Lowepro Decision: Flipside vs. Fastpack!

I can't for the life of me decide between these two. PRobably getting the 200/250 sizes. I don't carry much, 5dmkII, 580exii, I have a 135mmL, 35/2, 50/1.4, 85/1.8. Obviously I don't need to carry all four primes at once. 135 will always be with me, and probably the 35 since it's so small, so the 50/85 one will usually be left at home, or I'll sell the 85mm and get a 17-40mm or samyang 14mm.

That's it really. Various accessories. I want to be able to cruise around with the gear. Strictly recreational.

Fastpack pros: Sling style, I hate shoulder straps, I hate the camera around when I'm not taking photos. This will, if it works well, allow me to pull the cam out and put it away when needed. Compartment on top is cool too. Drinks, snacks, acessories etc.

Flipside pro: The only two things keeping me with the flipside is the tripod holder, and the security of not worrying about someone ganking your stuff. I can jerryrig a tripod onto the fastpack (i have a feisol traveller). But that's not ideal of course.

I'm leaning fastpack. But I wanted to throw this out there, just in case anyone will say "Dude don't get the fastpack it'll be the biggest mistake take the flipside!"

I had a Fastpack 200 and from your equipment list, it should all fit quite comfortably. The top compartment is a real added plus if you need to bring along a rain jacket, sandwich, whatever.

I replaced mine with a shoulder bag because I needed to be able to quickly swap lenses without putting the bag on the ground and not feel like I might drop a lens in the process. I also needed space for more lenses.

Hmm. In helping me make a decision, you've proceeded to throw a wrench into everything. Do shoulderbags not get heavy after a while? I want to go on hikes and stuff

bohdank wrote in post #9958194
I replaced mine with a shoulder bag because I needed to be able to quickly swap lenses without putting the bag on the ground and not feel like I might drop a lens in the process. I also needed space for more lenses.

Aside from the fact that it looks better than the Fastpack (IMO), this is the reason why I ultimately decided to go with the Flipside. While I kind of miss having extra space for a jacket, sandwich, etc, I've been really happy with the bag since I got it several weeks ago. I used to carry a shoulder bag but found the constant strain on one shoulder to be rather annoying on longer walkabouts.

So you mean, the flipside allows one to change lenses quickly? Is it because you can swing it around and have it rest on your waist? That works well?

I have owned a couple in both the series and I can tell you I liked the flipsides more each time. The Fastpacks I found to be less comfortable and a pain to get the camera in and out of with the swing around method. I found the exact opposite to be true of the Flipsides. The other thing I really liked about the flipsides was that the zipper was actually against your back which means that people cant unzip it while you are wearing it and either steal or cause things to fall out. If youre ever shooting urban areas or on buses and such this can be a good thing.

jdang307 wrote in post #9958215
Hmm. In helping me make a decision, you've proceeded to throw a wrench into everything. Do shoulderbags not get heavy after a while? I want to go on hikes and stuff

The one I bought is reasonably comfortable because it has a contoured padded neck strap and a hip strap. I use the neck strap cross shouldered. Lowepro ProMag2. Most of the weight is carried on the hips.

My primary need for a bag was to be able to quickly change lenses relativively safely without having to put it down and to also hold a reasonable amount of lenses. If I was to buy a bag for hiking, I would buy a backpack style such as the Fastpack BUT with an additional hip belt. The 300 comes with one, I believe.

It can hold my gripped 5DII with 70-200 f4IS attached, lens down and 4 other lenses + my 580EXII inside the main compartment with direct access to everything.

The Sigma 150 and the Canon 300F4IS won't fit, mainly because of the tripod collars, unless I reconfigure the inside which I am not willing to do. In the case where I need those lenses, they all come in their own cases that can be clipped to the outside of the bag. I also don't see having certain combination of lenses with me on an outing.

The bag works extrememly well for me and is very well padded...much better than the Fastpack. It's also All Weather.

So, different needs, different bags.

I'm buying the flipside 300 from ebay (i know my gear list is short, but it'll grow exponentially to fill the bag)

jdang307 wrote in post #9958413
So you mean, the flipside allows one to change lenses quickly? Is it because you can swing it around and have it rest on your waist? That works well?

It works wonderfully. The bag becomes a kind of lens-changing table attached to your waist. I've never felt there was the slightest possibility of dropping a lens using this system. It's very secure and very convenient. I liked my larger Flipside so much that I got the smallest version as well, for outings where I don't need all my gear. It's a great bag.

jdang307 wrote in post #9958215
Hmm. In helping me make a decision, you've proceeded to throw a wrench into everything. Do shoulderbags not get heavy after a while? I want to go on hikes and stuff

Yes, they do. I used to have Slingshots and had to get rid of them because even the smallest Slingshot (which only holds a camera body and small lens, one spare lens and a flash) made my shoulder ache after an hour or two. I find backpacks to be a whole lot more comfortable. I can carry my Flipside all day with no discomfort.

jdang307 wrote in post #9958413
So you mean, the flipside allows one to change lenses quickly? Is it because you can swing it around and have it rest on your waist? That works well?

ceegee wrote in post #9962839
It works wonderfully. The bag becomes a kind of lens-changing table attached to your waist. I've never felt there was the slightest possibility of dropping a lens using this system. It's very secure and very convenient. I liked my larger Flipside so much that I got the smallest version as well, for outings where I don't need all my gear. It's a great bag.

What ceegee said. The whole "lens-changing table" thing works really well for lens changing and, at the same time, it's also fairly easy to get into the bag when it's slung over one shoulder if you want to quickly pull out/put away your camera. I continue to like this bag more and more every time I use it.

another vote for the flipside 300 ive had mine since they came out i do believe and it has served me very well

for the dollar, the flipside 300 can't be beat. when you need more space and versatility, that's when you consider bags such as the street walker think tank or flipside 400 to accommodate bigger lenses.

Flipside 300 it is.

I changed my mind about 9 times since I started this thread, but I just need to do it. My longest lens is a 135mm, which can be quite long with the hood it seems.

Go to ebay and type in flipside 300
They're only $57.99 there (free shipping) and have the three colors.
Even if for some reason (I cannot find one) you hate it, I bet you could almost make your money back selling it to a fellow POTN member.
What's there to loose?!