A variation on the company's side-opening, single-strap Slingshot models, the Lowepro Fastpack series integrates the clever top-and-side camera compartment approach with a more traditional backpack design. The smallest of the line, the Fastpack 100, offers an attractive compact, comfortable option for the day-tripper or urban photographer with minimalist accessory needs.
The Fastpack 100's camera compartment is just large enough to accommodate a medium-sized body--one the size of the Sony Alpha DLSR-A350 is about the biggest that will fit--equipped with a midrange telephoto lens and a standard-zoom spare or flash unit. To squeeze the flash into its compartment I had to fold it to a 90-degree angle. Inside the flap you'll find two flash-media pouches. More would be welcome.
The Fastpack 100's default configuration seems arrayed for a body and two lenses. If you keep a lens on the body, you'll want to remove the divider for the smaller section.
The top pocket is quite roomy. It's large enough to hold a trade paperback book, folded letter-size paper, and other miscellany. There are a couple spaces to slide in pens, a mesh pocket that can handle a largish MP3 player, and a small pocket sized for a typical cell phone. A few more pockets, pouches, or dividers would be useful to keep random items organized, though.
Made of weather-resistant nylon with a polyester lining, the Fastpack seems quite well made and sturdy. The padded straps and back are comfortable enough for a day of roaming.
There's a flat pocket on top of the camera compartment, which can't hold much, and a zippered outside pocket on top, for stuff such as tissues.
