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Author
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VikingPhotography
Forum Regular
Registered: July 2006
Location: Just south of Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 821
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Review Date: Thu September 14, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: £68.99
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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A lightweight "go-to" bag for photojournalists and general photographers
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Cons:
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A slightly 'wider' bag to accomodate short telephotos would have made this a killer
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I bought this bag because I was a bit fed up lugging around my LowePro CompuTrekker Plus AW to gig shoots - mostly because I'd be using just two bodies, two lenses and no flash.
The SlingShot 200AW seemed to be the answer to my need for a "go-to" bag i.e. a bag that would fit just what I needed for concert shoots / general photojournalism and no more.
I had the chance to try this bag out with my usual concert shooting kit:
2 D2X Bodies
1 17-55mm DX lens
1 70-200mm VR lens
After playing around a bit with the bag dividers, I finally managed to get everything to fit comfortably, as shown below:
Although not intended for such use, it shows that the bag is certainly versatile. In its standard configuration, it will comfortably hold a dSLR with a short length zoom lens mounted, between 2 to 4 other lenses in the main compartment, and a dedicated hotshoe flash (or other accessories) in the upper zipper section.
I should also point out that this sling style bag is very comfortable to wear, even during prolonged use.
The built in memory card wallet/organiser is a good idea, as is the stowable microfiber cloth that can be used to protect the LCD screen of your camera whilst in transit. The outer zip pouch comfortably accomodates a cellphone, pad, pen, business cards and other necessities too.
In closing, this is a great bag for photojournalists on the move or any other photographer who wants to carry their kit around in a bag that offers both comfort and easy access to their gear.
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danpen
Forum Regular
Registered: October 2005
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 875
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Review Date: Thu August 9, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Price you paid?: £55.00
| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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Deceptively Capacious
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Cons:
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Uncomfortable unless lighlty loaded
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I have struggled (like many photographers I think) to find a suitable way of carrying my camera gear around with me comfortably in such a way as to make it accessible. I've tried backpacks, bags, waist belts with individual packs and none seemed to quite make the grade. It's true to say I'm rather fussy, but when I saw the Slingshot advertised and read the reviews I thought this could be the one ...
Initially I was impressed, the bag looks quite small but is capable of taking a reasonable amount of kit (as much as I'd want to carry any real distance anyway), I was able to load a 20d with a couple of medium sized lenses and spare batteries etc without too much trouble. It has plenty of adjustment possiblility both in terms of the inside layout and the straps to get it to fit properly. The ability to slide it round the body and access the kit worked well when I tried it in my lounge.
I used it for some time but never seemed to be able to get the balance just right, it became rather uncomfortable after only an hour or two unless it was very lightly loaded. I found it wasn't quite as easy as I'd hoped to access the kit (and I managed to drop a lens, fiddling with the opening). It seemed like such a good idea that I persevered for about 6 months before eventually giving the bag away.
I know other people love this bag, several of my friends get on really well with it but for me it just didn't work out.
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nichpr
Forum Regular
Registered: February 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 885
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Review Date: Tue July 8, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Can access camera and lens without taking the bag off
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Cons:
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Some areas of interior easier to get at when off your back
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I often shoot in an urban environment where I would prefer to not look like I am carrying several thousand dollars of camera gear. I think of this as my stealth camera bag where I can whip out my camera shoot and stow it away quickly and without taking the bag off my back.
The bag's capacity is adequate for what I usually carry and has room for a water bottle, cell phone and other extras. I've taken this bag on airplanes with no issues, urban explorations, bike trips and even done some climbing. I think it probably is a bit less comfortable than a two strap backpack but the convenience of being able to swing it around to access my camera more than makes up for that.
I also find that once you swing it around to the front to get your camera out, it creates a nice shelf or platform in front of you that makes it easier to change lenses, filters, etc.
Paid US $90
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JMitchell
Loves the place
Registered: January 2007
Location: London, England
Posts: 4062
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Review Date: Tue July 8, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Good for carrying a lot of gear, lots of pockets, comfortable, clever touches
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Cons:
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Hard to get at lenses (see below), can get a bit uncomfortable with heavy kit
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This was my first step up from smaller camera bags (also Lowepro) like the Rezo series, and I bought it because my lens collection expanded and I wanted to have space to take all my gear with me at any one time, as I only had / have one lens for each shooting situation. I also looked at the 300 version, but thought it a little too large (I could see it getting a bit clumsy, this one's quite big as it is).
It's nice and spacious, with just about room (realistically) for a large camera (D300 with grip will fit, just), and 2 or three other lenses (3 only at a push). Instead of that it could be 2 other lenses and a flashgun, which is my normal setup, but you could also put the flashgun (or a smaller camera, I've put my 35mm Canon...) in the top compartment at the top of the bag (the top section in the photo). That is a handy addition, and has a springy mesh pouch in it for various loose bits.
It's got a nice front pocket, which is a lot bigger than it looks on the outside, with numerous sleeves and things for putting filters, pens etc in, very hand, as well as room for slightly bigger things should you need it.
The 'slingshot' design is quite handy, you rotate the bag around and open the flap that is usually on the side of the bag (when packing it), which becomes the top of the bag, and take the camera out. Nice and easy. But this is where my only problem lies. It isn't easy at all to change lenses. Because of the design allowing for maximum security and a reduction of risk when turning the bag around to access the flap from your back, there are these two clips that mean that the flap you usually open to put all the stuff in (lenses etc) only opens around the side of the bag, stopping the possibility of it opening completely and your lenses falling out.
This means, of course, that you can't access the lenses without opening the clips and the flap further, and turning the bag even more (which is nigh on impossible), so basically, you can only get the camera in and out, you can't really change lenses on the go as it comes across in the advertising. There have been numerous times when I have had to tell whoever I am with to stop while I put the bag down somewhere, undo the clips, open the flap, change lenses, do the flap up, close the clips, and return it to its 'slingshot ready' state. By that time the moment could have passed, and you might want to change lenses again....guess what you have to do! 
This is one of the reasons I quite often use this old top loading bag that I kindly got from Angela when I bought my Canon AE-1 35mm, because I can leave it on my shoulder and have a nice platform to change lenses etc and all the stuff is accessible. It doesn't have room for everything and loads of pockets like the Slingshot, but it is a bit smaller. This might be a consideration.
So in conclusion, I wouldn't use this as a walkabout bag. Seems strange, but it's true. I'd only use it when I wanted to transport all my kit and all the little 'bits' I have around with me, like when I am going on holiday, for example. I'd recommend it, but I think that lens problem is definitely something worth bearing in mind as for some people, including me, it is a serious consideration that could well put someone off the bag as a day pack type thing.
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