'Sling' bags

[Spod]

I prefer rucksack type bags leaving me both hands free to carry on with whatever so the idea of these 'sling' type bags where you wear them as a rucksack then slide them round to your front appeals to me.

The Lowepro 100 AW gets rave reviews but what else is out there in this style and any good?

I'd be carrying a 450D, Tamron f/2.8 17-50mm & Canon 55-250IS plus associated crap possibly even a tripod (Not a huge one).

[paulyoung666]

just bought a 100 aw and find it very good , takes a bit of getting used to , and remembering which way to chuck it over your head but the idea works , i have a 1000d with 18-55 and 70-300 in mine with plenty of space for maybe 1 - 2 more small lenses and associated bits and bobs

[tdodd]

I have a Slingshot 200 which I've used for 2.5 years and still like a lot. I would suggest that suspending a tripod from a Slingshot is a poor idea. The design does not encourage attaching a tripod, either in terms of attachment points, ease of swinging the bag round to the front, or having to support additional weight from one strap.

Alternatives include the Lowepro Fastpack which has two straps just like a rucksack but the bag can swing to the front just like a Slingshot.

Tenba also have sling bags.

[Spod]

Hadn't considered the Fastpack as they looked like a non slingable backpack but looking at the vid and some reviews you can The Fastpack 250 looks good as it has the lap-top compartment, I'm never going to put a lap-top in there but I could use it for magazines and use it as a carry on plane luggage system. I prefer the double shoulder strap as well to distribute weight.

Found a good site for minor reviews and photos of gear in the bags here. Just need to find a shop in London that has one in so I can have a play and feel.

[tdodd]

You can see some photos of the bag here....

www.taschenfreak.de - Fototaschen und mehr ...

Just scroll down to get to the Lowepro section.

[mrpink123]

I have a Slingshot 100 AW, and it's great just as long as you only need to carry your camera equipment- there's little room for anything else.

In mine I can fit my Sony A200 with lens attached + 2 additional lenses. The other pockets are great for filters/cleaning equipment etc. The slinging idea works well, and I find it very useful. It also has an all weather cover and an LCD cleaning cloth built in.

[tdodd]

The reason I like the 200 is because it does have the room to be a lot more versatile, without getting stupidly heavy. Here's a sample configuration for mine....

40D + mounted 100-400, 30D + mounted 10-22 and loose 17-55, all with reversed hoods....

580EX (room for another if required), 50/1.8 with rubber hood, Kenko 1.4X, Kenko macro tubes, flash cards, eBay flash trigger stuff....

Obviously the options, if you have less photographic kit, include storing a rain jacket/drink/sandwiches etc..

[dave_bass5]

Ive been using a Tamrac V9 for a couple of years now.
Its a top loading one and can hold my 40D with 24-105L (or 17-55IS) with hood attached.
I can also fit in another lens, my 580EXII or video camera and even a rain jacket (rolled up of course).
I find this type of bag great as they arent too big and you can leave the camera set up and ready to go.
If im not taking any other lenses out my camera can sit longways, again, with the hood attached.
I dont even use a lens cap when i use this bag.

[Darthchaffinch]

I've just started using a 100AW and I love it. Can understand the comment about maybe going fo a 200AW though if you're serious!

Bought mine from curries, using camerapricebuster.co.uk.

Would be interested to know what tripod case you get, I'm looking for a simple one I can fling over my (other) shoulder!

[Valleyman]

I have the 200AW, and although it's a good bag I think I'll probably get a two strap rucksack one at some point. I find when it's loaded with kit it gives me a one sided neck/shoulder ache when I carry it around all day... but maybe that's just me?

[Martin.D]

I too have the Lowepro 200, I really like the way you can just pull it around to the front of your body and pull out your camera..

It's large enough for what I need but saying that when I have the 250 mm lens attached to body with lens hood it only just fit's!

[tonkie]

Originally Posted by Spod

I prefer rucksack type bags leaving me both hands free to carry on with whatever so the idea of these 'sling' type bags where you wear them as a rucksack then slide them round to your front appeals to me.

The Lowepro 100 AW gets rave reviews but what else is out there in this style and any good?

I'd be carrying a 450D, Tamron f/2.8 17-50mm & Canon 55-250IS plus associated crap possibly even a tripod (Not a huge one).

I have this bag and have very similar gear as yourself but if I was you I would get as least the next size up as mine just about holds my gear so will not take any thing else

[Spod]

Having now seen the Fastpack 350 It's not a massive rucksack by any means but does have quite a depth to it so sticks out from your back by quite a way. Also from having a play of slinging it back and fourth on my shoulder it works but it got me thinking in practise how many times would I actually 'sling' it about, you tend to get somewhere get your camera out, shoot then put it away.

So I've started looking more at backpacks without the whole side entrance quick access thing which opens up a whole mind field of available options...

Some further looking about got me to a company called Think Tank Photo , I got all hyped up over the Shape Shifter till I found out it was £190! The Steet Walker Pro is a more sensible £90, is a slimmer profile than the Fastpack but has those little extras I was after, slim profile you can carry a tripod, pockets on either side, Sternum strap, D ring, rain cover etc etc