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Just bought a Lowepro Fastpack 250 today so I thought I would give it a review here, since other camera bag reviews I read on other forums helped me a lot in deciding which bag to use. Manufacture reviews often give lots of information about what the bag is like but nothing really about what it's like to live with day-to-day, that is what I aim to do in this review.
First of all, the bag itself is a nice size - not too big and not too small. Here is a picture with a Rightguard aerosol can for size comparison.
http://i43.tinypic.com/2vsffxu.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/167wksi.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/e1dfea.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/33lcnwg.jpg
The depth of the bag is not as much as I was expecting, so I find it to be quite slim on my back. The front of the bag has a flap design that doubles up as both a safety and security feature. First of all, if you put the zips for the camera bottom department all the way to the right of it someone will not be able to open your bag unless they undo the clasps on the bag and then slide the zip all the way around. So basically, someone tries to open your bag from the rear you will know about it. I was impressed with this feature as it suggests to me that the bag has been well thought out and designed, especially considering the labelling of the bag and the blurb makes no hints at security features on the Fastpack. The second function the clasps have is to stop the bottom zip from opening all the way around and having your camera gear spilling out. This means you can flip the bag around while still standing and easily access your camera without worrying about all your lenses and accessories spilling out. This is aided by a hinge in the lid of the compartment which makes it easy to fold back so you can get your camera out easily. Top notch. Underneath the flap is a small pouch which I use to store my manual for my Nikon D40.
http://i42.tinypic.com/1zcflgn.jpg
To be honest, you'd struggle to get much more in here than a small user manual or some cleaning cloths etc.
Here is a photo of the compartment with all my camera gear in it.
http://i39.tinypic.com/x6g0mh.jpg
It's actually too big for what I currently have but it does provide lots of space and will be a bag that can accomodate any future purchases.
Here is a photo of the side zip.
http://i42.tinypic.com/29m0xa1.jpg
The pocket in here runs the entire length and width of the bag, so it's perfect for carrying a relatively slim laptop 15" as Lowepro claims. You could probably get a thicker laptop in here but the deep ones may bulge out a bit at the back. I currently don't have a laptop so I may use it to store extra clothes or a jacket etc.
Here is the front pocket at the top compartment which stores the cable for my battery charger.
http://i39.tinypic.com/25ahj5t.jpg
It's quite roomy in there so could store small bulky items like cables and charger adapters etc, although overly bulky items may bulge out a bit.
Here is a photo of the top compartment, with the front of it pulled back so you can get a better idea of the space in there.
http://i42.tinypic.com/ej9z76.jpg
There is quite a lot of room in there, more than I thought I would be. You could get a hardback book in there or even a pack lunch.
To wear the bag is very comfortable, with soft straps and a nice belt strap. I couldn't see this indicated in the Lowepro website so I was very happy to get the stap! Fully loaded this bag for me weighs maybe 4-5KG so I question the need for the strap, but it's definitely better off there than not!
I haven't actually been anywhere yet with it so I cannot comment on what it's like in the field, but when I do I will be sure to edit this review. I hope you enjoyed reading this review and the pictures provided. Sorry for the quality of some - was using an old Canon Powershot A610.
Please do not hesitate to ask for more pictures of anything in particular - I would be happy to provide them.
tl;dr
It's a nice bag. Buy!
First of all, the bag itself is a nice size - not too big and not too small. Here is a picture with a Rightguard aerosol can for size comparison.
http://i43.tinypic.com/2vsffxu.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/167wksi.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/e1dfea.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/33lcnwg.jpg
The depth of the bag is not as much as I was expecting, so I find it to be quite slim on my back. The front of the bag has a flap design that doubles up as both a safety and security feature. First of all, if you put the zips for the camera bottom department all the way to the right of it someone will not be able to open your bag unless they undo the clasps on the bag and then slide the zip all the way around. So basically, someone tries to open your bag from the rear you will know about it. I was impressed with this feature as it suggests to me that the bag has been well thought out and designed, especially considering the labelling of the bag and the blurb makes no hints at security features on the Fastpack. The second function the clasps have is to stop the bottom zip from opening all the way around and having your camera gear spilling out. This means you can flip the bag around while still standing and easily access your camera without worrying about all your lenses and accessories spilling out. This is aided by a hinge in the lid of the compartment which makes it easy to fold back so you can get your camera out easily. Top notch. Underneath the flap is a small pouch which I use to store my manual for my Nikon D40.
http://i42.tinypic.com/1zcflgn.jpg
To be honest, you'd struggle to get much more in here than a small user manual or some cleaning cloths etc.
Here is a photo of the compartment with all my camera gear in it.
http://i39.tinypic.com/x6g0mh.jpg
It's actually too big for what I currently have but it does provide lots of space and will be a bag that can accomodate any future purchases.
Here is a photo of the side zip.
http://i42.tinypic.com/29m0xa1.jpg
The pocket in here runs the entire length and width of the bag, so it's perfect for carrying a relatively slim laptop 15" as Lowepro claims. You could probably get a thicker laptop in here but the deep ones may bulge out a bit at the back. I currently don't have a laptop so I may use it to store extra clothes or a jacket etc.
Here is the front pocket at the top compartment which stores the cable for my battery charger.
http://i39.tinypic.com/25ahj5t.jpg
It's quite roomy in there so could store small bulky items like cables and charger adapters etc, although overly bulky items may bulge out a bit.
Here is a photo of the top compartment, with the front of it pulled back so you can get a better idea of the space in there.
http://i42.tinypic.com/ej9z76.jpg
There is quite a lot of room in there, more than I thought I would be. You could get a hardback book in there or even a pack lunch.
To wear the bag is very comfortable, with soft straps and a nice belt strap. I couldn't see this indicated in the Lowepro website so I was very happy to get the stap! Fully loaded this bag for me weighs maybe 4-5KG so I question the need for the strap, but it's definitely better off there than not!
I haven't actually been anywhere yet with it so I cannot comment on what it's like in the field, but when I do I will be sure to edit this review. I hope you enjoyed reading this review and the pictures provided. Sorry for the quality of some - was using an old Canon Powershot A610.
Please do not hesitate to ask for more pictures of anything in particular - I would be happy to provide them.
tl;dr
It's a nice bag. Buy!
