DSLR Camera Shoulder Bag vs. Sling Pack

[NJGuy3]

Basically, the title says it all.
I've been looking for a camera bag to carry my gear...want something that is compact yet, holds what I need.
My gear:
Canon T1i
Tamron 18-270mm lense
Canon 50mm f/1.8 Prime lense
Rokinon 8mm fisheye lense

Is there any advantage/disadvantage of a shoulder bag vs. sling pack, especially when in the parks, walking around, getting in/off attractions, etc. I'll be wearing it at Disney most of the day/night.

The shoulder bag I'm interested in is the Lowepro Nova 160AW Shoulder Bag. (I have test fitted my gear into this bag and it all fit.)

The sling packs I'm interested in are the Case Logic DCB-308 & Tamrac Jazz 76.

Any input/opinion would be helpful...thanks!

 

[2Tiggies]

I can't comment on any of those specific bags except to say that I really like Lowepro. I personally don't like "one strap" bags, particularly if carrying a fair bit of gear in them as all the weight is supported by one strap. If I had to pick between sling and shoulder, I would go with a sling bag purely because the padding is generally better on a sling than a shoulder bag.

If you have access to a store where you can actually try the bags, you can't go wrong with playing about and having a good look at them, picking them up and getting an idea of quality and size.

 

[mamaCta]

I used the Tamrac Velocity 7 until I recently outgrew it when I bought more lenses.
http://www.tamrac.com/frame_velocity.htm

It is very comfortable and fits on my back (I'm a small 5'4" woman). The 9 series would easily fit your gear and your body.

I hate shoulder bags for packing heavy things. They always swing when you lean over. The sling pack stayed on my back and I could easily rotate it around to the front to get into it without having to take it off.

 

[whoever]

I've been using a Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW for about 5 years. Here it is with the D80 loadout....

I need to figure out what I'm going to do with the D600. It would be overkill to use the 300 sling as I've only got 2 pieces of FX glass, don't need the speedlight/video cam, etc..

 

[mikegood2]

Glad you started this thread because I'm in the same situation. In theory I like the idea of a sling type bag, but I've never been that much of a backpack guy. We are going in June and my biggest concern is that my back will get to hot and sweaty.

I will also be using a Black Rapids strap. Will a sling type backpack or a shoulder type bag create any problems with the BR strap?

 

[whoever]

Glad you started this thread because I'm in the same situation. In theory I like the idea of a sling type bag, but I've never been that much of a backpack guy. We are going in June and my biggest concern is that my back will get to hot and sweaty.

The biggest problem with slings is when you start loading it up with heavy glass....even a wide padded sling starts to dig in.

I will also be using a Black Rapids strap. Will a sling type backpack or a shoulder type bag create any problems with the BR strap?

No.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Slings are no good cause they start to hurt without being able to redistribate the weight. Backpacks suck cause you sweat like a nun in a %*$&# house. At least with a shoulder bag you can keeo shifting the weight around or carry it around like a Murse when its for short periods...

 

[nvtsallo]

I use the lowepro 350aw and they make a smaller 250. It is a backpack but....

It works as a sling

Distributes the weight well

Has padding most importantly extra for your lower back.

Holds my 5d with 70-200 mounted and a 270 ex for quick access.

I went to dl last aug. and lugged around 15lbs of gear in that heat and yeah you sweat but it was comfortable. You can try the 250 which is lighter.

 

[NJGuy3]

Thanks everyone for your opinions and feedback.
I decided to purchase the Lowepro Nova 160AW Shoulder bag. All my gear fit in nicely. There are quite a few small pockets for batteries, memory cards, etc and there is a built in rain cover which is great.
The shoulder strap has a padded area which feels good. I plan on wearing it cross body.
I'm headin' to WDW this week so it'll be my first experience using it...will gladly report with a review if anyone is interested.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

I'm actually interested, I love my bag but its time to upgrade soon...

 

[DoDaLeCa]

I'm planning on taking a ThinkTank Speed Racer V2 to Disneyland in a few weeks.

It's a good sized shoulder bag with a waist strap so that helps take a lot of load off of the shoulder strap plus it keeps the bag from flopping around. I can wear the bag on either side off my hips or position it more out front for easier access.

I can fit the following in it:
- Canon 5D3 with 24-70 F/2.8 lens attached
- Canon 7D body only
- Canon 16-35L II lens
- Canon 24L F/1.4 lens
- Sigma 70-200 lens with Sigma 1.4x converter (taking only because daughter is dancing at Thunder stage and I don't know how far back I'll be)
- Canon ST-E2 being used for focus assist only

One outside pouch carries a Speedlite (580EX or 600EX); the other carries loose lens hoods. There's a couple of zip up pouches on the front side for spare batteries and memory cards.

It's heavy loaded but with the waist strap I'm hoping to survive for several days of walking around (only used it on short several hour zoo visits so far without major distress). It's nice not having a sweaty back from a backpack though.

 

[NJGuy3]

I'm actually interested, I love my bag but its time to upgrade soon...

What bag do you currently own?

I'm planning on taking a ThinkTank Speed Racer V2 to Disneyland in a few weeks.

It's a good sized shoulder bag with a waist strap so that helps take a lot of load off of the shoulder strap plus it keeps the bag from flopping around. I can wear the bag on either side off my hips or position it more out front for easier access.

I can fit the following in it:
- Canon 5D3 with 24-70 F/2.8 lens attached
- Canon 7D body only
- Canon 16-35L II lens
- Canon 24L F/1.4 lens
- Sigma 70-200 lens with Sigma 1.4x converter (taking only because daughter is dancing at Thunder stage and I don't know how far back I'll be)
- Canon ST-E2 being used for focus assist only

One outside pouch carries a Speedlite (580EX or 600EX); the other carries loose lens hoods. There's a couple of zip up pouches on the front side for spare batteries and memory cards.

It's heavy loaded but with the waist strap I'm hoping to survive for several days of walking around (only used it on short several hour zoo visits so far without major distress). It's nice not having a sweaty back from a backpack though.

Seems like your bag can hold plenty!
I was concerned about a shoulder bag flopping around but once I tried it on wearing it cross-body and shifting the bag behind me as opposed to my side, it felt good. I've been walking around the house with it on to experiment.
I'm headin' to Disneyland in Dec., but being I have this WDW trip this week, I'll know if this is the right type of bag for me.