which bag? crumpler 7MDB or slingshot 200 AW?

[LeoChanPhotography]

hey guys!

i'm wondering which bag you'd recommend for me to use. i want something easy to use, so i can switch lenses without having to put my bag down, something that won't be too heavy (my shoulders are normally really tight, so i'm a bit unsure about a shoulder bag with so much gear) and something that'll offer good protection for my stuff. i'm debating between the crumpler 7MDB or the slingshot 200. the slingshot seems to be better for distributing the weight better on the body, but it doesn't seem like you can easily switch lens without putting down the bag first (from what i understand, if you have the bag on, and open it fully, the lens would fall out!! yikes).

this is a list of my gear so far:
canon 40d
17-85mm IS
50mm 1/8
580ex II
55-250mm IS
70-200mm F/4

i'm debating on either getting rid of the 55-250 or the 70-200mm right now.

which bag would be better? thanks!! :)

[SMP_Homer]

I have the Slingshot 200, and if you re-organize the dividers, you can make everything accessible to the side.
I have a 40D with 17-55 2.8 mounted, a 70-200 f4 IS with hood reversed, 50 1.8 and 85 1.8 sharing 1 slot, and a 580EX. There's room for another flash or lens. All this is in the main compartment. I've once had a 70-200 f4 IS and a 70-200 2.8 IS (borrowed) in this bag as well, along with all other lenses (just no hoods).

With all my gear, this bag is just over 9 lbs. I don't mind this too much if I'm travelling (aka is not on my back all that much) but if I'm walking around or hiking, it's really too much for 1 shoulder. But if the camera (& lens) is in my hands, the rest of the gear doesn't feel all that bad on 1 shoulder...

[Haru]

The crumpler itself is not a lite bag. Add lenses, flash, camera, accessories, it starts to weigh a lot. If you have problems with your shoulders I would not suggest buying it.

[eelnoraa]

I will advice AGAINST the Slingshot 200. It actually really sucks at weight distribution. I had one for 6 monthes, and now sold. The major problem with the design that that you can only wear on one shoulder, cannot switch side. With shoulder bag like 7MDH, at least you can switch shoulder. The bag is quite large and bulky externally but feel small in use. You gears will not all fit in the main compartment, some has to go on the top. And it will not fit body+70-200F4L attached.

If you like the idea of side access, at least take a look at the lowepro fastpack instead.

eel

[SMP_Homer]

The bag is quite large and bulky externally but feel small in use. You gears will not all fit in the main compartment, some has to go on the top. And it will not fit body+70-200F4L attached.

If you like the idea of side access, at least take a look at the lowepro fastpack instead.

eel

Simply not true.
My 40D with a 70-200 f4 IS will fit when attached. It's the very limit of what this bag will accept, but it will fit. One of my requirements when I got this bag is that I could put away my camera into this bag regardless of which lens is attached.

[_aravena]

Check out my review of the 7MDH. It's definitely large enough for what you want. I love mine will never give it up. Perfect for weddings at it's stylish and a conversation piece (orange and blue ;)).

If you do want a side loading bag check out the Fastpack. I hated the 200AW.

[andrew748]

I will advice AGAINST the Slingshot 200. It actually really sucks at weight distribution. I had one for 6 monthes, and now sold. The major problem with the design that that you can only wear on one shoulder, cannot switch side. With shoulder bag like 7MDH, at least you can switch shoulder. The bag is quite large and bulky externally but feel small in use. You gears will not all fit in the main compartment, some has to go on the top. And it will not fit body+70-200F4L attached.

If you like the idea of side access, at least take a look at the lowepro fastpack instead.

eel

i'm with eelnoraa on this one.

i have the aw200 and now after 8 months of owner ship it is starting to lose it's appeal, my main issue is space,
i carry the 40d, a 430ex, the nifty, my 17/85 kit lens a couple of cf cards a spare canon battery, 24 spare AAs,stofen diffuser, a mini tripod, extension tubes, assorted cleaning gear inc a small rocket blower, remote release, off cam flash cable and my bag is full.

now i have the 70-200 2.8L is and a monopod i'm stuffed.

and i'm soon to add a 2x extender.

if you can travel light then get one, when you start adding kit it really isn't big enough and the weight distubution isn't great as previously stated.

i'm heading in this direction for my next back pack

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Vertex-200-AW,2073,16.htm

[Timphoto]

I have the Lowepro AW200 and looked at several different shoulder bags including the Crumpler 7MDB. I settled on another Lowepro - the Stealth Reporter D400AW - primarily because I wanted room for a second camera body in the future, but also because this bag has a lot of features and is weather resistant.

I'm keeping the AW200 because it fits perfectly inside of one of my motorcycle side bags, and I generally don't drag all my gear along on my motorcycle trips.

The D400AW will hold all my gear comfortably, has excellent water protection, a top zipper that makes access quick and easy, and lots of pockets to hold the small stuff.
All of the gear listed below fits inside with room to spare. You can also make it a softer sided bag by removing some of the inserts. If you're not looking for something that big, there are other sized Lowepro Stealth Reporter bags. Its worth a look.

Tim

40D, BG-E2N, EF-S 10-22,EW-83E hood, EF 24-105 f4L w/ hood, EF 70-200 f2.8L IS w/hood, EF 1.4x II, 580 EX II, TC8N03 remote, EF-12 II, 3 CF cards, USB-2 CF Reader, 4 filters, Giotto rocket, Canon battery charger, 6 AA li-ion batteries with charger, digital voice recorder, pens, paper and a 40D Manual.

[LeoChanPhotography]

hmmm, would the 6 million dollar bag work for my needs then? :0

[_aravena]

It would for now.

[rklepper]

I have the 5, 6, and 7 million dollar home's. Perfect solution as I have the perfect size bag for whatever I need. Although I shot a wedding last weekend and it made me yearn for a larger bag to fit several bodies and all my stuff.

[_aravena]

Time to get the Bazillion ;)

[hsma]

I have the 7 MDH and its getting cramped with all the gear in there now. Reorganizing the dividers I was able to fit my xti gripped + 50 and my 40D gripped + 17-55 easily. Having enough room to put my 580ex and 70-200 2.8 in their own divided sections.Overall Im satisfied with all the gear + accessories I can put in there. It does get heavy but the shoulder strap is comfortable enough and you can always switch shoulders.

[Lester Wareham]

The Slingshot 300AW is a lot better for weight distribution because it has a load belt; correctly adjusted almost all the weight is on the hips. I can carry a lot of kit in this all day with no problems, it is large enough to take a 300/4 IS with 1.4X mounted on a 20D. http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/mybags.htm#300AW

I still sometimes use my Slingshot 200AW when I am only taking small amounts of kit.

I would be wary of any pack without an effective load belt even if it has two shoulder straps.

As noted early, organise the dividers so the kit can be accessed from the side, it took me a while to wake up and smell the coffee on that one.

[andrew748]

The Slingshot 300AW is a lot better for weight distribution because it has a load belt; correctly adjusted almost all the weight is on the hips. I can carry a lot of kit in this all day with no problems, it is large enough to take a 300/4 IS with 1.4X mounted on a 20D. http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/mybags.htm#300AW

I still sometimes use my Slingshot 200AW when I am only taking small amounts of kit.

I would be wary of any pack without an effective load belt even if it has two shoulder straps.

As noted early, organise the dividers so the kit can be accessed from the side, it took me a while to wake up and smell the coffee on that one.

all tips and tricks gratefully accepted on that :D

[LeoChanPhotography]

are you able to use the slingshot without having to take off your bag to access your camera & be able to switch lenses?? i'm concerned that things would fall out if you opened the side pocket fully.

The Slingshot 300AW is a lot better for weight distribution because it has a load belt; correctly adjusted almost all the weight is on the hips. I can carry a lot of kit in this all day with no problems, it is large enough to take a 300/4 IS with 1.4X mounted on a 20D. http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/mybags.htm#300AW

I still sometimes use my Slingshot 200AW when I am only taking small amounts of kit.

I would be wary of any pack without an effective load belt even if it has two shoulder straps.

As noted early, organise the dividers so the kit can be accessed from the side, it took me a while to wake up and smell the coffee on that one.

[Lester Wareham]

are you able to use the slingshot without having to take off your bag to access your camera & be able to switch lenses?? i'm concerned that things would fall out if you opened the side pocket fully.

Yes, not problem.

You only open to top half of the main area (there are safeties to stop you).

You do have to be a bit careful with the top half and front pocket, but there are dividers etc to help. not dropped anything yet. The only delicate things in these are some CP filters and an Angle finder C respectively.

The whole thing is very stable in the slung position and acts as a platform to rest lenses on when changing them.

[SMP_Homer]

http://www.poolsters.on.ca/ss200.jpg
Slingshot, dividers arranged for side access with only the side open
580EX top left
70-200 f4 with tripod ring bottom left
50 1.8 and 85 1.8 top right
bottom right is empty
middle section holds the 40D with 17-55 2.8 IS, and the bottom of that secion (barely visible in that shot) are 2 filter holders

[LeoChanPhotography]

http://www.poolsters.on.ca/ss200.jpg
Slingshot, dividers arranged for side access with only the side open
580EX top left
70-200 f4 with tripod ring bottom left
50 1.8 and 85 1.8 top right
bottom right is empty
middle section holds the 40D with 17-55 2.8 IS, and the bottom of that secion (barely visible in that shot) are 2 filter holders

that's very helpful, thanks : is that the 200aw?

[andrew748]

http://www.poolsters.on.ca/ss200.jpg
Slingshot, dividers arranged for side access with only the side open
580EX top left
70-200 f4 with tripod ring bottom left
50 1.8 and 85 1.8 top right
bottom right is empty
middle section holds the 40D with 17-55 2.8 IS, and the bottom of that secion (barely visible in that shot) are 2 filter holders


i got all excited but the 2.8 70/200 is too log to have end on, still good effort and thanks

[SMP_Homer]

that's very helpful, thanks : is that the 200aw?

Yes

[SMP_Homer]

i got all excited but the 2.8 70/200 is too log to have end on, still good effort and thanks

the 70-200 2.8 will fit in this bag in this configuration. My 70-200 f4 is in there with the hood reversed. the 2.8 will fit in that same spot without the hood. The 4.0 will fit in the current empty spot without the hood as well.
Also... the 4.0 will fit with a 1.4 extender attached in the bag, the 2.8 will not. the 2x extender makes the 4.0 too long to fit.

[andrew748]

the 70-200 2.8 will fit in this bag in this configuration. My 70-200 f4 is in there with the hood reversed. the 2.8 will fit in that same spot without the hood. The 4.0 will fit in the current empty spot without the hood as well.
Also... the 4.0 will fit with a 1.4 extender attached in the bag, the 2.8 will not. the 2x extender makes the 4.0 too long to fit.

i'm being thick then

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/7621151-lg.jpg

this works

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/7621150-md.jpg

but i then have my camera around my neck and my monopod jerry rigged to the safety clips.

[_aravena]

Even I've done that. (in bag reviews) It's getting it in there with the camera attached that's no fun.

[SMP_Homer]

I now see what you mean... re-arrange the dividers, and you can let it flat as in your 2nd picture, but not in the middle where the camera body would go


i'm being thick then

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/7621151-lg.jpg

this works

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/7621150-md.jpg

but i then have my camera around my neck and my monopod jerry rigged to the safety clips.

[Lester Wareham]

You can fit a fair side lens in mounted in the 300.

So, 300 f4 IS with 1.4X on 20D

http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/images/bags/Slingshot300/Open%20w%20300f4%201_4X.jpg

Bit of a squeeze but it does close.

http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/images/bags/Slingshot300/Close%20w%20300f4%201_4X.jpg

The following shows my standard load configuration, obviously I swap stuff in and out for different types of shoot.

http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/images/bags/Slingshot300/alt%20load%20top.jpg

From the slung position you see

http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/images/bags/Slingshot300/alt%20load%20side.jpg

Of course I need to take out the 24-105 or 200/2.8 to get to the 1.4X or 2X respectively, and the extension tube stack is under the 17-40.

Top pocket has all sorts of stuff. Waterproof/camo cover, CP filters, fingerless gloves for if it is cold, TMA-A, small Lasolite reflector, small plastic bulldog clips I use for steadying things etc.

Small side pocket has spare cards, spare battery, scissors, jeweller’s screwdrivers, timer-release, angle finder C, lots of small plastic bags and rubber bands for ad-hoc waterproofing.