits in with both of my lenses (18-55 mm kit lens, 55-250 mm zoom lens) -- either lens attached; plus the other in another compartment in this bag. I was able to remove one shoulder strap and just swing it around to grab my camera without removing the backpack entirely. Everything I would normally carry in my purse fit in the top part.
I didn't want a big bag to lug around, so I wasn't surprised or upset, but -- neither my monopod nor my tripod will fit in here. If you want that -- you'll want a bigger bag.
I don't have tons of equipment (yet) but this is perfect for my needs -- One SLR camera, two lenses, spare battery, plus all my personal stuff (cell phone, wallet, etc) -- with plenty of room left.

I do not understand the previous reviewer's comment that a SLR with 18-55 lens does not fit in this bag. Maybe he is using a big pro-style f/2.8 lens? With proper configuration of the pads, my Nikon D40 SLR with 18-200 f/5.6 zoom lens fits fine in the camera compartment and there is a padded pocket for a small extra lens or flash. If you want to carry more gear, one of the bigger Fastpacks is probably a better idea.

I like the small size of this bag for long walks around town. The Fastpack 100 is significantly smaller than the Fastpack 200, so I do not have to worry about bumping in to people on the sidewalk or when standing in a bus.

The top compartment of this pack holds extra supplies (or lunch or a guidebook). My only complaint is that the water bottle pocket is too short and too snug for a 1 liter water bottle. The bigger Fastpacks have a bigger and more flexible water bottle pocket. A 1 pint water bottle will fit in the pocket pretty well.

The Backpack is solid, well built and is good protection for my equipment.

My Nikon D50 with 18-200mm VR Zoom and my speedlight 600 fits comfortably in the camera compartment (with the speed light flipped down). It allows me easy access to get the camera in and out of the bag when the bag is on my left shoulder and slung around to my front. The upper compartment is large enough to hold what ever I might need during a day out.

The Lowepro Fastpack 100 is a great walk-around camera bag. Although some people have given this bag a few bad reviews, there is a fine line between size with the fastpack series, and if you need something larger, don't buy the Fastpack 100 model and expect it to accomodate your camera body and all of your telephoto lenses.

Having said that, this bag was perfect for me. I never take all of my lenses with me, unless I am traveling, and the Lowepro Fastpack 100 is certainly no travel bag. With a little additional room to spare, I can comfortably fit my Nikon D60 with older 35mm f/2.5 lens attached, as well as the 18-55mm kit lens, and a 50mm f/1.8 pancake lens. And although I mentioned that this is not a travel bag, many accessories including a battery charger, power cord, USB cable, extra battery and pop-up flash diffuser can fit into the camera compartment alone. Elsewhere, I can pack my camera's body cap, complete cleaning kit (with cloth, lens cleaning solution, blower and brush), four SD cards and camera manual into the top compartment. There is even room for a sandwich, handkerchief or back-up point&shoot camera. A side-pouch with netting is the perfect place to store a water bottle or thermos, and I'm not necessarily referring to the tiny average-sized water bottle, either.

As far as comfort goes, this bag is top of the line. I hardly notice I'm wearing it, even when it's home to all of the items mentioned above. There's also a convenient velcro cellphone pouch on one strap, which allows my phone a better and more consistent signal than when in my pocket- a neat touch. The bag is light and provides more freedom of movement than a shoulder bag or even a camera holster. I have broad, somewhat-sloping shoulders, and most of the backpacks I have tried in the past slip over either shoulder. This does not seem to be a problem with the Fastpack. And accessing your camera is as easy as slipping the bag from one shoulder, and bringing it up to your chest. (See the video above the image description, on the product page) The Lowepro Fastpack 100 provides great protection for your camera. The padded dividers and walls in and around the camera compartment are very sturdy and I have no doubt in my mind that they'd be more than sufficient in protecting my gear if the bag was dropped from a height of ten feet or more.

All in all, this is a great walk-around camera bag that can easily store a camera with attached kit lens, with additional room for two primes or a medium-sized telephoto, and countless smaller accessories. If you only carry two or three lens with you, and already have a larger bag for organizing all your gear, then this is the bag to go with.

This bag has all the necessary functions but it is very small. In the bottom compartment it can fit my Nikon D40 with an 18-55 or 55-200 attached and the other next to it. It can also fit my Digita Foci storage device. If you have any more equipment that this, this is not the bag for you. The top is very small and is a day pack at very best. Excellent quality.

The Fastpack 100 is just the right size for carrying one body with a mounted lens plus another lens. I use it with Canon 450 XSi, 17-40, 24-105. I also carry a water bottle on the side pocket and odds and ends on the top compartment. I have not been able to find a comfortable position to carry the pack that also allows easy access to the camera compartment or the water bottle. It feels more comfortable if I carry it high up on my back but then it is very difficult to slip one of the straps off your arm to access the camera. I ended up buying the new Inverse waistpack as well. We'll see how that works.

The Fastpack 100 is the smallest of Lowepro's Fastpack series. I like the small size for long walks around town. The Fastpack 100 is significantly smaller than the Fastpack 200, so I do not have to worry about bumping in to people on the sidewalk or when standing in a bus. My Nikon D40 with 18-200 zoom lens fits fine in the camera compartment and there is an additional padded pocket for a flash or second lens. If you're carrying more lenses, you should get of the bigger Fastpack bags.

The top compartment of this pack holds extra supplies (or lunch or a guidebook). My only complaint is that the water bottle pocket is too short and too snug for a 1 liter water bottle. The bigger Fastpacks have a bigger and more flexible water bottle pocket. A 1 pint water bottle will fit in the pocket pretty well.

I like to have equipment options whenever I take my camera somewhere, but don't want to have to carry something that looks like I'm on a combat patrol (I'm a soldier). This bag is it. Sure it's a tight fit, but I like that; forces me to be efficient. I comfortably fit the following in my 100, at the same time:

Nikon D3100
Nikkor 35mm (attached)
Nikkor 18-55mm (stored up top)
Nikkor 55-300 (stored in the lens space next to camera)
Nikon SB-700 in its own case which carries all its accessories (up top)
Gary Fong Collapsible Lightsphere (in front of attached 35mm lens; original divider is removed)
Nikon battery charger w/ extra battery inside (up top, in the black mesh pouch)
Nikon wired remote (up top, in the velcro flap pouch)
Nikon cleaning pen tool (up top, in one of the pen pouches)
Pack of AA batteries (front pouch under the snaps)
SB-700 user manual and other small documents (front zipper pouch)

Ive had the Lowepro Fastpack 100 for a month now and just love it! It fits my Nikon D90 just right, even with my longer lens attached. Its a tight fit, but everything fits in the camera section: camera, extra lens, charger. The space on top is enough for personal items, I even put a small traveling purse in there and a light sweater. (If you had another bigger lens in a padded sleeve, you could store it in this top section, no problem). I took it on a trip to Mexico, have taken it on local day hikes, and even on a local camera shoot. I love how compact it is, and its VERY comfortable for long periods of time. The way it has the side opening to get to the camera is also very comfortable and convenient, once you do it a couple times. There isnt enough weight to warrant a waist strap, which it doesnt have.

I struggled between this and the Fastpack 250 which holds a laptop, has an additional waist strap, etc, but the camera space was just marginally bigger. And I dont need to carry my laptop around with me on a local hike, or even travel with it MOST of the time. I am still considering the 250 as a travel pack in the future.

Another thing you can do with the Fastpack 100, is fit it into a larger backpack. Then I can put my laptop in a padded sleeve, along with personal items and use as my carry-on on a plane, if I needed to. Then when I got to my destination, I would have something smaller to deal with.

I need to add that Lowepro makes THEE best camera bags. This bag is so well made, I know Ill have it for years. My husband has an older Lowepro camera bag that is 20 years old and still going. Not a rip, tear or zipper malfunction.

So for me, having something compact that is a backpack, that is comfortable and big enough to carry the minimal gear I have - this was the perfect item!

Camera bag shopping is a total pain: every store I find has the same terrible selection and the ones online can't be tested in person.

MY GOALS/EXPECTATIONS: I got the Lowepro 100 at Best Buy because 1) it was a backpack and comfy and 2) it's easy to get the camera into and out of. But after just an afternoon using it, I'm going to return it. I have the 200 on order instead.

PROS:

* QUALITY: Lowepro makes good stuff. This is quality material, nice zippers, good design, etc. Solid bag all around.

* COMFORT: It's VERY comfy on the back. I'm about 6 months preggers, and I find it really light and easy to wear.

* EASY TO USE: Getting the camera in and out is a breeze. I had a 3 Mil Crumpler for about a week and hated it. As a sling bag, I fought to get a Canon Rebel out of it. What's up with that, I ask you? This is on your BACK behind a zipper and it's easier to retrieve the camera.

* HANDS FREE IS AWESOME: I'm a busy mom, so I need to pack up quickly and go, and to get the camera out quickly for photo ops. This works great for both.

* WELL DESIGNED: With room for the dSLR, a spare lens (which I don't have), spare battery and card and manual in the lower compartment, there's room for a little bit of stash up above. A cell holder on the strap is also very nice. The lower part is so well padded that I don't worry about packing my stuff over it.

CONS:

* TOO SMALL (for me): I'm a mom on the go who wants to take minimal gear, but who wants to ALWAYS have the camera on me. My hubby loved the size of the 100, but he packs lighter than I do. In the 100, I can just fit into the outer pocket my keys & wallet. In the upper pouch I can cram in 2 spare training pants for the toddler, a change of pants for her, & a couple of folded plastic bags (toilet training requires one to be prepared, after all). But that's a tight fit. I want just a little more room to grow.

Truth be told, the deal-breaker for me was that the upper compartment was just 1/2 inch too small to fit an 8 1/2x 5 1/2 item in. So I couldn't fit my Kindle and my Moleskein notebook. I don't go anywhere without those two things and I don't trust the Kindle to the tote bag I carry in the car with the rest of the kiddos gear. So I'm hoping the 200 has a little more room for those.

* CONFIGURABLE COMPARTMENT?: I have no idea what they meant by "configurable." You can slightly adjust the height of the pieces in the lower compartment to allow for longer lenses, but they don't really fit in any formation other than the one they come in. Truly, I tried, and I couldn't come up with any alternate. It works for my camera, but it's misleading.

* ZIPPERS CATCH A LITTLE: While the zippers are good quality and they glide smoothly, I find the rounded 90-degree angles of the upper compartment make for weird zipping. A fully rounded top would be an easier angle to zip in one smooth motion. As it is, the corners stick a little, especially if you cram the top full of stuff.

* OUTER FLAP POUCH IS FOR WHAT?: While the outer compartment on the upper part of the bag is perfect for keys and a wallet, the lower part has to be snapped shut so the camera doesn't fall out. That means the little area behind it can only be filled with something small and flat that you're not going to want to access much - if at all. For me, I put a travel 1st Aid kit in there. It's definitely a specialized space.

* PRICE IN THE STORE: If you want this bag, GET IT ON AMAZON! Seriously, I got it at Best Buy for over $80, then found it at WalMart for $65, then found it here for...what's the price today? $48? Anyhow, the prices in the stores are appalling. Much better here.

SUMMARY: Not bad, certainly the best bag I've seen yet. It has inspired me to seek out the larger size, however.