I can't stand my slingshot anymore.

[bag3lbit3s]

So I've had my Lowepro Slingshot 200 for almost a year now and well I just find it very uncomfortable. I can't seem to get comfortable with it. So I'm thinking about something that's a backpack with two shoulder straps instead of the one. I like the size of my bag, so I was wondering what is Lowepro's comparable sized backpack? Any other recommendations other than Lowepro. Not looking to spend a lot either. I really want a backpack, since everywhere I take my camera either involves lots of walking or hiking.

Thanks,
-Mike

[HighLife]

could you be alittle more specific as to why you dont like it? I was thinking about getting one of these for the everyday use when i just need my camera and not my laptop.

Would love to hear your concerns and what you feel is wrong with it.

I think alot of people talk about the 200EG, which is dirt cheap on amazon...check that out...

Or if you want to spend more, i went and looked at a Tamrac velocity sling bag today. It looks promising....however, it seems like it would be a pain to get the zippers open and closed in a hurry.

[rabidcow]

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Off-Trail-2,1981,7.htm

Off trail 2, I still love mine. It will hold (barely) my Mk II and 70-200 (non IS) plus an extra lens and flash, or two flashes...etc. Great for going light.

[bag3lbit3s]

I don't like how all the weight is on one shoulder. It really gets to me after a long day. Also you have to use the other strap on the right side which attaches to the sling to keep the thing from jumping around on your back, which is thinner and is kind of uncomfortable. Also I don't like how the thing is pretty much a brick attached to your back. It really doesn't seem to contour to your back which would probably help it stay in place.

For a short quick day I love it though, it's very convenient being able to sling it over, pull out the camera, change lenses, etc...

I've seen the 200eg and almost bought one instead of the lowepro, but wasn't a fan of having Canon written on my bag.

[Bruce_B]

Lowepro has a new model called the Fastpack that is a full 2 strap backpack but has access like the slingshot. I have one and like it so far.

[bag3lbit3s]

Lowepro has a new model called the Fastpack that is a full 2 strap backpack but has access like the slingshot. I have one and like it so far.
What size do you have? I've got an XT with grip, 70-200 f/4 and 17-40 f/4 with other accessories that I like to take along as well. The slingshot 200 is a perfect size for me just want something more comfortable.

[HighLife]

wow, those fastpacks look nice....i couldnt imagine having a laptop and all my camera gear in a bag and have it sling over hehe....the smaller ones look great though.

[Bruce_B]

What size do you have? I've got an XT with grip, 70-200 f/4 and 17-40 f/4 with other accessories that I like to take along as well. The slingshot 200 is a perfect size for me just want something more comfortable.

I have the 350 but kinda wish I would have got the 250. It's not that much bigger though. They also have a 100 and 200. Here's a video of the 350:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEhdvadkEBY

and this video has the 250 in it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwAOb3GjVcQ&feature=related


There's also a video on Lowepro's site (click play video at the end of the description):
http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fastpack-350,2087,14.htm

It works a little different than the slingshot but I have no problem getting in and out of it while wearing it.

[Bruce_B]

By the way, my 350 didn't come with the little cell phone pouch on the shoulder strap. Not a big deal but I was planning to use that for my GPS when I ordered it. I don't know if the 350 just doesn't have that or what. I e-mailed Lowepro but I've been ignored so far.

[ibdb]

Would love to hear your concerns and what you feel is wrong with it.
The Slingshot bags are great when used as intended -- a lightweight bag for use on the go. Most complaints I hear are from people who overload the bag (myself included). I think the Slingshot 300 is a bad idea from the outright. I think it would weigh too much loaded for a single strap.

There are a number of threads here on the bag that should be pretty easy to find with a search.

The 200 remains my primary bag for all purpose use. I have started thinking about something else for larger loads, though. I'd like to avoid a backpack, but I need the flexibility to move in ways that shoulder bags don't always provide. Doesn't leave a whole lot of options. :cry:

[bag3lbit3s]

The fastpack is really catching my eye...I'm going to have to try and find one in a local store and see how they feel.

What's the major differences between the 200 and 250?

I've also been looking at the flipside 300 as well. I really like the idea of having the zipper on the back for security reasons.

[Bruce_B]

The fastpack is really catching my eye...I'm going to have to try and find one in a local store and see how they feel.

What's the major differences between the 200 and 250?

I've also been looking at the flipside 300 as well. I really like the idea of having the zipper on the back for security reasons.

The 200 doesn't have the laptop pocket and I think it's just a little smaller. The 250 holds a 15.4 laptop and the 350 holds a 17" laptop. I don't use that pocket for a laptop right now, but it's good for other things, like the poncho I keep in there in case I get caught in the rain. It doesn't have the AW cover like some Lowepro's but I prefer the poncho anyway. It will fit over me and the pack.

[MDJAK]

I usually carry the slingshot as my primary bag. No matter what else I try, I go back to it. But, and that's a big but, it cannot be overloaded. I will usually carry my camera on my shoulder and in the bag only resides extra battery, flash, cf card wallet and one lens. When it comes time to put the camera away in the bag, then it is indeed heavy.

me

[slimninj4]

I have the slingshot 100. The only complaint is that it can only be warn on one shoulder. I wish they could of designed it so when my right shoulder gets tired I could sling it to the left. I don't have an issue with the weight since it really is light. One camera, 2 lens and a flash with some misc things.

[nutsnbolts]

Welcome to the club of "I buy a slingshot and then sell the slingshot and get a fastpack or something else".

[_aravena]

Well, I sold my slingshots awhile ago but I plan on getting this or the Flipside. I want to compare both side by side. Looks like a trip to NYC then! :D

[Dramatis]

I don't like how all the weight is on one shoulder. It really gets to me after a long day. Also you have to use the other strap on the right side which attaches to the sling to keep the thing from jumping around on your back, which is thinner and is kind of uncomfortable. Also I don't like how the thing is pretty much a brick attached to your back. It really doesn't seem to contour to your back which would probably help it stay in place.

For a short quick day I love it though, it's very convenient being able to sling it over, pull out the camera, change lenses, etc...

I've seen the 200eg and almost bought one instead of the lowepro, but wasn't a fan of having Canon written on my bag.

Are you wearing it just over your arm or around your neck and shoulder with the main strap slung across your torso? I ask only because I was wearing it over one shoulder for the longest time and have now switched to wearing the pack cross-body. It's EXTREMELY comfortable this way plus I can sling it faster and use the bag as a surface to rest my elbows on whilst I shoot. :D

[_aravena]

^How's that still not on one shoulder? Aside from that, it's how you're suppose to wear it. Still wears on your shoulder though.

[philmar]

buy a Tamron Velocity. Was uncomfortable at first, until I adjusted the straps properly. I wonder if those with the slingshot simply have it adjusted so that it is UNergonomic.

[Lester Wareham]

So I've had my Lowepro Slingshot 200 for almost a year now and well I just find it very uncomfortable. I can't seem to get comfortable with it. So I'm thinking about something that's a backpack with two shoulder straps instead of the one. I like the size of my bag, so I was wondering what is Lowepro's comparable sized backpack? Any other recommendations other than Lowepro. Not looking to spend a lot either. I really want a backpack, since everywhere I take my camera either involves lots of walking or hiking.

Thanks,
-Mike

You could look at the Slingshot 300, this has a load belt which removes most of the weight from the shoulder strap.

I do have a Rover Plus AW which is a combined day-pack with camera section in the bottom. It is very comfortable and adjustable but I don't use it much because it i relatively heavy empty.

[nutsnbolts]

You could look at the Slingshot 300, this has a load belt which removes most of the weight from the shoulder strap.

I do have a Rover Plus AW which is a combined day-pack with camera section in the bottom. It is very comfortable and adjustable but I don't use it much because it i relatively heavy empty.

Stay away from the 300 AW. People automatically think, bigger, more room, more stuff.

Well guess what, the only suggestions if you are so GUNG HO about a slingshot is to get the 100 or 200. Even the 200 is a bit much in my opinion but the point I'm trying to make is that the problem with any bag is overpacking.

This is easily done and more noticeable with these bags. Especially the 300 (perhaps the 200) as well. The weight that the 200 starts to bear will cause some strain. A 300 which allows "more" things to pack will definitely cause even more strain.

It is only logical to figure out a way to alleviate some of the pain hence, the availability of the waist stap. However, it doesn't provide all that much support. The weight still sits on the "SAME" shoulder.

If you know what's good for you, look over the fastpack or flipside. These are technically the replacement for the Slingshots. In my opinion, Lowepro's way of saying, crap, everyone likes the look and easy accessibility of the slingshots but causes more pain than helps...so let's offer them a dual shoulder strap...back to the basics!

Slings are cool but fails on practicality...at least with photographic equipment that most people want to tote around.

If you just want to carry 1 lens, memory, and camera, then the slingshot 100 is a good call while attaining the "coolness" factor of the sling.

[nutsnbolts]

buy a Tamron Velocity. Was uncomfortable at first, until I adjusted the straps properly. I wonder if those with the slingshot simply have it adjusted so that it is UNergonomic.

Nothing against your comments but if anyone here ever posted and stated it was uncomfortable at first until they realized they had to fix the straps, well, I would stay away from that product. The product should be "dummy" proof and any adjustments should be common sense (in other words adjusted properly).

Waist straps on backpacks are supposed to "help" and not be something that is necessary, although it can be synonymous. In other words, with the example of hiking bags (which waist straps are common) the backpack can be worn on the back without the waistbelt (some are even removeable). However, the hiking bag is also designed to take on heavy loads and if the user decide to do so, the waist belt is available for that purpose...to help you.

When they added the waist belt on the 300, the idea behind that was to give the ability to use the bag with TONS of stuff in it. Unfortunately the sling on the right shoulder is still a downpoint.

If you look at the Vertex 200/300 by Lowepro, the 300 version allows you to hide the waist belt into pockets. If you need it, it's available.

[mattograph]

I have owned (own) so many lowe bags that its embarrassing. I could not last an hour in the slingshot.

If rapid gear deployment is your issue, I solved my problem with the Toploader 75. It will eat a full size body with 100-400 lens on it, has a pouch big enough for a speedlite in the front, and plenty of sliplock hooks. With the chest strap (included) I can easily carry 2 extra lens (need pouches, of course) and all my accessories, and mount the whole thing on a hike in about 15 seconds.

You also might check out think tank. They make a "backpack" that actually deploys a waistpack for quick gear changes.

[nutsnbolts]

I have owned (own) so many lowe bags that its embarrassing. I could not last an hour in the slingshot.

If rapid gear deployment is your issue, I solved my problem with the Toploader 75. It will eat a full size body with 100-400 lens on it, has a pouch big enough for a speedlite in the front, and plenty of sliplock hooks. With the chest strap (included) I can easily carry 2 extra lens (need pouches, of course) and all my accessories, and mount the whole thing on a hike in about 15 seconds.

You also might check out think tank. They make a "backpack" that actually deploys a waistpack for quick gear changes.

To stress this bag, the Rotation 360 (http://www.rotation360.com/), you can add "pouches" to this to extend what you can carry. If you buy the belt system, all these pouches are interchangeable depending on what you want to carry...

[Kris_2020]

It is not a lowepro but the Tamrac expedition 5 is great. The same size as the slingshot 300 but holds more and doesn`t feel uncomfortable when stacked. I switched from the 300 to the tamrac myself.

[Lester Wareham]

The weight that the 200 starts to bear will cause some strain. A 300 which allows "more" things to pack will definitely cause even more strain.


You didn't seem to read my post.

Because the 300 takes most of the weight on the belt and not the shoulder strap (just like a backpack) you can load it up more and have less strain on the shoulder.

Indeed an ordinary backpack will spread the residual weight more, but the 300 is much more comfortable than the 200 whilst retaining the convenient access.

As noted, I can carry twice as much in the slingshot 300 as I can in the Rover Plus but with a similar level of comfort.

[nutsnbolts]

You didn't seem to read my post.

Because the 300 takes most of the weight on the belt and not the shoulder strap (just like a backpack) you can load it up more and have less strain on the shoulder.

Indeed an ordinary backpack will spread the residual weight more, but the 300 is much more comfortable than the 200 whilst retaining the convenient access.

As noted, I can carry twice as much in the slingshot 300 as I can in the Rover Plus but with a similar level of comfort.

You apparently didn't read the rest of my post, if anything understood my post. That quote is only part of what I was trying explain. If I didn't explain it thoroughly, then I apologize. I'll attempt to explain it again.

First and foremost. We do full in-depth reviews of packs, more specifically with Thinktank then lowepro products (although we haven't done all lowepro products, we have done the slingshots).

What we found out with the Slingshots is that the rated weight bearing "typically" for anyone is a fully loaded 200. Cramming more stuff in the 200 to make things "fit" is overpacking. Now...follow me here. They took a 200 bag and said, "hey! we can make this bigger!" That's great! But what's the difference between an overpacked 200 with a bag that has more room to fit more stuff when a "typical" weight bearing is a fully packed 200?

Nothing...

They wanted to stay with the sling style and added a waist belt to "compensate" for the weight. Seems logical right? Transfer of weight. Simple physics.

The bottomline is, the transfer of weight does not take away the strain from the shoulder but only alleviates it to your waist. In layman, it makes it more tolerable which will give you the feeling that it's more bearable...which means you can technically carry for longer periods of time.

Hiking bags (in my previous post) was an example that I used which depicted the waist belt. Every hiking bag has this. Why? These bags were designed to be overloaded. The waist belt is to act as a counter point to carry all the weight. With TWO shoulder straps not with ONE!

When Lowepro released the 300, they added the waist belt thinking that this was the answer. Guess what? Apparently not because they finally realized this and released the Flipside and Fastpacks.

Indeed an ordinary backpack will spread the residual weight more, but the 300 is much more comfortable than the 200 whilst retaining the convenient access.

It's not convenient when you have the waist belt tightly attached. Why not get a Fastpack (http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fastpack-350,2087,14.htm#)?

[ben_r_]

I sold my slingshot 300 AW and got the Fastpack 350 instead. Sad that I lost AW with the fastpack, but happy that I have TWO straps now and that means my back and neck are happy too!

[Bruce_B]

Sad that I lost AW with the fastpack,

Do what I did, stick a poncho in there. I think it's even better than having AW. I can quickly get both the pack and myself out of the rain.

[nutsnbolts]

Do what I did, stick a poncho in there. I think it's even better than having AW. I can quickly get both the pack and myself out of the rain.

Believe it or not the lack of AW is not a loss. My thinktank gear has the all weather cover and in addition on my little lowepro g9 apex case. It rained, I used it and when the rain stopped, it was a pain in the bungholio to keep removing it to take out the camera and then put it back on when it drizzled. I kept going back and forth and back and forth.

The poncho would have been good to cover it completely and lift it up if you need to access it.

[_aravena]

The AW cover is awesome but for my bags I don't have one I still don't have a problem. I'm under shelter quick enough nothing gets soaked. Unless you're in the middle of nowhere, there should be shelter of some kind.

[Bruce_B]

Unless you're in the middle of nowhere,

My favorite place to be. ;)

[cosworth]

I have a slingshot 300. I'm very happy with it. I've walked miles of Manhattan, Vancouver, and Philly with it and sure I get a sore shoulder. Same sore shoulder I get with a backpack.

[nutsnbolts]

I have a slingshot 300. I'm very happy with it. I've walked miles of Manhattan, Vancouver, and Philly with it and sure I get a sore shoulder. Same sore shoulder I get with a backpack.

How was your left shoulder? :rolleyes:

[cosworth]

It was quite sore since my camera was slung over it.

I walk criss cross style with body and bag.

My shoulder(s) gets sore either way, slingshot or backback. You CAN alternate shoulders with them. One demands the gear be behind you, the switch demands the camera be in on your chest. for me the body with a lens is almost the weight of the bag, so having them across both shoulders gives me instant access to body or bag.

[bag3lbit3s]

I think I overload my slingshot...I have my 17-40, 70-200 f/4, xt with grip, batteries, charger, and other small stuff. I'm going to find a local shop that has the fastpack and flipside and try them out.

Just to get an idea in comparison of what a backpack would feel like loaded with my stuff instead of a sling, I just used a Jansport backpack. Of course I carefully placed my stuff and padded it in there. And well, it was a night and day difference.

[tdodd]

I love my SS 200. I took it on a three week tour of New Zealand and throughout the trip, right from leaving home in the UK, the bag was filled with camera gear to the tune of 6-7Kg. I had the bag with me at all times. When I was in "photographer mode" one of the cameras would obviously be out of the bag, which was then reduced in weight by ~1.5-2.5 Kg. Typical content was....

- 40D and 100-400 + hood
- 30D and 10-22 + hood
- 17-55 + hood
- 580EX and wireless trigger
- 50mm f/1.8 and macro tubes
- 1.4X teleconverter
- spare batteries, cleaning bits, flash cards and odds and sods.

(Pictures here - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=4511118&postcount=23)

Of course it felt a bit heavy, but I was not expecting it to feel like cotton wool and marshmallows. I'm a bloke. I can survive a little bit of discomfort, not that I really felt I suffered. If I were a woman I could probably endure a little bit more "pain". All this namby pamby whinging about the SS 200 (not just in this thread, but others too) makes me wonder what sort of delicate flowers the complainants are.

Use the bag and, if you can't manage too much weight, don't overfill it, but don't blame the bag for having extra room to store a rain jacket and some sandwiches. It isn't compulsory to fill every last cubic centimetre with metal and glass. Use some intelligence!

[bhanu2217]

National Geographic Earth Explorer Shoulder Bag - Medium

[LotsToLearn]

To each his own. I have the SS300 and have had no problems with it even when fully loaded for day long outings in the height of the hot summer.

I can understand where it would be uncomfortable for some, but it's the kind of thing you're going to love or hate depending on what you can tolerate and so you definitely have to try for yourself.

[nutsnbolts]

It was quite sore since my camera was slung over it.

I walk criss cross style with body and bag.

My shoulder(s) gets sore either way, slingshot or backback. You CAN alternate shoulders with them. One demands the gear be behind you, the switch demands the camera be in on your chest. for me the body with a lens is almost the weight of the bag, so having them across both shoulders gives me instant access to body or bag.

That's the thing I don't understand. Why use a bag that wasn't designed for the way you would use it? You can definitely alternate shoulders but the sling was not designed for them.

One of the interesting aspects about the SS series by Lowepro was the simple fact that when we tested it out in the field for practical use. It failed horribly. Especially the SS300. Everyone loved the waist belt, it provide the feeling that the waist belt alleviated the weight which to some degree it did, but then it might as well have been a backpack for removing the waist belt and loosening the shoulder strap took as much time as removing one shoulder strap from a backpack and accessing your gear.

I won't even go into the misconception of some people who buy this bag because they want quick access to their "gear". It's only quick access to your camera.

It had an innovative design and the SS series shined mostly with the 100 and a good portion for the 200. (as long as you don't over pack)

Back to comfort concerns, it's definitely a hit or miss for some people unfortunately more so a miss. We had large people, small people, women and men use the gear and the consensus was the poor design on the sling.

Above all, if you are going to buy gear, the gear has to function as what it was designed for...If you are going to carry tons of gear, expect extra shoulder padding, expect waist belt assist, expect lower back padding, etc etc. etc. which are all proponents of what is "necessary" for what it was designed to do.

[ben_r_]

Do what I did, stick a poncho in there. I think it's even better than having AW. I can quickly get both the pack and myself out of the rain.

Noted and will do. I dont use the laptop section anyway, so that would be a perfect place for one of those really flat folding vinyl rain ponchos.

[tdodd]

It's only quick access to your camera.
It is not only quick access to your camera. I've had mine for 17 months. I know what I can and can't get to when it's pulled forward. I can get to everything, at a pinch, and I don't need a clean dry surface on which to place the bag.

I also have a full backpack - the ThinkTank Airport Acceleration. It is a lovely backpack. I've used it once in the field - a test run really. The instant I wanted anything from it it was hopeless. There was no possible way to get to anything without putting the bag down on the ground or some other surface. In wet or muddy conditions I'd be loathe to do that. Luckily I had my girlfriend with me to get things for me while it was still on my back, but that was the day I realised how handy the Slingshot design really is.

[Bruce_B]

Noted and will do. I dont use the laptop section anyway, so that would be a perfect place for one of those really flat folding vinyl rain ponchos.

That's where I put mine. I have 2 in there so I have a spare/loaner and there's still plenty of room for a magazine or two. You can get into that section without taking the pack off so I can sling it around, put my camera in, and then grab a poncho out of the laptop pocket rather quickly.

[nutsnbolts]

It is not only quick access to your camera. I've had mine for 17 months. I know what I can and can't get to when it's pulled forward. I can get to everything, at a pinch, and I don't need a clean dry surface on which to place the bag.

I also have a full backpack - the ThinkTank Airport Acceleration. It is a lovely backpack. I've used it once in the field - a test run really. The instant I wanted anything from it it was hopeless. There was no possible way to get to anything without putting the bag down on the ground or some other surface. In wet or muddy conditions I'd be loathe to do that. Luckily I had my girlfriend with me to get things for me while it was still on my back, but that was the day I realised how handy the Slingshot design really is.

Remember when I said the bag is to be used what it was designed to do. Your comparison between the the SS versus the Airport Acceleration is way off. Try a Rotation 360. That is a better comparison. The airport acceleration is designed for travel hence the "airport" in it's name. Not for a day of shooting where you need "quick access" to your gear.

The rotation 360 was designed for that although the inception for it's use is quick access to your gear (lens, etc.).

[_aravena]

Yeah I was thinking I needed the 250 for the size since it looks like a 70-200 attached in the 200 would be hard. So I came up with ideas for the laptop area, I'd never carry with gear. No reason and if I did, I'd have another bag.

Anything flat...poncho, mag, flash diffuser, etc.

[cosworth]

I don't like putting my gear on the ground and having quick access to my gear is important to me. I change lenses, batteries, cards, filters without having to put my gear down on wet, sandy, dirty or sloped surfaces.

When I go to the racetrack, I take my big backpack. It sits on the grass with all my stuff ready to rock.

[ClickClick]

+1 for the crowd that do not like the Slingshot.

Had the 200 and hated it from the minute I put it on.
I ended up making my own bag and have never been happier.

[tdodd]

Remember when I said the bag is to be used what it was designed to do. Your comparison between the the SS versus the Airport Acceleration is way off. Try a Rotation 360. That is a better comparison. The airport acceleration is designed for travel hence the "airport" in it's name. Not for a day of shooting where you need "quick access" to your gear.

The rotation 360 was designed for that although the inception for it's use is quick access to your gear (lens, etc.).
Fair point, but I can only compare what I have experience of, not make wild guesses at what alternatives might be like in use. I certainly don't intend to keep buying the latest greatest invention every time something new is launched - especially at ThinkTank prices in the UK :)

EDIT : A Slingshot 200 now costs around £45 in the UK. The Rotation-360 is more like £184.

[nutsnbolts]

Yeah I was thinking I needed the 250 for the size since it looks like a 70-200 attached in the 200 would be hard. So I came up with ideas for the laptop area, I'd never carry with gear. No reason and if I did, I'd have another bag.

Anything flat...poncho, mag, flash diffuser, etc.

I'm so tempted on getting that. But can't justify it with all the "carrying" gear I already have. I'm still waiting to get my Crumpler Daily XXXL. Is it a tight fit where the laptop area is?

[Lester Wareham]

Everyone loved the waist belt, it provide the feeling that the waist belt alleviated the weight which to some degree it did, but then it might as well have been a backpack for removing the waist belt and loosening the shoulder strap took as much time as removing one shoulder strap from a backpack and accessing your gear.

Well each to their own, but I had no trouble getting access, I just unclasp the belt, slid round and I'm in; getting back into carry mode is as simple.

I don't think you could have experimented enough with the use case if you were having to fiddle with the shoulder strap. I have adjusted it once and that was that.

[Lester Wareham]

You apparently didn't read the rest of my post, if anything understood my post. That quote is only part of what I was trying explain. If I didn't explain it thoroughly, then I apologize. I'll attempt to explain it again.

First and foremost. We do full in-depth reviews of packs, more specifically with Thinktank then lowepro products (although we haven't done all lowepro products, we have done the slingshots).

What we found out with the Slingshots is that the rated weight bearing "typically" for anyone is a fully loaded 200. Cramming more stuff in the 200 to make things "fit" is overpacking. Now...follow me here. They took a 200 bag and said, "hey! we can make this bigger!" That's great! But what's the difference between an overpacked 200 with a bag that has more room to fit more stuff when a "typical" weight bearing is a fully packed 200?

Nothing...

They wanted to stay with the sling style and added a waist belt to "compensate" for the weight. Seems logical right? Transfer of weight. Simple physics.

The bottomline is, the transfer of weight does not take away the strain from the shoulder but only alleviates it to your waist. In layman, it makes it more tolerable which will give you the feeling that it's more bearable...which means you can technically carry for longer periods of time.

Hiking bags (in my previous post) was an example that I used which depicted the waist belt. Every hiking bag has this. Why? These bags were designed to be overloaded. The waist belt is to act as a counter point to carry all the weight. With TWO shoulder straps not with ONE!

When Lowepro released the 300, they added the waist belt thinking that this was the answer. Guess what? Apparently not because they finally realized this and released the Flipside and Fastpacks.



It's not convenient when you have the waist belt tightly attached. Why not get a Fastpack (http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fastpack-350,2087,14.htm#)?

Well there is no such thing as the ideal camera bag, but I must say I have a different experience to the SS 300 than you. But people are different so that is not surprising.

However having said that I like the look of the fastpack, an outside net for a water bottle is something I miss with the SS. I am not sure on the dimensions but I'll certainly keep an eye on it.

Something that would be essential for the Fastpack for me is for it to be possible for most of the weight to be taken on the belt without compromising access.

Can you point to reviews showing kit in the fastpacks please.

[tjrenegade]

I found the regular backpack a major PIA....having to get it off my back every time I needed to change a lens or just store the camera till next time I needed it. For sporting events it was useless...a belt system was much better. for General travel the SS200 fits the bill. I can carry my camera with a couple of lens and maybe a few filters and extra batterie,s CF cards etc....not over loading it. Advantage is I can access the camera relativly quickly or store it just as quickly. My shoulders hurt more with the backpack mainly because I tended to carry more stuff.

To each his or her own....

IF I had the money I might consider the Think Tank Rotation 360 as a good compromise.

[Lester Wareham]

I found the regular backpack a major PIA....having to get it off my back every time I needed to change a lens or just store the camera till next time I needed it. For sporting events it was useless...a belt system was much better. for General travel the SS200 fits the bill. I can carry my camera with a couple of lens and maybe a few filters and extra batterie,s CF cards etc....not over loading it. Advantage is I can access the camera relativly quickly or store it just as quickly. My shoulders hurt more with the backpack mainly because I tended to carry more stuff.


I used to use a belt bag (you carried at the back and slid it round to use) for my FD film system. Moder DSLRs are too bulky for it, besides I now have no waste for it to sit on. :)

That is part of why I like a load belt, but mostly so the load is on my hips and not transmitted through my back, I have a back injury now. Thus the SS300.


To each his or her own....

IF I had the money I might consider the Think Tank Rotation 360 as a good compromise.

I looked at those. It looks very cleaver but I have the feeling it is too complicated to be fast and reliable in the field. But I haven't tried it, so this is just my natural suspicion of something that looks over designed.

[nutsnbolts]

Fair point, but I can only compare what I have experience of, not make wild guesses at what alternatives might be like in use. I certainly don't intend to keep buying the latest greatest invention every time something new is launched - especially at ThinkTank prices in the UK :)

EDIT : A Slingshot 200 now costs around £45 in the UK. The Rotation-360 is more like £184.

Yes, the thinktank rotation 360 is crazy in terms of price but function wise, it's one of the best thought out and if I want a "backpack" that will also allow fast access. Just note that this doesn't allow fast access to your camera. It's a bag where you take out your camera and have fast access to your lenses.

It's also modular where you can attach any of the "fast access" components to expand the gear.

[nutsnbolts]

I used to use a belt bag (you carried at the back and slid it round to use) for my FD film system. Moder DSLRs are too bulky for it, besides I now have no waste for it to sit on. :)

That is part of why I like a load belt, but mostly so the load is on my hips and not transmitted through my back, I have a back injury now. Thus the SS300.



I looked at those. It looks very cleaver but I have the feeling it is too complicated to be fast and reliable in the field. But I haven't tried it, so this is just my natural suspicion of something that looks over designed.

The bag is definitely clever. The ability to carry a tripod, the ability to separate the two components for specific use, the bag can stand up on it's own. The pack is also modular where you can attach any of the belt system pouches on the backpack.

You can carry two bodies from the shoulder strap to alleviate weight on your neck. There is nothing to loosen to make the bag function or access your gear in the belt system.

You can go on and on with this. It's an amazing bag with a hefty price.

[Rey]

I have a slingshot 300. I'm very happy with it. I've walked miles of Manhattan, Vancouver, and Philly with it and sure I get a sore shoulder. Same sore shoulder I get with a backpack.

I concur. The SS300 has been a great bag for my usage. If I lost it, I'd buy it again.

[steved110]

I have a mini trekker that I use to store gear in, and a slingshot 200 I bought for walk abouts. I rapidly came to dislike it - because I was overloading it. I now use it to carry my 20D, flash, one spare lens, spare batteries, a microfiber cloth and spare cards ( and they don't take much room) - and that's it. Wearing it with my 17-40 and 70-200 f/4 and a couple of fast primes and the flash and spare batts, and being out all day - asking for a trip to the chiro!

Not being able to swap shoulders is a problem, and I also found that when I slung it round the front to change lenses/ access the pouch it was so high up my chest I had to take the thing off anyway - I'm fairly short so that might be why!

I've been looking at a good shoulder bag - the magnum caught my eye, but that was before i found this thread and the discussion about the fastpacks. they look great and if I can find one at a good price, I'll go grab one!

[a100years]

I'm yet another ex fan of the slingshot. even with just the camera and 1 lens in it, my back and neck hurt for hours after wearing it. i am not a person who generally experiences back pain and i have no problem with standard backpacks. i have tried many different ways of wearing my slingshot but at the end of the day,the weight distribution is always uneven.

i love the ease of access and want to replace it with something similar, so am thinking i will grab the fastpack as well. that thinktank looks great but its not always convenient to use a waist belt (eg. when in a suit).

[DStanic]

My main bag is the LOWERPRO MICROTREKKER 200. Backpack-2 straps. Holds alot more gear than the SS200 but almost the same size. And, it's slightly cheaper than the SS200. It doesn't have the seperate upper compartment like the slingshot, but it's so big you can arrange the inside to fit a little extra whatever in. Worth taking a look at.

I did buy a SS200 (used), which I haven't used much yet. I figure for hikes or something where I'll have my camera+walkaround lens and a telephoto in the bag, maybe a flash. Not alot of gear, more like a planned out thing.

[DanteCaspian]

I bought one as my first DSLR bag a month ago. I will be getting rid of it as possible.
I find it comfortable, though a bit thick and not too breathable in hot weather.
It is a good concept, but they just don't hold things in the most logical areas (to me) and space is tight for even my simple list of equipment. I have to "fight" to solidly grab my 40D out of it.
There are other brands with the quick sling back and forward motion, I think any of them may be better-- I will find out soon.
Tell me, is that much Velcro needed to hold that small of flaps? Feels like I am skinning a beast with may bare hands when trying to open the pouch for CF cards.

[Glenn NK]

Check out posts 12, 13 and 14:

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

The Lowepro AW 300 just needs to be fixed.:lol: