hey fellow gearheads..what is the best large sling-type camera bag??

[philmar]

I usually carry my camera in a Lowepro Hip Pack with lens attached in Lowepro padded velco pouches. This servies me well for travel photography when I am on foot because it can't be snatch'n'grabbed and it keeps my arms free in case I need to defend myself. Heck, I know tai chi ;)
But when I want to go shooting locally I'd prefer to get about on bike which is a bit of a hassle with this setup. So I'd like a sling-type backback that will hold:
Canon EOS 30D
Canon L 24-70 EF ‘L’
Canon EFS 10-22 mm
Canon 70-200 f4.0 IS 'L'
Canon 1.4x TC
580EX flash


Which of the sling-type bags is best for getting the camera out the easiest? I would compromise comfort for ease of use...hey, you have to suffer for your art, right? I don't now if there are any design preferences between the Tamrac Velocitys or the Lowepro slingshots (or other brands) but if there are please let me know. And lastly I guess I'd need to know which size - is it looking like the biggest one available with all this gear?
Please remember that it I would be using those solely for when I am biking, ease of use is paramount since some shots will be squeezed off without having to dismount from my bike (if possible) ...that's bicycle bike, not chopper big hog bike.
So as always any words of wisdom and advice are greatly and sincerely appreciated. THANKS!!

[philmar]

nobody uses sling bags?

[René Damkot]

Shoulder bag: Billingham. A 335 will probabely fit the gear. 445 for sure.
'Messenger' type: Dunno. Maybe Crumpler?

[Glenn NK]

Lowepro 300 AW Slingshot.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=350371&highlight=slingshot

Don't have pics of the interior, but my gear fits nicely into the 300.

[_aravena]

Slingshot 200 AW is the smaller one and fits all my gear, about equal size to what you have. I guess I should say, see that gray stripe going vertical ont he top pocket. Well, there's one on the side and one on the main front pocket and that's where those two extra pouches I have pictured there go.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5964/img1005copyxk1.jpg

And I don't mind saying, i'm selling it so if youre interested, shoot me a PM!

[philmar]

I am a clumsy oaf, especially when my mind foresees a great photo. I wonder if the Slingshots are a disaster waiting to happen in MY hands. I wonder if the large opening would potentially allow something to slip out as I lazily attempt to get a shot away quickly thinking I can do so without properly zipping it back up. I know my lazy butt too well. I'll probably try to take the shot while thinking I can balance the bag to prevent something slipping out. I think the Tamrac Velocity is more for me, less room for carrying things but less room for user dumb error.

[philmar]

Important question:
When you unzip the Slingshot's flap, does the flap flip OUTWARD where gravity keeps it open, thus allowing easier access?
Or does it flip INWARD against one's torso?

[nutsnbolts]

Important question:
When you unzip the Slingshot's flap, does the flap flip OUTWARD where gravity keeps it open, thus allowing easier access?
Or does it flip INWARD against one's torso?

You would technically bring it around from left to right and when it's in front of your stomach, the zipper would be by your belly button and you unzip so the flap opens outwards.

[_aravena]

Yeah, you don't open the entire thing man. Just the front part...go look on Lowepro site.

[Vitruvius]

Yeah I have the 100 version of it, and its pretty useful, I was climbing into trees to get some pictures of my uncles cabin and while hanging onto a limb with one arm can bring around the bag with the other. When you slide it forward it opens from the top (side of the bag) and away from you - its extremely convenient. Theres also a strap and a clip you can use to secure it on the other side so while wearing it like a backpack it wont swing around on your back while biking or hiking walking etc.

I can't speak from experience for the other manufacturers but I could see the style being very useful for biking.

[inverseSquare]

Important question:
When you unzip the Slingshot's flap, does the flap flip OUTWARD where gravity keeps it open, thus allowing easier access?
Or does it flip INWARD against one's torso?


Hi,

I have the slingshot 300 :)
The flap opens 'outward' when you are wearing the bag. However...


http://www.lowepro.com/images/products/large/SlingShot300_ZipStop_L.jpg

This shot on the lowepro site shows that the 300 (and i think the others also) have a small strap with a couple of connectors to stop the flap from 'falling' open due to gravity.

Hope this helps.

[tcaran]

I've had the Lowepro 200 for well over a year and I like it a lot. I had the 100 but found it was too small for me and returned for the 200.

For around town, going to events, etc, it's perfect. Being able to swing the bag to my chest and get out the camera without putting the bag down while keeping my hands free is great. And don't forget the built in AW cover. I got caught in a torrential storm far from a roof of any kind last year and if I didn't have the cover it would have been a disaster.

But keep in mind all the weight sits on one shoulder. When I go hiking with the bag it bothers me after a few hours if I have it loaded up, so I'm currently looking for something else for that purpose.

For biking, if you go with one of the Lowepros you may want to go light and consider the 100 or 200 unless you really want to lug a lot of gear. Good luck!

[brantfordbandit]

do u find the sling bag more comfortable than a regular backpack?

[_aravena]

Def not. I used my Tamrac Expedition 3 for smaller lenses and had the 70-200 already attached to the camera. While I didn't have all the weight, that's what I normally do. Have camera and 70-200 out with what's left in my bag and the Tamrac felt better than the slingshot unless i used the side strap which is to help with the weight on one shoulder.

Only thing, you had to disconnect that to sling it and change. I'm loving my 7MDH though. Love messenger bags and it allows for you to switch shoulders unlike the slingshot which your right shoulder is the only one it can be used on.

As said, I carried that thing for 5hrs before and of course I was hurting, but 3hrs ain't bad at all.

[tcaran]

do u find the sling bag more comfortable than a regular backpack?

Personally, I think a backpack is more comfortable but the sling bag is more convenient.

[inverseSquare]

do u find the sling bag more comfortable than a regular backpack?

I would have to say no.
Even with the waist belt on the 300 the majority of the load is inevitably placed on your right shoulder.
The thing to keep in mind is that these bags are just the same as a normal sling bag - you have to remember not to overload them. They are a compromise between the convenience of a sling bag with the 'range' of a backpack.

Saying that, i would sure prefer to walk around for a day with a slingshot rather than a traditional sling bag banging against me :)

[G35Driver]

does anyone have the Tamrac velocity 8, ive been thinking about getting me one, will it fit an XTI with battery grip an a 70-200 attached? or maybe a 100-400 attached?

[MazerRakhm]

I have the Velocity9 and love it. It fits 30D w/grip and 70-200 attached easily. At the same time I'll also keep flash, 16-35, and the epson viewer as well.

[Rudy M.]

I have the Slingshot 300 AW and it works well for what it is. I sometimes pack like the 200 shown in the photo above, but with the 200, you can't put a gripped 20D with attached 70-200 in it. If the 70-200 is not on the body, it stores like in the photo above.

I ride bikes but would not take this bag on my bike--it is just too heavy for me anyway. I tried it skiing and it worked fine--but you know it is there for sure, and I won't do this again out west, but for sure at my local area. Far more secure and solid would be a Street & Field belt system, but with the main camera compartment behind you, it would not be very quick to access, but would ride nicely. I would go smaller and lighter if I were biking a lot with camera gear--maybe just a Toploader Zoom 75 AW using a shoulder strap over my head and a belt to snug it. Add lens cases as needed.

[Roy Mathers]

I usually carry my camera in a Lowepro Hip Pack with lens attached in Lowepro padded velco pouches. This servies me well for travel photography when I am on foot because it can't be snatch'n'grabbed and it keeps my arms free in case I need to defend myself. Heck, I know tai chi ;)
But when I want to go shooting locally I'd prefer to get about on bike which is a bit of a hassle with this setup. So I'd like a sling-type backback that will hold:
Canon EOS 30D
Canon L 24-70 EF ‘L’
Canon EFS 10-22 mm
Canon 70-200 f4.0 IS 'L'
Canon 1.4x TC
580EX flash


Which of the sling-type bags is best for getting the camera out the easiest? I would compromise comfort for ease of use...hey, you have to suffer for your art, right? I don't now if there are any design preferences between the Tamrac Velocitys or the Lowepro slingshots (or other brands) but if there are please let me know. And lastly I guess I'd need to know which size - is it looking like the biggest one available with all this gear?
Please remember that it I would be using those solely for when I am biking, ease of use is paramount since some shots will be squeezed off without having to dismount from my bike (if possible) ...that's bicycle bike, not chopper big hog bike.
So as always any words of wisdom and advice are greatly and sincerely appreciated. THANKS!!


I have almost exactly the same gear as you and it all goes comfortably in the Slingshot 200. I think it's a great bag and I love it. I can confim that the top flap opens outwards and it has two fasteners on it to prevent the rest of the flap opening. You won't be disappointed!