Anyone else find Slingshots uncomfortable?

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so I've had my 300AW for a few months now, and I'm finding it to be rather uncomfortable when it has a little bit of weight to it! Which sucks cause it seemed like a perfect option to bring on my europe trip with me, but after carrying it around on different outtings, I don't think I could walk around all day with it.

It hurts my shoulder, and it only gets a tad better when I wear the bag RIGHT up on my shoulder blades (the strap as short as possible) but then it looks stupid and not how I normally wear a bag.

It seems I might need to get yet ANOTHER bag :S which sucks cause like I said I love the idea of the slingshot, and it works it most cases, but extended use doesn't seem to be one of them :(

[bohdank]

Buy a Fastpack. A Sligshot with 2 shoulder straps and space on top for other stuff. I'm happy with mine.

[jhom]

Yep, I hated my Slingshot. The single strap does not help balance the load. I sold mine after a few uses.

[pennypue]

I do like mine. I spin the pack around to the front, slung fairly low and rest my camera on top of it. I have some bad vertebrae in my neck so carrying the camera there for a while can hurt.

If I were to be walking around all day, for at least a week, I think I'd want a back pack style to spread the load on both shoulders.

I do think you need a second bag. :)

[Pauly_G]

I quite like my Slingshot, although I have to admit it's the 100AW and therefore the smallest of the range.

I generally carry the following in it:

Canon EOS 40D - with one of the below lens attached (ok, not the 70-200 as it won't fit in the bag!)

- Canon 70-200mm f4l
- Sigma 10-20 or Sigma 17-70
- Sigma 30mm
- Rocket blower / filters / remote release

The bag is right at its limit with this collection!

I did try mountain biking with the bag but found that anything other than road biking is a no-no as the weight is not evenly distributed across your body and shoulder which therefore upsets the bike balance.

I can imagine a fully loaded AW200 / AW300 would be a bit of a handful and heavy on the single strap.

Cheers

Paul

[WhyFi]

I have the SS300 and I'm happy with it as point-to-point transport of my gear, but not for daily use - it IS unwieldy when fully loaded.

I just purchased a Kata 3N1-10 for daily use, and it's much closer to what I've been looking for - something that's comfortable for all day use, small enough that I actually WILL use it, but large enough for a body (lens attached) and a couple other lenses. You can use it as a sling (either shoulder) or as a backpack with crossed or uncrossed straps. With crossed straps, you can quickly release one strap and swing the bag forward under your arm for access, like the sling configuration.

With your 70-200, you would probably need to bump up to the 3N1-20 or -30, 'specially if you want to have the 70-200 attached. Prices are, I think, pretty reasonable.

Also a driving factor for me was the desire to make a slight modification to a 'left-handed' sling - I intend to add a camera carrying strap to the left shoulder sling strap so that I can continue to carry my camera at the ready in a manner similar to the BlackRapid camera straps.

[jeromego]

i didnt like mine either, i had bothe the 200 and the 300 and ended up selling them.

[tropicsmania]

I've found that my 200 can get very uncomfortable when fully loaded unless I use the smaller cross chest strap. That smaller strap balances out the load in the bag. This works when I don't need access to the bag and when I do need to access the bag I don't bother doing up that extra strap.

[shaggymatt]

I read a lot about that after almost buying one, which is why I went with the M-Rock Arches. More like a Slingshot 250 size wise anyway, which worked a lot better for me.

[timeasterday]

I had the 200 and hated it. It caused me a lot of neck pain. I finally settled on a Crumpler 6MDH for day use, and a Tamrac Expedition backpack for taking everything on flights or any long car trips.

[aram535]

I have the 300AW and I loved when it was a 40D and 70-200. Now that I have a 1DMarkII and a 300mm it's way too small and off balance.

So I ordered a 400AW. :-) I'll let you know how it goes once I get it.

I find the backing, the straps very comfortable.

[JoYork]

I was just looking at the 300AW online. Can anyone recommend an alternative?

[pricejaj]

I have changed my slingshot for a Lowepro dryzone 200 and taken the waterproof case off. its a proper ruck sack and has a brilliant lumber support.

[ben_r_]

VERY uncomfortable. Especially the larger you get. I had the 300 also and once that thing was loaded up it killed my neck and shoulder. I wont do a single strap case again.

[gjl711]

You guys that have shoulder pain with the slingshots, do you use the waist strap? I find that when the waist strap is on and tight that there is almost no pressure on the shoulder at all. It's all on the hips.

[Karl Johnston]

I hated wearing it like a backpack until someone showed me how to wear it like a shoulder sling. Then it was okay.

In fact I really like my slingshot

[eelnoraa]

Yes, it is the most uncomfortable, unpratical bag I have had.

[_aravena]

I did, that's why i sold mine. I do kinda miss the SS100 though because it was light, you packed it light, it never really got annoying.

[ben_r_]

You guys that have shoulder pain with the slingshots, do you use the waist strap? I find that when the waist strap is on and tight that there is almost no pressure on the shoulder at all. It's all on the hips.
I always use the waist straps on my bags and no IMO on the slingshots they do not help enough if at all.

[adblink]

I have the SS300 and I'm happy with it as point-to-point transport of my gear, but not for daily use - it IS unwieldy when fully loaded.

I just purchased a Kata 3N1-10 for daily use, and it's much closer to what I've been looking for - something that's comfortable for all day use, small enough that I actually WILL use it, but large enough for a body (lens attached) and a couple other lenses. You can use it as a sling (either shoulder) or as a backpack with crossed or uncrossed straps. With crossed straps, you can quickly release one strap and swing the bag forward under your arm for access, like the sling configuration.

With your 70-200, you would probably need to bump up to the 3N1-20 or -30, 'specially if you want to have the 70-200 attached. Prices are, I think, pretty reasonable.

Also a driving factor for me was the desire to make a slight modification to a 'left-handed' sling - I intend to add a camera carrying strap to the left shoulder sling strap so that I can continue to carry my camera at the ready in a manner similar to the BlackRapid camera straps.

that Kata bag you mentioned, I saw that on the back of one of my magazines I got this month. I love the look of the bag, but it looks expensive! haha. I bought my 300AW for $110CAD on sale.

Just checked the prices.....def more expensive then the slingshots :(

3N1-10 -- $111CAD after tax
3N1-20 -- $135CAD after tax
3N1-30 -- $200CAD after tax

guess I might need to take a look at them

any others I should seriously consider for LESS then $200? lol

[WhyFi]

^^^ wow - is CAD in rough shape vs the USD? I bought mine for $70 + tax at B&H. Or is tax really high?

[sdipirro]

Love my Slingshot 200. I had it loaded with gear and pretty much wore it from 9:00 in the morning until 9:00-10:00 at night, every night for a week at DisneyWorld..only taking it off to eat. I used the waist strap when I was just walking around and not shooting.

[adblink]

well right now $1USD = $1.23CAD, or $1CAD is only worth $0.81USD (sounds worse lol) and our sales tax is 13%. very crappy situation

[ImRaptor]

that Kata bag you mentioned, I saw that on the back of one of my magazines I got this month. I love the look of the bag, but it looks expensive! haha. I bought my 300AW for $110CAD on sale.

Just checked the prices.....def more expensive then the slingshots :(

3N1-10 -- $111CAD after tax
3N1-20 -- $135CAD after tax
3N1-30 -- $200CAD after tax

guess I might need to take a look at them

any others I should seriously consider for LESS then $200? lol

Holy Fak! What place are you shopping in Canada?
I just bought a brand new Kata 3n1-30 for $120 from a place in Ontario. Cripes, even Don's Photo is only $139 for the 30 series.

Where ever you were shopping, let me know the name so I never go there.

[adblink]

haha good old Henry's (http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/stores/henrys/index.jsp)!! oh trust me I rarely buy from them but they have the biggest online inventory and usually check them to get an idea of price.

Where did you buy your bag from in ontario imraptor?

[shakyhand]

I think almost all of us have gone through several bags over the years and still looking for the perfect one.... I'm still on the hunt... currently keeping d400 stealth reporter idle and moving around with flipside 300.... when I bought the flipside, I thought I need a small bag that can fit my 1D body with 24-70L and 580EX... Perfect.. now I want to add 70-200L in the bag but can't.... ;-0

Oh yea... before I forget.. I use slingshot 200 long time ago... like it only for a year before moving to another bag... that why I hate this hobby...

P/S: Now I feel that I need to change my CF tripod...

[ImRaptor]

haha good old Henry's (http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/stores/henrys/index.jsp)!! oh trust me I rarely buy from them but they have the biggest online inventory and usually check them to get an idea of price.

Where did you buy your bag from in ontario imraptor?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-Kata-3N1-30-3-in-1-Sling-Bag-Black-Camera-Backpack_W0QQitemZ120384748888QQcmdZViewItemQQptZL H_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item120384748888&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1215%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318

[aram535]

I would like to retract my previous posting. I have the Flipside 300 and going to the 400 -- not the slingshot. Sorry about that.

[Jethro790]

I love my Slingshot 100, but not if it's totally loaded down.

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http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-Kata-3N1-30-3-in-1-Sling-Bag-Black-Camera-Backpack_W0QQitemZ120384748888QQcmdZViewItemQQptZL H_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item120384748888&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1215%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318


yup that price is much much better. Stupid tax of course. will have to go check out the bag first.

thanks for the link!