Product Description

On streets or trails, you can shoot all day when you wear the lightweight, comfortable Fastpack 250 backpack by Lowepro. It protects a digital SLR with an 18-55mm or 17-85mm kit lens attached, plus 15.4" Widescreen notebook, and extra storage for 2-3 additional 105mm f/2.8, 18-200mm f/3.5, or 70-300mm f/4.5 lenses, flash, and other personal accessories. You won't miss a shot, because side-entry compartments let you grab equipment and accessories, even while you're on the move or without taking the backpack completely off! Customize the easy-to-access main compartment with adjustable dividers, use the outer organizer to keep larger accessories handy, and manage memory cards with a built-in pocket. Brethable, contoured shoulder straps distribute weight evenly.

Product Details

• Color: Black
• Brand: Lowepro
• Model: Fastpack 250 (Black)
• Fabric type: nylon
• Dimensions: 18.50" h x 12.80" w x 10.00" l, 3.62 pounds

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

From the Manufacturer

Manufacturer Description: You can shoot all day when you wear the lightweight, comfortable Lowepro Fastpack 250 backpack. It protects a digital SLR with an 18-55mm or 17-85mm kit lens attached plus 15.4" widescreen notebook while providing generous storage for 2-3 additional 105mm f/2.8, 18-200mm f/3.5, or 70-300mm f/4.5 lenses, flash, and other gear. You won't miss a shot, because side-entry compartments let you grab equipment and accessories, even while you're on the move. Customize the easy-to-access main compartment with adjustable dividers, use the outer organizer to keep large accessories handy, and manage memory cards with a built-in pocket. Breathable, contoured shoulder straps distribute weight evenly. Hardware Capacity: 1 digital SLR with a mid-range zoom lens attached plus 2-3 additional lenses or flash units (up to a 70-300 f/4.5, 15.4" widescreen notebook, memory cards, batteries and cables.

Fastpack 250 Highlights: 1. Security Flap Provides additional protection to outer compartments 2. Built-in Memory Card Holders Efficiently manage memory cards 3. 180-degree Side-entry Panel Provides complete access to camera compartment and lets you easily customize camera kit to suit your shooting needs 4. Adjustable Dividers Delivers excellent protection in customized fit that's easy to load 5. Triple Compartment Design Ensures superior camera protection, notebook protection and organizes personal accessories 6. Harness Pocket Provides easy access to MP3 player or mobile phone 7. Outer Accessory Pockets Provides external storage for large accessories to provide fast access 8. Mesh Side Pocket Keeps a water bottle or other personal items readily accessible 9. Tough, Water Resistant Outer Fabric Protects against moisture and abrasion 10. Side-entry Access Offers fast and easy access to camera and gear so you can capture that perfect shot in a moment

Additional Features & Benefits: Compact design protects camera with large lens plus notebook computer while providing generous storage for accessories Lightweight material makes this bag perfect for daytrips Padded main compartment with full 180-degree access and adjustable dividers delivers excellent protection and a customized fit Padded, contoured shoulder straps with DryFlow fabric provide breathable comfort Outer organizer pocket enables fast access to large accessories Built-in pockets efficiently manage digital accessories Reversed zipper with silent pulls resists sand and dirt Durable, water-resistant outer fabric helps protect against the elements Security flap provides additional protection to outer compartments Harness incorporates a pocket for an MP3 player or mobile phone Mesh side pocket keeps a water bottle readily available SlipLock loop expand carrying capability by enabling attachment of any SlipLock-compatible product Air mesh padded back provides enhanced comfort, moisture wicking and ergonomic support

Customer Reviews

Almost just right...

Almost just right..., April 10, 2008
By Brett Despain (Draper, UT USA) - See all my reviews

Still looking for the perfect bag...this one comes very close. I own a Lowepro Compurover AW and a Tamrac Adventure 9 bag. The Compurover is too heavy and you have to crack it open like an egg to get to the Camera compartment. The Tamrac is the perfect size, but you have to take the bag off and lay it on the ground or your lap to open the camera compartment, otherwise you risk spilling out all of your gear! Not good.

This Fastpack 250 intrigued me because the side access pocket allows access to your camera quickly without taking the backpack off. Guess what? it works. You really can get your camera out quickly while still wearing the bag.

I bought this as strictly a travel bag. I'm a pilot so I needed a medium sized bag that I could fit in the cockpit while carrying my 40D and 3 L lenses. I also need the top compartment of the bag to carry a few snacks, water and other supplies.

Okay here's the breakdown.

Pros:
1. Slim design, fits in cockpit and on top of my roller suitcase with ease. Also fits very nicely in the space underneath your seat in an airliner.
2. Side camera access in a serious advantage. I considered the sling packs, but I like the comfort and security of having a full backpack. The sling packs are uncomfortable after a while and hard to position to get your camera out without twisting up your clothes or coat.
3. It's lightweight and comfortable to wear. Significantly lighter than my other two bags.
4. Not as pricey as my two other backpacks. I paid less than $90.
5. Side pocket fits a good sized Nalgene water bottle.
6. Medium size and all black color doesn't shout "Camera Bag!" while wearing it.

Cons:
1. No all weather cover flap. A major oversight if you ask me. I took the one off of my Tamrac to use with the Fastpack.
2. No chest strap. I think it needs one.
3. It's almost a little small. I wouldn't go any smaller than this bag because you'll be leaving something home that you'll want later.
4. It needs a side or bottom strap that you can attach a monopod to. I'm thinking of having one sewn on. For now I've attached a carabiner to the top handle and strap on my monopod there.
5. Outside pockets are really worthless. They are sewn in flat and don't have room to expand. You can get a few filters and a flash card wallet in them but that's about it.

Like I said it's not perfect, but I'm giving it four out of five mainly because I like the overall size and design of the bag as well as the convenience of the side access camera pocket.

Personal Item Size/ Safe and Convenient...ROCKS!!!
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
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.