What might be a stupid bag question

I am looking for a new camera bag and have a question about sling bags. My last couple of bags have been backpacks, but I don't completely use them as backpacks. I normally just carry one of the straps on my right shoulder.

I was on B+H looking at bags and I saw the sling bags and for a moment I thought they might be just what I was looking for. After doing some research and looking at reviews and videos it appears they are always worn across the body and not just on the shoulders. I guesss my question would be,"are these not made to just carry on the shoulder and must they be worn across the body?". I'm thinking I probably need to just stay with a backpack.

In case it helps, I am looking for a bag for my 60D with a 70-200mm L lens, 100mm macro L lens and a few consumer lenses plus flash and the usual accessories. I also fly with on a semi regular basis so it need to be carry on friendly.

Thanks for any repsonses.

I think you could carry it on one shoulder. But a sling bag is designed so you can rotate it around to your front for accessing gear without removing it. It needs to be around your torso (right shoulder to left hip) to do that.

mike_d wrote in post #16676065
I think you could carry it on one shoulder. But a sling bag is designed so you can rotate it around to your front for accessing gear without removing it. It needs to be around your torso (right shoulder to left hip) to do that.

Thanks Mike. That does not look like something I'm in need of.

The intent of most sling bags is to wear cross-body for stability, and as mentioned the ability to rotate to the front.

I think one of the more customizable options would be the Kata 3-n-1 series. These have two straps which you can arrange/hide however you like (backpack, sling, single strap) and also have side access from both sides so you can set it up to your own preferences.

Does anyone wear a sling bag and a camera sling strap? So the bag goes from right shoulder to left hip while the camera sling is the opposite. Does that even work for rotating and accessing the bag or do you get tangled up?

NeoTiger wrote in post #16676569
The intent of most sling bags is to wear cross-body for stability, and as mentioned the ability to rotate to the front.

I think one of the more customizable options would be the Kata 3-n-1 series. These have two straps which you can arrange/hide however you like (backpack, sling, single strap) and also have side access from both sides so you can set it up to your own preferences.

I have Kata 3n1 20 bag, and it is very versatile. It can be setup (quickly interchangeable) as a normal backpack, a backpack with crossed straps, and a sling bag on either shoulder. It is worth a look.

mike_d wrote in post #16676591
Does anyone wear a sling bag and a camera sling strap? So the bag goes from right shoulder to left hip while the camera sling is the opposite. Does that even work for rotating and accessing the bag or do you get tangled up?

I used to kind of like bandolier style, like a soldier with ammo slung across both shoulders and across chest. I also used to carry sling bags exclusively. I've since switched to backpacks, especially lighter ones like Lowepro flipside 300 and 400.

The strap on a sling bag is not made to carry the way the OP asked because of the way they are attached and "shaped" and angled for lack of a better explanation.

Thanks you to all who replied!

NeoTiger wrote in post #16676569
I think one of the more customizable options would be the Kata 3-n-1 series. These have two straps which you can arrange/hide however you like (backpack, sling, single strap) and also have side access from both sides so you can set it up to your own preferences.

Are you saying that if I wanted to wear it just on my shoulder ,without a strap across my body, that it would be comfortable? I went to my local camera shop today and slid on a Lowepro 302AW and realized right away that it would not be comfortable on my shoulder because of the way the strap was designed.

dodgyexposure wrote in post #16676775
I have Kata 3n1 20 bag, and it is very versatile. It can be setup (quickly interchangeable) as a normal backpack, a backpack with crossed straps, and a sling bag on either shoulder. It is worth a look.

I did look at this bag and might be interested in it if I knew the shoulder strap would be comfortable just slung on my shoulder and if it would hold my 60D w/grip and the 70-200 attached along with the other items I mentioned. I also looked at the 3N1 33 but I was watching a video about it and it looked huge even though the stated dimensions did not seem that large.

MDJAK wrote in post #16676843
I used to kind of like bandolier style, like a soldier with ammo slung across both shoulders and across chest. I also used to carry sling bags exclusively. I've since switched to backpacks, especially lighter ones like Lowepro flipside 300 and 400.

The strap on a sling bag is not made to carry the way the OP asked because of the way they are attached and "shaped" and angled for lack of a better explanation.

That is correct, which I found out after trying on the Lowepro 302AW. I just wonder whether the Kata straps are different?

Do you own the Lowepro 400? It looks like it would hold everything I have, but I was wondering if it would fit with ease under an airline seat.

Thanks again for any responses.

Why would one insist on a camera bag be worn on shoulder only ?? Awkward. Theft-prone too.

armyslowrdr wrote in post #16677162
Why would one insist on a camera bag be worn on shoulder only ?? Awkward. Theft-prone too.

I wear it that way because that 's the way I want to wear it, and it's not awkward at all for me. Good luck getting that bag away from me.

Mnbruce wrote in post #16676939
I did look at this bag and might be interested in it if I knew the shoulder strap would be comfortable just slung on my shoulder and if it would hold my 60D w/grip and the 70-200 attached along with the other items I mentioned. I also looked at the 3N1 33 but I was watching a video about it and it looked huge even though the stated dimensions did not seem that large.

Ah, I didn't read your OP closely enough. I've never tried using the 3N1 bag on one shoulder, without slinging it across the body. I'm not sure that any sling type bag will be any more comfortable than a backpack for that usage, because they are designed to be worn across the body. Certainly, you could rig the 3N1 so that it mimics a backpack with one strap (i.e. strap on the single side), but I can't see that being substantially different to using a backpack. And, yes, the 3N1 30/33 series is significantly larger than the 20/22 series.

I would think that most people who want a bag that hangs just off one shoulder opt for a shoulder bag, like a classic Domke, TT Retrospective, Lowepro messenger (etc. etc.), or a toploader or holster style bag.

dodgyexposure wrote in post #16677356
Ah, I didn't read your OP closely enough. I've never tried using the 3N1 bag on one shoulder, without slinging it across the body. I'm not sure that any sling type bag will be any more comfortable than a backpack for that usage, because they are designed to be worn across the body. Certainly, you could rig the 3N1 so that it mimics a backpack with one strap (i.e. strap on the single side), but I can't see that being substantially different to using a backpack. And, yes, the 3N1 30/33 series is significantly larger than the 20/22 series.

I would think that most people who want a bag that hangs just off one shoulder opt for a shoulder bag, like a classic Domke, TT Retrospective, Lowepro messenger (etc. etc.), or a toploader or holster style bag.

Thanks Damien.

I have a Kata 3N1-30. It is a tad big, might as well carry a decent sized backpack (which it can also be configured to do; but it is less comfortable than other backpacks I've used).

My biggest gripe with it is that I have trouble zipping it back up after I get the camera out. In the time it takes me to get it zipped up so nothing can fall out, I might as well have taken off a comfortable backpack, set it down, get my stuff, and put it back on.

mike_d wrote in post #16676591
Does anyone wear a sling bag and a camera sling strap? So the bag goes from right shoulder to left hip while the camera sling is the opposite. Does that even work for rotating and accessing the bag or do you get tangled up?

I have worn both on occasion. The Lowepro 180 AW Messenger slung to the left side, and my camera setup on the right with a CarrySpeed strap. I wear the camera sling over the bag straps, so the camera is free to lift up.

Depending on what gear your carrying, it can still get heavy after a few hours.

sawsedge wrote in post #16678852
I have a Kata 3N1-30. It is a tad big, might as well carry a decent sized backpack (which it can also be configured to do; but it is less comfortable than other backpacks I've used).

My biggest gripe with it is that I have trouble zipping it back up after I get the camera out. In the time it takes me to get it zipped up so nothing can fall out, I might as well have taken off a comfortable backpack, set it down, get my stuff, and put it back on.

Thank you for this response. Looks like I am just going to end up with another packpack. Now I just have to decide which one. I'm sure that will be a piece of cake!