shoulder bag vs. sling bag

i'm currently using a shoulder bag, the crumpler 7MDH.

normally, it's perfectly fine as i go from house to car to destination, but there are days that i have to carry it around for a few hours. as such, my shoulder would start to complain.

question is, will a sling bag with the same gear inside improve the shoulder weight problem as compared to the shoulder bag seeing that both only use one strap?

i'm looking at the tenba shootout medium sling.

the lowepro flipside would be best, but of course, we need the smallest bag that can fit the gears so i wouldn't look like i was camping/hiking in the mall.

A sling bag will help a little, but eventually, the weight would cause a problem as well. Have you considered a backpack?

mike cabilangan wrote in post #10313835
i'm currently using a shoulder bag, the crumpler 7MDH.

normally, it's perfectly fine as i go from house to car to destination, but there are days that i have to carry it around for a few hours. as such, my shoulder would start to complain.

question is, will a sling bag with the same gear inside improve the shoulder weight problem as compared to the shoulder bag seeing that both only use one strap?

i'm looking at the tenba shootout medium sling.

the lowepro flipside would be best, but of course, we need the smallest bag that can fit the gears so i wouldn't look like i was camping/hiking in the mall.

I did not like the sling at all and actually found it quite uncomfortable after a few hours walking around Disney. It could the point where I just hung it over one shoulder.

I use the 6MDH most of the time and picked up a fastpack 200 for when I need to carry more. It has the sling feature, carries much easier than the sling and the 200 is MUCH smaller than the 350 that I bought first. I chose the 200 over the 250 as I don't need to carry a laptop and I preferred the slightly smaller size.

I have a Kata torso bag and it's odd, yes, but very comfortable. I carry it in front or back and it is excellent for getting the gear in and out. The only problem is that it looks like armor.

I never felt comfortable with a shoulder bag for any length of time. I use a bunch of Domke bags that I've extended the straps so they act as sling bags and I can move them around my back to adjust the weight. With any weight in them or walking for some distance, they get uncomfortable as well. The only option I've found that works with weight and walking distance is a backpack. I wanted a small size that can carry a reasonable amount of equipment so I opted for the ThinkTank Streetwalker. I would rather bring that and not worry about leaving equipment behind because I'm worried about weight or comfort. When I purchased the 1Ds, I purchased the Streetwalker Pro. I couldn't find anything else I liked better.

EcoRick wrote in post #10314133
I never felt comfortable with a shoulder bag for any length of time. I use a bunch of Domke bags that I've extended the straps so they act as sling bags and I can move them around my back to adjust the weight. With any weight in them or walking for some distance, they get uncomfortable as well. The only option I've found that works with weight and walking distance is a backpack. I wanted a small size that can carry a reasonable amount of equipment so I opted for the ThinkTank Streetwalker. I would rather bring that and not worry about leaving equipment behind because I'm worried about weight or comfort. When I purchased the 1Ds, I purchased the Streetwalker Pro. I couldn't find anything else I liked better.

Standard streetwalker? How do you like it? After trying slings (Incase, two Katas, Lowepro) I thought I'd try some backpacks. The streetwalker seems small enough for normal use but the HD and SW Pro are tempting (though probably too bulky for regular use).

mike cabilangan wrote in post #10313835
i'm currently using a shoulder bag, the crumpler 7MDH.

normally, it's perfectly fine as i go from house to car to destination, but there are days that i have to carry it around for a few hours. as such, my shoulder would start to complain.

This is the reason I got a backback. You really want a pack with a waist belt if plan on wearing it all day.

I have a lowerpro flipside 400 and I absolutely love the capacity. In your situation its not ideal.

I can put the waist strap on and when I pull the camera out I take the shoulder straps off and rotate the bag infront of me like a table. The waist strap is used like a pivot and holds the bag out like a table. I open up the bag and grab my gear. NO need to put the bag on the ground.

I can lug a 70-200, 85L, flash, batteries on my waist using a thinktank modular belt system. My camera w/ 35L or 24-70L is on my side using a spider holster system. I can go out all day with that setup.

ecub wrote in post #10313912
A sling bag will help a little, but eventually, the weight would cause a problem as well. Have you considered a backpack?

yes i have, i'd consider a backpack that was similarly sized as the tenba sling bag (and capacity)

duane0524 wrote in post #10313994
I did not like the sling at all and actually found it quite uncomfortable after a few hours walking around Disney. It could the point where I just hung it over one shoulder.

I use the 6MDH most of the time and picked up a fastpack 200 for when I need to carry more. It has the sling feature, carries much easier than the sling and the 200 is MUCH smaller than the 350 that I bought first. I chose the 200 over the 250 as I don't need to carry a laptop and I preferred the slightly smaller size.

i used to have a sling bag, and iirc it might have been painful on the shoulder as well. bad memory on my part.

SuzyView wrote in post #10314001
I have a Kata torso bag and it's odd, yes, but very comfortable. I carry it in front or back and it is excellent for getting the gear in and out. The only problem is that it looks like armor.

do you have a picture? with your gear in it? (i'm looking for a bag that can switch between one body with big telephoto (at least 12" with body attached and lens hood reversed) or two small kits.

EcoRick wrote in post #10314133
I never felt comfortable with a shoulder bag for any length of time. I use a bunch of Domke bags that I've extended the straps so they act as sling bags and I can move them around my back to adjust the weight. With any weight in them or walking for some distance, they get uncomfortable as well. The only option I've found that works with weight and walking distance is a backpack. I wanted a small size that can carry a reasonable amount of equipment so I opted for the ThinkTank Streetwalker. I would rather bring that and not worry about leaving equipment behind because I'm worried about weight or comfort. When I purchased the 1Ds, I purchased the Streetwalker Pro. I couldn't find anything else I liked better.

thanks, i'll look into the streetwalker pro as i'd need one that can fit a gripped body. hopefully the model is available locally.

I can fit my 5D2 with 24-70 attached and the 70-200 2.8 IS, lens alone in that bag.

I had a Fastpack 200 and got rid of it mostly because I needed something that I could switch lenses in without having to put it down. I also found it to not be sufficiently well added, for my use. I got a ProMag2 which serves me very well.

I recently got a 6 MDH for when I don't need to drag as much stuff with me and I can assure you it holds more than the Fastpack did, if you do not consider the top compartment. Not as deep, though.

I am a little pissed with the 6 MDH, and myself,... the second day out with it, my 135L fell out on a tile floor and bounced around quite a bit (the hood was on). Surprisingly the lens works perfectly, no elements were knocked out of place BUT the mount is very stiff going on/off the camera. Time to send it in.

i think the thinktank streetwalker pro is at the forefront of my choices, it's only downsides are: price (184USD over here) and i'm not sure if it (with it's limited dividers) can carry TWO gripped bodies with lenses.

anymore suggestions?

i think i have way too many bags ... i'm starting to feel like a girl.

im sure the waist bags are the most comfortable, but i don't think there's one that's pushing 15-16" width

options in order of priority:
1) thinktank streetwalker pro (pros: backpack comfort, size .... cons: price, two cam questionable)
2) tenba shootout medium sling (pros: price, very compact, perfect two cam bag .... cons: might be shoulder painful)
3) lowepro flipside 400 (pros: price, size, backpack comfort ... cons: ugly)

If you need to lug around 2 pro bodies, the SW Pro probably won't work. Better start going to the gym!

Lowepro compuday pack is a nice size bag for your laptop / gear / camera.

EcoRick wrote in post #10316940
If you need to lug around 2 pro bodies, the SW Pro probably won't work.

how do you mean it won't work?