Sling/shoulder bag - what would you suggest?
Discussion
I already have a Tamrac backpack, which is great, holds all the kit I need, plus room for other stuff (sarnies!). I find it perfect for walks etc, very comfortable. But on other occaisions, where I am in a place where I want to take shots more often, change lens (happened whilst walking round a zoo last week!) I find the back pack more of a problem because I have to take it off every time, re-pack and put it back on.
So, it would seem a sling or shoulder bag is needed for these such occaisions, so that access to kit is easier. Been looking at the Lowepro Slingshot 200AW, the blurb suggests its easy to swing round and access the bag - anyone got one who can confirm if the sales chatter is correct, is it really that easy?
Or are there any other suggestions on suitable bags that meets my needs?
TIA.
So, it would seem a sling or shoulder bag is needed for these such occaisions, so that access to kit is easier. Been looking at the Lowepro Slingshot 200AW, the blurb suggests its easy to swing round and access the bag - anyone got one who can confirm if the sales chatter is correct, is it really that easy?
Or are there any other suggestions on suitable bags that meets my needs?
TIA.
I've got a Slingshot. Now, I'll admit that I am a bit of a retard when it comes to getting bags to fit comfortably (I can't get either of my Crumpler bags to fit comfortably either), but to me the strap seems to simply not fit properly, it just falls off my shoulder all the time.
However, the rest of the design is great, for example there's a neat arrangement that allows quick access to the camera body without opening up the entire bag.
However, the rest of the design is great, for example there's a neat arrangement that allows quick access to the camera body without opening up the entire bag.
I've got a 300. Had it about a year and a half and have found it absolutely perfect for what I need. I had a look at a 200 but it was possibly a bit small for what I wanted. It could carry the camera bits I would want but there'd be no room for extras like the wife rubbish, lunch, waterproof etc. It works perfectly for me. The shoulder strap goes across you body so when you want to access the bag you just slide it round so it sits in front of your chest, the zipper opens a side compartment which gives access to the main section. The only problem with the 300 is that it has a waist belt to help support it, I've never found the need for it so have them tucked away. I don't think the 200 has this.
The wife has a crumpler shoulder bag which is a nice size but I've noticed that shoulder bags can fall forward if you are leaning over to take a picture, the slingshots, for me, stay in place until 'you' want to move it.
The wife has a crumpler shoulder bag which is a nice size but I've noticed that shoulder bags can fall forward if you are leaning over to take a picture, the slingshots, for me, stay in place until 'you' want to move it.
I've also got a Slingshot AW200 which I find I use a lot (have a larger Lowepro and two Billinghams). I got mine secondhand about three years back for about £30 - great value.
I find it a doddle to "sling" around - my only disadvantage is it won't take a 70-200mm mounted to the camera body, but most other permutations are great.
For what it does it is reasonably comfortable - probably not good for trecking, compared to a full backpack - and is reasonably well put together, though not as indestructable as a Billy!
I find it a doddle to "sling" around - my only disadvantage is it won't take a 70-200mm mounted to the camera body, but most other permutations are great.
For what it does it is reasonably comfortable - probably not good for trecking, compared to a full backpack - and is reasonably well put together, though not as indestructable as a Billy!
I've got a 200 and have found it great. My only complaint is I've forked out on a 100-400L and it won't fit. Which of course is entirely Lowepro's fault 
beano500 said:
probably not good for trecking, compared to a full backpack
This is very true. I've spent days walking with it (when it's full) and my shoulder doesn't half ache, but it's my own fault for not using a proper rucksack. I guess it's not really intended for that sort of thing....Another one with the 200 here - I can fit the Alpha 200 in with the 70-300, although not in the "regular" manner - I have it pointing up in the bag from the base.
Its good for me, but then I only have the Sony A200, 18-70, 70-300. The other pouches in there are perfect for the camcorder (Tosh H20), compact digital (Kodak Z1285) and some other little bits and pieces. Love it, excellent all rounder.
When it came to a day out, it also had sufficient space to take a few bits of lunch for me and the kids.
Its good for me, but then I only have the Sony A200, 18-70, 70-300. The other pouches in there are perfect for the camcorder (Tosh H20), compact digital (Kodak Z1285) and some other little bits and pieces. Love it, excellent all rounder.
When it came to a day out, it also had sufficient space to take a few bits of lunch for me and the kids.
miniman said:
I've got a Slingshot. Now, I'll admit that I am a bit of a retard when it comes to getting bags to fit comfortably (I can't get either of my Crumpler bags to fit comfortably either), but to me the strap seems to simply not fit properly, it just falls off my shoulder all the time.
How can it fall off your shoulder when the strap goes right over your head?I use a Lowepro slingshot AW200 and AW300, excellent bags and really handy as you dont have to take it off to get at your kit.
Forgot to say about the 200: it's little touches like the pull-out rain cover that add to it being a really useful feeling bit of kit.
It has little pockets to stuff a CF card or 5. I can get an SB-800 in the top little section - and an L-bracket, and the allen key, and the spare battery with the door attached, and a pair of sunglasses, five spare AA batteries, a cloth, and my 'phone and a pen and......
It has little pockets to stuff a CF card or 5. I can get an SB-800 in the top little section - and an L-bracket, and the allen key, and the spare battery with the door attached, and a pair of sunglasses, five spare AA batteries, a cloth, and my 'phone and a pen and......
Col 666 said:
How can it fall off .....
Oh - and if you're reading this and haven't seen/handled a Slingshot:http://vidego.productvideocast.com/player.php?p=t8...
Single strap bags are much easier to use for quick access, but my god it will hurt if you wear it for a while.
Why not try this - with your existing back pack shorten one of the straps to the shortest it will go, and lengthen the other so that it is the same length as a strap for a shoulder bag.
Now wear the backpack with just the one strap over the shoulder and diagonally across your chest - you should then be able to spin it round and get easy access from the front.
When you're on the move and don't need easy access, convert it back to two straps.
Why not try this - with your existing back pack shorten one of the straps to the shortest it will go, and lengthen the other so that it is the same length as a strap for a shoulder bag.
Now wear the backpack with just the one strap over the shoulder and diagonally across your chest - you should then be able to spin it round and get easy access from the front.
When you're on the move and don't need easy access, convert it back to two straps.
Col 666 said:
miniman said:
I've got a Slingshot. Now, I'll admit that I am a bit of a retard when it comes to getting bags to fit comfortably (I can't get either of my Crumpler bags to fit comfortably either), but to me the strap seems to simply not fit properly, it just falls off my shoulder all the time.
How can it fall off your shoulder when the strap goes right over your head?I use a Lowepro slingshot AW200 and AW300, excellent bags and really handy as you dont have to take it off to get at your kit.
Thanks for all the coments guys, looks like the slingshot could be the bag for me, just pondering on the size.
As for the coment on using my existing backpack, but extending the straps, good idea I will have a try, but suspect access to the kit compartment might be tricky and thats the key issue I want to resolve.
Cheers.
clonmult said:
Another one with the 200 here - I can fit the Alpha 200 in with the 70-300, although not in the "regular" manner - I have it pointing up in the bag from the base.
Its good for me, but then I only have the Sony A200, 18-70, 70-300. The other pouches in there are perfect for the camcorder (Tosh H20), compact digital (Kodak Z1285) and some other little bits and pieces. Love it, excellent all rounder.
When it came to a day out, it also had sufficient space to take a few bits of lunch for me and the kids.
I also have an alpha, with the 70-300 and the 18-70, but also a Sigma 10-20, so I am wondering if the 200 bag might be a little small, plus that with the 70-300 lens on, camera can't go in the conventional way is a concern. So maybe 300 would be better.Its good for me, but then I only have the Sony A200, 18-70, 70-300. The other pouches in there are perfect for the camcorder (Tosh H20), compact digital (Kodak Z1285) and some other little bits and pieces. Love it, excellent all rounder.
When it came to a day out, it also had sufficient space to take a few bits of lunch for me and the kids.
As for the coment on using my existing backpack, but extending the straps, good idea I will have a try, but suspect access to the kit compartment might be tricky and thats the key issue I want to resolve.
Cheers.
Want a sling pack that doesnt hurt when you walk all day you say .... well what about one that you can convert into a backpack for the longer walk and swap to sling pack when you get there >>>
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-kata-3-in-1-sl...
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-kata-3-in-1-sl...
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