Lowepro Slingshot

[Runner]

Anybody use one of these?
I was looking at one in a local shop - wondering if it'd be any good when I'm on my bike.
Don't know if that strap would cause it to keep sliding off me back?

Cheers for any advice.

[scrappy]

ive got a sligshot 100aw, its the small one its good but if ive got any weight in it for a few hours then my shoulder starts to feel uncomfortable ive found!

[flyingmonkeycorps]

Yeah personally for biking I'd get something with two shoulder straps. Me I just wrap my camera in a hat and put it in my camelback.

[BenCooper]

It's a bit wobbly for biking I think - okay for just riding a bike to get somewhere, but for MTBing or something you'll want something more stable.

[snappel]

I gave a 100AW one away (thankfully after checking the small pouches and finding 4Gb worth of SanDisk cards still in it from 2008)! But only because I prefer having two straps on a bag, plus more room for non-camera items.

Seeing as I only take one camera with lens I can get away with using something small like a LowePro Nova Mini AW inside my backpack. That way I can have the camera protected, packed in with spare cards, remote, batteries, etc, but without having to sacrifice usable space for lens/body-specific compartments that would otherwise go unused.

[TheSmurfinator]

I've got a two-strap Lowepro back pack - can't remember the model name - I got it from ebay for just over a tenner and it is great. It has a bottom compartment for cams, lenses etc - all padded and with a few compartmenst. then the top half is a normal rucksack. it's well made and tough, good zips, well planned and comfy :)

[scala66]

ive also got the 100aw, it seems a lot better when you connect the tuck away strap round you as well as the normal shoulder strap.

[tommo]

ive got a sligshot 100aw lol think most peeps have

its great for urban stuff and i have never had a problem with using it when on my bike
it seems a lot better when you connect the tuck away strap round you as well as the normal shoulder strap.
stops it moving around so much and it works lol

bit tricky to add a tripod to it though, but plenty of room

[turkey]

Ive got the 200 and its never let me down yet...cant vouch for its biking capabilities though im afraid...

[NickUk]

They had the 100 in Currys for like 35 quid the other week. Might get one but do they have room for non camera stuff?

Nick

[mrgas]

I've just ordered this off Amazon , not sure how good it is but seems like a good price

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowepro-Flipside-300-Photo-Backpack/dp/B000YA33DC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1236205813&sr=8-4

[styru]

Bottom line (IMOH)

Slingshot = not as comfatable as a 2 strap bag when heavy
Slingshot = not quite as stable when biking/climbing over things etc.
Slingshot = not big enough at times

BUT

Slingshot = the best bl**dy camera bag I've ever owned, all the problems are far outweighed by the ease with which you can get your camera in/out without taking the bag off, or digging through all the cr*p/extra gear you don't want out.

Lowepro claim you can go from camera safely stowed away, to camera out and shooting in seconds, and much as I hate your average 'overhyped' advertisers b*llsh*t this claim is 100% true (and you dont end up with your bag on the floor, clasped between knees etc)

I've got quite a few decent* bags *(or one or two very cheap bags if the wife reads this), but my slingshot has become my everyday one.

Sty.



.

[BenCooper]

The Slingshot certainly is very quick for getting the camera out - the problem I have is when it comes to changing lenses - normally have to take the bag off and open it fully to do that, or very carefully unzip the side facing away from me and get the lens out without dropping it. It's handy the way it's got two front loops that just fit a tripod leg, though.

I mostly use Crumpler bags - also very quick to get the camera out, and quick to change lenses too.

[flyingmonkeycorps]

I was going to ask if the Slingshot had a tripod attachment actually. Do any of the Crumpler shoulder bags have tripod hooks?

[BenCooper]

Not as such, but I put the tripod horizontally under the top flap - it's pretty secure there. I mostly use a Modo, though - not sure how it would be with a bigger tripod.

[Brick_Man]

tripod mount on the back of it is only really for smaller pods, a modo is pretty much maxing the little rubber strap out. think it has an ice axe type tie on thing on the bottom though ? that would be more secure/solid.

As for biking, if your *just* carrying cam as it is, take a toploader (£10) remove the neck strap, sew on two small tabs/bits of cord (litterlaly tiny tabs) at the bottom in the same orientation as the original neck straps.
buy the 'little clippers' from alpkit (5x for £2.50), then attach from the four points to the webbing of your camelback, its rock solid, very quick to open (mounted to your chest) and safe, if you tumble, you naturally roll and go into featle position, hence cam on your chest is pretty safe.

[Runner]

Thanks for all the replies,

Still a bit undecided tho. At the mo I'm using a camelback sac with a CCS bag inside that. It protects the camera well, but it gets a bit messy in the bag when I chuck the other stuff in, and it's not real quick for getting the camera out. I usually end up with backpack on one shoulder and CCS bag between my knees.
It's good on the bike though, and I can get plenty of other stuff in!

Guess it's all about weighing pros and cons up!

[styru]

Thanks for all the replies,

Still a bit undecided tho. At the mo I'm using a camelback sac with a CCS bag inside that. It protects the camera well, but it gets a bit messy in the bag when I chuck the other stuff in, and it's not real quick for getting the camera out. I usually end up with backpack on one shoulder and CCS bag between my knees.
It's good on the bike though, and I can get plenty of other stuff in!

Guess it's all about weighing pros and cons up!

Its a question of form/function.

I wear mine on my bike quite often, and it really comes into its own if you want to stop, grab a few pics, and move on, it's great - no putting your bag down (or need to get of the bike) camera out in seconds (and away just as quick) :o

That being said, it's great for general 'mooching about' on a bike - wouldn't use it for hardcore off-road.

.
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[ThisIsMore]

my friends got one.
he says its a pain in the backside.
But thats my opinion.

[flyingmonkeycorps]

Er, surely that's his opinion?

[nEptune]

Wouldn't be without mine - I have a 100 and a 200.
Great for just a day out, such as an explore, although not really up to anything more than that and I would guess not the best bag for biking - definitely 2 straps are better than one for anything more than a gentle ride to work or something! I tend to carry my tripod in my hand anyway.
Another suggestion tho - I also use a Lowepro Orion Trekker. Bottom compartment for camera gear and quite a large top compartment for other gear - clothes food etc. Excellent tripod support too and the best bag I've used when out for a serious day. Very very comfy too. I think they may do a mini trekker too but not positive.
Hope this helps.

[EasyAndy]

best bag by miles if you are looking for a softcase

if you do it up tight then it's fine on a bike as well

can't really fault it aside from if you have it overloaded and are wearing it on your back for days on end, it gets a bit uncomfortable - i have a 200 - dont thnk the design really suits the 300 size imo

[Spag]

Have a 200, love it but something a bit bigger so I could stuff a jacket + sandwich + bottle would be nice.

Biggest con is a lack of tripod attachment.

[Conchords]

Get yourself a Lowepro Primus AW, £42 (+£8 delivery) from eBay :)

[PhatSo]

Ive got a 100aw and i love it, the only problem is i have got to the point where its full and i cant fit all my kit in it.

I have a single body with a lens and 2 additional lenses in the main part then cleaning stuff in the front and random bits in the top pocket, if i leave things like my mains charger and usb cables and glass filters at home i can fit my keys wallet and suncream in the top for a day out.

The single strap is ok, but on its own i find it slips down to my side quite a lot, but with the cross strap i can carry it all day with no problems.

The only things i find annoying are that there is no easy way to strap a tripod to it and you are limited to what NON camera stuff you can take with you when using it on its own.

It does have fixed loops to fit other lowepro pouches too, i have a lens one that i don't use for lenses but can be useful for sticking stuff in.

They may do a tripod strap that goes on these mounts but ive never seen one in a shop.

Edit - Typo

[EasyAndy]

same problem with the tripods

i use a gorrillapod focus (5kg one) that fits perfectly in the rubberised straps on the front of the bag

or with a massive slick tripod i just use a sling with 2 loops round the centre column and carry it like a shoulderbag