Lowepro Fastpack or Slingshot

[Martinlg61]

I need to get a new camera bag as I my camera does not fit in my current bag with a 70-200 lens fitted. I have had a look at a Lowepro Fastpack 350 AW, which will take the camera + 70-200 along with other lenses, etc. It also has a top compartment and a slot for a lap top. My only concern is that it may be a fiddle to get the camera out in a hurry, it being on your back with two straps.

Also of interest is the slingshot 350 which appears to accommodate the same amount of camera kit but less other stuff (which isn't really a problem for me). The apparent advantage of this bag is it can be swung around your body for quick access to the camera.

Does anyone have experience of a slingshot? Are they good, or is all the weight on one shoulder a bit much?

Thanks,
Martin

[Rob.Richards]

I use the slingshot 200, but seem to have outgrown it! I thinks it works really well though, slides round nice and easily giving good acces to youe main camera. Can be a bit fiddly if you need to get to another lens but no different to backpack style. I really like it just wish I had bought a bigger version (or less kit!)

[Hugh]

Hi Martin,

What you need to consider is how often have you missed a shot because you couldn't get your bag off and open? I don't have any experience of the Slingshot myself but people I know who have one seem to like it.

Hugh

[Martinlg61]

Hi Hugh,

It is not really the speed of access that is an issue, I just prefer to be able to get the camera out without putting the bag on the floor, especially if it is muddy or wet. Thinking about it, the back pack bag may be better though.

Martin

[James I]

I had a Lowerpro trekker, out grew it and sold it on here. I now have a Tamrac expedition 7, this bag rocks! Well made, loads of room and sturdy, I can put the 50D with 100-400 attached in it, also a 70-300 stands on end as it is quite deep. Check out www.morrisphoto.co.uk for great prices on all makes of bag.

James

[Martinlg61]

Hi James,

I was looking at getting the fastpack from the morris photo ebay shop. Their prices are quite good - £25 cheaper than jessops!

Martin

[Martinlg61]

After much consideration I have ordered a fastpack 350 from Morris Photographic. I think this will be a good all round bag for when I am out with the family. Room in the top for milk and nappies!

Martin

[Mark W]

Sounds good Im on the edge with the pack I got last year I seemed to have filled up. I now carry my lighting set up in another bag, I deliberately kept the bag size down as there is nothing worse than taking all the gear that weighs a ton and getting nothing.

[neptuno]

I used to have a slingshot and apart from the fact that my gear outgrew it, I never found it that comfortable to wear with just the one strap over the shoulder and I replaced it with a Mini Trekker AW. I've just bought a Think Tank Airport Accelleration v2 mainly so I can take all my gear on holiday - brilliant bag and quite expensive, dont know how far I'll be able to carry it yet

Stan

[Bobby Canon]

I have the Slingshot 300. I find once you have some heavy gear in it (1Ds Mk3, 70-200f2.8L IS, 24-70 f2.8L, 580EX II flash, and other smaller items), it is very uncomfortable to carry around all day. I am now looking to getting a double strapped backpack.

[bigfub]

I'm the same as a couple of others here. I have just swapped from a slingshot 300 to a mini-trekker as although it's quite handy to unload the camera without putting the bag down, it can be somewhat of a strain with just the one strap when carrying too much gear.

[James Wheeler]

It might be too big for what you're after but I think they do smaller versions. I have the Vertex 300 and it is really comfortable. I have a heavy selection of gear in mine (see my sig, all of that bar the film gear and tripod / monopod) and whilst it is heavy to carry the pack sits comfortably on the back.

I even feel confident carrying in despite the fact I am recovering from a slipped disc (now I am quite a way into the recovery period of course and am strengthening my back quite a bit).

It's nice and deep so a camera with a grip sits in there and the top doesn't come above the foam protection.

[stealth wildlife]

take a look at these Vanguard Pampas 57 identical to Lowepro but a fraction of the price!

I need to get a new camera bag as I my camera does not fit in my current bag with a 70-200 lens fitted. I have had a look at a Lowepro Fastpack 350 AW, which will take the camera + 70-200 along with other lenses, etc. It also has a top compartment and a slot for a lap top. My only concern is that it may be a fiddle to get the camera out in a hurry, it being on your back with two straps.

Also of interest is the slingshot 350 which appears to accommodate the same amount of camera kit but less other stuff (which isn't really a problem for me). The apparent advantage of this bag is it can be swung around your body for quick access to the camera.

Does anyone have experience of a slingshot? Are they good, or is all the weight on one shoulder a bit much?

Thanks,
Martin

[Alun]

Sorry I'm late on this thread. I have had the Fastpack 350 for two years and really like it. I have a bigger bag and several smaller bags (rather sad, really) but I always return to this for versatility and comfort. Good news - I can get my camera and lens out without removing it from my back although I tend to take it off to put the camera back in. It swallows bags of kit and the top compartment is deceivingly spacious. I did buy a rain cover and use a carabina on the sternum strap to which I connect my tripod. This acts as a good counter-balance to the weight on my back. It's the best bag I've tried and I would buy another if something happened to this one. The laptop section carries my OS map, compass and sundry items and currently mine holds:

5DMKII with 17-40F4L attached, 24-70F2.8, Tamron 90mm Macro, 1.4 extender, 100-400F4L, optech rain-sleeve, angle-finder, memory cards, water bottle, spare batteries, hat, gloves, OS 1:25000 map and compass, coat under the back flap, tripod attached to harness loop as described,small bag full of filters and holder, cloths etc attached to top carrying handle with mini carabina.

HTH

Alun