Another need a bag thread - sling

I currently have a Lowepro Slingshot 200, and I love it... but I've slightly outgrown it...
it's camera gear handling capacity fits my needs, so something that size would be fine
what I really need that the SS 200 doesn't have is a laptop compartment - simply for my iPad/file folder/travel documents/etc...

I've noticed the slingshot 350, it's of interest, but seems to be overpriced ($170-ish), and some places have marked as discontinued

I've looked at the Kata slings, and not too interested in those

I've looked at the Lowepro Fastpacks (250 and 350) - they seem ok, but I prefer the 1-strap sling

Anything else out there I should consider?

SMP_Homer wrote in post #11627876
I've noticed the slingshot 350, it's of interest, but seems to be overpriced ($170-ish), and some places have marked as discontinued

I've looked at the Lowepro Fastpacks (250 and 350) - they seem ok, but I prefer the 1-strap sling

Anything else out there I should consider?

Large slings don't work that well from a comfort point of view, as the heavy weight of the equipment puts a strain on the single shoulder point. It's better to get a back pack style case if you need something larger, to spread the weight of the load.

What I do is slip the netbook (thicker than an ipad) inside the flipside 300 on top of the camera gear, there is plenty of room as the dividers aren't has high as the sides of the back pack and it allows the bag to be zipped up normally with no bulging

It's more secure as the netbook is against your back due to the back door design of the bag and is protected by the extra padding on the back flap.

The bag still carries quite a lot of equipment despite it's compact form and cheap price (Amazon promotion "LP20SAVE" on check out)

think tank sling-o-matic 20 or 30...
and if/when it's too heavy for one strap, you can flip it to the other shoulder...
and if/when both shoulders are sore, cut their single strap off and use their backpack strap setup, it's PERFECT that way (that's what I've done)...

I should point out that I also have a Computrekker backpack - that's what I use when I need to carry a lot of gear...
the sling is for when I need less gear (aka most of the time) or as the sidekick to the trekker (not everything will fit in the trekker, but everything will fit in trekker + sling)

The Tenba looks interesting... someone sent me some vids and pics of the Kata 3N1-22/33, and I'm liking this a bit more now than I did yesterday...

still pondering...

yeah, I'd still go with either the TT sling 20 or maybe the incase DLSR sling:
http://www.goincase.co​m/products/detail/cl58​032/

also, here's my video review of the lowepro classified and incase:
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=T-iHXAB9KGs

jacobsen1 wrote in post #11631340
or maybe the incase DLSR sling:
http://www.goincase.co​m/products/detail/cl58​032/

Is it just me, or am I not seeing the notebook/ipad slot?

jacobsen1 wrote in post #11631340
yeah, I'd still go with either the TT sling 20 or maybe the incase DLSR sling:
http://www.goincase.co​m/products/detail/cl58​032/

also, here's my video review of the lowepro classified and incase:
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=T-iHXAB9KGs

wow

0 for 3

not one of those has a notebook slot of any kind, which is the main reason why I'm going from my SS200 - and all I want it for is mostly an iPad...

next suggestion out of you better have a notebook slot

SMP_Homer wrote in post #11632903
wow

0 for 3

not one of those has a notebook slot of any kind, which is the main reason why I'm going from my SS200 - and all I want it for is mostly an iPad...

next suggestion out of you better have a notebook slot

He already suggested the TT sling 30.

wcgryphon wrote in post #11633475
He already suggested the TT sling 30.

so 0 for 3 in 1 post, 1 for 4 overall... that better?

SMP_Homer wrote in post #11632903
next suggestion out of you better have a notebook slot

wcgryphon wrote in post #11633475
He already suggested the TT sling 30.

SMP_Homer wrote in post #11634099
so 0 for 3 in 1 post, 1 for 4 overall... that better?

yeah, my FIRST reply had a solution that works and works well. You replied with "still pondering" so I added more info to the thread and no those newer additions DO NOT support a notebook, so guess what, you should stop pondering...

there's another tamrac "sling" that's more like a shoulder bag you tighten and loosen to make a sling/shoulder bag. I think it's the velocity series and I think there's a large version that can take a laptop, but you're on your own there as I've only seen pics and had it suggested to me. I have no first hand knowledge of it myself...

I'll add to the discussion to hopefully help your decision. I had the larger Lowepro sling bag. I used it for about 3 months and gave it away. When loaded down, it's simply too heavy for any lengthy carry. That's even without a laptop involved.

For me, the only sling I would consider is the ThinkTank ones. I used one for a while and its a great design. One large advantage of them is the way you can reconfigure them. I liked being able to have my 7d mounted to the 70-200 F2.8L IS lens and easily accessible in the bag. Most other slings i looked at would not offer that ability. So, look at the TT sling o matic 30 if you need a laptop compartment.

CxThree wrote in post #11638735
I'll add to the discussion to hopefully help your decision. I had the larger Lowepro sling bag. I used it for about 3 months and gave it away. When loaded down, it's simply too heavy for any lengthy carry. That's even without a laptop involved.

I've had no problems carrying a 40D gripped, with a 24-70 mounted, a 100-400, 135 and flash (plus extra batteries) in my Slingshot, on hikes, etc...
On hikes, I usually don't have the body in the bag (none of my lenses can shoot through that material) so it's even lighter as the camera will be on the other shoulder

But I never really load it up - it's more for when I want to carry a body and a lens or 2... if I want to carry a ton, I've got the backpack for that already. I just want to do the same thing now, but with a spot for my iPad, and that's why the Slingshot 350 is in consideration...

The Sling-O-Matic 30 and the Kata 3N1-22/33 are it right now... haven't been able to find the TT anywhere local yet...

Buy the Sling-o-Matic 30, load 'er up, then forever be swapping the single strap to the left and right every ten minutes or so. That will get real old, real fast. I mean, just a few minutes with my TT Retro 30 loaded for bear and put into a sling bag position starts hurting. There is a nerve in the trapezius muscle that does not want to get pinched.

Savas K wrote in post #11641064
Buy the Sling-o-Matic 30, load 'er up, then forever be swapping the single strap to the left and right every ten minutes or so. That will get real old, real fast. I mean, just a few minutes with my TT Retro 30 loaded for bear and put into a sling bag position starts hurting. There is a nerve in the trapezius muscle that does not want to get pinched.

so what's your suggestion then?

or, buy the sling, cut the strap off, buy their harness, and have the best side access photo backpack around?!

jacobsen1 wrote in post #11641128
so what's your suggestion then?

or, buy the sling, cut the strap off, buy their harness, and have the best side access photo backpack around?!

Bingo. (Take a hint, TT!) That, and your great idea about a Shapeshifter with side-loading neoprene sacks.