Bag help - considering a Lowepro Slingshot 200

[Longers]

Hi all

I've spent ages thinking about what bag to get...

I've got a topload zoom bag for day to day use which I love that takes the D100 and 28-70 lens, batteries etc or the 10-20. The lens not being used clips onto the side using the lowepro sliplock attachments. It's easy to carry and very accessible.

Where I struggle is when at motor racing events cos the D100 doesn't fit in the bag with the 1.4 converter and 70-200 f2.8 fitted....

A rucksack would be comfortable if worn for long periods and something like a Rover would give space for all the camera kit and some other items such as rain jacket etc. If I needed all of my kit up a mountain I'd go with a rucksack but I''l only really use this bag for motor racing. Easy access would be an issue for me.

Shoulder bags give easy access but I think might be a bit bulky under my arm and they don't have space for non camera kit.

So, the Slingshot 200 seems to be a good compromise of the above - bit of extra storage in the top for snack etc and easy access. I know it will take all of my kit but does anyone know if the 1.4 and 70-200 would fit while on the body?

I need to act quickly cos I want it for Le Mans!!

Cheers, Longers

[LaSarthe+Back]

Wow you don't ask for much do you!!

I've got a few things I need in my bag...

350D, 100-400 L, 17-70, ball head, batteries, rain cover filter etc,

I've got a Lowepro AW Mini Trekker and for the amount of kit it holds, as well as waterproofs, food & drink etc, I'm very very pleased with it.

You may not find one that fit's all those requirements.

have a look here for various user's bags and the kit the fit into one.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php...

Not sure I'd like to lug every item round the circuit though!

[911newbie]

Amazon are doing the LowePro Fast pack 350 for £62 at the moment, mines being delivered.

[VxDuncan]

I use an Lowepro Orion AW, back pack/shoulder bag combiuned - plenty of space for non camera klit, waterproof and secure, but rather large.

Didn't like the slingshots - not big enough (inc the 300) and didn't like the way someone walking behind could get at the zips.

[Greendubber]

I have the Lowpro Slingshot 200 and its full now, need something bigger!.

Great bag but you cant fit all that much in there.

[Longers]

Thanks for the comments.

LaSarthe+Back said:

Wow you don't ask for much do you ...... Not sure I'd like to lug every item round the circuit though!

That's my dilemma - trying to find something that is big enough for the long lens & converter attached to the body that gives easy access but isn't too big!!

I'll take a look at the Fast pack

Cheers, Longers

[BigMansZetec]

Longers said:

Hi all

I know it will take all of my kit but does anyone know if the 1.4 and 70-200 would fit while on the body?

I need to act quickly cos I want it for Le Mans!!

I have that bag and its fits the body with a 17-70mm lens fairly snuggly, and the 400D body isn't the biggest around. I don't think you would be able to keep your 70-200 lens on the body. You might be able to play around with the internal dividers, but I reckon it might be tight.

Good bag though.

[tim-b]

Longers said:

I'll take a look at the Fast pack

I just got a fastpack 200, chose it over the slingshot on the grounds that having 2 shoulder straps will be more comfy (surprising how heavy these bags get with a couple bottles of water etc) and you still get the side load too. Also much more space for general stuff (i.e. lunch!/spare sweater) so I hopefully won't need to have an extra bag to carry that stuff.

only used it once, but it seems to be pretty good.

[CVP]

I found the slingshot when loaded with kit quite uncomfortable for long periods of carrying. Try here for user reviews bag linkof various bags. Lots of them have pics so you can see what you can get in.

Chris

[Longers]

Well I popped to the local Jessops at lunchtime and they had the Fastpack 200 and Slingshot 200. Pleasingly both comfortably took the D100 with the 1.4 converter and 70-200 f2.8 fitted and still left room for my other lenses, batteries etc.

Only decision I need to make now is whether I need the extra "non camera" storage and 2 straps of the Fastpack or prefer the smaller overall dimensions of the Slingshot. I'll not be carrying it far for long periods so the compact size of the slingshot (I'm not going to have much room going to Le Mans with the camping kit in the car!) just gets it's nose in front...... until I think of the need to carry a fleece / waterproof to contend with the British "summer" at a wet and windy Donington, Silverstone etc!! Decisions, decisions....

Thanks again for the help

[NiceCupOfTea]

I have a slingshot 200 - great bit of kit. Carried all my gear round New York for several days.

Easily holds my D70s & lens, plus 3 other lenses, flash, memory cards, batteries, filters, etc. Compartment at the top usually holds cables/chargers &c although that's really for storage and I take them out if I'm not going to need them. Easily get a bottle of water and a sandwich in there.

Don't think you can go hiking with it though, not that much room!

I'd say it would be good for track photography etc. If you're worried about security you can slide it round to your front, and the zips are difficult to get at due to the straps limiting the opening size.

Biggest annoyance to me is that it gets uncomfortable after a while and of course you can't swap shoulders as it is a single strap.

Good value though IMHO.