Lowepro SlingShot 100 All-Weather Digital Camera Backpack (Black)
by Lowepro
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Lowepro SlingShot 100 All-Weather Digital Camera Backpack (Black)
Customer Review: Slingshot 100AW
Summary: 5 Stars
My Tamrac (sub-compact) bag JUST for my Canon XSi (kit) wasn't cutting it. It's a nice little bag but it didn't have much cushioning and only an itty-bitty pocket in the front. Which is why I invested in this Slingshot 100.
This bag makes me feel like I can take my camera anywhere! It feels well protected an insulated enough to take a few minor bumps here and there. The 100 is just perfect enough for my XSi and two lenses. (Or a lens and a flash unit with a bit more room to spare.)
The way it swings over to have easy access to your gear is wonderful! This bag was really thought out and you just know a photographer was there in the design of this bag.
Ladies, the pocket on top and in front can act as your purse. So now you can have your purse AND camera in one place.
Guys, your wallet can either fit in one of the pockets OR right next to your camera.
The strap fits comfortably and just fine. (Yes, it sits between your bust ladies. If you have a larger bust...no problem!) The padded strap adjusts quite nicely. The bag didn't make my neck or back hurt. (Then again, I got this small bag so that I WOULDN'T carry a lot of gear with me. What would be the point of my back hurting? If you want something to carry lots of gear, I recommend the Lowepro backpack-type series.)
I would buy this bag again in a heartbeat. It was worth my money. When I was doing my research in the local camera store, I compared it with the other bags and nothing came close to the padding plus functionality of this bag.
NOTE: The day I got this bag, I was heading for a 'halloween' type amusement park and I DIDN'T want to take my gear. (Yuk, dark flash pictures of guys dressed up as monsters?) I ended up taking out the adjustable padding and using the Slingshot 100 as a purse. I placed nothing in the outside pockets. (To keep the people behind me in line from possibly pickpocketing something.) And I placed my wallet, glasses case, make-up bag, etc. in the zippered camera compartment. Easy access to everything! And it was drizzling that night...the weather cover did just nicely!
(P.S. It was Knott's Scary Farm.)
Customer Review: Invaluable
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this bag principally because I wanted a set-up that would make it easy to change lenses -- with my previous lenses-in-padded-cases-in-my-backpack set-up, I had to stop, take off my bag, find a flat enough surface to work on (so lenses don't fall over and get damaged), and then juggle two lenses while I switched. With the SlingShot bag, you flip it under your shoulder and have a nice flat, safe surface to work on, with two easy-to-grab lenses. Now it's easy for me to switch lenses to get just a shot or two. Plus, there's enough room for me to carry both film and digital bodies, and useful gear like cleaning supplies and a raincoat for the camera.
If you're using this bag as a daypack, the 300 is the only one with a big enough top compartment to be useful. You can easily fit a couple of energy bars, a rain jacket, a guide book, and sunglasses in the top compartment -- perfect for a hike or acting the tourist.
For travel, I would've liked a laptop compartment -- the 300 is large enough -- but it's true that I wouldn't want to haul along a padded compartment all day long.
At first the single shoulder strap seemed heavy to me but I got used to it. Keeping the waist belt tight is key to wearing the bag comfortably and is also constant work as it seems to loosen easily on me. Note that the strap is *not* switchable right-left so you'd better be happy with your right shoulder.
Make sure to get the water bottle holder accessory!
Customer Review: Sling Shot 300
Summary: 5 Stars
As my lens collection increased, I managed to outgrow the smaller camera bag I bought when for my D50 and kit lenses. I got the Nikon 80-200 2.8 lens - amazing - and then realized the only bag I had for it was an old camcorder bag. The slingshot 300 fills the needs I have for the 80-200 2.8 on the body, my three other lenses, and everything else I need.
The straps are very comfortable and I love not needing to remove a backpack to access my camera; most of my shots are outdoors. The bag slides to the front offering easy access on the fly. The 300 has a sturdy backpacking waist belt to distribute weight to the hips for comfort, and the rain cover works well and tucks away nicely.
Customer Review: Lowepro SlingShot
Summary: 4 Stars
Great bag, Too small for any additional lenses. But other than that, mine works well. Thanks, johnny k.Customer Review: Slingshot 300 Recommended - but with one caveat
Summary: 4 Stars
Pros
Tons of space
Adaptable
Includes additional weatherproof covering
Versatile
Cons
A bit over priced
Single strap is not that comfortable
Conclusion
If you have the right body type and don't need the notebook computer slot provided by the Fastpack models this will probably work great.
I have owned a Lowepro Orion Trekker for the past decade, but I needed something bigger and beefier because I now have more equipment and more money invested. I looked specifically at the Slingshot 300 or the Fastpack 250 or 350 models. I chose the Slingshot because it seemed to have more space for camera equipment since the Fastpack models include a slot for a notebook computer. Since I don't have a computer this was going to be just wasted space.
I now regret the decision somewhat. The Slingshot has quite a bit of depth, more than I actually needed. It's over six inches which means you have space for a camera with a power battery pack on the bottom. Without that you end up with about 2 inches of empty space over the camera. It's very easy to secure the camera so it doesn't move around. However, if I'd known that there was this much space I wouldn't have dismissed the Fastpacks as an option.
I have a Nikon D90 with a 70-300 lens and a D40X with a 18-105 lens. Both fit just fine, with lenses attached, with room left over for another medium size lens if I had it.
The bag isn't too heavy with all this equipment. The issue is the strap and its specific location. The single strap goes directly over the middle of the shoulder blade. If you have some meat on you this might not be a problem, but mine protrude somewhat. The strap is not very comfortable. I think with extended use it might actually be painful, especially with a thin shirt. I'm going to have to buy an additional pad of some kind to attach to the strap, at least for when the weather is hot and I'm not wearing a jacket or second layer of clothing. I've found that two layers greatly reduces the discomfort.
The old Orion Trekker was a backpack model like the modern Fastpacks. I never experienced pain from the straps even though they are far more narrow than the strap on the Slingshot. I'm a hiker and I've frequently carried 20 to 30 pounds of stuff on my back with very little discomfort on my shoulders. The problem is that the Slingshot strap isn't to the side of the shoulder blade like a normal backpack, but right over the middle.
I have more usable space with the Slingshot, but I think I would have preferred the Fastpack's comfort. It's a shame that Lowepro just doesn't offer this bag with either one or two straps. Instead we're forced to pick from a bag that's also used for a computer, or a single strap model that's going to be downright uncomfortable for some users.
It should also be noted that the Slingshot bags have the all weather protection (protective cover) whereas the Fastpacks don't.
I suspect many users won't have a problem with this bag. However, I strongly urge you to test it fully (with weight added) in a store before buying. As for price, I picked up this bag for only 85 bucks, shipping included. Definitely shop around to find the best deal.
Edit: I've noticed that Amazon, as of 2008, has grouped all the reviews for Slingshots together. This is unfortunate because each bag is different. That means if the reviewer forgot to mention the model number in the review that comments about capacity are meaningless.
Edit: As the temperatures have dropped and one has to wear more clothing the bag has become A LOT more comfortable and, despite what I said, feels perfect in most ways. Flexible, allows you to grab your camera on a moments notice, and sturdy. Not sure what I'll do when summer comes back around.