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List Price: $109.99
Sale Price: $71.38
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Well, I bought this to protect my Nikon D40. First the complaints:
CONS: Having a D40 it's too big for the camera. I have a the stock lens and a 55-200 DX lens. I still have a lot of space available. Too much space that I will have to buy additional spacers. Right now I insert my camera with the lens pointing up so that the camera doesn't shift too much.
PROS:
1. This bag has gone through 2 tests. We had a Kids Weekend Cabin Camp and a trip to the beach. First, it is very comfortable. I never experienced any fatigue or pain even though I was wearing the bag the whole weekend taking pictures and hiking through out the woods with some 70 plus kids. I did sweat a little on my back but it quickly dried when I took a rest.
2. Having the phone and an accessory loop was very convenient. I used it for my cell phone (Blackberry 8100 fits perfectly) and the accessory loop for the a small walkie-talkie. Great placement right under the shoulder.
3. Went to the beach, a strong wave went up and got to our stuff including the bag. All contents was dry and safe. The bag was a little wet but the camera was safe.
4. The extra space is great for all kinds of stuff. You can fit a small camcorder. I put my small point and shoot in the mesh pocket and old Sony DSC-W1 but it still fits. Also I LOVE the water bottle pocket on the side. It can accommodate all different sizes of bottles.
Conclusion. A GREAT buy. I already had my investment back just the fact it protected my camera and was very useful. I'm 5-6 so the bag is a bit big or looks big. Also styling isn't too great looks like an awkward school backpack but it's a camera backpack so who cares. I'm fully satisfied.
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I was looking for a good hiking daypack that would carry some supplies also help safeguard my camera at the same time. I've only had this for a month or so, but I've taken it up and down a few mountains, through some thick brush, in a cloud, and through both rain and snow (gotta love Alaska weather ;) ). Short of dropping it in a lake, or taking it through a rain forest this sucker has proven itself to me.
The 200 size is perfect for day hikes, I almost got a 100 but after seeing the 100 in person I knew it would be too small. So far I can fit my XSi, 18-55mm and 55-250mm lens in the pack with room to spare for (hopefully) upgrade lenses someday, or food/supplies for now. The top is fairly room with enough room to fit a light jacket, long sleeve shirt, and winter hat and gloves. Lots of little pockets and loops here and there to put accessories, cards, cords, flash, charger etc.
I hiked for a few hours straight in a cloud on the side of a mountain, and through some rain and snow another day, and while I was nervous at first the pack held up perfectly without letting any moisture in to touch the camera or equipment. I try to treat my camera gingerly, but lets face it, that's an impossibility if you hiking outdoors with it. I haven't had any serious drops or falls with the pack, but a few light tumbles and drops haven't shown any damage, and the pack has protected the camera well.
I think the only gripe I have so far is that the side access pouch or zipper is on the left side, and being right handed it seems like it would be easier if it was on the right. The side access concept was the reason I bought this, cause it allows me to get to my camera fairly quickly without opening the whole pack.
Over all I love this pack, and foresee myself taking it on many many hikes and climbs to come in the future. Its a great daypack for hiking and climbing camera enthusiasts, I would recommend it to anyone.
Best Deals for Lowepro Fastpack 200 -Arctic Blue
MY REQUIREMENTS: I'm a busy mom who recently got a dSLR camera. I wanted to be able to have an "essentials" pack something that had the things I simply HAD to have on most excursions Diapers, wipes, keys, cell phone, wallet, small snack, and, of course, the camera.
SUMMARY: This camera fits the bill nicely for carrying capacity, organizational set-up, and ease of use.
PROS:
SIZE This bag is an excellent size. I originally bought the Fastpack 100, as it was the only one on-hand/in-stock at the local Best Buy. It's a great bag, but was too small for me. The deal-breaker was that I couldn't fit my Kindle in the upper pouch. As I take that everywhere, in case I have a moment to squeeze in a bit of reading (one can dream, right?) I needed the bigger bag. This one is just big enough for me to think "That's a good amount of stuff. Guess I'll have to leave the _____ in the car though." and yet also think, when out walking around, "This is a good amount of stuff. Glad I didn't bring the _____ or this would be really too heavy." Short story? Perfect middle ground between just enough for day trips and not too much junk.
EASE OF CARRYING I'm about 7 months pregnant at the moment, and while nothing is easy for me to carry, exactly, this is not so bad. I've shlepped it to the store, the zoo, the park, around town, etc., and while I notice the weight of the stuff I'm carrying, it's evenly distributed enough that it's not too uncomfortable.
EASE OF USING CAMERA the whole point of getting this bag was to make sure we would actually use our dSLR and so make good on our camera investment. The ease of taking the right strap off and swinging it around to get the camera out is fantastic. We frequently whip out the camera to capture a moment, then put it away. (and with the t3i's eye-fi card, I just hang the bag on a hook by the door when we come home and zip open the side pouch enough to turn on the camera to let it upload the latest pics. Pure simplicity.)
ORGANIZATION This is a neatly done bag. The side-zip for the camera is lovely. I use the outer top pocket for keys. The Cell phone holder ON the strap is a life-saver no digging when the phone rings. I keep a compact pack of diapers and wipes in the upper compartment with the kindle, sunblock, etc., and in the lower compartment which is meant for lenses, I have rolled extra pants and snacks in lens-sized containers. As the kids get older and I get more photo-savvy, I plan to actually put extra lenses there. The "map" pocket I use for a mini first aid kit. In short, a lot of little spots for tucking essentials means I always have the critical things on hand. I keep a separate tote in the car with the "extras", like toys and so on.
SAFETY FOR CAMERA My hubby was worried about using this for a diaper bag AND camera bag due to the possible abuse the camera would take. The padding on this really protects the camera. It's also REALLY easy to get things in and out of the bag. That might be a con though it's VERY easy to unzip the camera pocket if you leave the zippers on that side. Possible theft risk? Maybe, but then again, it would be just as easy to take the bag.
LOOKS ALRIGHT This doesn't really look like a camera bag and it doesn't really look like a diaper bag, either. It just looks like a daypack. As a result, my hubby doesn't mind carrying it and I don't feel overly "mommish" wearing it either. I did get a slightly snarky comment at a wedding about how my bag didn't match my shoes, but seriously? Whatever. This is not the height of fashion, but it's super practical, low-maintenance and low-profile. I'll take that over Petunia Expensive Bottom bags any day of the week.
OVERALL QUALITY Well made, solid fabric and design. I would add that I'm not a huge fan of the zippers (see below). This is also easy to clean just wipe it down with a damp cloth.
CONS:
SECURITY That camera compartment zipper is REALLY easy to open. That sometimes makes me worry how easy it would be for someone to lift the camera if they knew what was in there. But a) it doesn't look like a camera bag and b) that's the trade off for ease of access for ME. If I was really worried about theft, I think I'd get the Flipside bag by Lowepro. Also c) If you're really worried about it, you can slide the zippers behind the lower flap where no one can get at them. But then, that means YOU can't get at them as easy either and you lost the easy access to the camera thing. Trade-offs, I guess.
ZIPPERS While some said the zippers broke or were low-quality, I think it's more the ANGLES of the zippers that's the problem. The upper compartment has 90 degree curves while the side-access pouch for the camera is closer to trapezoid-shaped than anything. These tight curves then, make the zippers catch more often, especially if the top compartment is full. I've had to really watch it when I zip them not to pop the zipper out. I think a REALLY high-quality zipper would make it better as it is, these are holding, but I do worry for them.
SIDE MESH BAG The bag is squarish, so this side compartment just doesn't hold water bottles very well. They want to pop out and every opportunity. It will hold a child's jacket or an adults hat or whatever just fine, but I do wish I could get a water bottle onto this without worrying about it sliding free the moment I bend forward a little.
CONCLUSION: This is a REALLY great camera bag, has extended itself into the daypack/diaper bag realm admirably, and while it has a few minor problems, is the best "do-it-all" bag I've yet found. Four out of five stars from me.
Honest reviews on Lowepro Fastpack 200 -Arctic Blue
Bought this backpack specifically for an Alaska cruise. Wanted to be able to easily pack all my gear for touring around in the different ports we stopped in.
Was able to easily fit my Canon Rebel XT w/ 18-55 attached, additional zoom lens, a point-and-shoot, Canon Vixia HF100 camcorder with Canon wide angle lens attached, and a host of cables, filters and extra batteries and cards. Also was able to pack a rain coat, binocs, and a few other small items in the top compartment. I also added a LowePro card case to the accessory holder on the shoulder strap.
This pack is very well built and while not rated as waterproof, in and out of pretty heavy rain, all of my contents remained dry.
Only issue was it could use some d-rings on the outside to lash a small tri-pod to it.
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As a mother of a toddler, it was important to me to be able to take our new camera along with us on a routine basis, as you never know when the greatest picture moments will happen. In order to simplify my life, I needed 1 bag to hold our Nikon 3100, work as a diaper bag, and hold my basics wallet, keys, cell, lipstick. This has been the perfect bag. The camera is securely held at the bottom, with easy access with the side zip. All of mine and my daughter's (21 months) necessities can be held in the top part. I am really glad I opted for the 200 bag. I had seen the 100 in stores and I thought that it would be a tight squeeze to make it a diaper bag as well, and I think the 300 would have been bulky. The 200 is a nice size to hold all my daughters diapers, snacks, a few small toys. I also really like the side drink holder, which fits her sippy cup perfectly. The top inside also has organizers that work great to hold my cell, lipstick and a few other things. I use some smaller zippered bags the top part to help organize everything. Great bag!
