Product Description The SlingShot 100 AW uses a unique sling design to go from Carry Mode to Ready Mode in just seconds. Carried comfortably on the back, it easily rotates to the front so you can get to your camera quickly. The SlingShot 100 AW holds an SLR with mid-range zoom lens attached 1-2 extra lenses, cables and accessories and has a full access lid to make loading it a snap.
Not quite a custom fit but workableNovember 19, 2008 I have a Pentax 10D with 2 lenses and some filters. While it holds everything and should hold a flash also, it is a bit difficult to customize the interior to snuggly hold the gear. I may be nit-picking here but I don't like my equipment to jostle around while on the move. Worth what I paid but the Pentax version of this item would have probably been a better deal.
smallest big backpack i've hadNovember 12, 2008 I call this a backpack because it still goes on your back but it's really a slingshot bag, which is it's biggest advantage. The fact that you can take out and put your stuff in it without taking it off completely is a great advantage. I've had this bag for a few days now and i'm loving every minute of it over my old bag (Tamrac Cyberpack 6, a true MONSTER!) It holds my Nikon D200 (with grip), Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, Nikon SB-80DX flash, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 (with hood) and if I really needed to, I could jam my D50 in there. I still have room for another small zoom (Sigma 10-20mm/Tokina 11-16mm) or two more primes (more reason for me to buy the Nikkor 35mm f/2.) I loaded the top compartment up with batteries, cards, and cleaning stuff, and still the weight feels nicely balanced. The only complaint I have is the placement of the memory card holder in the camera portion of the bag. I feel it presses against the camera body a little too much, but maybe i'm just a little too cautious around my gear.
The small straps that go over the compartment and protect it from opening up too much unexpectedly are a great idea by Lowepro. It stops the weight of your gear from pressing against the flap and opening it all the way (as well as emptying your wallet with new gear). It takes a little getting used to the one-strap-that-goes-diagonally idea, but once you wear it for a little bit you'll realize it's easier to take on and put off. The weight feels nicely balanced on my back and my shoulders and I have no complaints about this part of the bag.
I would assume that the other Slingshot series bags are just as good as the 300, with the exception that they are smaller, and I would have no problem recommending this to someone who wants a backpack that can hold a lot of gear yet still remain fairly small. If you have a Nikkor 70-200mm VR or 80-200mm AF-D this is probably the Slingshot bag for you, none of the others would hold these wonderful lenses.
For general use this is the bag for you...November 11, 2008 I have two main bags for carrying my equipment depending on the situation. The first is a Tenba Explorer 8X that I use for long distance comfortable carries. Those who do hikes in Yosemite would enjoy this bag as it is for all intent and purpose a BACKPACK with all the features you would look for in that style. That said, it is a little bulky and to get to anything inside you have to take it off and lay it flat to prevent items coming out.
This bag on the other hand is a dream come true for the "Daily out and about" application. I was introduced to the Sling-Pack style of carry bag recently and once I started using them for my tote bag (Wallet, Keys, Books, etc.)I fell in love with the style for general use. I happened across this bag for a song so I got it (the 300) and found for daily excursions around town and general carry, I all I needed and then some fit comfortably in the bag vs the carry everything with me backpack.
The only complaint is that there is no way to effectively carry a tripod/monopod on the pack. Other than that I LOVE THIS BAG!!!
Hard to improve itNovember 10, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If there is a better carry pack for digital SLR field use of a camera and 2 - 3 lenses, I would like to see it. This bag has to be the perfect design for the outdoor photographer who wants to carry their SLR with 2 - 3 lenses and a few other accessories. The full bag carries very comfortably on your back and the swing motion to bring it out front is very natural and positions the bag perfectly for access to all the gear. The access is hands free for removing caps and changing lenses.
I have the SlingShot 100 and it comfortably carries my D70 with 3 lenses, a 12-24 f4, a 70-300 4.5-5.6 and a 24-120 3.5-5.6, all with the hoods in the carry position on each lens as well as extra batteries and memory cards. The bag is very well padded and feels small, tight and compact (in a good way, not bulky) but yet is roomy enough easily for all this gear. The carry design, build quality and little extras make this a must have for the digital SLR outdoor photographer.
You will need to upgrade to one of the larger slingshot bags if you plan to carry a 80-200 2.8 or an extra body for instance but if you can get away with the 100 I highly recommend it.
Quite Possibly the Handiest Bag EverNovember 9, 2008 The Slingshot 200 AW is phenomenal. I can fit a Rebel XT, a 24-105mm, 10-20, 70-300mm, a strobe with remotes, plus all the batteries and flash cards I need for an entire day of shooting. Even after all that, I still have a little room left over to hold miscellaneous snacks for my 4 year old. (All snack packages are sealed, of course, and no liquids are allowed.)
I broke his bag in while I was shooting the 2008 Coeur d'Alene Ironman. Even being unfamiliar with the bag in a new situation, all my gear was easily and quickly in reach. The bag becomes just about irreplaceable as I become more familiar with it.
One particularly handy aspect of the bag is that it can serve as a field expedient tripod. Just swivel the bag to your front and lock you elbows into the top of the bag while you shoot. It won't replace a $[...] tripod, but I was still able to get some decent images of fireworks using this technique.
If you're going to be out in the field for a day or two at a time, or even for a few hours, you're going to find this bag hard to beat.
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