minor Review - Slingshot 200AW

[Justin]

Purchased over the net (and phone calls) from qualitycamera.com.au

Subjective review - I used this as my minimalist backpack / camera bag for a month of (three star) touring through Europe. Thought I would provide a little feedback, although I think from what I read everyone is already sold!

So my aim was - one bag, to contain the camera gear and all the stuff that wouldn't fit in the pants pockets. Mostly a settled base e.g. hotel or house so all day trips. I also used it as the airplane carryon bag.

What did I take?
Main compartment
D70
18-200mm
50mm
air-rocket
lens cleaning stuffs
mini-bag of cables etc
5 flash cards
extra filters for both lenses
books, etc

Front compartment
- various bits of paper, nothing important, not secure
Top compartment
- handwash, drink bottle, sunscreen, painkillers etc.

I slung a nalgene bottle (1l) and a baseball cap to the exterior with a carabiner, also found that with squeezing the nalgene bottle would fit in the top compartment. on the Cinque Terra walk also tied a towel onto it

With only taking one additional lens, I found I could use part of the main compartment for extras - a book, on one thoughtless day the water bottle (closed tight!)

How did it stand up - my thoughts:
+ Great! it was a good decision - the access is fantastic - my partner can get frustrated with the usual delays of accessing the camera, dropping the bag etc - swing the bag, zip open, remove lens cap, throw cap in bag, shoot, reverse etc.
+ extremely convenient and compact way to hold a small amount of camera gear. I could have taken another couple of lenses (as it is designed to do) without too much stress
+ the flash card compartment is good!
- I'm going to have to figure out how to wash it as 3 weeks of 30c+ days have added a certain fragrance
- for all day expeditions (8 hours of walking) the strap does dig in a little, especially if fully loaded (which is only really about 6-7kg), so minor complaint
- wear a shirt - sometimes the strap can rub on your neck, the collar really helps
- The padding should extend further - when you 'sling' the bag for a shot, you get the raw strap - and sometimes I found myself with the bag in the slung position for periods of time so the edge of the strap digs in. But wear a colllar and that isn't a problem
- security - you could lock the main compartment (I twist the loops together) but the other compartments you can't - I found one open after an expedition.
- the lens cap rubs against the bottom of the bag so I have a very faded Nikon logo on the cap now - but this is no biggie, just remember to always put the lens cap on!

What would I like to see? Expand the concept into something that is more of a day-pack with side access, This would work even with the normal dual strap style backpack (try it, not quite as convenient but it would work)

[the foto fanatic]

Thanks for posting this, Justin. There's quite a deal of interest in these bags ATM.

[Alpha_7]

Thanks Justin, this is of great interest to me, as after doing some research Katie has suggested I only take 1-2 lens to Europe (we don't even know when we are going.. or if we can get the time off) anyways. I was thinking of the 18-200 and maybe the 10-20, but I'm not sure yet. How did you find shooting with the 18-200 and also the 50mm, it you feel restricted or was it a blessing not having the change lens all the time ?

[Raskill]

Thanks for the review. I'm waiting on mine (hopefully this week...) to come with a new lens from our usual supplier of toys. You've confirmed my thoughts that this is a good piece of gear.

Cheers!

[Justin]

Glad it was useful!

18-200 fantastic! It is an amazing lens. I couldn't have needed more - most of my shots were at the wide end. Too much haze for long distance shooting.

I really, really missed not having a wide angle - so definitely take the 10mm. For the whole trip I only used the 50mm twice (Paris opera indoors during performance and late night Italy soccer win) - both low night when I needed a faster lens.

So I would stick to 18-200, plus wide angle, plus fast lens (if the wide isn't fast enough).

I felt really uncomfortable changing lenses when I was out and about during the day - as a tourist, probably just some feeling of insecurity, which is why the 18-200 was so great. It doesn't look so different from the kit lens after all.

The light is much less harsh in Europe now in summer than here in winter, so you probably only need a polariser for the zoom.

[cyanide]

I am really looking forward to trying my Slingshot, which is no doubt waiting patiently for me to arrive in Cairns... (along with our new CF cards!)

Interesting to read your experience, Justin, thanks for posting this.

[moggy]

Thanks for the review, I have been trying to make my mind up between the mini-trekker and the slingshot. After reading this I will settle on the slingshot. I'm also interested in the 18-200VR as a walk around so that question was answered as well.

Bob.

.

[hash77]

Justin,

Washing the bag is a non issue, I've been adding to the moisture content of my bag as you have to the point of it having salt crusts on it (mmm yum!). I just slung it in the washing machine (with all the pads removed) along with with my camelbaks and ran it through a normal cycles with normal powder. Hung to dry in the shade and presto, clean as a whistle with a slight jasmine fragrance!

Works a treat

Hash

[Oscar]

Can anyone tell me how much this bag goes for? Just went for a stroll and found that Fletchers has re-opened in Pitt St Sydney (a couple of doors down from the old shop) - they have this listed at $149.00 but offered a 10% discount.

[hash77]

I think that's what I paid for mine at a CameraHouse outlet. I don't think it will get much cheaper for the moment, but I could be wrong

[Justin]

that's about right - I think mine was $125 + postage from memory.

[Fortigurn]

I bought mine on Bo Ai road for AU$90. It is undoubtedly the most flexible and useful bag I have.

The other day I took it out filled with three cameras, a spare lens, and two flashes, among other things:

* Dynax 5 with 75-300mm lens
* F80 with 28-200mm lens
* 350D with 18-55mm lens
* Minolta 28-105mm lens
* Sunpak 5000AF flash
* Canon 430EX flash
* 8 x AA batteries
* 4 x rolls of film

I still had room for a few other things I could have taken. It's a highly intelligently designed bag, and I cannot believe what I managed to pack into it.

[Oscar]

These now seem to be in plentiful supply. Foto Riesel have them in stock at $110.00. I picked one up at Digital City in George St for $99. When the guy asked if I was interested in the bag I said yeah but gave him the disappointed look at the price ($129) he then said I could have it for $99 if I would take then - so I did!

[DionM]

Thanks for the review, very useful.

I thought about one of these for my recent trip to Germany.

Biggest problem was not physically being able to find one in Brisbane a few months ago and I was concerned about the fit - being a big tall guy.

I ended up buying a Crumpler 5 million dollar home - it's a shoulder bag rather than a backpack, but it did work well.

Based on your review I might go and check one out ... can never have too many bags, and the Slingshot does have the AW cover which my Crumpler doesn't.

[whiz]

Well, after the good stories about this bag, I had need to find something after deciding that my D200 could just NOT be separated from it's battery grip.

Discovered the Slingshot 200 in Fletchers and it fits perfectly.
Not sure about the future 80-200 f2.8, but it handles all the other crap just fine. Access is a breeze!

[Justin]

Good to know - I am the proud owner of a D200 for oh, about an hour now! The 18-200 fits well - but I think the 80-200 is longer