Anyone using Kata 3N1's or Lowepro Slingshot's?

[LordAthens]

I'm currently debating between Kata's 3N1-10 or -11 as well as a Lowepro SS 102. The TTP Sling-O-Matic is also in the running.

I like the Kata, but it's to small for what I want to take and of course the -20 is to big. I really wish they made a -10.5, something that is as slim as a -10, but just a few inches longer to accommodate another row of glass/speedlites at the bottom. I also wish they would have put the tripod/monopod "mount" on the side of the bag like Lowepro did with the Slingshots, putting it on the back just puts more weight past your shoulders, making it feel heavier than it is, plus it's a much slimmer profile.

Anyone with a Kata -10, is the top compartment big enough to fit a 20oz bottle of pop?

I really want to like the Slingshot, but simple lack of pockets and compartments make it hard to like, especially compared to the Kata. Having the pockets above the camera opening for filters and other accessories is such a huge benefit. I DO love the pod mount on the side and I also like that they incorporated the AW cover in the back, so that it's permanently attached, this has been a feature that I really liked with my other Lowepro bags.

And then there is the Thinktank Sling-O-Matic.. I really like this bag, I think. Like the Lowepro, it lacks a little side pockets. It also doesn't seem to have any type of pod support. But, it has a nice long pocket (or 2, hard to tell) to store pack maps, phones (I have a big EVO) and even maybe a small guide book or two. I would have to end up folding up the maps to get them to fit in the Slingshot or 3N1 I think. The biggest feature of the Sling O Matic though, even on their smallest bag, it will fit a body + a 70-200 2.8, since the entire side opens up.. Man that would be nice! But then again, it would really only be nice when I go to AK, I don't plan on dragging the 70-200 anywhere else, so I would be buying a bag based on a day or 2's worth of park usage instead of buying for the majority of the trip...

I'm just curious to hear everyone elses thoughts and opinions on what they have.

I have a ton of Lowepro and Tamrac gear and while I specifically bought the Micro Trekker 200 a few years ago for Disney, it's just such a pain to take the backpack off, have the g/f hold it or find something to sit it down on, etc etc. But, I'm able to carry a good bit of gear with me; DSLR + lens, 3 other lenses, full size speedlite, MiniDV camcorder, extra batteries, memory, tapes, etc. I'm going to have to cut back moving to a similarly sized slingbag.

 

[DVC Mike]

Most photographers seem to have a side hobby of collecting camera bags.

I have a Lowepro Slingshot 100, Slingshot 202, and Fastpack 200. I bring all three down to WDW.

I usually bring the SS 100 into the parks, unless my wife uses it for her camera, and then I use the SS 202.

 

[LordAthens]

Mike,

I looked at the Fastpacks... Those are right out. I'm not sure how they can call them fast-anything. I played with one in the store for a good 10 minutes and there is no way I could use it. The zippers kept getting stuck, even on an empty bag as the fabric kept rolling into the zipper.

As far as your Slingshots go, how do you like them? Anything you absolutely love and absolutely hate about them? I like the overall design, I just wish they would have put a few more pockets on them. The upper compartment looks quite a bit smaller than the Kata's, can you get a 20oz pop bottle in your 102's upper compartment?

 

[DVC Mike]

As far as your Slingshots go, how do you like them? Anything you absolutely love and absolutely hate about them? I like the overall design, I just wish they would have put a few more pockets on them. The upper compartment looks quite a bit smaller than the Kata's, can you get a 20oz pop bottle in your 102's upper compartment?

I don't carry a lot - just my camera and one or two lenses. The top compartment is used for a Rocket blower, microfiber cleaning cloth, and spare memory cards and a battery. Thus, it's mostly empty.

I like just pulling the slingshot around unzipping and being able to quickly access my camera.

 

[LordAthens]

We ended up going out to Best Buy tonight to poke around at a new camcorder. While there, I stopped over in the photo section and to my surprise, since the remodel they now carry a pretty decent selection of Lowepro gear.

I took a look at a few different bags. I didn't realize how tiny the Slingshot 100 AW is, as such it's right out. I don't think I can get the body with grip in there, let alone with a long prime or super zoom. I was also surprised at how much smaller the 200 was than I thought it would be judging by the pics on the website. The 202 AW that I like because of the tripod setup is quite a bit bigger than the 200 AW. I think the 102 AW is closer in size to the 200, than the 202 is.

And I have to retract my dislike for the Fastpack. I was getting it confused with the Flipside. The Flipside's are the ones that open from the back with no zippers on the front. THAT bag was a pain.

The Fastpack though.. That's a pretty sweet bag. I prefer a backpack for carrying throughout the day, but they're always a PITA to get the gear out of. With the Fastpack, drop a arm out, pull the bag around, get the gear out. I just wish it had the AW cover and some type of tripod provisions.

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to go over to Bernie's in the next few days (Pittsburgh's only 'real' camera shop left, complete with double prices and condescending employees). They supposedly carry Kata, so at the very least I can take a look at them. B+H has the one that I'm currently interested in for $88, so I would suspect it's going to be $149.99 at Bernies..

 

[mom2rtk]

I got the slingshot 202 before our last trip to Disney. I used it on just a couple of short outings before that and decided to leave it at home. I loved the way you could pull it around front for quick access, but I really disliked the way the weight was not evenly distributed on my back. I bailed at the last minute and didn't even take it to Disney. Back to the drawing board for me.......

 

[LordAthens]

mom2rtk - Take a look at the Fastpacks. Similar to the Slingshot, but a little more "loose" storage space in the top compartment. It's a 2-strap backpack though, so you just drop an arm out and pull it around the front like a sling bag. There is a zip flap on the side where the camera sits just like a sling bag.

 

[Wadecool]

I've got the Slingshot 102 and love it. I have taken it on several day hikes so far and like being able to get the camera out in 5 seconds if I need to.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I have both the SS 200 and Fastpack 200. The SS upper compartment is a little small. The SS has the built-in weather cover which is a plus for WDW. The Fastpack is not weatherproof and things inside can get damp/wet in a WDW downpour. That happened on our last day this past June. Fortunately, my weathersealed Pentax handled it.