So, I've been doing a lot of thinking with my impending trip.

My current bag is a very square pelican/lowepro backpack that is designed to fit inside a 1550 hardcase.

Its a great bag, and I love it a lot. It served me well hiking around England and other places.

But...Since I am going to countries I'm a little unsure of I want a bag that is a little more accessible without having to take it off my person.

So, does anyone have any experience with the Lowepro Sling bags?

I think I only want to carry the D3 and the 70-200 zoom and my 24...maaaybe my 85.

But I really like the idea of wearing the bag and then flipping it around to just pull it out and shoot (insert dirty joke here.)

So, any other recommendations of a similar style. I am going to check them out in person soon. And I looked online at the Tamrac version...not impressed.

 

I have the 200AW, and you will have to arange your kit with care to get everything in. I would plan on bringing the gear overseas in a larger bag, and just taking what you need for the day in the 200. I am sure you already figured this out, but I thought I would mention it. I have a 40D and the 70-200f4, and it definitely does not fit in the bag "sideways" for the quick draw to work. Take your gear to a store and try to get what you want to carry, inside the bag.

Otherwise, it's very comfortable,and the sling it around feature is great, and makes your shots more stable, as you can rest your elbows on the bag.

Additionally, I don't know if you will be oversees during the rainy season, but the 200AW is, well, AW. It has a stowed cover that is rainproof.

Let me know if you want some pics of gear actually inside the bag, for reference.

 

Yeah pics would be great if you have them. But dont trouble yourself to take anything new.

I figured the issue would be the long zoom.

I also looked at crumplers bazillion dollar bag online...but their backpack "conversion" seems wonky and uncomftable. but I might try one of those too.

 

I've got the 300AW. I can get my D200 with grip and 70-200 VR in it sideways, along with:

17-55 f/2.8
85mm f/1.8
50mm f/1.8
105mm macro
10-20 f/4.5-5.6
SB-600
SB-800
charger and cord
extra rechargeable AA batteries
AA battery charger and cord
assorted other stuff

It'll handle your kit easily.

 

If you're open to a quality shoulder bag ala the Crumplers, then definitely also take a look at the Think Tank Photo "urban disguise" series. I have the 40 model in the series and think very highly of it. It's very accessible for quick drawing as long as you wear the strap messenger bag style to the opposite shoulder. You'd probably need the UG 50 for your D3.

 

I also have the slingshot 200AW. i agree w/ stogie, it is a little on the small side. I bought it without even trying it on, and it was smaller than I thought it would be by looking at pictures. It fits all my gear fine, but really no room for anything else like i'd like. My camera is pretty small too. All i really carry is my XT w/ grip, tokie 12-24, sigma 30, and canon 55-250. None of which are very big, but they take up almost all the room in the bag. I can probably fit my 50mm, and random filters in it as well, but I usually don't carry that stuff.

I think i've seen people fit the 70-200 in their 200AW, either sideways (not stuck into the bag, but along the zipline if that makes sense), or unmounted.

The small compartment at the top isn't good for very much. Maybe a large hood or a small flash.

I'm thinking of trying out the fastpack 250, as it would be kinda nice to have the ability to take along my laptop if I have to, but I usually don't take it with me. I really don't mind the one sling, but having the stability of two straps might be nice. I might miss the AW cover, but really I don't use it at all. And if I think I might need it, I can always get a generic backpack cover. I think the fastpack is kinda ugly though.

 

200AW with 40D and 70-200 attached.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jefford_e/2596242597/" title="IMG_0440 by Jefford_E, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/2596242597_cef4653c23.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0440" /></a>


Clearly, it sits a bit too high for the flap to close.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jefford_e/2596243553/" title="IMG_0441 by Jefford_E, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2596243553_e5c32f51ef.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0441" /></a>


28-135 fits fine, as does 70-200 non-attached.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jefford_e/2596244593/" title="IMG_0442 by Jefford_E, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2596244593_e379bc463b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0442" /></a>


With the 28-135, enough clearance to close the bag.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jefford_e/2596246331/" title="IMG_0444 by Jefford_E, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2596246331_e0217fd523.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0444" /></a>

 

They make a AW Sling 300, which is the one I would try.

Thanks for the pics! Good reference.

 

I'll check them out thanks

 

I have a crumpler 7MDH, and it fits (jupitersolo's) 70-200mm, a Canon XT, another body + grip, a flash, and still has room for some more.

I love it. Holds everything I need.

 

Looked at the Think Tank bags...not really my style. Messenger doesnt work for me...too much weight yanking on one side.

Looked at the raved about Boda Bags...I think they are mainly just for lenses...all the website that rave about them, including their own dont have one decent image with the bag open with gear...very annoying.

Domke - never liked their bags...still dont

Tamrac...their answer to the slingbag is terrible

kata...dont make a sling bag big enough

petrol...dont make a quick access bag

Crumpler....dont know why they are so popular, but nothing by them really grabs me.

I'm to trying to think of others. Right now I still like the idea/implentation of the lowepro sling the best.

Their website states it can hold a full size pro-SLR camera with 70-200 and room for 5-6 lens, etc. And mr. svtmike seems to agree with his set up. This might be my best bet. I'll and look at this in the coming week.

 

Yeah, the 300AW sounds like your best bet. It's not small (good and bad).

 

I hiked around england with my Pelican bag...which aint small. Its big and square...converts to a backpack...but no additional weight relieving cross straps. And in reality I actually preferred over any of the lowepro backpacks I tried on.

But in these countries...I dont want to have to remove anything from me if I dont have to. Call me paranoid but I'd prefer to not have anything "walk off" in a blink.

 

Do you have a wider zoom? The 70-200 might be a little long for a walk around. If you put something a little smaller, your bag choices would be broader.

 

Nah, the 70-200 is a good walk around. I will most likely wear my 24mm most of the time. But I want the choice of that zoom.

 

I have a Lowepro Flipside 300 and I love it. It's probably the most secure on person travel bag. You can only open it by taking it off your shoulder.. so it only unzips from your backside.

Very secure. Not too much trouble to take the camera in and out and it holds a Gripped / Pro SLR and a 70-200. with room for two more lenses.

 

Looks really nice!

I think Sarlacc was looking for a bag he DIDN'T have to fully remove to access his gear, though.

I like the Flipside though, have never seen it before...

 

The less I have to remove from me...the less I worry about having it knicked,

 

bump.

Lol, sorry. Its just that in the past couple of weeks I've needed to refer to this thread several times, and I just found it annoying to go find the thread.

 

I've got a Lowepro Stealth Reporter 400 AW. It holds a tonne of stuff. I've got my D70 with 18-200mm plus my 70-300mm, 18-55mm, 50mm, and SB800 in it. It has a memory card pouch, as well as pockets to hold all kinds of other things.

It has a zipper in the top flap that can be used to access the bag without opening the entire bag. However, when using the raincover, you are prevented from using that zipper.

I've used it on two trips to Japan, and it's been great. My only caveat would be that because it holds so much, when fully loaded with all the gear, it's noticeably heavy when carrying it around all day.

 

Lol, well then your caveat shouldn't be with the bag....it should be with carrying around so much equipment (resultant from getting bit by the photography bug).

Whether you are carrying just a pack of gum in there, or you are carrying enough for a makeshift news crew, the bag weighs the same.

 

For those who have the 300AW, can you post pictures of the inside of the bag? I'm contemplating on selling my Crumpler 7MDH for a 300AW.

 

I guess I should update this thread I updated the gear list instead.

I ended up buying the 300. I like the look and feel. Not always THE most comfortable, but it does exactly what I want, and holds what I need it to hold, with some extra room.

So, 300W is a winnar to me

EuRTSX scroll up dude...stogie posted pics of his weeks ago.

 

I found this series of their bags cumbersome, I hated the way it sat on my shoulders. Also trying to walk with this thing on one shoulder was PITA. It does hold a lot of things I just don't like the way it has to be worn.


Chris, run up to PennCamera.

 

 

I might agree if it didnt have the waist strap as well, really helps displace the weight from being ALL on your one shoulder.

 

I'll tell you what, though - a good bag, (and camera strap), can make your bag feel a hell of a lot lighter. If I don't clip the chest clip, my bag, when fully loaded, tires out my shoulders REAL quick. But with it clipped, I don't even notice it.

- Frank