which bag? crumpler 7MDB or slingshot 200 AW?

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.

Lester Wareham wrote in post #6012340
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.ze​n.co.uk/photography/my​bags.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.

col127 wrote in post #6013345
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.

http://www.poolsters.o​n.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

SMP_Homer wrote in post #6014548
http://www.poolsters.o​n.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?

SMP_Homer wrote in post #6014548
http://www.poolsters.o​n.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

col127 wrote in post #6014876
that's very helpful, thanks : is that the 200aw?

Yes

andrew748 wrote in post #6014896
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.

SMP_Homer wrote in post #6014992
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

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

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

andrew748 wrote in post #6015227
i'm being thick then

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this works

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

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

So, 300 f4 IS with 1.4X on 20D