my sling shot aw review!

[romeo26]

Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW review (2day review).
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_20070702_0304.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/20070702_0304.jpg)
Seeing that I am a newb at photography, I needed a bag to hold my XTI when I went to Anime Expo. Let me tell you, this bag really impressed me! The first day I only put one water bottle in it, but quickly realized it can carry things as big as magazines.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_20070702_0305.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/20070702_0305.jpg)
The top compartment is big and spacious.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_20070702_0306.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/20070702_0306.jpg)
The compartment on the flap is a very good size.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_20070702_0309.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/20070702_0309.jpg)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_20070702_0307.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/20070702_0307.jpg)
The main camera compartment is huge. Made my xti seem small.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_20070702_0308.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/20070702_0308.jpg)
The flap on the inside can hold up to four cf cards or lens covers!
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_20070702_0310.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/20070702_0310.jpg)

The back of the slingshot has just one strap designed to go across you body. From right shoulder to left side of your body. Also they have a strap coming from the bottom right of the bag to connect to the main strap. This strap made the bag more comfortable to have but you cannot put the bag in sling mode!

[romeo26]

The aw (all weather) protection comes out from the bottom of the bag. It covers the hole bag and has holes for the main strap(not pictured).
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_20070702_0311.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/20070702_0311.jpg) http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_20070702_0312.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/20070702_0312.jpg)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_20070702_0313.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/20070702_0313.jpg)

[romeo26]

Stuff I had in it at end of second day.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_100_1774.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/100_1774.jpg)


From left to right: bandana, four go tarts (ate two of them), gum, AX badge, body cap, camera Skyflakes (had two of them), pins, couple posters, two cd’s, a plastic bag, water bottle(was wrapped in napkins), soda (was wrapped in napkins), hand sanitizer, lock, several magazines, and a pouch (came free from a booth). Not pictured was the 2 peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_100_1775.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/100_1775.jpg)
The top compartment I had the four go tarts, water, and gum.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_100_1776.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/100_1776.jpg)
The outside compartment on the flap had skyflakes, hand sanitizer, lock, and held on to concert tickets.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_100_1779.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/100_1779.jpg) http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_100_1780.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/100_1780.jpg) http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_100_1781.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/100_1781.jpg) http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_100_1782.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/100_1782.jpg)
The main compartment had my camera, magazines, posters, plastic bag, two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a can of soda, and a couple of cd’s

[romeo26]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_100_1783.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/100_1783.jpg)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_100_1784.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/100_1784.jpg)
Had a bandana on one of the tripod holders, and badge on the main strap.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_100_1789.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/100_1789.jpg)
The pack is supposed to be worn over the right shoulder. Its not that big.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_100_1790.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/100_1790.jpg)
This is a picture with the other strap hooked up, bakes the bag more comfy.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_100_1791.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/100_1791.jpg)
The side profile, doesn’t make you seem like a house.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/th_100_1792.jpg (http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/romeo26/sling_shot_review/100_1792.jpg)
Sling mode, lets you access your camera faster! If you have it set up right you can also have access to your lenses with out undoing the clips!

[tiha]

Nice review! I also have Sling Shoot 200AW and I'm very satisfied with it.
BTW, I think that it would be wise to carry water bottle in an optional slip-lock case ;)

[itsagas]

I agree, I've owned this bag since April 2005 and love it. I wore it through France, Paris, Provence and the Riviera carrying a Canon 30D and lenses and filters and rainjacket (for me AW has it's own raincover built-in). I found the straps would stretch and slide a bit in their buckles and that made the bag a bit uncomfortable but only after hours and miles of walking. The 300AW is a bit bigger and maybe more suitable if you have two camera bodies with lenses mounted. Like I said I liked to keep my jacket in the main compartment even with the camera inside so I could re-arrange that. I recommend it.

[Nick5]

Romeo.
Nice review. I also have the Slingshot 200 AW.
I really like the 200.
I will be using this on vacation while walking around. I really like the thought that went into this cool bag. I debated between this and the 300 AW. If I need more room,I can always upgrade.

[thekid24]

Nice review, well put together.

The other day I was out attempting to shoot when the weather got nasty quickly. From the parking lot to where I was walking to (bout 50-60 yards) I got completely soaked and the weathe cover came in so handy. I was quite impressed with it:D:D

[pbone]

I'm looking to upgrade my bag from a quantaray over the shoulder to this. I have a few questions, though. First, you should know about my equipment list (stuff I have and stuff I don't yet have, but am planning on getting):

Canon 30D, Battery Grip, 24-70mm f/2.8L, 70-200mm f/4L, Sigma 8mm f/3.5, 430EX Speedlite (w/ diffuser), Bogen/Manfrotto 3001BPRO w/ head, and a giottos air blower. Now on to the questions!

1) Will everything fit?! If so, how much room will I have left? Room for another lens or so?
2) Will the top part (where the water bottle is in the picture) hold my flash unit and my air blower (with the possibility of an iPod or cell phone)? I want to keep as much out of the main pocket as possible.
3) Can I hold my tripod on this bag? Remember that it's a tripod, not a monopod, and I'm getting the impression that the bag is meant for a monopod.

[tiha]

1) Will everything fit?! If so, how much room will I have left? Room for another lens or so?
2) Will the top part (where the water bottle is in the picture) hold my flash unit and my air blower (with the possibility of an iPod or cell phone)? I want to keep as much out of the main pocket as possible.
3) Can I hold my tripod on this bag? Remember that it's a tripod, not a monopod, and I'm getting the impression that the bag is meant for a monopod.

1) IMO all will fit. I can confirm that 30D+grip+70-200 f/4 can fit.
2) Yes. However, I'm not sure about cell phone and iPod but you can carry them in the front compartment.
3) No. It has no loops for tripod.

[tcaran]

I've had this bag for some time and it's certainly done the job. I actually had the Sling Shot 100 but later exchanged it for the roomier 200, and I'm happy I did.

One thing to keep in mind is you are carrying the weight on one shoulder. I've found if I'm doing some strenuous hiking for hours it starts to bother me, and it really doesn't give me the room I'd like in a daypack (esp in cooler weather when I need to carry extra clothes). I'm actually now looking for a backpack that can accomodate my camera gear and my hiking gear. But I'll still use the 200 for shorter trips, around town, etc.

BTW, the AW cover saved my stuff last year. I was in the Bahamas and walked about 1.5 miles to the beach. Just as I arrived the sky opened up and I was caught in a drenching rain that went on for an hour. I had no place to hide, and if I hadn't had the cover my gear would have been soaked.

Tom

[Collin85]

I think it's a nifty little bag. I can manage to fit in two bodies with 70-200 & 17-55 attached, respectively, 10-22, a bunch of Cokin ND grads and a 580EX. It's a bit of a squeeze but it works well.

[RichNY]

I think it's a nifty little bag. I can manage to fit in two bodies with 70-200 & 17-55 attached, respectively, 10-22, a bunch of Cokin ND grads and a 580EX. It's a bit of a squeeze but it works well.

I've done the same with a 1D Mark IIN & 70-200 f/2.8 -- 30D w/grip and 17-55, 10-22, and 580EX up top.

That required taking out all the inserts except one to put between the 2 cameras though- much happier with my Domke F-1x.

For what it does the Slingshot 200 is a nice little bag.

[Collin85]

I only took out 1 insert. The 580EX goes in the top compartment. I'd like to experiment with different setups though - if I REALLY needed to squeeze more in, I guess I could always put the Cokin filters in the front pouch, put the EW-83J other way round over my 17-55 and stack my 580EX on top of the 70-200 body. Could potentially carry an extra 3-4 lenses that way. So that would be in total: 2 bodies, 6-7 lens and a 580EX in the 200AW. LOL!

[RichNY]

I only took out 1 insert. The 580EX goes in the top compartment. I'd like to experiment with different setups though - if I REALLY needed to squeeze more in, I guess I could always put the Cokin filters in the front pouch, put the EW-83J other way round over my 17-55 and stack my 580EX on top of the 70-200 body. Could potentially carry an extra 3-4 lenses that way. So that would be in total: 2 bodies, 6-7 lens and a 580EX in the 200AW. LOL!

I've also done it with just the 2 bodies and the 2nd lens being a 100-400.

Colin- Do yourself a favor and go check out the Domke F-1x. It is SO much better a bag when your kit starts growing. The F-2 is also a great bag but I like the little bit larger bag. My good old trusty Slingshot will soon be up for sale to be replaced by a Domke F-3x for days when I want a smaller bag. One cool thing about the Domke's is that in addition to being a shoulder bag you can also wear it as a back pack with even better weight distribution than the Slingshot provides.

[Collin85]

No worries I'll try to check it out. I've heard some good things about Domke, but I've NEVER seen their bags in Sydney which is where I spend the majority of my time right now. I mainly see Lowepro bags and a few Tamracs here and there.. maybe I'm looking at the wrong places! I'd vouch for better weight distribution for sure. I like the Slingshot's ergonomics, but it's definitely no substitute for backpack comfort.

I'm also keeping an eye out for the 300AW.. I'm keen to see just how roomier it is compared to the 200AW.

[MDJAK]

1) IMO all will fit. I can confirm that 30D+grip+70-200 f/4 can fit.
2) Yes. However, I'm not sure about cell phone and iPod but you can carry them in the front compartment.
3) No. It has no loops for tripod.

Just a quick note on the above. I too own this bag, among about five or six others. It is my main carry-around bag. Slingbags, though can get quite uncomfortable if loaded with too much.

As to number 3, that is incorrect. There is a loop on the bag and one leg of a tripod can be placed through it and carried quite comfortably.

No worries I'll try to check it out. I've heard some good things about Domke, but I've NEVER seen their bags in Sydney which is where I spend the majority of my time right now. I mainly see Lowepro bags and a few Tamracs here and there.. maybe I'm looking at the wrong places! I'd vouch for better weight distribution for sure. I like the Slingshot's ergonomics, but it's definitely no substitute for backpack comfort.

I'm also keeping an eye out for the 300AW.. I'm keen to see just how roomier it is compared to the 200AW.

There is a review on the forum of the 300 with great pictures. It is much larger than the 200, but has a waist strap to help distribute the weight. One thing I don't care for is it sticks off your back quite a ways, as it is molded to shape.

mark

[MDJAK]

Oh, and be careful of RichNY's recommendations on the Donkey bag. He's the majority shareholder of the company and has been pushing it for years. ;)

me

[RichNY]

Just a quick note on the above. I too own this bag, among about five or six others. It is my main carry-around bag. Slingbags, though can get quite uncomfortable if loaded with too much.

As to number 3, that is incorrect. There is a loop on the bag and one leg of a tripod can be placed through it and carried quite comfortably.



There is a review on the forum of the 300 with great pictures. It is much larger than the 200, but has a waist strap to help distribute the weight. One thing I don't care for is it sticks off your back quite a ways, as it is molded to shape.

mark

What, no 'man-boobs' commentary on the 200? ;) :D :D

[RichNY]

Oh, and be careful of RichNY's recommendations on the Donkey bag. He's the majority shareholder of the company and has been pushing it for years. ;)

me

LOL- That would be Jon. He turned me into a convert. And it doesn't give you man- boobs.

[MDJAK]

Aw right, my wife doesn't like the way the strap lifts and separates my boobies, sort of like a Jane Russel bra. :)

[RichNY]

Aw right, my wife doesn't like the way the strap lifts and separates my boobies, sort of like a Jane Russel bra. :)

I'll see if I have a shot of you from the Birds of Prey day wearing the bag. I'm just afraid the moderators will move it over to the Glamour Forum ;)

[tiha]

As to number 3, that is incorrect. There is a loop on the bag and one leg of a tripod can be placed through it and carried quite comfortably.

Loops are designed for SlipLock accessories, not for tripod. Fact that your tripod fits that way is pure luck - mine is too big :(. BTW, I'm not sure if loops are strong enough for such use.

[01sesedan]

Nice to see a review on the 200. I'm currently looking for a bag and was thinking about this one. I have a 350 w/grip, 50mm, 17-70, 70-300, kit 18-55, no flash yet, extra batteries, memory, charger, sony point and shoot w/charger. Do you guys think this will fit without any problems? Going to Washington DC later this month and would like something comfortable that could handle the gear. We'll be walking all day for about 3 days, the rest of the time we'll be driving and stopping at different locations...

Thanks..

[MDJAK]

I'll see if I have a shot of you from the Birds of Prey day wearing the bag. I'm just afraid the moderators will move it over to the Glamour Forum ;)

As well they should.:lol:

Loops are designed for SlipLock accessories, not for tripod. Fact that your tripod fits that way is pure luck - mine is too big :(. BTW, I'm not sure if loops are strong enough for such use.

Well, I don't know what it is designed for, and I never said it was designed for a tripod. I merely stated that my current tripod, as well as my last tripod, fit perfectly in the loop. There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that the strap is more than strong enough to carry a two or three pound tripod. It hangs perfectly from it. I carried it all around New York City and didn't even know it was there.

In fact, it was when I was in B&H wanting to either buy a tripod bag or strap, that the salesperson who works regularly in the tripod section, upon seeing me with the 200 on my back, pointed out the loop to me and said you can hang it right from there.

mark

[Rudy M.]

I have a Slingshot 300 AW and I cannot imagine carrying two bodies with lenses attached in it. In the main compartment there is room to carry my camera with grip and any one of my lenses attached, plus room for 580EX flash, battery pack for flash, my two teleconverters, and an Epson P2000--but that is a very tight fit and very heavy. There is still room for diffusers and a Better Beamer in the top compartment and room for batteries and some granola bars on the lower pocket. I put a water bottle on the belt inside a lens case--keeps it insulated. There is no room for a tripod or monopod nor provisions to carry one, unless you strap it to the loops on the pockets . Some day I'll get a round tuit and sew some straps on the bag to carry a monopod--but this would make a really heavy load--I'd need the monopod out as a walking stick! I think carrying two bodies in any of these bags defeats the purpose of swinging the bag around for quick access and a quick shot.

[Collin85]

There is a review on the forum of the 300 with great pictures. It is much larger than the 200, but has a waist strap to help distribute the weight. One thing I don't care for is it sticks off your back quite a ways, as it is molded to shape.

I checked out that thread (Jan 07-ish I presume).. nice comparison shots indeed.

I have a Slingshot 300 AW and I cannot imagine carrying two bodies with lenses attached in it. In the main compartment there is room to carry my camera with grip and any one of my lenses attached, plus room for 580EX flash, battery pack for flash, my two teleconverters, and an Epson P2000--but that is a very tight fit and very heavy. There is still room for diffusers and a Better Beamer in the top compartment and room for batteries and some granola bars on the lower pocket. I put a water bottle on the belt inside a lens case--keeps it insulated. There is no room for a tripod or monopod nor provisions to carry one, unless you strap it to the loops on the pockets . Some day I'll get a round tuit and sew some straps on the bag to carry a monopod--but this would make a really heavy load--I'd need the monopod out as a walking stick! I think carrying two bodies in any of these bags defeats the purpose of swinging the bag around for quick access and a quick shot.

I guess that depends on how you handle the heavy load. Swinging the bag around when it's heavy certainly isn't ideal, but it personally doesn't bother me that much compared to when the bag is light. The main issues I have would be it would be the grazing of the skin if done frequently and that it kinda lifts up my shirt LOL. Those points aside, the bag still swings and hence you don't need to take it off to access your gear (primary benefit of these swingbags right?). Furthermore, I usually have atleast one body around my neck and possibly a second in my hand when walking around with the bag.

Now hold off the :eek:s, cuz' my next plan is for 3 (yes three) bodies in the 200AW. My usual travel kit is the 10-22, 17-55 and the 70-200 on 2 bodies.. which usually results in me needing to switch between the 10-22 and the 70-200 enough while on the move to make it annoying. Since I'm mainly using the 7-2 f/4 with smaller bodies (i.e 400D), it fits perfectly inside my 200AW. I'd only need that 300AW if I decide to move onto the f/2.8.

I'll wait for the 450D and 40D announcements..