Customer Reviews

Pentax DSLR Nylon Black Sling Bag

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

the bag is just perfect for my camera, an extra lens, a flash unit and the charger. I own several other bags and each has a time to be used. This one is just right for when I am on a car trip and don't need my laptop.

(1) Pentax has two similar bags, this one (85120), with three sections, which they sell / show themselves on their US website, and the 85121, with only two compartments, which is available here at amazon, but not shown anywhere by Pentax themselves. Many ordered this here and received the two compartment variety instead. I ordered mine directly from cameta camera's website and got the correct one, the 85120.

This review is about the black 85120 'sling' bag by Pentax.

(2) I think this was a very nice bag, there are many people who bought this and are happy with it, but not me. IMHO Pentax missed the main point of a sling bag here. You are supposed to be able to 'sling' the bag from you back to your front and quickly access the camera to take photos when you want it. By making the cutout too narrow and also not deep enough it is impossible to get my K100D out of the bag without opening up the 'top' section of the zipper, which - when you have the bag in front of you - is actually the 'side' of the compartment. Opening that means you risk some items to fall out. Not good.

If you put the bag down and open up the whole zipped section it is nice, but then what was the point of the 'sling' feature? It is not particularly comfortable, if you have time to take the bag off you are better off with a traditional photo-backpack.

If you check the pictures of the Lowepro Slingshot bag (see the 100), which is compared to this at many places, that seems to have a wider cutout, which - now - makes sense to me.

Pentax themselves have another sling style bag, the 85121, which I have not seen any detailed pictures of yet, that might work. For quick camera access the 85120 IMHO is a fail.

When I found the LowePro 200 was too big for a day's outing of snapshots (rather than photography) this sling bag demanded that I take it home. It's just right for my K10D with battery grip and 18-250 lens. (I told you it was for snapshot forays). There's even good room for AF540 FGZ flash along with acoutrements, small guidebooks and more.

It fits comfortably and swings easily to make access quick.

This missing star represents the missing raincover that the LowePro incorporates.

I've been using this bag for a half year now. It is the bag I use most often, because it fits the equipment I like to carry (I have 5 others, of various sizes), and has convenient access. Mine fits 2 flashes in top compartment, K20D with wide 16-50 f2.8 lens mounted in center, and 3 medium sized lenses in bottom compartment. Plus lots of filters, cables, and other stuff in the many pockets. Bag is well made.

However, It is very tight for the width of the K20D, and seems as if it was built for a slightly smaller camera body. The shoulder strap ALWAYS slides off my shoulder (slick fabric lining), usually after walking 2 steps or standing still just a few seconds. I have to grab onto the strap with one hand to carry the camera bag. (It better suited for sitting in the back seat of the car than for carrying). If you don't mind always using one hand to hang onto the bag, the sling feature is nice, to swing the pack to the front of the body and remove the camera from center pocket. For long walks, or times when I want both hands free, I use a backpack or shoulder strap bag

This is an excellent mid-capacity bag for carrying a couple of SLRs or dSLRs and several lenses. In the center compartment I have my Pentax K200D on its side (grip up) with the battery grip on and a DA 18-250 zoom lens attached with the lens hood. In the top compartment is either a Pentax P30t or ME Super SLR with a short zoom or normal lens attached. In the lower compartment are 2 primes and several filters. In the other smaller compartments are 8 Eneloop batteries, remote shutter release, Lenspens, 4 SD cards, several canisters of film, etc. The strap is comfortable when the bag is worn in the sling style with the strap crossing the chest. The cameras and lenses can be retrieved easily with the bag pulled around and over the chest. The separate zippered lens compartment means you can pull the camera out without fear of spilling lenses on the ground. This bag is much easier to negotiate than the Tamron backpack I had been using. A plus is that the zippers are first rate and easily pull open and closed with no jamming.

A great piece of kit, especially for the money!

This is an adequate bag for a Pentax K20D unless you plan on getting more than 3 lenses then you may opt for a bigger bag to have some extra space.
I gave it a 4 star rating due to half of the nylon zip holders failing and coming undone from the zipper, More of an inconvenience than anything though.

Cheap alternative to Lowepro's Slingshot line, but just as efficient. I have mine outfitted in this manner:

Top compartment:
-Sigma Flash EF-500 DG ST
-LumiQuest Pocket Bouncer
-8 AA batteries (inside the mesh compartment)

Mid compartment:
-K100D w/ my favorite lens (Sigma DC 17-70mm w/hood)
-cable release
-blower bulb
-LumiQuest Mini Softbox
-multiple cards in the pockets located on the underside of the flap
-18% gray card on the pocket pouch -- haven't filled that yet

Low compartment:
-Sigma 70-300mm APO DG (w/hood) lens
-Pentax 50mm prime lens
-Keyboard beaded wrist wrest (used as a beanbag)

It's comfortable as a backpack; and easily slings over for quick access to the center compartment. I keep the fit tight, and find the plastic squeeze release buckle a must for easy removal. The padding is thick enough to protect the items between/within the compartments when worn, but I don't think it would be safe if the bag was dropped from over a foot high (needs more padding along the bottom and the sides for that).

Overall, I dig. If I need to bring more than 1 lens or a flash, I just take this bag.

I absolutely love it. I'm a devote Pentax user, and this bag had enough room for my Pentax K-x, my Pentax K1000, an 18-55mm lens and a 50-200 mm lens for my K-x, a 50 mm for my K1000, my cleaning supplies, my remote, an extra memory card, and batteries.
I would definitely recommend this product to other Pentax users.

Nice and durable bag. Used this so many time to Europe and all over USA. Limited to at least 3 lenses and all accessories for charging and cables.

Bag arrived well within estimated shipping timeline. I love having the Pentax brand consistency in my photographic equipment. I really like taking care of my Pentax equipment.