|
Lowepro Fastpack 250 (Black) | 
| Brand: Lowepro Category: Photography Department: unisex-adult
List Price: $119.99 Buy New: $89.49 as of 9/3/2010 14:24 CDT details You Save: $30.50 (25%)
New (18) from $89.49
Seller: howfarcanuc Rating: 131 reviews
Fabric Type: nylon Color: Black Media: Electronics Autographed: No Memorabilia: No Batteries Included: No Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.6 Dimensions (in): 10 x 12.8 x 18.5
MPN: Fastpack 250 (Black) Model: Fastpack 250 (Black) UPC: 056035351945 EAN: 0056035351945 ASIN: B000YIYQ30
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Tell A Friend Add to Wishlist Add to Wedding Registry
| |
| Features:
| • | Side Entry Compartment provides easy access to D-SLR equipment and accessories, even when pack is being worn | | • | Triple Compartment Design ensures superior camera protection, notebook protection (fits up to a 15.4" Widescreen) | | • | 180-Degree access panel with adjustable dividers provides excellent protection in a customized fit that's easy to load. | | • | Outer accessory pockets provide external storage for other accessories with fast access | | • | Tough, water-resistant outer fabric protects against moisture and abrasion |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description Go all day with the lightweight, comfortable Fastpack 250 backpack. It protects your digital SLR and 15.4 widescreen notebook compactly while providing generous storage for your other gear. Side-entry compartments let you quickly grab equipment and accessories, even while you're on the move. Customize the easy-to-access main compartment with adjustable dividers. Capacity for 1 digital SLR with a
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 131
Personal Item Size/ Safe and Convenient...ROCKS!!! May 4, 2008 TC (Texas) 59 out of 60 found this review helpful
Lowepro quality and organization evident. This bag will NOT do or haul EVERYTHING but meets my needs for now. I have several digital camera bags(my wife might read this so i'll leave it at that) and i needed a bag to carry a "loaded" Canon 70-200 2.8 L IS on my 30D body. The bag does this well with the hood still backwards but the remaining lenses can't have on hoods in the lower compartment. This bag flew with me as my "personal item" and my carry on suitcase to Phoenix for a Grand Canyon (yes, i went down into the Canyon with it minus my Macbook), Joshua Tree NP, and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
In the bag: Macbook 13", 30D, Canon 70-200 2.8 L IS, Canon 100mm Macro, Canon 24-105mm L IS, Hoods for these 3 lenses, Domke Protective Wrap, Canon 1.4 extender, extra caps, extra flash cards, camera manual, extra eye cup, lumquest soft screen, cleaning cloths and lens pen, Op/Tech Rainsleeve, case with circular polarizing filter, battery charger, spare battery, 4G flash drive, Dazzle USB to download cards, Petzl Tikka XP headlamp, sunglasses, hat, bandana, nylon shell vest, 2 bottles of water, snacks and gum. I attached my parka shell below the back safety panel.
I kept everything together and carried it all with me into the field and room and car. When I removed the long lens i placed it in the upper pouch and could work quickly removing the camera body and smaller lenses together especially when hiking for a while. I did fall over once while leaning over from a kneeling position shooting macro because i never used the hip strap and the pack shifted. The pack was very stable in the field and in the airport and plane.
Next trip i'm putting the XT body with macro lens in the upper pouch and only trade the wide angle and long zoom on the 30D.
Oh, my wife said the blue bag matched my windblock jacket and was pretty! This bag does not look like a camera bag so extra safety.
FINAL WORDS-can carry like a sling bag(i have one) or backpack with/without computer as good daybag without bringing it "all" with you. durable & tough- i'd put it backwards on a rock or dirt often & it's not even marred. cleaned up well from debris after going through tight places. maybe this will help you to choose the right bag for youself the first time, but you'll wind up with another as your gear changes.
Hope you enjoy the quality, comfort, reasonable price and the real reason you need this bag...to take YOUR images and EXPRESS yourself......SHOOT!
vs the slingshot 200 May 29, 2008 Christopher Lee (La, Jolla, CA USA) 46 out of 47 found this review helpful
I was considering the Lowepro slingshot 200 and the Fastpack 250, and boy am I glad I went with the fastpack. Here's a quick side by side comparison:
1. Camera storage compartment: pretty much identical between the two models.
2. Ease of Access: Much easier and more comfortable for the fastpack; just let go of the right strap and swing the bag around. The slingshot swings around and ends up on your chest, pretty awkward feeling/looking; the fastpack ends up near your left waist, allowing you to suavely draw your slr.
3. Size: the fastpack is bulkier than the slingshot, though not by much.
4. Price: the same for both models.
Other random fastpack 250 notes:
1. Laptop storage compartment: the zipper opens along the side, not around the whole backpack.
2. Cellphone pocket: my samsung t-629 fits very snugly.
3. I use this bag for school, storing a slim folder in the laptop pocket, and a couple of 8x6 books in the top compartment.
Mark Rudd's MyMac.com Review August 27, 2009 Tim E Robertson (Battle Creek, Mi United States) 22 out of 24 found this review helpful
A GEEK'S DILEMMA
In addition to my love affair with all things Apple (sans those moments of invasive encroachment upon my electronic liberty), I am a lover of photography and photography related technologies. Like many photo-Geeks, I love to carry along my MacBook and a DSLR when leaving the house. Considering the size of most DSLRs, finding a backpack that would allow one to securely and comfortably carry both pieces of tech has never been an easy task. If you could find a backpack that could meet the above mentioned requirements, it generally was large, bulky, and non-pleasing aesthetically (let's just say it, UGLY).
As a leader in this space, Lowepro has been producing a wide selection of protective carrying solutions for photographic and electronic devices since 1967. Prior to my evaluation of the product reviewed in this article, my experience with Lowepro was limited to word of mouth and the occasional scanning of an online review. I was excited to finally get my tech stained hands on one of these vaunted products from Lowepro. As I awaited the delivery of the Fastpack 250, I felt a sense of excitement. Would this be a great solution to the problem facing so many Geeks, or would it be another in the long line of also-rans relegated to the pile of bags and backpacks that just didn't fit the bill?
DESIGN
Once the Fastpack 250 arrived, I removed it from the shipping container and found a bag that was well constructed and stout.
The front offers a huge main compartment to store just about anything you need on your trip (more on this compartment later). Additionally, there is a smaller quick-access compartment in front of the main compartment for those little things you need to access quickly. In the lower section of the front, a buckle-secured flap doubles as a cover for the zipper clad storage compartment underneath and a camera compartment opening guard (more on this later).
The business end of the Fastpack is the left side (when worn on the back) of the backpack. This is where all the magic happens, so to speak. Moving from the back to the front, The first compartment is secured by a zipper that runs the vertical length of the bag. This is designed to securely carry a widescreen notebook computer with a screen size measuring up to 15.4" in length. I really liked the ease with which the side opening allowed me to insert and remove my notebook. IMO, this is much easier than the normal top load backpack.
Moving forward from the computer compartment, what I consider to be the greatest selling point of this backpack, is the side access camera compartment. The intelligent design of this compartment really sets the Lowepro products which utilize this feature, apart. The previously mentioned front flap provides a guard against opening the side access too far and dumping your expensive camera equipment onto the not so friendly ground below. The side access opening was designed to allow you to easily slip the backpack off the right shoulder so that the backpack may then slide under your left shoulder. With the backpack still anchored by the left shoulder strap, you may easily access your camera for that quick picture opportunity. You can then easily secure your camera back within the backpack, slide it back over both shoulders, and done.
The right side of the backpack provides a mesh pocket with a drawstring. This is handy for a water bottle or something that requires immediate access. The drawstring is a nice addition to provide the greatest flexibly possible.
The back of the Fastpack 250 is designed to properly distribute the weight associated with carrying around a notebook computer, DSLR camera, and all the associated connectors, adapters, and cables. In addition to the two appropriately padded and very comfortable shoulder straps, Lowepro has added a secondary support system to the Fastpack 250 through a padded adjustable waist-belt (more on this later).
While I am a fan of simplicity in design, I am also attracted to beautiful, sexy, and svelte industrial designs. I guess that is why I have been a fan of most of the products which have been mercilessly thrust upon me and my severely depleted bank account by that captain of Cupertino and his merry band of minstrels. As such, I would like to see Lowepro trim a few inches from the overall size of the Fastpack. Indeed, it would take some rethinking in-order to continue to allow someone like myself to carry a full-frame DSLR and a ubiquitous notebook, in a design that was as thin and sexy as physically possible. Don't get me wrong, I love this bag. However, I could love it even more if it were a little less.
FEATURES
Lowepro has taken a very straight forward and simple design perspective for the Fastpack 250. There are not a lot of gadgets and gismos here. Just a well constructed backpack with three major sections (computer, camera, and storage). It is refreshing to find a product that is simplified around and focused upon doing a really great job on the basics of what a backpack in this space should be. Just what you need, nothing more, nothing less. Jump to the product page for the specs.
USABILITY
The Fastpack 250 arrived just in time (thanks Vanessa) for me to take it on a vacation/photowalk I had planned with my family. I knew this would give me a chance to really put the Fastpack to the test. The night before we left on the trip, I laid out most everything (sans clothing items) I would be packing in the Fastpack 250 during my photowalks.
As you can see, the Fastpack 250 can handle pretty much whatever you throw at it. While the spacious main storage compartment can indeed handle both large and small items, I found it hard to find particular items because everything must be placed into one big compartment. My work around was to combine similar items into ziplock bags and then place all the bags into the compartment. This compartment would be much more usable if it was divided into different sections through one or more dividers that could be arranged as needed similar to the camera compartment.
With the Fastpack 250 loaded with my MacBook Air, Canon 5D2, adapters, cables, water etc., I was off for a day of fun under the sun. While the weight of the pack was substantial, I was able to dramatically lessen the stress on my upper body and shoulders by buckling and adjusting the waist-belt. I could hardly believe the difference once the belt was employed. It was like night and day. Once I arrived back home from my trip, I left everything but the MacBook Air in the Fastpack and added a White MacBook and then changed that out for a 15" MacBook Pro. While the weight change for each notebook was noticeable, the waist-belt evenly distributed the weight and allowed the added weight to be carried comfortably. Great Job Lowepro!
As I stated above, the greatest feature of this backpack, IMO, is the side access camera compartment. With the Fastpack fully loaded, I was able to remove the right shoulder strap, slide the entire pack under my left shoulder, easily remove my camera and, "get the shot." Restoring my camera into the Fastpack was just as easy as removing my precious (sorry for the Rings reference). At no time did I worry about the security of my highly sensitive and expensive electronics. I think this is the best endorsement I could give any bag or backpack.
MAKING A GREAT PRODUCT EVEN BETTER
As noted above, there are a few areas which could be improved to make this great product even better. Adding configurable dividers to the main storage compartment would allow a better utilization of this large compartment. Because the Fastpack 250 will generally carry substantial weight, adding a pad to the top handle would allow the pack to be lifted without any discomfort to the hand. Finally, a little redesign on the next version to reduce the overall size and footprint while maintaining the basic storage capabilities would widen the appeal of this product to a larger customer base.
MyMac.com Rating:
I am very impressed with the Lowepro Fastpack 250. It is a simple design that securely protects your computer and camera while providing easy access to your gear. Even with the minor recommended improvements, this is a strong product that should be a serious contender for anyone in the market for a backpack within this category. I am awarding the Lowepro Fastpack 250 an outstanding rating of 4.5 out of 5 in our MyMac.com Rating System.
Original Review - http://mymac.com/showarticle.php?id=3725
Great Day Pack May 8, 2008 M. Andersen (NM, USA) 13 out of 13 found this review helpful
I am extremely pleased with this camera bag. At first I thought it might be a little too big for my needs. I wanted a day pack that I could get my Nikon D200 with 18-200mm lens attached plus carry my 70-300mm and lensbaby but not be a huge backback. It ends up this pack was the perfect size.
Pros
- camera on the bottom of the pack for weight distribution
- side opening for easy access to camera. Can slip the camera in and out without opening up the whole pack
- pockets in the front for accessories like extra batteries and flash cards
- zipper side for lap top is next to your back (I use this compartment to stick my wallet in and push it to the far side so it is more secure)
- zippered compartment that will take a light weight jacket along with pockets for cell phone, pens, and keys
- another compartment which I can put some snacks in
- a side mesh pocket for a water bottle
Cons
- as others have mentioned on Lowepro packs, no attachment for carrying a tripod
- would like a few more velcro compartments on the flip side where the other velcro pockets are
- would like a little more depth on mesh pocket for the water bottle
- wish it came with a rain cover
I also like the fact that when you take it off and set it down it stays upright. I wore it all day (of course the camera was around my neck which made the pack pretty light) and it was very comfortable. Excellent construction and excellent price for what you get.
great camera backpack! June 16, 2008 awsg (California) 15 out of 16 found this review helpful
I have been searching for a camera bag with light backpacking feature for a long time and finally settled on this one. The first impression is that the bag looks bigger than expected. But then once everything is put into the bag, you realize that the bag is the smallest size to fit all the stuff.
The top compartment for backpacking and the bottom compartment for camera equipment are nicely separated with padding. The laptop compartment has very thick padding (an inch of padding with both sides combined) This might have added some weight to the bag and for someone does not need the laptop capability, the Fastpack 200 would be a choice with lighter weight. The top compartment does not have the necessary padding for camera equipment as it is designed for personal items.
Many people are wondering (including myself) whether the bag will fit a 70-200 2.8 when making the purchase decision. The answer is Yes. I have a 30D with 16-35, 24-105 and 70-200 2.8 IS. There are two possible configurations.
First is to mount the 70-200 on the camera with hood reversed. But removing the divider in the center space, it's a nice fit. The other two lens are put into the bottom 2 spaces. Both lens hood can be put into the outside pocket of the top compartment. With the 70-200 in the middle, the top spaces are too narrow for any lens. Even a 50/1.4 is a very tight fit. But it can snugly fit a flash and a 1.4X teleconverter.
The 2nd choice is to mount a different lens on the camera, say 24-105, and store the 70-200 on the bottom space with the divider in the bottom space removed. The 70-200 in the bottom space is a tight fit but it does fit, although the end divider is slightly bulged by the lens cap. In either configuration, the top space is only designed for flash and teleconverter like, maybe a small lens like 50/1.4, but definitely not for any lens bigger. The camera with one the 24-105 mounted and hood reversed will fit in the center space, although it must be reversed (upside down) since the bulging lens cap from the 70-200 is too close. The 16-35 will then fits in the center space with the divider put back on. The hood for 16-35 is too large to fit and can be easily stored in the outside pocket of the top compartment.
There are plenty of small pouches for memory cards, battery, and filters on the pouch outside the compartment. The water bottle mesh pocket strap is nice. Once the bag is put on the shoulder, it feels well balanced. The shoulder strap is nicely padded, wide and comfortable. The waist strap helps balance the bag and distribute some weight off the shoulder. With one shoulder strap released, you can swing the bag to the front for quick camera access.
The bag is not All Weather and it does not have a place for tripod or monopod. That's not a downside since the one with these features would be much higher priced and for all different needs. My only complaint is that the cell phone pouch on the shoulder strap is too small for smart phones like Treo. If only it is designed to be 1/4 of inch larger!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 131
|
|
|
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. ©2006 digital-camera-plus | |