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 (Black)
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. - Photography Accessories - Laptop Backpack - Photography Equipment - Camera Bag'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
