Not happy with my Lowepro slingshot 100

[DawnM]

am I doing something wrong????

I bought it around 10am and wore it for all of 5 minutes (with camera in it) into a shopping mall before it started really hurting my right shoulder/neck area. It seemed that all the weight just centered in one area of my shoulder/neck and HURT!!!!

Now, I carried the camera in my regular backpack without a problem with pain or concentrated weight.

Am I wearing it wrong or should I return it????

Thanks,

Dawn

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I have this bag also and felt the same the first time I tried it. A couple weeks later I used it to go to DL and carried it all day! I find that for me I needed to purposely adjust the strap over from my neck towards my shoulder and found a spot that I could easily carry it. I also have to fiddle with backpack straps and move them over. I tire from carrying anything all day on my back/neck/shoulder but a nice thing about the Slingshot was that I could swing it around to the front which changed the weight and gave me an arm rest. A nice way to reposition for awhile.

Don't know if this makes sense but maybe it will help. After my first day I really debated about keeping the bag but ended up being glad I did after I figured out how it best worked for me. Now I think I may need to upgrade to the 200 or 300 after getting a couple more lenses.

 

[fitzperry]

I used to have the 200 and had similar issues. I'm pretty small, and it just didn't sit well on me. The only way I could make it comfortable was to adjust the straps so that it fit fairly tightly, which made it too difficult to sling around to get to my camera. Since that was the whole point of having a sling bag instead of a backpack, I've gone back to using backpacks.

 

[DawnM]

Thanks guys.

I am small too and don't really have a lot of shoulder area to move around.....and the way I am shaped is more rounded shoulders so I can't get it to "sit" anywhere else.

I think I will just return it and get a backpack. Darn....I was sold on having a swing it around and not take it off bag.

I will also add that I finally found a Tamrac Velocity and tried it on and immediately knew it wouldn't sit right either.....and there wasn't even a camera inside of it.

Must just be my body.

Dawn

 

[fitzperry]

Seems to me that for us petite gals a lot of slings and backpacks are just too tall. This was my most recent purchase, and I'm pretty happy with it:

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=400&cid=40&perentId=4&ProdLine=4

There was an ad in Pop Photo showing the same bag in cool colors right after I purchased it in black. It holds my D300 plus 3 or 4 lenses, a flash, and the other misc stuff I lug around. Someone else here (Barrie maybe?) also recommended this bag recently. I also have a smaller Tamrac backpack that I use when I want to travel lighter.

 

[senecabeach]

Seems to me that for us petite gals a lot of slings and backpacks are just too tall. This was my most recent purchase, and I'm pretty happy with it:

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=400&cid=40&perentId=4&ProdLine=4

There was an ad in Pop Photo showing the same bag in cool colors right after I purchased it in black. It holds my D300 plus 3 or 4 lenses, a flash, and the other misc stuff I lug around. Someone else here (Barrie maybe?) also recommended this bag recently. I also have a smaller Tamrac backpack that I use when I want to travel lighter.

ITA.
It certainly was difficult choosing a bag for my needs and I have the same problem. Finally...I decided to get a Lowepro backpack to initially schlep my D80 + 3 lenses..etc. Then...got a Lowepro toploader for daily use @ the parks, can hold 2 lenses if I wish, works well and I dont need to carry what I wont use for the day/night.

 

[Steve's Girl]

Seems to me that for us petite gals a lot of slings and backpacks are just too tall. This was my most recent purchase, and I'm pretty happy with it:

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=400&cid=40&perentId=4&ProdLine=4

There was an ad in Pop Photo showing the same bag in cool colors right after I purchased it in black. It holds my D300 plus 3 or 4 lenses, a flash, and the other misc stuff I lug around. Someone else here (Barrie maybe?) also recommended this bag recently. I also have a smaller Tamrac backpack that I use when I want to travel lighter.

I am going to have to look for a new bag before our trip to WDW in Oct. I now have a 70-200 2.8 lens that will not fit in any of my current bags. I'm looking for something comfortable that I can carry all day. This Kata backpack looks pretty comfortable. Do you think it would accomodate a large zoom lens?

I have also been looking at one of the Lowepro Fastpacks. It will fit my large lens either attached to the camera or separately. It has side access like the Slingshot, but is a backpack. However, it feels a little too rigid for me. I was hoping to find something more comfortable.

 

[DizzyV6P]

I used to have a Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW. I sold it and now I have the Lowepro Fastpack 350. It's the backpack version of the slingshot series except w/ room for a small laptop.

I got tired of the sling and after carrying a full load all over the Med last summer, then all over Disney the last few times, that right shoulder was getting tired. Even clipping the waist support didn't help.

I love the Fastpack 350 now Same side opening for fast camera removal..except w/ very nicely padded straps on both sides.

 

[cpbjgc]

I have the Lowepro Fastpack 350. It easily handled my Rebel XTi with a 70-200mm F2.8 lens attached, with lots of room for other lenses and accessories in the padded bottom and room for other stuff in the top part. I found it comfortable while trekking around San Francisco recently and would recommend it to anyone.

 

[fitzperry]

I am going to have to look for a new bag before our trip to WDW in Oct. I now have a 70-200 2.8 lens that will not fit in any of my current bags. I'm looking for something comfortable that I can carry all day. This Kata backpack looks pretty comfortable. Do you think it would accomodate a large zoom lens?

I have also been looking at one of the Lowepro Fastpacks. It will fit my large lens either attached to the camera or separately. It has side access like the Slingshot, but is a backpack. However, it feels a little too rigid for me. I was hoping to find something more comfortable.

The camera space in the Kata backpack can be reconfigured, so if the 70-200 f/2.8 (which, incidentally, I'd love to have!) is too long to stand in it, you could just remove one of the dividers and put it on its side. Then you'd still have room for your camera with lens attached and a couple of other lenses in that bottom compartment. It also has a nice big compartment at the top for other stuff--personal items, manuals, or I've carried my flash in there. It's really a well designed bag and holds a lot. Also, I think Barrie mentioned this too, but the inside compartments are yellow, which makes it easier to find things in it (I'm always tossing lens caps in my bags and then they slide under the dividers or otherwise get buried and it's a bit of a pain to track them down). Just a nice touch.

I also looked at the Fastpack series. In fact, after seeing it online, I was pretty sure that was what I wanted. But when I tried it in the store, I didn't care for it. It is rigid, and it's also very tall and thin. No offense to the proponents of it here, and it does have some interesting attributes (the fact that the camera compartment can't be accessed while you're wearing it is a nice security feature), but it just didn't seem to balance the weight properly for me.

 

[Steve's Girl]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think a trip to my local camera store is in order.

Jen - I love the 70-200 lens. But, it is big. My hands are not big enough to properly hold it with the tripod foot attached. The biggest problem with having this lens is that now I am not very happy with the IQ of any of my other lenses. I've also realized that my D80 does not have enough focus points. So, while the lens in itself is rather expensive, the NAS it inspires could be REALLY expensive!

 

[cpbjgc]

I also looked at the Fastpack series. In fact, after seeing it online, I was pretty sure that was what I wanted. But when I tried it in the store, I didn't care for it. It is rigid, and it's also very tall and thin. No offense to the proponents of it here, and it does have some interesting attributes (the fact that the camera compartment can't be accessed while you're wearing it is a nice security feature), but it just didn't seem to balance the weight properly for me.

I'm offended!

I do have to say I've never tried the Kata bags as they are not available in my local camera stores.

Having said that, given we are all different shapes and sizes, I think it just demonstrates why it's always best to go and try the bags out yourself. It's always good to have an excuse to visit your local camera store .

 

[fitzperry]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think a trip to my local camera store is in order.

Jen - I love the 70-200 lens. But, it is big. My hands are not big enough to properly hold it with the tripod foot attached. The biggest problem with having this lens is that now I am not very happy with the IQ of any of my other lenses. I've also realized that my D80 does not have enough focus points. So, while the lens in itself is rather expensive, the NAS it inspires could be REALLY expensive!

Maybe when the D700 is available there will be some lightly used D300's to be had. Those 51 af points are nice.

I'm offended!

I do have to say I've never tried the Kata bags as they are not available in my local camera stores.

Having said that, given we are all different shapes and sizes, I think it just demonstrates why it's always best to go and try the bags out yourself. It's always good to have an excuse to visit your local camera store .

It is great to be able to try them out in the store. I'd looked at that Kata bag online and didn't think too much of it, and I went into the store expecting to leave with the Fastpack. A lot just depends on how the bag fits you. And even if you can't try before you buy, many online retailers have decent return policies if it doesn't work out, and there's always eBay!

 

[dr_zero]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think a trip to my local camera store is in order.

Jen - I love the 70-200 lens. But, it is big. My hands are not big enough to properly hold it with the tripod foot attached. The biggest problem with having this lens is that now I am not very happy with the IQ of any of my other lenses. I've also realized that my D80 does not have enough focus points. So, while the lens in itself is rather expensive, the NAS it inspires could be REALLY expensive!

Dumb question time What is "NAS"?

and a comment on packs

I got one of these from Adorama and have been real happy with it! Just one thing with 2 bodies and 5 lenses chargers and batteries and all it gets heavy!
Its nice though to be able if I want to take it all with me in one case.
Oh and the price has dropped you can get it for about $30

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R6TA/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

 

[fitzperry]

Dumb question time What is "NAS"?

Nikon Acquisition Syndrome--the urge to acquire more and more Nikon products. It's an epidemic.

 

[dr_zero]

Nikon Acquisition Syndrome--the urge to acquire more and more Nikon products. It's an epidemic.

OMG that is too funny! Now I can tell my wife what what my diagnosis is

 

[fitzperry]

OMG that is too funny! Now I can tell my wife what what my diagnosis is

Darn shame it's not covered by insurance.

 

[DawnM]

That bag might work. I wish it were 14" tall instead of 17", but, it may work.

Unfortunately, I have been all the stores around here and can't actually SEE one before buying it.

I need to get something SOON though.

Dawn

Seems to me that for us petite gals a lot of slings and backpacks are just too tall. This was my most recent purchase, and I'm pretty happy with it:

http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=400&cid=40&perentId=4&ProdLine=4

There was an ad in Pop Photo showing the same bag in cool colors right after I purchased it in black. It holds my D300 plus 3 or 4 lenses, a flash, and the other misc stuff I lug around. Someone else here (Barrie maybe?) also recommended this bag recently. I also have a smaller Tamrac backpack that I use when I want to travel lighter.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Maybe when the D700 is available there will be some lightly used D300's to be had. Those 51 af points are nice.



It is great to be able to try them out in the store. I'd looked at that Kata bag online and didn't think too much of it, and I went into the store expecting to leave with the Fastpack. A lot just depends on how the bag fits you. And even if you can't try before you buy, many online retailers have decent return policies if it doesn't work out, and there's always eBay!

Do you think it can hold a Canon 40D with a fat 17-40 lens on it, and then other crap? LOL I thought my days of buying bags was over but I just spent a week schlepping the bag I bought 6 months ago all over California and it nearly killed me. Messenger bags don't do the trick for me... it's gotta be a backpack. That being said, I like what I bought 6 months ago as carry on baggage because it fits everything in one bag (including a laptop). Soooooo, my next question is:

Is this Kata rucksack squishable? Can it be packed, without taking too much room, in luggage? I could use one bag as carry on and then use the Kata bag as the walk around bag. My only concern is if it's squishable. The Lowepro slingshots, fastbacks, etc do not appear to be squishable. Nobody here has them in the store. I could order it but that would be a special order and they're non-refundable if I do that.

 

[fitzperry]

Do you think it can hold a Canon 40D with a fat 17-40 lens on it, and then other crap? LOL I thought my days of buying bags was over but I just spent a week schlepping the bag I bought 6 months ago all over California and it nearly killed me. Messenger bags don't do the trick for me... it's gotta be a backpack. That being said, I like what I bought 6 months ago as carry on baggage because it fits everything in one bag (including a laptop). Soooooo, my next question is:

Is this Kata rucksack squishable? Can it be packed, without taking too much room, in luggage? I could use one bag as carry on and then use the Kata bag as the walk around bag. My only concern is if it's squishable. The Lowepro slingshots, fastbacks, etc do not appear to be squishable. Nobody here has them in the store. I could order it but that would be a special order and they're non-refundable if I do that.

Messenger bags are murder on my back too. I love the blue Crumpler $x,000,000 homes, but the look isn't worth the pain.

The Kata bag should hold that camera/lens combo with no trouble. I've had my D300 with the Tokina 12-24 (which is a fairly fat lens) attached, plus another lens or two and a flash, all in the camera compartment. That's a bit tight, but it works fine. As for squishability, the camera compartment has those padded thingies with velcro on them so you can rearrange the compartments. That part is somewhat rigid (maybe comparable to the Lowepro Slingshot). The top part isn't too rigid, so I think you could sort of fold that over and pack it that way. I'd go and try it, but I just crammed the whole thing full because we're headed home tomorrow after a month in Park City, Utah (I hate when vacations end!)