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The official photos and descriptions on Amazon and the Lowepro site don't provide a complete picture of the similarities and differences between the two bags. Hopefully this review/description will help clear things up:
I ordered the Lowepro 250 AW and was sent a standard Lowepro 250 by accident. The standard bag receives high marks everywhere you look, so I kept the standard model and re-ordered the 250 AW to compare and contrast. Notes are below:
SIMILARITIES
Total camera storage space in the bottom segment is the same.
Both camera compartments have speed access: side zippers that allow you to pull your arm out of the right shoulder strap, sling the bag around on your left shoulder, and then unzip only a small portion of the camera compartment to remove the body and attached lens (without exposing the rest of your camera gear).
Velcro segments to configure the camera compartment is around the same though the AW comes with one longer/skinner segment apparently designed to horizontally separate a compartment for two microphones
Storage in the top segment is the same.
Contruction materials/quality appear to the same.
DIFFERENCES
SHOULDER STRAPS
250: One strap has a built-in "cell phone" pouch (albeit a very small pouch would hold a large pocket knife/leatherman tool. The other strap has an elastic loop into which you can insert other Lowepro pouches for holding additional gear.
AW: No pouches or pouch holders instead, a plastic D ring is on each strap for carabiners, etc...
WAIST STRAPS
250: Has a couple inches of padding on each side before the strap for theoretically more comfort. Straps cannot be tucked away
AW: Straps are attached directly to the bag no padding to "ease" the transition. Pockets on the bag allow you to stash the straps out of the way if you don't want/need them
STERNUM STRAPS
250: None
AW: Included. Are vertically adjustable on each side for comfort
SIDES OF PACK
250: Open weave mesh pouch with elasticized compression cord on one side; zippered pouch on the other. No tripod pouch.
AW: closed weave mesh pouch on one side. Below this pouch is a tripod pouch that can be pulled out when needed and tucked away when not needed. No zippered pouch on opposite side
TOP COMPARMENT
250: Exteior of the compartment has a zippered pocket for holding relatively flat items like manuals. Interior has two small Velcro-covered pockets for various items and a two pen pockets. Approximately a 3x5 elasticized mesh pocket.
AW: Exteior of the compartment has a zippered pocket for holding relatively flat items like manuals. Compression straps are attached to both sides of the exterior of this compartment to keep things strapped down (including a tripod on one side). Interior of compartment has one flat pocket (for a manual, map or something flat) with no Velcro closures. A clear plastic business card-sized pocket for business card/ID tag. A slightly larger elasticized mesh pocket than the 250. A zippered pocket in the back of the this compartment (again, flatter items only). An elastic strap at the bottom of this compartment holds down a removable gear pouch. The interior of this zippered gear pouch has 5 elastic loops for keeping cords organized as well as 3 plastic "popsicle sticks" that slide in the loops that prevent your cables from becoming tangled. (I'm sure there's a technical term for this, but I'm not a photographer). The interior also includes 2 small pockets. The exterior of the removed pouch has a zippered pocket.
CAMERA COMPARTMENT
250: A flap with zippered pocket covers most of the camera compartment it attaches to the backpack with two straps. When you open the camera compartment, two small Velcro pockets (sized to hold memory cards) are attached to the "lid".
AW: no flap just a strap to prevent you from opening the camera compartment too far if using the speed access (see above under "similarities"). When you open the camera compartment, two small Velcro pockets (sized to hold memory cards) are attached to the "lid".
COMPUTER COMPARTMENT
250: Side access only (same side as the speed access zippers for the camera compartment)
AW: Zippers cover the top half of the bag for top access/limited side access. I can't measure the interior of the computer pocket, but it "feels" bigger perhaps because of the top access)
RAIN COVER
250: none.
AW: Built in. Can be tucked away to the underside of the bag.
I ultimately went with the AW model, primarily for the tripod holder. Though I won't be taking video equipment, I'll use the small bag in the top compartment to store cords iPhone/iPad charger, etc...It was a tough choice, though I am not a videographer and therefore didn't need the removable gear bag in the top compartment. Since I liked some of the design features/exterior pockets on the standard 250 model, I was considering going with the standard model and then purchasing a sternum strap and rain cover separately.
The bottom line is you have two good options depending on your needs, which I guess is why Lowepro is selling to variations of the "same" bag.
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This is a great backpack altogether. Here are some gripes:1. When fully loaded with a tripod, it might be heavier than is practical to carry. The backpack itself is quite hefty, weighing in at almost 4 pounds EMPTY. The comparable Fastpack 250 is about 0.5lb lighter
2. The area allocated to holding your camera and lens is a bit tight for my taste. If I have a wide angle lens mounted (eg. 82mm ring size) the fit is tight enough that taking the camera out causes the zoom to extend. That's probably not so great for the lens. I also have a Cokin P mount on my lens at times, and this makes it an even tighter fit sometimes I worry it will break the holder in the process of taking it in and out. All this can be solved by removing the adjacent partitions, but then what's the point of getting this backpack if not for all the lens carrying capacity? I'm sure the 350AW would work better in this regard because it's roomier, but then you have an even BIGGER backpack! Take a look at the picture here with the backpack open and loaded with a camera if you don't understand this particular concern
3. The camera can only be accessed from the LEFT side when the pack hangs off your left shoulder. If you are left-handed, this might feel unnatural to you or be annoying to folks who prefer to hang their backpack on their right shoulder instead of their left
Here is what I liked:
1. Unlike the comparable Fastpack 250, it has a tripod holder, weather cover built in, and it has chest straps
2. It is well-padded both for your back and equipment
3. There are a lot of little pockets, many zippered or velcro'd to hold little odds and ends
4. There is plenty of room for my 17" HP laptop. This pack is rated to hold a 15" laptop and the 350 AW is supposed to be the one to get for a 17". But I can tell you that the 250 AW had the room without problems. Don't get the bigger pack just to hold your bigger laptop.
5. Without a tripod hanging off it, the pack is not very conspicuous to would-be camera-thieves
Overall, an excellent pack with key improvements over the slightly older model: Fastpack 250. I recommend it.
Best Deals for Lowepro LP36393-PAM DSLR Video Fastpack 250 AW (Black)
I absolutely love this bag. I can't really find any faults with it. It is perfect for those like me that only have a couple of lenses. It has a sturdy build, great assortment of pockets, and is comfortable to wear. I have a Canon T2i and have a 50mm and 17-40mm lens that fit in the camera section perfectly, along with space for my charger, hood, extra batteries, and laptop cord. What I really love about the bag is that it has a section for carry other items besides camera stuff. All my friends that have bags can only fit camera stuff, which works for them because they have a lot of gear. However, I wanted a bag that could fit my gear and other things because I want to use it for traveling and this was the best one that I found from my research. There aren't really a lot out there and I didn't want to get one of those small shoulder camera bags.It also fits well under the seat on a plane. The other feature I love is the fact that it doesn't look like a camera bag. It is pretty plain looking and I'm even considering putting a patch over the Lowepro logo to make it look even less like a camera bag. It is nice that the logo is black already.
A few other features I really appreciate is the built-in weather cover, the fact that it stands upright when you put it on the floor, and the ability to tuck away the waist strap, which was a big reason I bought this bag over the Lowepro Fastpack 250.
I highly recommend this bag and can't say enough good about it. It has everything you could ask for, plus it look great.
Honest reviews on Lowepro LP36393-PAM DSLR Video Fastpack 250 AW (Black)
So I was looking for a bag that I could take on a trip to Washington DC and I had a few qualifications:1) would have to make it through airports as a carry on bag, and stow under the seat in front of me on the plane
2) Would hold at least my laptop (Macbook Pro) and possibly an iPad
3) Carry my Canon 7D and a lens or two, plus charger and a few CF cards
4) Carry misc cables, phone charger, incredicharge 11000, and a few other knick knacks
This bag fit the bill perfectly. It carried a 7D with Tamron 28-75 2.8 mounted, along with a 50 1.8, and a 430EX flash, along with the camera charger and CF cards in the bottom portion which carries the camera stuff. I probably could have mounted my 70-200 2.8, and brought the 28-75 and 50mm, but I didn't think I would need the larger zoom for walking around.
In the laptop section, I slid the macbook pro AND the iPad Bonus!
In the upper section (the video section), I carried the Macbook plug, iPad charger, incredicharge 11000 backup battery, phone charger, some headphones, and a few other misc items. Needless to say it was packed full. I also slipped in a Kingston USB3 card reader in the zipper pouch portion on the top video section.
Now carrying this load all day, and I mean from about 9a 7pm, it was a ton to lug around. The bag ended up being heavy and full VERY full, but even being heavy I was still able to swing it around and grab the camera from the stowaway area without taking it off completely which made it convenient while seeing the sites. I honestly will probably ditch my other bags in favor of this one, however will probably leave the laptop and other gear in the hotel room next time we go out and about.
One quick note, I was going to purchase this from Amazon, but ended up with last minute travel requirements so I went to a local store and paid the same price. Nothing against Amazon, just would not have gotten it in time.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Lowepro LP36393-PAM DSLR Video Fastpack 250 AW (Black)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The search for top quality all purpose travel gear that can protect my cameras and laptop ends with this Lowepro backpack. It offers prime time durability and protection. Not only is this bag a workhorse, it offers several customizable solutions for storage of my gear.The camera compartment measures in at 10.24" x 5.51" x 9.65" and easily accommodates my DSLR. I had my worries about storage space for my 15" laptop. The top loading laptop compartment provides just the right amount of real estate at 11.42" x 1.38" x 15.75". The roomy front compartment measures 6.69" x .079" x 9.25". Exterior dimensions are 12.99" x 9.84" x 18.70". Empty weight is just under four pounds. I was able to carry two extra lenses not including my camera mounted one, accessories and my laptop with no storage nightmares.
The padded dividers are first rate and allow for easy customization.The quality of the exterior nylon black body is great. Unlike many knockoffs out there, the stitching job is superb. The zippers are first rate. The side entry pocket is sweet. With a quick rotation I've got my hands on my camera gear. I like the removable utility pouch. I primarily use it for storing cables and anything else that happens to find its way in there.
Lowepro's signature hide away, all weather cover is still one of the best. It does a great job of keeping my gear dry and stores back into its compartment without complications. The padding on the nylon shoulder straps is very comfortable. The foldout tripod holder and strap are definitely a welcome addition. I'm not a big fan of any backpack waist belt system but this one is better then most. The gusseted side pocket is alright for temporary storage but nothing more. A more secure option would have been better. The carry handle has a great feel.
The overall quality and versatility of this bag speaks for itself. Its not just a bag for DSLR cameras by any means. It easily accommodates my laptop, tablet, and host of other items. For air travel, I found out first hand that its the perfect carry on. When on board the plane I had zero problems with under the seat storage. With a limited lifetime warranty this Lowepro bag is definitely built to last. I highly recommend it.
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