"sling" style backpacks, your opinion please

[ben4633]

I am looking to improve my backpack situation. Right now I have the Canon backpack which I got from amazon for around 30 bucks. Its not a bad backpack if your not hauling long lenses and a 30D. I would like to have a backpack that will hold a tripod also. Ive been eyeing the sling style backpacks and was just curious if anyone has any opinion either positive or negative on them, and will they hold a tripod? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[ed.]

Once you load up a sling you might as well be carrying a shoulder bag IMO.

Get a backpack if you're going to load it up.
Especially if you get a decent weighted tripod.

I did the Great Wall of China with a CompuRover, laptop, camera gear that came in at 12kg with the belt strap it wasn't too bad.

[forno]

I have a SLINGSHOT 200AW and I cant really say I am a huge fan, the sling side entry thing is a great idea, but in practice the zipper usually means you need to either put the camera around your neck or put the camera or bag down to close the zipper. I have also basically run out of room with the gear below, minus the kit lens and the DSC-V1

[idlemonkey]

Does what it says on the pack ........ just don't overload it. I love mine...... brilliant for when i go out and about on my bike.

If you need to set up a tripod then you might as well have a normal backpack seeing as you are stopping for a while anyway. The slingshot is designed for mobility which is how i use it.

[Quarantine]

I have the SLINGSHOT 100. just enough for my camera, kit lens, and 1 more lens. Takes seconds to get the camera from bag and snap shots

[brian_lewis67]

I used to have the Slingshot 200 and loved it. Recently bought the Slingshot 300 as I've bought a lens that is slightly too big for the 200 and love it even more as it has a waist belt which helps spread out the load.

[mrclark321]

Had the Slingshot 300 and sold it for a back pack

[Cathpah]

I will say that in ways, you may want to just accept the fact that virtually no tripod attachment system on a backpack works well....and if you do find one that works well (tamrac makes a backpack that does a good job), it's usually then more difficult to access it or the rest of the bag.

[Coastwatch203]

I Have a Lowepro 300, fits my 30D with 1.4extender and 70-200L 2.8 IS lens attached.! I love that it can do this. Means I can have the 30D out and shooting in a second. Room inside also for my 16-35 2.8L,my 580 speedlight and various filters and ND's. I can squeeze my monopod through an outer loop thingy as well. Its comfortable to walk or hike with, but with the above gear inside its heavy enough - especially slogging through the wetlands of Kakadu up here in the Northern Territory.
I can reccomend the lowepro 300 AW. - Cheers, Mark.

[Lester Wareham]

I have the 200 and the 300, I use both most of the time. The 300 will take the 300 f4 IS + 1.4X mounted on camera and can carry quite a bit of stuff. The 300 has better load bearing via a belt, with the 200 all the weight is on your shoulder.

I would say they weight distribution is a lot better than the shoulder bags I have used in the past, if you just put the bag over you shoulder it feels much heavier than when carrying it in the approved position. I like being able to access the kit whilst keeping the bag on and not having to put it down on the wet ground.

As far as tripods go they don't really do that. I just carry I tripod separately in its own carry bag via its own shoulder strap.

I do have a Lowepro Rover Plus AW that is a half daysack half camera bag. It works OK can take a tripod and is well designed. However it is quite heavy compared even to the big slingshot bag. I find that even a small tripod (~1.8Kg) mounted on the back with a moderate equipment load makes the thing ridiculously back heavy, and I am not exactly small myself. I tend to carry the tripod separately with this also now.

If looking for something to carry a tripod I would look for a backpack that can take the pod on the side so you don't have the moment of its weight dragging you backwards.

I have some pictures of these bags here http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/mybags.htm

[Roy Mathers]

I have a Slingshot 200 and I love it. It find the ease with which you can remove the camera for a quick shot (and put it back afterwards) is great. In my Slingshot, I can easily carry the 30D, 10-22, 24-105L (with hood), 70-200 f/4L (with hood), 1.4x extender, 580ex flash, remote control, right angle finder and sundry filters, batteries and cards. Tripod or monopod? - I just carry it separately.

[cruzyn56]

I have the 200 and it worked great during a vacation drive up the coast of California. I also have 2 shoulder bags that I also use. The Slingshot is usually loaded with most of my gear but I will also use the smaller shoulder bags depending on what I am bringing or my mode of travel. (the slingshot doesn't fit in my motorcycle saddlebags). I like using the slingshot better than the shoulder bags, but if I am only bringing one other lens, the smaller bags make more sense.

[Glenn NK]

I copied the following from my post on the other thread about the Slinghots:

I've had the Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW for about a week or so. It's the big brother of the Slingshot 200 AW, so it also has the single shoulder strap/sling.

I'm packing the gear in my signature (plus two filter cases, the manual, and a kneeling pad), and find if everything is in the bag (maximum weight), it's a bit heavy on my one shoulder for more than 1/2 hour (but I'm past 65).

I bought a Lowpro "Belt and buckle" and I've arranged for a shoe repair shop to add this to make a second shoulder strap so that my left shoulder carries some of the weight when I'm walking for any time or distance.

I will simply have to unsnap the second shoulder strap and the waist belt to swing the bag in front of me for easy access to my gear.

I considered a true backpack but I'd have to take it off and set it on something to access the gear. I'm often in the field (literally) and the only place to set it is in dirt.

EDIT: I think the true backpacks are a bit larger than the 300 AW. Hopefully someday, they will make a 350 or 400.;) At present I have no more room to add another lens.

[ClickClick]

I have a Slingshot 200, bought a backpack.

Slingshot 200 for sale now.

[chabooky386]

i have a 200AW and it is great. I have some gear and its perfect. if u have a lot then i would get something bigger!

[tmcman]

I have the 200AW and I like it. It is the right size for a long one day hump because it it will only fit a cam, 3 lenses and a few accessories.

That plus a tripod was wearing me out at the end of a 9 miler. I put my water and food supply in the cargo pockets in my pants.
I did use the built in rain cover as I got caught in a rain storm. Very convenient.

Most of the time I walk with the cam around my neck unless the going gets rough and I pop it in the side door of the 200.

If I was really carrying more for farther I'd take my serious Kata backpack. But usually I leave it in the car and carry a smaller kit in the 200.

[nicksan]

I have the SS 200 and it's great.

I took it to the zoo the other day and fit the following.
-5D with 100-400 mounted
-24-105
-1.4x TC
-30D
-CPL Filter
-Rocket Blower

Pretty happy with it. Just don't over stuff it. With the above configuration I still had room for another lens, or perhaps a flash!

[Citizensmith]

Slingshot 100AW, Mini-Trekker and Off-trail 2 here.

The SS100 has the least amount of space but is very comfortable to use. Getting the camera and whichever lens is mounted in and out is very easy. Swapping lenses or getting to other stuff and its no different than a backpack, and if anything slightly more limited.

The Mini-trekker stores by far the most stuff and is easy to wear for extended periods. You need to take it off to get anything in and out though.

The off-trail 2 (a belt pack) while still definitely comfortable is the least comfortable of these three. However it provides by far the best equipment access, and changing lenses is easy while still wearing it.

So, I do like the SS100 for easy access to the camera and comfort while wearing it. It's just not a backpack or belt pack.

[ben4633]

I just ordered the 300AW it might be a bit big for me, but Im sure I will grow into it. I will check it out and if its not what I am looking for I will send it back. 99.00 from amazon, I thought that was pretty good. Thanks again for all your help, guys.

[ekie]

frys.com has the slingshot 200 for $79.99 .. i got one from them and even though it fits the gear i have .. its a tight fit so im thinking bout upgrading to the 300. but i dont like how its so wide lol

hopefully i can find a shop locally that has it in stock to test. cuz i would also like to put the gorillapod in it as well but theres no room for it in the 200. hmmm.

i do like the bag though, works good for travling/walking around. more comfortable to walk around in than a shoulder bag. i used to have the crumpler 7 million dollar home

[ben4633]

So, does the 300AW not have room for a 200L?

[metoyou]

Had the Slingshot 300AW for a couple of days. Decided it was not for me, so returned it. Reasons...just found it awkward to use. Also a bit conspicious.

Still looking for the 'perfect' holdall/backpack!

Martin

[ben4633]

I just got my Slingshot 300 AW. So far I like it, the only question is I plan on buying a 70-200L f/2.8. Is this back pack going to fit this lens with my 30D attached?

[Lester Wareham]

I just got my Slingshot 300 AW. So far I like it, the only question is I plan on buying a 70-200L f/2.8. Is this back pack going to fit this lens with my 30D attached?

No problems, I can get the 300/4 IS + 1.4X mounted on a 20D with a slight squeeze, your zoom will be no problem.

[nwa2]

I have a slingshot 200AW. OK - not very much space.

I use a lowepro mini trekker mostly now. Main reason is it has a large space for sandwiches, waterproof, kids spare clothes etc ...

[kharakim]

When I first began using the Slingshot 300. It took a couple of outings, adjusting the belts and straps several times, to get the bag properly "balanced" between the amount of weight on the shoulders and the amount on the hips. Once it was properly set up, however, I found that I could carry the bag heavily loaded for several hours without any discomfort--and have the benefits of quick access to my gear.

I also have the 200, which I find very handy when carry a small amount of gear and not primarily involved in taking pictures. I'm completely satisfied with its comfort and ease of occasional accessibility to gear.

Neither the 200 or 300 has worked well for me when I need to be more or less continually removing and replacing gear in the bag--for example, when bike riding and frequently stopping to take pictures. For this purpose, I've found the ThinkTank belt, camera holster, and lens case to be ideal, both for comfort and ease of accessibility.

[Glenn NK]

Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW . . . . . the big brother of the Slingshot 200 AW, so it also has the single shoulder strap/sling.

I'm packing the gear in my signature (plus two filter cases, the manual, and a kneeling pad), and find if everything is in the bag (maximum weight), it's a bit heavy on my one shoulder for more than 1/2 hour (but I'm past 65).

I bought a Lowpro "Belt and buckle" and I've arranged for a shoe repair shop to add this to make a second shoulder strap so that my left shoulder carries some of the weight when I'm walking for any time or distance.

I will simply have to unsnap the second shoulder strap and the waist belt to swing the bag in front of me for easy access to my gear.


As noted above, I had the bag modified by adding another shoulder strap which has much improved the load distribution - both shoulders are carrying the load now. The belt cost $10 and the modifications another $23.

Unlike kharakim, I don't use the waist belt for carrying any weight (it pulls my pants down :o - this is what happens when you get on in years and succumb to "furniture disease" - defined as when your chest falls into your drawers :lol: ). I use the shoulder straps to carry the weight. I carried it for two hours one day with little or no discomfort (and it's quite heavy with everything I have less the tripod - this includes the manual, all filters and even sensor cleaning stuff).

The extra shoulder strap also helps to stabilize the pack, but there is the nuisance of un-doing two buckles to gain access to the bag. On a bike (pedal or motor), the second shoulder strap would provide much better stability I would think.

For me the nuisance of the second buckle is worth the effort (I slip the left shoulder strap into the "slot" in the right shoulder strap so I don't lose it when it's undone). Two quick un-snaps, and the bag is in front for easy access.

If anyone is interested, PM me and I'll e-mail some details - I don't have any method of up-loading pics on this site.

[nyy]

Have the 100AW which was great until I got my 70-200, now I need to find something bigger.

[Nick5]

I have the 200 and the 300, I use both most of the time. The 300 will take the 300 f4 IS + 1.4X mounted on camera and can carry quite a bit of stuff. The 300 has better load bearing via a belt, with the 200 all the weight is on your shoulder.

I would say they weight distribution is a lot better than the shoulder bags I have used in the past, if you just put the bag over you shoulder it feels much heavier than when carrying it in the approved position. I like being able to access the kit whilst keeping the bag on and not having to put it down on the wet ground.

As far as tripods go they don't really do that. I just carry I tripod separately in its own carry bag via its own shoulder strap.

I do have a Lowepro Rover Plus AW that is a half daysack half camera bag. It works OK can take a tripod and is well designed. However it is quite heavy compared even to the big slingshot bag. I find that even a small tripod (~1.8Kg) mounted on the back with a moderate equipment load makes the thing ridiculously back heavy, and I am not exactly small myself. I tend to carry the tripod separately with this also now.

If looking for something to carry a tripod I would look for a backpack that can take the pod on the side so you don't have the moment of its weight dragging you backwards.

I have some pictures of these bags here http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/mybags.htmLester. That is a great review of your bags. I bought the Lowepro Slingshot 200AW. I was debating between that and the 300.
It sounds like you love the 300. Who knows, I will probably upgrade.
Thanks for your great review.

[SunTsu]

I'm just starting to look at the ThinkTank bags too. Does anyone have experience/photos of these bags?