Lowepro Slingshot 300 - Does This Fit?

I have been searching and researching different bags and have come to the conclusion that I really like the "slingshot" style of bag. I especially like the Lowepro Slingshot versus Tamrac's Velocity because of the fact that you could access your camera from the side of the bag, instead of having to open the top of the bag. Anyways, for some reason, it's impossible to find a good camera store in Miami, so I can't get the feel for this bag in person, like I would want to. What I would like to know from those of you who own the Lowepro Slingshot 300 is the following:

Could you store a camera body (XTi) with a 2X TC and a 70-200 2.8IS (hood reversed) in the side-accessible center section?

If so, is it a comfortable fit or does it have to be squeezed in to the point where it fits, but it looks like it's not meant to be there?

If it doesn't, I'll drop the whole slingshot style and start looking into straight backpacks.

Thank you for your help!

I have a female friend who has the 300 and she carries it with a 70-200 and it fits easily. I would think the 1.4TC would fit in but the 2x is quite a lot longer. By the way, I saw that Adorama (whom I don't like, but has a good rep) had the 300 last week for $99. Don't know if it is still on sale.

I carry my xt, 24-70 f2.8L, 100-400L, 580, 430, and a 18-55 sigma. Its heavy but it fits all the stuff in.

donlavange wrote in post #2897266
I have a female friend who has the 300 and she carries it with a 70-200 and it fits easily. I would think the 1.4TC would fit in but the 2x is quite a lot longer. By the way, I saw that Adorama (whom I don't like, but has a good rep) had the 300 last week for $99. Don't know if it is still on sale.

donlavange, by "easily", do you mean that it has a little leeway for the additional space needed for the TC? What is your (or her) opinion on this? I don't mind a snug fit, but overly tight will defeat the purpose of getting this bag, in my opinion.

By the way, the sale is gone, but thank you for the heads-up either way!

shung wrote in post #2897463
I carry my xt, 24-70 f2.8L, 100-400L, 580, 430, and a 18-55 sigma. Its heavy but it fits all the stuff in.

shung, the 100-400 is similar in size to the 70-200, right? In your opinion, do you think the addition of a 2X TC would make for too tight of a fit?

If you have it attached to the lens, it would be tight. very tight!

PicSniper wrote in post #2897720
donlavange, by "easily", do you mean that it has a little leeway for the additional space needed for the TC? What is your (or her) opinion on this? I don't mind a snug fit, but overly tight will defeat the purpose of getting this bag, in my opinion.

By the way, the sale is gone, but thank you for the heads-up either way!

shung, the 100-400 is similar in size to the 70-200, right? In your opinion, do you think the addition of a 2X TC would make for too tight of a fit?

I went up and had a look. It does fit easily with the 70-200, but there is only about 1 inch behind the camera and 3/8" in front of the lens WITHOUT any TC. So unless you want to resize some of the baffles and allow for stretch, you may want to go for the backpack version which I have. Plenty of room there.

I kind of like the Slingshot. But I have so many bags now, it would be wasteful. . . hmmm.

Several of these on e-Bay for $89.99 http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

KonTiki wrote in post #2902146
Several of these on e-Bay for $89.99 http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

Thanks KonTiki! That is a good deal and it is a very handy bag!

shung wrote in post #2898120
If you have it attached to the lens, it would be tight. very tight!

Thank you for your input!

donlavange wrote in post #2901973
I went up and had a look. It does fit easily with the 70-200, but there is only about 1 inch behind the camera and 3/8" in front of the lens WITHOUT any TC. So unless you want to resize some of the baffles and allow for stretch, you may want to go for the backpack version which I have. Plenty of room there.

I kind of like the Slingshot. But I have so many bags now, it would be wasteful. . . hmmm.

So, 1 3/8" to go before the stretching begins? The 2X TC's body measures roughly 2 1/4", so I think it shouldn't stretch that much. I think I'll give it a try and see how it goes. Thank you for your input!

KonTiki wrote in post #2902146
Several of these on e-Bay for $89.99 http://cgi.ebay.com …ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcm​dZViewItem

KonTiki, I just checked the link and it looks like the price went up to $94.95, but that's shipped, so it's still a great price. Thank you for the link!

PicSniper wrote in post #2903393
Thank you for your input!

So, 1 3/8" to go before the stretching begins? The 2X TC's body measures roughly 2 1/4", so I think it shouldn't stretch that much. I think I'll give it a try and see how it goes. Thank you for your input!

I think if you restructured the inner partitions by cutting and sewing them you could pick up SOME additional space, but stretching is going to put the lens end and the camera back at a position to be hit if the bag is dropped etc. Take your gear unto a shop that has the bag in stock and try it out.

donlavange wrote in post #2904195
I think if you restructured the inner partitions by cutting and sewing them you could pick up SOME additional space, but stretching is going to put the lens end and the camera back at a position to be hit if the bag is dropped etc. Take your gear unto a shop that has the bag in stock and try it out.

I ordered the bag a little while ago using KonTiki's link, so I guess I'll get to try it out in person after all.

If the combination doesn't fit properly with the TC on, I'll adjust my ways and make the best of it until I find a backpack design that I really like. It's unfortunate, but I haven't been able to find a good camera shop here in Miami. If only there was a B&H down here...

donlavange, thank you once again for your input! It is greatly appreciated!!!

You are welcomed. I am sorry about the price change but you never know with stores on ebay, however, that is still a good price from all that I have researched. I am considering one myself my problem is that I too do not have any store close to me and I am a big guy and I am trying to find out what is the length of the waist strap to see if it fits me. So if you get it measure it for me and post it here please.

Good luck with it. Hope it works out. As a last resort, keep the TC off and just add it when you need it. IQ and focus speed will be better without it!

KonTiki wrote in post #2904347
You are welcomed. I am sorry about the price change but you never know with stores on ebay, however, that is still a good price from all that I have researched. I am considering one myself my problem is that I too do not have any store close to me and I am a big guy and I am trying to find out what is the length of the waist strap to see if it fits me. So if you get it measure it for me and post it here please.

ABSOLUTELY! Assuming all goes well, I should have it in my hands by early next week. I will gladly measure it or takes pics of it for you. Trust me, I can relate to having to figure out things about this bag without having it in front of me! Fortunately, with the help of good folks like yourselves, these tasks become that much easier.

donlavange wrote in post #2904360
Good luck with it. Hope it works out. As a last resort, keep the TC off and just add it when you need it. IQ and focus speed will be better without it!

Yes, as I've been finding out, you are absolutely correct! It's nice to have the reach, when necessary, but nothing beats the sharpness I've experienced with just the lens on by itself. Of course, I'm still learning all of the basics of photography, so I've still got a long way to go. Thank you, once again!

I just got a Slingshot 300 AW last Saturday and tested it on ski slopes on Sunday. I carried a 20D with grip and attached Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 with hood reversed in the center part. It will also fit with a 1.4x T-con attached. I had a 1.4x and 2x T-cons in the bag along with a Sigma 30mm f/1.4, Canon 17-85 (hoods reversed), 580EX and external flash battery; off shoe cord; Epson P2000; Olympus C5050 camera, FL-40 flash, FL-20 flash, CP filters for both cameras, some lens cleaning stuff, memory cards, rain shield; extra batteries, Canon 511A charger, and I can't rememeber what else--little stuff. It was a load for sure. The handle strap on the bottom was handy to grab the bag to pull it around in front of me to board the chairlift. I normally won't venture out with this much stuff, but it's nice to know I can. I wore it for about an hour or so and it was pretty comfortable, but the skiing conditions were really bad! I wish the Slingshot 300 AW had a few more zippered pockets on the outside, and a couple of straps to lash on a monopod (I am going to sew some loops on mine for this so the mono pod will hang on the left side when the pack is on my back, and be under it when I swing it around in front of me.). Adding some lens pouches or other pouches on the pack makes it pretty huge--but doable and workable. The top and front compartments need to be opened carefully with swung around so stuff doesn't fall out. Not a problem when you take the pack off. Also, a safey clasp needs to be put on the main shoulder strap. I am going to sew some webbing loops here to attach together with a carabiner--don't want it falling off skiing!