Lowepro SlingShot 100 All-Weather Digital Camera Backpack - Black by Lowepro
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Digital camera reviews of Lowepro SlingShot 100 All-Weather Digital Camera Backpack - Black
Digital camera Review: Best bag for quality, price, size, functionality.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my first review on Amazon because I've bought products and never really felt like they deserved a review. I would say I did a thorough search for a bag that would fit me. I have a Nikon D50 with the 18-55mm lens and a 70-300mm zoom lens. I originally had a large Nikon bag that was a pain to carry around. It was inconvenient to carry and to access my camera.
So when searching for a bag I wanted something that was compact, easy to carry, could hold my gear neatly and securely, and have my camera easily accessible for those moments when you want to take a quick shot and put it right back. I went to camera stores and tried on bags, looked all over the internet for reviews and finally came across the Lowepro Slingshot 100AW. It had everything that I was looking for plus more.
Besides being able to hold my camera gear, it was able to hold my battery charger, cleaning supplies, extra batteries, filters, and has a built in all weather cover. Even with all of that packed I still have space for my wallet, cellphone and keys, thus freeing up my pants pockets. The great thing about the bag is that it is able to give me that extra stability when taking photos when bag is slung around to the front of me.
The bag is so well designed that there's no worry about having the bag opening up and having all your expense gear fall out. The opening where you remove the camera has straps that prevent it from opening all the way by accident.
All in all I am very satisfied with the bag. I would recommend it to anyone but if you have more than a couple of lenses to your photography arsenal I would upgrade to the Slingshot 200AW.
Digital camera Review: Big enough, yet small enough
Summary: 4 Stars
The LowePro line was unknown to me until I searched online for a camera bag that I could sling over my shoulder like a messenger bag. This one, the SlingShot 100, was bought based only on a web photo, but it works well -- its main compartment safely holds my new digital SLR with the 18-200mm lens attached (with only a little extra shove needed to get it in with its strap) and has room for a hefty hot-shoe flash and a couple of filters and spare rechargeable batteries. A small compartment on the lower back of the pack can hold other accessories such as a battery charger and AV or USB cables.
Although it's slung on the back and nicely secured across the shoulder and the chest with two straps, the chest strap can be unclipped and the whole bag swung forward. The main compartment opens on the side which is now facing up, so you don't have to spend any time taking the bag off over your head before grabbing the camera. I just wish I had about a half-inch or an inch more width so that I didn't have to push the camera with its superzoom lens in quite so forcefully.
Many of the LowePro bags come with a built-in rain shroud that unfolds from its own narrow pocket. For my own purposes, I'd rather give up this rain shroud and have a couple more inside pockets in the small top compartment which I use for personal effects (small LED flashlight, car keys, wallet, and blood-glucose testing kit). Also, the side-opening main compartment has a small piece of satiny microfiber cloth sewn into it that can be used to shield the monitor screen on the back of the digital camera. Since most newer cameras come with tough, shielded screens, I don't think this cloth will be used much. Much better to have a couple more of the stretchable straps that LowePro bags have for attaching small accessories. It would be nice to be able to strap my tripod on the side opposite the camera opening.
This bag comes with a small packet that holds two media cards and attaches to the shoulder strap, but I use it to hold the wireless remote control. The bag's main compartment has a special padded pocket to hold 4 media cards, and I prefer that location for media storage. I wish the accessory packet was adjustable in size to hold a small cell phone as well, but maybe that's what the rubberized accessory straps on the bag are used for.
Another thing on my wish list is a flat ID tag compartment sewn on the outside, like some of the pricier roll-aboard pieces of luggage. It should have a clear window to show that an ID is inside, but without revealing info such as address and phone number that a casual passerby can note. Finally, I wish that the ends of zipper runs had an attached D-ring sewn on the bag that can be used to lock the zipper pull closed, even if only with a carabiner if not a small luggage lock.
Overall, I like the bag and it's clear that it was designed for the field photographer. My quibbles are minor.
I haven't seen the larger sizes in this line, but I probably won't need anything larger than this. The camera bag I need will carry my basic equipment and not itself be so heavy that I walk around leaning forward all the time complaining of a backache. Pictures of the two larger sized bags don't look as appealing to me, a photography amateur who's a pro wannabe. The SlingShot 100 backpack will do just fine. (By the way, although I really would have liked their burgundy model -- so I can spot it easily if someone grabs it off the picnic table and runs off with it -- most camera retailers only carry the black. Don't know why.)
Digital camera Review: Comfortable and enjoyable
Summary: 5 Stars
If anyone is curious about the size of this bag, I can fit the following in the camera compartment without a problem:
Nikon D3000
Nikkor 18-55mm VR
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Nikkor 70-300mm VR
I haven't tried it yet, but I can probably switch the 50mm with my 55-200mm VR and have everything fit.
Digital camera Review: Convenient, though minimal space for non-camera items
Summary: 4 Stars
Just used this pack for a trip to Disney World. The Sling concept is right on, very convenient and quick access to your camera. The only drawback was the lack of storage for other things. I was able to carry a sunglass case, Ipod, and earbud case, but nothing else. If you want to carry additional items, step up to the 200.
Also, it would be nice if Lowepro would partner with Camelback to make a slingshot offering with a removable water bladder.
Digital camera Review: Description deceiving
Summary: 2 Stars
This bag seems to be overall well designed. However it is too small and the description is deceiving. It will not fit my Canon 5D with 28-70 zoom. Where exactly should I fit the "SLR with mid-range zoom lens attached, up to two extra lenses"?