Customer Reviews

Lowepro Fastpack 350 (Arctic Blue)

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(44)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After around one month of using this bag extensively, I can say that I have found it to be almost exactly what I would have designed for myself! I have taken this bag with me on long commercial flights with several connections, in the car for short as well as extended trips, on four seater prop planes for aerial shoots, etc. It always also contains my 17" Macintosh laptop as well, plus two extra batteries for the laptop. I have packed this bag in "default" mode relatively full, with all the gear I would likely need for a trip for BOTH the laptop as well as the D300, the extra 105 mm Macro Nikkor lens, two lens hoods, the SB800 flash, additional filters, batteries, etc. Yes, it is of course heavy (by my choice, of course), but the key is that it can and does handle it all well. The camera is very readily accessible (albeit not with the lens hood, which would require my opening the side compartment for access), I have the comfort of knowing that I have almost everything on me that I might need for the shoot, and the portability of a very sturdy and well built backpack that fits superbly when completely cinched around the shoulders, chest, and waist. The only reason that I gave it four and not five stars is because try as I might I have not found a way to attach even my smallest tripod (except for the table top version, which is indeed already in the bag) to the bag to take with me. The cost to step up to the model that accepts the tripod is rather steep, whereas it should have been a rather simple addition to a bag of this dimensions to attach a tripod hooking mechanism. Nevertheless, despite this drawback, this is the bag that I want with me for 99% of my travels - and which has become not only my #1 camera bag but frankly my #1 (17") laptop bag as well, now that I can take my laptop and camera equipment with me at all times. Great job, Lowepro!

Lowepro Fastpack 350 vs. Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW

I own the Lowepro Slingshot 300 All Weather bag and was pleased overall with its construction and ample space for 2 cameras, 2 lenses, a flash and more. My only beef was that the single strap design on that model was uncomfortable with light clothing. I didn't need a bag with space for a laptop at the time so I didn't even consider the Fastpack even though the two shoulder straps looked more comfortable for me.

When I bought a laptop I purchased the Fastpack 350. While the two strap design is more comfortable for me personally, the bag has other problems and in some cases is the lesser bag compared to the Slingshot.

Pros (mostly in comparison to the Slingshot)
1. Space for laptop

2. At least double the amount of available open space in the top compartment for misc. items such as food, supplies etc. This also leads to a con, however. See below.

3. More comfortable straps

Neutral
1. Same side access design that allows the user to quickly pull out the camera and still keep the bag strapped to your body. A little more complicated process than the Slingshot, but that's just due to the 2 straps vs. the single on the Slingshot.

2. Definitely not for shorter users. This bag is quite long, definitely longer than the Slingshot

Cons
1. Wasted space/not as much room for camera equipment. This seems like a paradox which is what makes it so annoying. This is a much bigger bag than the Slingshot, but there's less space for camera equipment! The extra space is not given to the laptop slot, however. It's given to the top general use compartment. I was still able to fit my 2 bodies (Nikon D90 and D40x), 2 lenses and flashes, but it was much tighter and definitely not as user friendly. The available camera space is also less flexible than what you get in the Slingshot.

2. Extra compartments not nearly as elegant as the Slingshots. The space for memory cards is the most obvious. In the Slingshot this compartment is secure and ample enough to hold several cards. In the Fastpack it's smaller and more flimsy. Again, seems odd given that the Fastpack is the far bigger bag.

3. Lack of all weather cover. I'm not sure why this isn't just a standard feature on bags in this price range. Still, you can fix this by buying a cover separately.

Due to the limitations of this bag I'm not sure I'm going to use it as much as I had hoped. It'll be my general lugging around bag when I'm probably least likely to use my cameras for shooting, but want them on hand just in case while I'm using my laptop. In terms of adaptability/flexibility the Slingshot is the better bag. I kind of wished I'd looked around more at camera bags that have space for laptops. This one just has too much wasted space for my needs and too many flaws compared to my only one complaint about the Slingshot (uncomfortable strap).

If you only have a single body with multiple lenses and need a bag that holds both a laptop and provides extra space for other items (the top compartment) the Fastpack might be a great choice.

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.

The idea is great. I am a hiker and I always bring my DSLR when hiking.
I always wanted a way I can quickly take out the camera from my backpack
and vice versa. I thought that this product might be the one that fulfill
my wish. When I tried at home after I received it, it looked great.
I can put all the necessary items for a day hike as well as my DSLR and
a couple of lenses. The real caveat happened when I hiked in reality.

I could not close the zipper or open it while I was wearing my backpack.
Sometimes opening was OK, but when I put my camera back and tried to
close it, the zipper wouldn't work. So, I had to put off my backpack anyway,
and then I had to use both of my TWO hands to close it. Sometimes, it's
the other way. I had to put off the backpack and then open it to get the
camera, but then closing was OK. And sometimes, I have problem both in
opening and closing. But I was never able to successfully open and close
with one hand while I was wearing the backpack.

So, for me, it is exactly the same as before. I have to put off my
backpack anyway. And I was wondering then why I bought this one ... ?
Thankfully, I bought this from Amazon, and I am returning this.
I really wanted it to work for me. Sadly it isn't. And I am looking forward to
a better one which is actually working while hiking.

I examined the zipper to see whether there is something wrong in the zipper.
And I compared it with the other products' zipper that are very smooth.
I found that LowePro's critical flaw is in its low quality small zippers.
Other products' zippers were much larger, very strong, and solid, as well as
very smooth. The zippers in LowePro are not. They are rather too small.
Not smooth. And it looked so weak that you will never know when the zippers
would be broken.

And hopefully the one that can hold tripod also (This one doesn't take the
tripod. There are videos and pictures here and there that show the trick
with which you can attach the tripod on this backpack. But trust me. If you
hike and you use such method, it will never work. And you will regret in the
middle of the mountain that you brought the tripod in that way).

I purchased the Lowepro Fastpack 350 so that I can take both my computer and camera equipment with me when I go on airplanes. If you have a LOT of camera equipment, then this bag is for you. The camera compartment is huge and can hold a lot of stuff. However, if you are like me and only have a camera, flash, a few filters, extra batteries, and maybe an extra lens, you will find it too large and too thick and there will be lots of leftover space. Also, as a result of the thickness (about 6 inches), the camera will not fit snugly and it will shift around inside. Cameras with battery grips attached may fair better. The computer compartment, on the other hand, is a bit too thin. I tried to put in my laptop in with its sleeve on but it was too tight. The overall thickness of the bag is a problem if you need to fly on small commuter planes with small overhead compartments. Because the bag is very rigid, which is a good thing to protect the camera and laptop, it cannot be stuffed into narrow spaces. I would have preferred the camera compartment to be thinner, the computer compartment to be thicker, and the overall thickness to be thinner.

Update: I flew in a Bombardier CRJ-200 and indeed the backpack was too thick and I had to take out my laptop to be able to stuff it into the overhead bin. I also flew in an Embraer 145 and the backback just barely fit with my laptop inside.

I bought this particular backpack for several reasons. I like to have a bag/back pack that can hold both my computer and gears and my photography gears. I have looked into several models which can be really expensive. Since the main purpose of this back pack is to transport my equipment during travel (air plane), I though this would be a good choice. When I received the backpack, the first impression was it is huge!!! Yes, it is but it will fit the space on the airplane (carry on) with everything loaded. However, it may be slightly high (tall) and can be difficult to place under the seat in front of you for the small jets (regional jet). In addition, it can handle a 17" wide screen lab top easily.

The construction of the back pack is good quality and there are ample space to put the equipment. However, it is a little difficult to use this backpack to carry any letter size document without using the computer compartment. Hence, you will not be able to carry lots of document and might need to carry a portfolio on the side.

The packpack as designed will be able to be sling and open the zipper to get the camera. I tried this and it does work nicely. It is comfortable to carry with a full load all day.

Overall it is an excellent designed pack pack for computer and photography equipment transporter. It is bulky but possibly required for the type of equipment it will house. One thing that I had not tested is whether it is rain proof.

Lowepro Fastpack 350 (Black)

This is my third camera bag from Lowepro and as with the two previous, this is a very well designed product with excellent usability and build quality. This bag really meets my needs for a travel camera bag. It allows me to keep my EF 70-200 f/2.8L lens, with lens hood reversed, on my 40D and easily access it out the side opening. My only thing I would change on this bag would be that the padded storage spots for your additional lenses are a little on the small side. I have room for my EF 24-105 f/4L lens, but it won't fit with the lens hood reversed on it. I have to store the lens hood separately. Otherwise, it really meets my needs.

I ran across this Fastpack at the PMA08 Convention here in Las Vegas and wanted to purchase it right then and there but couldnt. So I waited about 2 weeks and ran across the 350 on Amazon and ordered it. It has all the functionality that I was looking for. It incorporates my small form factor 12in laptop in the back with plenty of padding and quick access to my DLSR. I have had this on my back for hours and it doesnt get uncomfortable when properly adjusted. I am very pleased with the design. I would highly recommend this to anyone who has been wondering if its worth it.

This backpack was exactly what I was looking for. I was looking for a bag that I could carry my Canon XTi, 430EX, 50mm f/1.8, and Tamron 18-200 lens. I am also able to carry my Canon HV-20 also. I have two little kids 1 and 3 and being able to carry my camera gear and a few of the required items I need to take with me anytime we are out and about for my kids fit perfectly into the top of this bag. Now I am also someday beable to get a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L lens from canon and hoping that it will fit into this bag attached. I have used this bag to take my son to the zoo and it was great being able to get to my camera fast.

Now the only reason I did not rate this as 5 stars was because my camera is smaller that the 40D so it has a lot of play in the main compartment. Which I plan to fix with a little modification. Also it would have been nice to have more velcro in the bag for moving the deviders around.

I purchased this backpack because I need to carry a digital SLR, small video camera and a lap top. The construction needed to be excellent, and to be comfortable on my back. This case meets these requirements to a tee. Unfortunately, the back pack is not practical for mobile shooting. The bottom portion of the backpack has bays to store equipment. The zipper, though, is a single device that must be zipped all the way around to open this part of the storage area. When you open this part the flap sticks up and out. As a result, it is very difficult to access the equipment to shoot. Since the bays point out (parallel to the ground) you can't simply have the backpack over your shoulder and safely access this section. I ended up buying another bag when I arrived at my location. The storage area in the top in also somewhat limited. So, if your main purpose is to use this backpack strickly as a transporting container it's a great choice, especially if you need to also bring a laptop along.