Customer Reviews

Lowepro SlingShot 300 All-Weather Camera Bag (Black)

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

UPDATE: After Six Months - July 07 - This is a review of AW300 - Amazon lumped all Slingshot reviews together after my original review, which was the first AW300 review.

I've been using this bag for about 6 months and I am very happy with it. It is very well designed, well constructed & well padded. It is about the size of the backpacks that middle/high school-aged kids use, but it is fully padded and retains its shape. As advertised, it easily holds a large SLR with an 80-200mm f/2.8 lens attached, along with a lot of other stuff (e.g. a 18-70 lens, 50mm lens, SB-600 flash, a 1.4x teleconverter, cables, camera & flash manuals, batteries, filters, & memory cards, with room to spare).

If you are not familiar with the Slingshot bags, this is a sling-type bag which is like a combination messenger bag/one-strapped back pack. It is worn on the back with the wide, well-padded shoulder strap across the front of your body from the left hip to the right shoulder. Then, to access your camera, you slide the bag around front, (this is easy to do) without removing it, like accessing a messenger bag or shoulder bag. The flap opens away from your body so it does not interfere with access, as a messenger bag or shoulder bag typically would, however. In this position, you can easily remove your camera while wearing the bag, though most of the rest of the storage compartments cannot be accessed without removing the bag. With a D80-size camera, it is easy to lift the ends of the padded interior dividers to access a lens (or two) or a flash in the main compartment.

As some have noted in reviews of other sling-type bags, a sling bag is less comfortable than a backpack for heavy loads and/or extended use, but it allows convenient access to your camera without removing it. That is true of this bag as well, but this bag has a nicely padded wide shoulder strap, and most importantly, a waist belt that is padded at the hips which really takes a lot of the weight of the bag off your shoulder. After shooting more than a dozen of lacrosse games, wearing it the entire time (albeit, without the camera in it most of that time), I found the bag to be extremely comfortable. As compared to my previous sling bag, a Kata T-214, this is much more comfortable (the shoulder strap on that bag slipped around inside its padding, which was also too short, so I had to frequently readjust it to keep the nylon strap from digging into my shoulder). The Kata bag was also too small to hold my camera with an 80-200 lens mounted (which is what I mostly wanted it for).

The only con I can think of is that it lacks a good place to strap a monopod (or tripod, though I don't think I would want the weight of a tripod with a sling bag). There are some loops on the middle of the bag (they are the darker stripes on the grey field in the picture of the bag), but they aren't well located nor do they seem well designed to hold a monopod (definitely not a tripod). I would like to see a couple of adjustable straps on the non-opening side to attach a monopod. Also, if you don't need/want to carry your camera with a large zoom attached, the smaller Slingshots would probably be good choices (though I don't think they have the nice padded waist belt, which is really important if your equipment is at all heavy).

UPDATE COMMENT: Although I would like attachments on the side of the bag for a monopod (as the smaller Slingshots have), the center loops work well enough with a velcro strap attached around the monopod.

Overall, very highly recommended.

So, I looked into the SlingShot 300 after reading about it in the UK's Digital Photographer magazine (http://dphotographer.co.uk/) & compared it with other similar items, both in-person & online. Once I decided the Lowepro was the way to go I was then vacillating about whether to get the 200 or the 300 as there were lots of reviews, especially here, that went both ways. Since I would rather have too much room then not enough, I opted for the 300.

Now, I originally needed this for an event I had to shoot & I wanted to be able to take a couple of cameras (Canon 20D & 5D), several lenses (24-70mm 2.8f , 50mm 1.8f, 70-200mm 28.f) to cover all needs, a couple of flashes with diffusers, batteries for all & a charger just in case, plus all the little miscellaeous stuff one could need when on location & not sure what the situation is. Needless to say, it was a load, but the 300 handled it no problem.

I have had messenger bags for many years now from biking, so the feel was similar, but more backpack-like. Also, I am used to having the strap go over my left shoulder & the SlingShots only have a strap that goes over the right one, so it makes for some discomfort/lack of familiarity. It's not bad, it's just something that is a personal issue. Wouldn't mind a switchable version for lefties & righties, but that would have to be 2 different bags.

Well, as I said, the bag swallowed a ton of stuff & did it with no issue. Of course, it weighed a ton too, but so would anything with that much equipment in it! But, I was still able to ride on my bike with this full load with no great strain. The interior allowed me to put a camera with the 70-200mm mounted in the main middle compartment & the sides let me configure it for a lens & 2 flashes on one side, & the additional camera with a lens mounted on the other side.

On this point of the 2nd camera's location...It's not accessible with the same ease as the main camera because it is buried a little further in & is in a fully surrounded location (the inserts wrapped around the side & front while the bag's base & side covered the camera's other sides). There isn't too much you can do about this except expect it & make it work. Just deal with it if you're lugging that much stuff with you anyway. Either that, or your 2nd camera should be out around your neck anyway, ready to shoot. ;)

This bag is a well thought out, well layed out piece that will definitely be a benefit to amature & pros alike. It's relatively inexpensive, will swallow your gear & protect it. It is pretty low profile - get it, LowePro (sorry, painful I know) - in that it isn't flashy & won't draw a bunch of attention to the fact that it is carrying camera gear.

Would I recommend?: Totally.

Which size?: That is subjective to your needs, but if you have a lot of equipment, or are looking to add to your arsenal, pay the little bit extra & go bigger. If nothing else, you'll gain greater flexibility of space with minimal weight gain. If you just have one camera & some additional lenses/accessories, the 200 should be just fine.

Where to buy?: Well, I have no hesitation to tell people to support their local smaller camera shops for things, but I have to say that the ease of use & price here at Amazon make it hard to think of going elsewhere.

I was a Lowepro fanatic. I loved my Slingshot 200 so much I bought the 300 virtually the day it came out. It's perfect as a photo backpack for those that carry enough gear to fill it, however it's not tough enough for its size.

After filling this bag (my gear list is below), and carrying it around only 30 or so times, the zipper seam came undone and the top of the backpack strap is visibly frayed. I admit, I'm not "nice" with my bags, but I expected a Lowepro bag to live up to its photo pro roots, and this one certainly did not.

The kicker on the three-star review? The "lifetime" warranty doesn't cover the zippers, because "even a Lowepro bag can wear out", according to their website. Sorry Lowepro, but Briggs & Reilly Luggage will replace ANYTHING with their lifetime warranty, including zippers, which is why I only buy their stuff.

I've just ordered a Tenba rolling backpack, maybe it will last more than 30 uses.

Gear: Nikon D300, Nikon D80, 70-200 f/2.8 VR, 18-200mm VR, SB-800 flash, Sigma 10-20mm, 50mm f/1.8, four B&W screw-in filter cases, three Corkin filter cases, GorillaPod SLR (LOVE THIS!), Justin clamp, extra little bits and bobs (batteries, diffuser cap, rocket blaster, etc.).

I have D-80, three lenses, speed flash, and other gadgets, and all fits in to the bag. Easy to carry, and i was able to fix my monopod on to the outside of it as well.

I already own a 200 model and needed something bigger. The 300 model seems to be 50% larger in capacity. I can fit my Canon 5D with a 70-200mm f2.8 lens attached, a 24-70mm f2.8 and three other lenses, along with a flash, batteries, filters, cables, etc. Everything I'd want to bring on an extended trip fits in this bag except the tripod. The bag will fit under an airplane seat!

I've use this bag for about a month and it was perfect. I am a semi-professional photographer, and most of the my photos are people photography (weddings, birthday, etc).

The best thing about this bag, is its quick access for the camera, i can get up & ready to shoot within seconds. As people is my main subject you'll never know what will happen at anytime, even at the end of a party after you've packup your camera.

I can just fit my canon 400D (or digital rebel xti) with a 28-300mm 3.5-5.6L lens attached, along with sigma 30mm f/1.4, Canon 10-22 3.5-5.6, kenko extension tube, canon speedlight 480ex, and many many other small accessories with space left for a few more lens.

The only bad thing with this bag, is that the lack of good-placed slip-lock hanger. I told it will be nice to have at least one on the side (the other side of the camera access zip) where you can slip in an extra lens case or in my case a water bottle holder.

Overall, this is the best camera bag, i've ever use. Its comfortable to carry around even if when i am in action. And it also doesn't look like a camera bag at all to a normal people which can give me a little more sense of security.

The SlingShot 300 easily held a D-SLR with battery grip and large telephoto lens attached along with 2 other lenses and flash. Once you sling it over your shoulder it is easy to swing around to access the camera through a zippered side panel without removing the pack. It was also secure enough to ski with it while wearing the waist belt. Best bag of this type that I have found for photo gear!

the Sling 300 has the handy features of the 200 model, which I bought a few months ago. I needed a bigger case after buying a new telephoto lens. This one fits my canon Rebel ST with a 1.4x tele extender and a Canon 70-200 L IS lens, plus filter, attached, which the model 200 would not. The 200 is a nicer size to carry, but I need the larger one now.
Both have the 'raincoat' feature that pops up from its hiding place in the bottom pocket. Useful feature, and necessary if you're in a rainy area much. Beats trying to cram it under your raincoat, etc.

the main attraction to this is the Sling design. Lets you change lenses, filters, etc, without taking the whole bag off, or having your wife or other buddy swap out a lens for you from the back. This thing works well for accessing your bag, and does it without dumping it on the ground. When it's slung around, it makes a nice little 'work station' right in front of you.

The material is tough, seems like it should wear well. Lots of compartments for batteries, lens cleaning gear, extra digi film, manuals, etc.

All this is why I bought the second one. (gave the first to my bro in law, who didn't need as much length for his lenses). Just measure your set up to make sure it will fit what you want to carry.

only complaint - not all that easy to store/carry the long lenses unless they are on the camera. a slot for long telephoto off camera would be nice, but I guess that's an even bigger bag.

The Slingshot 300 appealed to me because I have been using a single strap backpack for some time and found it worked well for me. I like being able to get into the bag without having to take it off and lay it on the ground, etc. I have been impressed with the Slingshot bag. It will hold an unbelievable amount of equipment, yet rides well on my back. I have two Nikon digital SLR bodies in it along with five or six lenses. I can hike for miles without any discomfort. This bag is just what I have been looking for. I highly recommend it.

I took this bag to Thailand for a ten day trip. I brought my Nikon D80, extra batteries, lenses etc...The supplies fit wonderfully, and I even had room for a travel umbrella, some maps, and a few other sundries. It rained one day, and the "raingear" was easy to use, and kept it all dry (wish I could say the same for myself). The only drawback was that, as a woman, the strap was right in between "the girls". So, it was a bit uncomfortable and VERY sweaty (although everything in Thailand is sweaty!). Overall, the bag was very functional and made the trip easier then using a typical camera bag...next time I will just wear a sportsbra!