Product Description

On streets or trails, you can shoot all day when you wear the lightweight, comfortable Fastpack 350 backpack by Lowepro. It protects a digital SLR with grip and a 24-70mm f/ 2.8 or 70-200mm f/2.8 lens attached, plus 17" Widescreen notebook. Generous storage for additional lenses such as 18-200mm, 100, 400 VR, or 70-300mm f/4, 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: Arctic Blue
• Brand: Lowepro
• Model: Fastpack 350 (Arctic Blue)
• Dimensions: 19.90" h x 12.80" w x 11.00" l, 4.10 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 17" Widescreen), and organizes personal accessories
• 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, including a harness pocket for an MP3 player or Mobile Phone
• Tough, water-resistant outer fabric protects against moisture and abrasion

From the Manufacturer

Manufacturer Description: Go all day with the lightweight, comfortable Fastpack 350 backpack. It protects your pro digital SLR and 17" widescreen notebook compactly while providing generous storage for other gear. Side-entry compartments let you quickly grab equipment and accessories, even while you're on the move. 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 pro digital SLR with lens attached (up to 70-200mm f/2.8), 2-3 additional lenses or flash units, 17" widescreen notebook, memory cards, batteries and cables.

Fastpack 350 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 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 Air mesh padded back provides enhanced comfort, moisture wicking and ergonomic support

Customer Reviews

Virtually a perfect fit
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!

More for users who need space for items in addition to a camera & laptop
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.

The Big Bag
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.