Fastpack 250, any others?

i saw the thread on the fastpack350 and it became an eye opener for me. currently i have my tarmac velocity 7 and crumpler 7M bags. i find most of the time, i'm using my velocity 7 with my 5D2 gripped + 24-70 & 580EX2. i like the 7M bag, but only use that when i'm carrying 2 bodies and my 70-200 out. but by then, the messenger bag style puts too much pressure on my shoulder.

i like the design of fastpack350, but i don't need that big of a bag, so i'm thinking maybe the 250 will work. i like the idea of not needing to take the whole backpack off to access my gear and it sort of acts like a sling.

so besides the fastpack, which other brands makes something like this? if i do carry a laptop, it'll be a 12" or maybe just a touchpad. so having that feature for the laptop does come in handy.

let me know which ones i should be looking into that is a backpack style with side access. thanks~

Both of your bodies are gripped, therefore you would have to use the 350 because its the only bag in the series that can handle the height.

And the 350 really isn't that big of a bag; it doesn't feel large at all. And personally, I'd rather have some spare space then not have enough.

Mike

mike.. yea i agree that it's always best to have more space than not enough. but chances are for me to carry 2 bodies would be slim. at most i'd carry all my lens and that's about it. i also have little ones to chase after.. so u know what i mean.

The camera compartment on the Fastpack 350 & 250 are identical, the laptop compartment is the only differnce. The amount of camera gear they hold are identical. I have owned both at one point

I'm looking for a bag too and was looking at these exact bags. The there are a couple of scenarios that are keeping me from buying one, maybe a current owner can comment on if they are real issues or not.

1. You can carry your pro camera with a 70-200 2.8 mounted, but what do you do with the 70-200 when you want to switch to your other lens?

2. Camera compartment doesn't look deep enough to hold my 580exii

^^ i thought about that as well and it seems the 70-200 can be stored on the side. i'm pretty sure with some arrangments around, it'll fit.

but besides the fastpack 250, what other brands out there (if any) that does something similar to this where you have side access?

F-stop kenti might serve your needs. I think you have to mess with the dividers a bit in order to fit a gripped body. Also has a space for a 13" laptop.

thanks lulu. i checked ebags and also found this one: Sumdex

not sure about the quality or the build.

the f-stop kenti looks great, but pricey.

i just read the description and it says: Camera gear is accessed from either side of the bag, providing quick and efficient access for up to Pro-Sized bodies with mounted 70-200 lenses. (You can pack 2 mounted bodies, one on either side)

Stealther wrote in post #13813807
I'm looking for a bag too and was looking at these exact bags. The there are a couple of scenarios that are keeping me from buying one, maybe a current owner can comment on if they are real issues or not.

1. You can carry your pro camera with a 70-200 2.8 mounted, but what do you do with the 70-200 when you want to switch to your other lens?

2. Camera compartment doesn't look deep enough to hold my 580exii

1. I leave it in the main slide compartment and just slap on the other lens. It may slide back and forth a bit, but its not gonna go anywhere. There is plenty of padding and nothing bad will happen to it. I did a full day at a Porsche event like this and had no issues.

2. Its deep enough to hold the 580exii standing up. I have a YN-565 (same dimensions as the 580exii) and it just barely clears it. You can lie it down on its side though. I do this with a 430 ex and it fits fine.

I have the Fastpack DSLR Video 350AW series. Wrote a small review here https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1133036

Mike

mike.. thanks for the review. that looks great. however, i think i am stuck on the f-stop kenti. it's heck alot more in price.. but really like the design. maybe i'll just have to wait till price drop.. i hope.

at least give me time to sell my crumpler 7M and the velocity 7.