Slingshot 100, 200, or something else?

[YEKCIM]

I have a Tamrac Pro 12 for storing and transporting my gear (see sig below) and have been using a vest to "work from" since everything is easily accessible. The downside is lack of padded pockets for gear in the vest. I've been thinking about one of the Slingshots for carrying my additional gear. Most likely, I'd have just one of the D50's, with strap, around my neck, with one of the four lenses I own. I'd like a good, padded bag for carrying the other items...extra lenses, battery, flash, cards, etc. In most situations, I would not need room for the camera+lens, but only for the extra gear. Would the 200 be too large, or the 100 too small? My gut tells me to go with the 200, "just in case"; better too much room than not enough...?

This purchase would not be "Disney-specific", but I have that scenario in mind, as well as other times when I'll be "hoofing" it all day and need more than just one camera and lens.

TIA,

Ed

 

[KrazyPete]

I love my AW100 but I recently got a 70-200mm f/2.8 so now i'm looking for a new bag. I pack a lot of stuff into my AW100 though:

SB-600
Small bag with flash base and four extra batteries
Card reader
A couple of cables
2 Gig Thumb Drive
USB Wireless Adapter
Lens Cleaning Cloth
Flash Filter Set
Foldable Pelican Guide
"ABetterBounceCard"
4 Memory cards
D80
70-300mm
50mm
18-135mm

Oh, and a pack of "Stride" fruit gum. There's enough room in there for another lens maybe a little bigger than the 50mm. I'm pretty sure you could do what you describe the AW100. If your future gear purchases include any lens that is physically longer than about 6" then you'll probably need another bag upgrade.

 

[YEKCIM]

Thanks, Pete. I'm leaning toward the 200, even though the 100 may be (barely) adequate, just to have a little breathing room. And, believe it or not, Lens Lust has not really been a problem for me. The gear I have at present is very adequate for my needs and I rarely find myself able to use any of it to its full potential. We'll be heading out to Williamsburg and the Colonial area of VA in a couple weeks and it occurred to me that a sling type bag might be easier to work from, plus protect the gear better. We'll be doing a lot of walking and it would be nice to know that in the event of inclement weather, I could pull out the AW cover and know that my gear was safe and dry.

Thanks again for your input. I've found an eBay seller who offers the 200 for $75, shipped, and think I'll probably go ahead and get it.

~Ed

 

[Master Mason]

I have a 200 that is supposed to arrive today. I'll let you know what I think when I get it. I looked at the 100 in a store before, and personally thought it was too small for me, but am amazed at what Krazy Pete manages to put in his.

 

[fitzperry]

IMO there is quite a difference between the 100 and 200. I originally bought the 100 and IIRC it just barely held my D70 w/ 18-70 lens attached, plus the 55-200 and 50mm lenses. I also remember thinking that if I upgraded the 55-200 to the 70-300VR it would not have fit. Even if you're not planning to use the bag for your camera body, I think it makes sense to opt for the larger bag.

 

[YEKCIM]

Thanks, Gregg. I'll probably pull the trigger today or tomorrow, if I decide on the 200, as I need it prior to 12/12 departure. Like you, I think the 100 would probably be too small and my experience with bags is that too small is bad; too large is generally good as there is always SOMETHING else you wanna carry. Would appreciate hearing your comments, after you get yours.

Thanks,

~Ed

 

[Code]

I spent a while on the fence between the 100 and 200 before my trip also. I went with the 200 and was very happy I did. When I bought it I only had 1 extra lens so it looked a bit sad to open up, but I added a fast prime right before the trip and that would have completely filled the 100 with the other stuff I was carrying. I was grateful for a bit of extra space in the bag, and more room to grow.

 

[Master Mason]

so I got the 200 a few minutes ago.

I can put into it my 40d with 24-70 f/2.8 attached
The 70-200 f/2.8 loose
Canon 430 speedlight.

There is still a little room for some extras and the top unpadded section is empty. I will have to mess around for a while with configuration, but the camera section is pretty much maxed out, those are large lenses and a fairly significant camera.

But it is a lot smaller and lighter than my mini trekker and I think it will work out exactly like I was hoping it would.

 

[Suburbanmom]

Thanks again for your input. I've found an eBay seller who offers the 200 for $75, shipped, and think I'll probably go ahead and get it.

~Ed

That's probably the same guy I bought my Slingshot 200 from. The transaction went smoothly, and I LOVE my bag.

 

[DVC Jen]

I have the 200 and it was perfect for me at WDW.... and other places. The fact that it has the waterproofing cover is a big plus.

It wasn't too large nor too small. For me it is the perfect size. I was able to get both cameras, an extra lens or two, extra memory cards and batteries in the main compartment. Then we used the pocket on the front and the top compartment for contact lens solution, DH and my ponchos, tissues, money, band-aids, and our room cards.

I love it.

 

[KrazyPete]

so I got the 200 a few minutes ago.

I can put into it my 40d with 24-70 f/2.8 attached
The 70-200 f/2.8 loose
Canon 430 speedlight.

I think that's going to be my bag upgrade then. I take it that "loose" means the 70-200 f/2.8 won't go in there attached to the camera? Do you think you can grab a quick pick of that compartment with that gear in it? It would help me visualize how my stuff would fit.

 

[YEKCIM]

Okay, I'm convinced. My 200 should ship today, from Sell-N-Send, via Fedex Ground, and be here by the weekend!

Thanks to each of you for contributing to my decision. I'm confident it is the correct one.

~Ed

 

[Master Mason]

I think that's going to be my bag upgrade then. I take it that "loose" means the 70-200 f/2.8 won't go in there attached to the camera? Do you think you can grab a quick pick of that compartment with that gear in it? It would help me visualize how my stuff would fit.

Sure,

The big lens is in the bottom, then the camera, then the speed light at the top. The compartments don't fit that great as you see from the picture, so I will have to do some modification to them. Also, since they don't fit at this moment I have the camera in upside down, which really isn't an issue.

And wow, I have gotten spoiled using the 24-70 the sigma I used to take these is no where near as sharp.

 

[KrazyPete]

The big gun just barely fits in there doesn't it?

Thanks, that's very helpful.