Lowepro Fastpack 250 Usage Review - Size, Durability, Comfort - post trip

[KcKPhotography]

Hey, thanks for showing us the bag! I am planing on getting this soon. I have seen the plastic bag that you had in this bag and the waterproof thingy you had in the laptop compartment. Does that indicate that this bag isn't waterproof?

[Malvadojedi]

Fantastic review, thanks a lot, I'm looking at the 200 which is practically the same, except for the laptop compartment!

[maxdesu]

amazing review. really really amazing!

[leywick]

wonderful review, many thanks

[Rides2007Harley]

Very nice review! I bought this bag about a week ago and it is everything I was looking for.

[devo43000]

great review, hey where did you get that waterproof bag shown at the end of your video ??

[arhtyout]

Hey, excellent review.. Will be picking one of these up soon as my current bag is getting a bit small!

I like the idea of the pelican case to store the portable hard drive - I carry one of these around all the time and I'm always worried it'll get damaged. Which size Pelican Case is the one you have in the video?

[DryasAnne]

Thank you for a fantastic review, I just ordered one... The review is complete, it gave me all the answers I needed, a perfect video in all respects!!

I should like to know, is it possible to add a sternum strap? With fully loaded bag, that might get some better weight balance...

[mvksagar]

Thanks for the great review...i am buying it today..but can you tell me where can i find that bungee ? and where can i get it ? thanks

[aparker1981]

@mvksagar You can probably find a hook bungee like that at Wal-Mart or Target easily enough.

[DonWito84]

thanks for super-helpful review!!!!! you covered everything that I would ask for in the shop. Great job! Now I know that I need fastpack 350 not 250 :)

[lgx22]

Lolz why dont you just buy the bag with those facilities...

[kokyaw]

very nice review. I just got mine. I have a question.

What is the length of your bungee cable you used for tripod? I'd like to do the same.

[aparker1981]

@kokyaw length was probably 2 feet.

[dukoduli]

@aparker1981

FANTASTIC REVIEW PARKER, JUST ONE THING YOU ALMOST MENTIONED :)

DOES IT FIT FULLY LOADED LIKE THAT IN THE AIRPLANE CABIN?.

THANKS

[aparker1981]

@dukoduli The bag does go onboard a plane just fine. It fits great in the overhead. Beneath the seat works but you won't have any room for your legs. Also, with the tripod it probably will be tough beneath the seat. I almost always place the tripod in with my checked luggage.

[Cas32dobbelt0]

Very thoroughly review. Thank you for your time.

[jimmy1911]

Would a Canon 75-300 fit where you had your crush/water proof case?

[aparker1981]

@jimmy1911 i think it would be to tight a space to fit a lens in.

[jimmy1911]

@aparker1981 Thank you for answering. Im asking because I saw other people have lenses there. I ordered one and will try it out :)

[jimmy1911]

@aparker1981 I received a Fastpack 200 today and a 75-300 fits in there. Guess a 250 wouldnt have less space.

[macFeelx]

what would you recommend the "Lowepro Fastpack 250" or the "KATA DR 467i" or also an option but currently on position 3 the "KATA 3N1-11"

for my Nikon D50, with 2 objektives, an ipad2, some cabels, some batt, some cleaning stuff, and other little things ??

thanks for the great videos

[OMGwtfBS]

thanks. this is great

[NoShadowOfDoubt]

looking at the area where the camera+lens would rest with plastic mounted lenses, I think the pressure of the top compartment and other things may break it with time. since it looks like it applies unequal pressure on the side of the camera..so I think the Caselogic slr 206 is more appropriate for protecting the most valuable thing in this backpack...off course nothing tops the Pelican case... but mobility is in question.

[jeffrelee]

No OCD in your life look at those bookcases....... I have the Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW, great for carrying my equipment but a bit to bulky to use when trying to shoot. Im looking for a good shoulder bag now to hold lenses while shooting.

[soleduality]

Is there a weather-resistant cover for the that comes up from the bottom on other Lowepro bags?



[aparker1981]

@soleduality this bag doesn't have a cover

[YouBeYouReality]

Thank you sir.... you sold me! Very helpful review as I was searching for Lowepro gear.

[BuddyTVTest]

Great review. It has me sold on the bag. Only thing I am wondering about are the waist straps. Do they "tuck away" at all if you do not need them? If not do they get in the way when not being used?

[aparker1981]

@BuddyTVTest THe straps do not tuck away, but I just keep the strap pulled tight and clip it together. I have not had it get in the way.

[Baiglmeijer]

@BuddyTVTest I mostly use the waist straps, but when I don't I hardly notice them at all. @aparker1981 Thanks for the review, which I found searching for a way to carry a tripod with this bag. The bungy is a cheap and cheerful solution, thanks!

[91JDMZ32]

Great reviews! Nice trio of Harry Potter books in the background lol

[91JDMZ32]

P.S. Glad I'm not the only one who carries trash bags everywhere!

[sagittariansrock]

Thanks a lot for your very helpful and prompt response. I really appreciate it as well as the video, and I am sure others agree with me

[sagittariansrock]

Thanks for this fantastic video. Seems like you had also used and reviewed the Kata DR-465 backpack. Can you tell me which one you would recommend between that and this one, since I think I have narrowed my options down to the two? I should also mention that I have a 50D without grip, a 70-300mm, a 17-85mm, and a 50mm lens, and no flash at this point, and would like to keep all of my camera gear in the bottom compartment.

Thanks in advance for your response :)

[aparker1981]

@sagittariansrock I would recommend the lowepro for sure. As for the gear storage. Having 3 lenses in the lower compartment is tough. If you are willing to store the gear without any lens on the body, then both will work, especially the kata. if you leave a lens on then you may be able to put the 70-300 in the top 1/2 of the lower part of the bag by making it wider and having the 50mm and 17-85 in the middle. I would try taking the gear to a store with the bag and seeing for sure if it will fit.

[st3vieuk]

@sagittariansrock Hey dude .. I have the Kata DR467i I hold daily in my kit 1x 15" Macbook Pro 2.8ghz 1x Canon 7D 2x Canon LP-E6 Batteries 1x Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 1x Canon 50mm f/1.4 1x Canon 85mm f/1.8 1x Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 1x Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 1x Manfrotto Modo 785b lightweight tripod (this is why I don't use a battery grip) 1x Ricox GX100 1x Canon EX430II with 4 extra batteries 1x Kata raincover 1x Kata Cable management pouch Still comfy as the Kata as better straps and more loops

[Tomaz96]

Because I don't use a laptop that much but have a 70-200 2.8 would it be more efficient to but the 200 or 250? Really in-depth and informative video. Good Job! :]

[Spaeckli]

does it fit a 70-200 2.8?

[aparker1981]

@Spaeckli will fit the 70-200 2.8 on a body if you adjust the lower area and remove the divider I have in place to keep the 50mm 1.8. it can also fit in the upper compartment w/o body.

[SuperFusioX]

Hi. Thanks for the quick reply. I really appreciate it. I know this is a bit too much of a request but can you please give me the exact names of the items? I tried typing in "transparent case" in Amazon and obviously it came up with crap.

[aparker1981]

@SuperFusioX

Transparend plastic case = Pelican 1040 or 1050 Micro-Case

Waterproof bag = search for 'Dry Bag', best to go to a store and try it out to see that it holds all that you want it to.

For the bungee you can try "smart bungee system"

All that should lead you to products that match or are similar to what I have in my bag.

[SuperFusioX]

Hi, Can you please tell me where to buy the "Bungee" rope, the transparent case at 5:23 and the waterproof case at 7:35 that you were talking about in the review?

They look awesome and seemed like a "must" addition to my bag. :)

Great Review by the way. You cant imagine how helpful that review is. Clear concise, good narrating and a very likeable face. Thanks a million!

[aparker1981]

@SuperFusioX I picked up the Bungee rope at Target. They had a cheap bungee set. Home Depot and Walmart should also have cheap sets. Check the camping / automobile sections.

The pelican case at 5:23 can be bought at Fry's or possibly Best Buy. The waterproof bag I got at REI, it is a bag used for Kayakers to keep their gear dry in.

Hope that helps some. Amazon should have all those products as well.

[zrsgamboa]

Wow! You sure know how to pack. =)

[an28drewoz]

Thanks for the great review - just curious as whether you were able to carry this on to planes, 31 pounds is about 14kg I think which is almost double the allowance?? I guess put not delicate items in the check in luggage to trim the wieght down?

[aparker1981]

@an28drewoz I don't recall ever having the carry on weighed. Even so, I typically had the tripod in my checked bag and had no water in the water bottle, so it brought it down to under 10kg.

[kelfk]

It's missing a sternum strap for me... my back is hurting after carrying around the Fastpack 250 after a short trip. I hope there's some kind of add on I can get....

[du2xmedia]

wow one of the best reviews i've seen. thanks!

[Kmendoza7]

whats the size and model of that pelican case and how much did it cost

thanks in advance =]

[fantim]

Do you think there's anyway I could fit a 16" laptop in there? Great review btw

[aparker1981]

@fantim depends on the dimensions of the laptop. The laptop compartment measures 11.5" wide x 17" tall when stretched and between 1.5" and 2" deep.

HOWEVER! the zipper arrangement means you have to kinda pivot the laptop in there and I think a maximum usable height on the bag is 15.5".

So if your laptop is under all those dimensions you should be set. For example, the Toshiba Satellite 16" laptop has dimensions that I think would indeed fit in this bag.

[fantim]

@aparker1981 Awesome! Thank you so much. You actually specifically mentioned my laptop. I ordered it from amazon so hopefully it'll work, if not they have a good return policy :)

[KarmagraphyBM]

can a canon 7d,with a battery grip fit in that bag?

[aparker1981]

@KarmagraphyBM yes a 7d with grip will fit in here just fine

[petervagt]

Awsome Gear Bag i'm a Newbie in the Camera field i got the Lowepro Mini trekker where i carry my Sony Alpha 230 with a 18 x 55 mm and a 55 x 200 mm Lince and all the cabel for it i'm a good advise for me as a newbie what would that be as far as making good pictures

[birdskwak]

do you think I can fit the 70-200mm IS II USM with a 7D body in this pack?

[aparker1981]

@birdskwak it should fit, I can put a 5D with a 70-200 f/4 in there with an inch or so to spare.

[birdskwak]

@aparker1981 it might be tight then.......70-200 2.8 MK II is about an inch taller than your f4........thanks though......great review by the way

[aparker1981]

@birdskwak yes it would be tight. I measured it out and the lower compartment can be maxed out to around 12" in width.

The 70-200ii is 7.8" long. The 7D is 2.9" deep. making it 10.7"...let's say 11" with filters, etc.

That should give you 1" of room.

[aparker1981]

@syedahmedrazaabidi the way I see it, only camera portion of the lower half is accessible with the pack on. To get to other things would open the pack up quite wide. I put the lens and flash in the top because I could swing the bag around and get them out of the top without as much risk of other gear falling. I also like having something like the pelican case on the bottom since it is the most durable thing in my pack.

A preference thing only, the bag could work either way for sure.

[MyMusicToday1]

do you think that this could hold a laptop aswell.

[ShakyUK]

Nice, I was considering this bag amongst others, I really like the side access of this bag but didn't like how there was no tripod carrier, your solution was good. Lowpro need to give you commission as this video sold it for me, I want the bag to hold similar items to what you had in the top box of my motorcycle for when I'm riding around Europe, then I can just pull it out when I stop.

Did the rain cover work well?

[LokoTripper]

Dude I have a Nikon D90 you think this bag can hold my D90 with the 70-200mm attached ?? plus another 3 lenses and a flash ??

[aparker1981]

@LokoTripper well, it depends on what other 3 lenses, but if you use the upper compartment and lower compartment it should be fine. Two lenses and a flash up top, body + 70-200 on the bottom and you can re-arrange the lower compartment to hold the last lens. If you've got 3 more 70-200s then good luck.

[deklaola]

Nice!!!! and very well done video review!! Aparker1918. I give it 10+++. It's really help me what camera bag to buy. Again great video and very clear and detail it out about the bag!!. Thank you!!! and keep it up:)

[siaoguai]

Thank you for such a thorough review. We need more these kind of video reviews.

[Deanread]

fantastic review, i went over to amazon and ordered the bag after watching your video. thanks for posting this !!

[thienhadebetanhhung]

It's a wonderful review. I'm going to pick one of these bags instead of the the Slingshot 200 which I find nice as well. Cheers.

[VVVWRAP]

Thank you very much for perfect review.

What is the model of your tripod? It ideally fits the back pack.

[aparker1981]

@VVVWRAP it is the Velbon El Carmagne 530 carbon fiber tripod. Pretty compact and light but very functional and sturdy.

[VVVWRAP]

@aparker1981

Thanks again. I've ordered FastPack 250 in my local shop in Russia.

[VVVWRAP]

@aparker1981

Thanks again. I've ordered FastPack 250 in my local store in Russia.

[Olphus]

...but "accidentally" knocking stuff/people with the backpack is part of the fun...

[retnoh]

Great Video, Just bought the bag based on your review. I was looking at getting the Lowepro 202 AW, but changed my mind because I think this bag would be easier to carry for longer durations. Thanks great review.

[montygod]

Do you think i would be able to fit a 50D with Battery with a 24-105 F4 lens, also a 70-200mm F2.8 lens in it as well? An maybe another camera body?

[aparker1981]

@montygod in the lower compartment, yes, a 50D with battery and 24-105 should fit, my 5DII with grip and 24-70 does. You could put the 2nd body up top, I have a 580EXII which would be similar size needs (w/o lens and battery grip). The 70-200 can go up top, that's where I keep my 70-200 f/4. Should still leave enough room for a charger and/or flash down below.

[scottwesterlaken]

nice review..should have used the 5dm2 to record it though..;) good work.

[MrGraniceanu]

What kind of tripod is that?

[lebleuballs]

@ 7:36 does the waterproof case come with the bag? if not where did you get it?

[aparker1981]

This bag doesn't have a waterproof case that comes with it. I have two cases in the video, one is a pelican case you can get a Best Buy or Fry's, the waterproof bag I got at REI.

[gewniZ]

Great review Adam.

Only thing I was missing was the ability to adjust space inside the camera-section. Keep it up!

Cheers

[jhavra]

Thanks for the great review. It's helped convince me to get one of these packs.

[sealdog1013]

how long of a bungee cord did you use to wrap around the pack?

[aparker1981]

the bungee was about 25" long, 19" of elastic and two 3" hooks.

[sealdog1013]

thanks

[Itchhhh]

Excellent review!~

[boedy234]

the best video review of lowepro fastpack 250 ever seen.

thx for the video, very use full for me..

but i wonder to know,

is that okay to your camera when you put so much weight in that bag?

thx.. (budi, indonesia)

[aparker1981]

The weight has not been a problem. The compartments keep things fairly well padded. Just be cautious of what you put on the bottom since delicate items will have some weight on them. I put my crush-resistant pelican case on the bottom since it can support the weight, but a flash should hold up well too.

[morphin1]

So in pouring rain how did the other compartments hold up ?

Did water get in the compartments holding the camera and leses?

[aparker1981]

The main upper and lower compartments held up well. The upper compartment has a plastic lining on the outside. This is how I would estimate the bag's rainproof capabilities based on my limited experience.

1. drizzle/light - all day,

2. moderate - 4+ hours of exposure

3. heavy - 2+ hours of exposure

4. monsoon - 30min to 1 hour

It's not worth risking your gear, but if you unexpectedly get caught out in something the bag should keep stuff dry enough until you can readjust.

[Jewmiliation]

Very useful. I'm sold. My favorite thing you did was set up the tripod mount. Kudos!

[reedbeat]

Thank you ver much for posting this.

Can you lease tell me what the red chord/band you use for getting the tripod fixed. very useful.

thanks

[CENSORED68]

Thank you for posting this clip.

[aparker1981]

Forgot to mention in the video, but the large upper pocket and main lower pocket do well in the rain. We got poured on one day and the weatherproofing in the upper part kept things dry. The only concern would be things you have in the outer-upper pocket. That part did see some moisture, so make sure you consider that before going out on a soggy day.