( 14 reviews )
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Posted: May 26 2009
I bought the Fastpack350 and the Primus AW and kept the Primus. Functionality is good and it was less boxy looking than it's fastpack cousin (ok - looks are important to me). On hikes it's comfortable and lightweight. I am 6 foot and the other comments about it being short on the back are true but overstated. If you are used to hightech backpacking gear than it might not fit perfectly, but it is better than the alternatives and not uncomfortable. The straps get a bit cumbersome in softer situations such as travelling through airports, but it beats having multiple carryons. I also bought one of the over the shoulder slings that I would use on short hikes when I knew I wouldn't be changing out lenses. It also proved useful when headed out to dinner not to have to lug the whole pack.
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Posted: Mar 30 2009
Great day pack. Enough room for snacks, coat, and water bottle. Side access panel is very helpful. Well padded and very comfortable.
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Mar 25 2009
Like everyone says there is not perfect camera bag, just the best bag for the person for the application. I have to go along with everyone too when it comes to the size of the access pouch on the side, it is really hard to get a pro body through it. The bag rides really well and you can pack a lot of stuff into it. I keep a pro body, 70-200, 50, and 24-70 in the lower compartment. I actually keep a QTVR lens in the top part along with extra batteries and trail mix. One thing I really like, and has nothing to do with photography is the mesh pocket on the side of the bag...it is the perfect size to hold up to a 1 liter bottle of water and is actually deep enough to hold it in there when you are moving through technical terrain. The bag is great for holding a lot of gear and not being too bulky. You can actually get into rather quickly but it is still not a fast access bag or a drop pouch. I till carry a small bag on my shoulder to drop lenses into when I am really shooting and not using two bodies. The bag is really designed for one body, but you could put the second one in the top compartment if you wanted to. I actually piggy back this bag off of my hiking bag, that way i have a my photo kit protected but easily accessible. Using this bag allows for a lot of flexibility and you can carry a decent amount of gear comfortably and you don't have to worry about damaging it. I also actually like the rear facing zippers, at first I had to get used to them but now I totally appreciate not having to worry about people opening my pack from behind me, or a zipper working open on its own, or getting grabbed by a branch. Like I said the only neg is the size of the side access hatch maybe next year they will make it just a tiny bit bigger, and honestly that is all it would take.
