Camera Labs

I am looking at getting a Lowepro Slingshot bag but am not sure of the size I would need. I would be carrying a Canon 40D with a 17-85mm lens attached and 70-200mm f4L IS and 50mm f1.4 lenses, and possibly a 430EX Speedlite. I would need at least the 202 but even the 302 looks a tight fit for the 70-200 lens.

The normal fitment for the lens in the bag seems to require a maximum lens length around 14 to 15 cms. The 70-200 lens is about 21cms long. I suppose the compartments could be adjusted to fit the lens in across the bags width, instead of depth as designed? In that case the 202 would be okay with an internal width of 22.5cms.

I supose if the 70-200 lens was mounted on the 40D I would probably need the 302.

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Canon 40D, EF-S 17-85mm IS USM, EF 70-300 IS USM, EF 50mm f/1.4, Speedlite 430EX II, EF 70-200 f/4L IS USM, EFS 10-22mm.

Just to add to my post above I am also looking at the Kata 123 Go 30. Any opinions on that bag?

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Canon 40D, EF-S 17-85mm IS USM, EF 70-300 IS USM, EF 50mm f/1.4, Speedlite 430EX II, EF 70-200 f/4L IS USM, EFS 10-22mm.

I have a Kata 3n1 22.
Storage wise, everything in your kit will fit in it. I used it recently to travel to Dubai using it as hand luggage, having the advantage of the extra space above for passport, money, etc.

Streetwise, though, I found it to be quite heavy. The first day I used it in the sling back setup and woke up the day after with a broken back. The second day, I used the backpack option and found it much more comfortable. By the third day, I bought an imitation handbag and used that as a carrying case.

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Sony α580 dSLR
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Sony 18-55 kit lens, Minolta AF 50mm 1.7, Minolta 28-105mm xi zoom, Minolta 35-70mm 3.5-4.5, Minolta 75-300mm 4.5-5.6
Kata 3n1-22

My short photostream: ivandegi

Thanks for the reply. There is an excellent review on youtube about the Kata 123 Go 30 which also refers to the problem of carrying in sling configuration on one shoulder.

Maybe the Lowepro Slingshot, which can only be carried in that configuration, has a better, more padded, strap for that use? Can anyone give an opinion?

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Canon 40D, EF-S 17-85mm IS USM, EF 70-300 IS USM, EF 50mm f/1.4, Speedlite 430EX II, EF 70-200 f/4L IS USM, EFS 10-22mm.

I have now managed to take a look at the Lowepro bags. The strap is wide and nicely padded. The 202 is a bit narrow for a Canon 70-200 f4L lens and would be a tight and difficult fit for the lens a camera body and another lens and a speedlite. The 302 is a somewhat fatter and maybe a bit too wide for comfortable carrying compared to the 202 but it will hold my camera and lenses easily without having to mess too much with the configuration.

The main advantage of the Kata would be the option of a backpack configuration as well as a sling configuration. But the Lowepro is shaped specifically for sling use and that is what I shall be using the bag for. You can always swap shoulders if you are carrying the bag some distance and one shoulder is taking all the strain.

So I have gone for the Lowepro 302AW. At under £53 it is not a big risk choice in any case.

Any further views would be appreciated but this thread has been surprisingly quiet!

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Canon 40D, EF-S 17-85mm IS USM, EF 70-300 IS USM, EF 50mm f/1.4, Speedlite 430EX II, EF 70-200 f/4L IS USM, EFS 10-22mm.

Why not check out the Tamrac Evolution 6 or 8. More expensive I think but I preferred it to the Kata or LowePro - always a matter of taste and kit levels....

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Nikon D90
Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6G VR, Nikkor AF-S DX 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G VR, Nikor AF-S DX 35 f/1.8 G

A bit late on that suggestion fudge but thanks anyway. Having just looked at the Tamrac Evolution 8 on youtube it is too big for what I would want as a walkaround bag with easy access to your camera. It is just much too bulky. I have the Tamrac Expedition 6 to carry all of my gear.

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Canon 40D, EF-S 17-85mm IS USM, EF 70-300 IS USM, EF 50mm f/1.4, Speedlite 430EX II, EF 70-200 f/4L IS USM, EFS 10-22mm.

I'd rather use the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW instead of a Slingshot. I've looked at them many times, but it's just not comfortable to carry heavy DSLR gear on a single shoulder. I'd recommend a backpack with a nicely padded waist belt to transfer the weight from the shoulders and the back onto the hips .

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Sony α77V/VG-C77AM/α350/18-70/70-400 G SSM/NEX-5/18-55 OSS/Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW/CompuTrekker AW/Nova 140 AW/Street & Field gear/Toploader Pro 75 AW. And a huge wishlist...

My photos on Flickr...

I bought the 302 AW a couple of weeks ago & found it quite comfortable & easy to use. It also has a waist-belt.

(£55 too, & in stock at my local dealer http://www.wilkinson.co.uk/store/home.php?cat=564 )

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Nikon D800E & D700 bodies + Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/