Can't decide - Sling bag or BlackRapid Strap?

[mickey1968]

I am trying to decide which to buy for my upcoming Disney trip. I generally walk around with my camera out and ready to shoot, but I really hate having a thick strap around my neck so I tend to use the strap wrapped around my wrist.

I was thinking about getting the Lowepro sling bag but then I happened to think about the BlackRapid straps and that might work well for me instead. I have a couple of smallish cross-body bags I carry to the parks that are not camera bags, but are just big enough to slip the camera in while on rides. I was thinking the sling bag would allow me to consolidate camera and purse/bag.

So, which do most like best? Sling bag? or BlackRapid? or both? budget will probably force me to choose.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

IMHO, the strap makes the difference. Upon my return after my first DSLR WDW trip, the first thing I did was replace my Lowepro neck strap with the BR strap. I have very much become a proponent of that system. My equipment is not lightweight. The three dslr's that I carry the most, all have battery grips. Many times I mount a flash. The neck strap doesn't cut it for me. After a very short time my neck and shoulders became very painful leading to a raging headache. The BR strap has eliminated all of that. When working and carrying two cameras, I use BR Coupler straps and convert two RS-4's into a double strap system. At WDW carrying just one camera even with heavy lenses, is not uncomfortable. I would go first with a comfortable strap then bag.

 

[Skywise]

I used the BR on my last DW trip and loved it. The camera was always right where I needed it to be and I could just "fire and forget" with one handed shooting.

BUT -
I only took the one lens - I went back later that night with my "sling bag" (A Halo 3 branded messenger bag) that also carried my zoom lens and was swapping in and out all night. (See this thread for more: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3249781 )

I've also used my bag to store souvenirs, rain gear and the like and it could easily double as a purse (though I'm a guy... so... it's NOT! )

 

[mickey1968]

I used the BR on my last DW trip and loved it. The camera was always right where I needed it to be and I could just "fire and forget" with one handed shooting.

BUT -
I only took the one lens - I went back later that night with my "sling bag" (A Halo 3 branded messenger bag) that also carried my zoom lens and was swapping in and out all night. (See this thread for more: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3249781 )

I've also used my bag to store souvenirs, rain gear and the like and it could easily double as a purse (though I'm a guy... so... it's NOT! )

And you must have a much bigger budget for your bags! That Halo one is cool though.

 

[mom2rtk]

If you have the right strap, your bag is far less important. I wear mine on a BR strap and hardly ever put it away.

Plus, while some here loved their sling bag, I am not a fan. I didn't like way it distributed the weight and always ended up with a sore back. I do better with a traditional backpack (not even a regular camera bag) that I can stow the camera in if the weather turns bad.

 

[Skywise]

And you must have a much bigger budget for your bags! That Halo one is cool though.

Oh... whoa... I did *NOT* pay that much for that bag! I think it was $30 or $40. It's certainly not worth that much as I already broke the zipper on the front flap! (literally, the zipper tab broke off and not even at the joint!)

...
Although maybe I should sell mine...

 

[mickey1968]

Oh... whoa... I did *NOT* pay that much for that bag!

I have a BR Metro strap coming from Amazon this week! My camera is the smaller Canon SL1 so I didn't feel like I would need the heavier duty one. I am going to see how it feels with my regular park bag before I make a final decision on the Sling. I am a little worried the Sling would be hot to wear all day.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations.