Lowepro SlingShot 100 All-Weather Digital Camera Backpack (Black) | 
| Brand: Lowepro
List Price: $69.95
Buy New: $67.49
You Save: $2.46 (4%)
New (21) Used (2) from $56.99
Rating:  354 reviews
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.7
Dimensions (in): 15.7 x 8.1 x 6.7
MPN: 34736
Model: 34736
UPC: 056035347368
EAN: 0056035347368
ASIN: B000BAX50G
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Perfect for photojournalists | | • | Unique sling design goes from "carry mode" on your back, to "ready mode" in front of your chest | | • | Ergonomic sling strap evenly distributes equipment weight in the "carry mode" | | • | Holds an SLR with mid-range zoom lens attached, up to two extra lenses, cables, and other accessories | | • | Built-in microfiber LCD cloth protects screens from camera straps, nicks, and scratches |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Perfect for photojournalists, the SlingShot 100 AW uses a unique sling design to go from "carry mode" to "ready mode" in just seconds. Carried comfortably on the back, it easily rotates to the front so you can get to your camera quickly. The SlingShot 100 AW holds an SLR with mid-range zoom lens attached 1 - 2 extra lenses, cables and accessories and has a full access lid to make loading it a snap. This feature-rich bag also includes a built-in memory card pouch, micro fiber LCD cloth and two generous organizer pockets. It's certain to surprise even the most demanding photojournalists.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 349 more reviews...
 Outstanding. One of the best. December 15, 2006
Atlantic (Boston)
239 out of 248 found this review helpful
Selecting a camera bag can be difficult. I've purchased and sold many camera bags over the years for one reason or another; too small, too big, too unwieldy, lacking a key feature that I need, etc. but the SS 200 is one bag I'll keep until it wears out. I've owned the SS 200 now for over a year and have taken it on several international trips where it performed beautifully. this bag is excellent for both casual and serious/professional photographers.
I currently own several bags, including photo backpacks, two sizes of the Lowepro sling bags (Slingshot 200 reviewed here and the new 300 - limited, if any, public availability at this point), a Crumpler shoulder bag, and other types of camera bags from different manufacturers, all in varying sizes. I'm also familiar with all the "high end" bag manufacturers such as ThinkTank, Kinesis, et. al. and all the alternative systems such as waist belts, vests, etc. It's important to remember that most photographers will need more than one bag depending on what they're shooting that day and the one thing I can say is that in an imperfect world of compromises, this is the closest I've come to being satisfied with a single bag.
I'm a long time Canon user so I'll use Canon equipment as a reference and you can check the size of your camera/lenses for fit against these comments. Those using Nikon and other manufactures can do the same. All sizes, weights, dimensions for your brand can easily be found on the web. OK, so here's what I like about this bag.....
1) It holds a compact to large SLR comfortably though my larger cameras (1 series film and digital cameras) with an extended battery grip are a tight fit. For traveling I use a smaller digital camera (5d) with or without a grip, but a 1.6x crop body such as a 20d/30d, 300d/XT/XTi will fit very easily and this is the camera size I recommend for this bag. Nikon D200/D70/80, Sony, Olympus, Pentax will have no trouble at all
2) It's very comfortable; the strap crosses your chest diagonally, is well padded, and there's an extra strap that can be/usually is stored in the bottom of the bag that you can pull out for extra support. I've carried this bag for 10-12 hours a day for 10 days without complaint. I did use the extra strap when I was walking more than shooting and it helped quite a bit. Note: There's a comment below from a woman that wasn't satisfied with the fit, but for men this simply isn't a problem. Sorry to all the women out there, but depending on your bust size it may or may not be an issue so I'd check the fit at your local store.
3) It's very easy to gain access to your gear. Actually this is the easiest bag I've used, bar none. It eliminates the "back pack" syndrome of having to remove the pack to remove your gear, it doesn't force all the weight on one shoulder like a shoulder bag (the weight is more evenly distributed across your chest and back, and it provides the room most serious photographers need for casual shooting and beyond. Since the bag opens "away" from you when it's in the chest position, it's easy to reach in and grab things, and there are two safety buckles that prevent the bag from opening too much and spilling the contents.
4) There's adequate storage space for extra batteries, filters (Circular Polarizers and/or macro filters like a 500d), lens hoods, an external flash, remote controls, small flash lights, bubble levels, neck/wrist straps, even the manuals will fit if you want to take them with you. In short, you can store what you need as long as you keep the lens size reasonable. If you have a small, light weight tripod and you're clever, you can even work it out so you can carry it on the front of the bag. Beginning photographers with fewer/smaller lenses will find this bag more than adequate. Careful though, you may want to overload it and make it heavy; it's not hard to do!
What body lens combinations can you store? I suggest no more than 1 body and 3-4 lenses with flash and other gear. I have built an extensive lens collection over the years, but if I'm on a personal trip, I like to carry a 3 lens solution using a 16-35L, 24-70L or a 24-105L, and the 70-300 DO, plus a small 220ex flash. Your collection will be different so what is a "reasonable" lens size for this bag? It may be easier to list what isn't reasonable, but I'll give both examples.
Unreasonable: Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS or non-IS (note: I think the f/4 versions are borderline, but I'd pass), 100-400L, 300 f/4, 400 f/5.6, etc. I think you get the point, but the lenses I listed and larger should be avoided. This goes for Nikon equivalents too. I've squished a 100-400L in there, but it has to go on an angle, the bag can't be easily set up so it's attached to the camera, and in my opinion is more trouble than it's worth. Don't do it, buy the larger SS 300 instead when it's available to the public (early 2007).
Reasonable lenses: Everything else. All EF-S lenses designed for Canon 1.6x crop bodies (e.g. 10-22, 60 macro, 17-55/17-85 IS) The 200mm f/2.8L may be OK, but all prime lenses from 135L down (85mm, 50mm, 35mm, 24mm, etc. in both L and non-L flavors will be fine. All the TS-E lenses (24L, 45mm, and 90mm), all versions of the 70-300 (DO, non-DO). All other wide angle to mild telephoto zoom lenses are reasonable, with the exceptions noted above. Popular full frame (non EF-S) zooms will fit, including the 16-35L, 17-40L, 24-105L, 24-70L, etc.).
I think this is one of the most popular bags Lowepro has produced and there's a good reason; namely, it's a very useful bag. I hope this review has a little something for everyone here and it helps make your decision easier. Good luck.
Beautifully made, intelligently designed November 18, 2005
R. B. Farah (Trinidad, West Indies)
237 out of 244 found this review helpful
After much thought, I decided to get a sling-type bag, as a backpack would be too difficult to access on the run, and in my experience a traditional (boxy) camera bag is a pain to carry around.
I have an EOS 20D with the 17-85mm zoom, and it fits beautifully in the main compartment with sufficient room for another lens and a flash or for two lenses.Then there's an upper compartment where I keep my battery charger, cables and other assorted stuff, and a filter pocket in the front.
Some nice details that really stand out to me:
- The hidden all-weather cover that stows away in a flat Velcro-ed pocket to the base of the bag is invisible until you pull it out for use: so much so that one reviewer didn't even realise it is there!
- The back is very well padded.
- The zips are very high quality, and silent when in use. When they are closed the zips themselves are not visible, instead you have a neat covered `bead' for the length of the opening.
- The main compartment flap opens fully, giving unrestricted access.
- There are two nylon webbing straps with quick-release clips to that ensure that when the bag is on your front, there is no chance that the flap will accidentally open due to the weight of the camera, even is the zips are half opened. This is hard to describe accurately, but trust me- there'll be no nasty surprises if these clips are in place.
- When in shooting position, the bag presents an excellent platform for your elbows, greatly enhancing the steadiness of your shot.
- There's a built-in microfibre cloth that protects your LCD screen whilst the camera is in the bag, and may well be used as a lenscloth.
- When you want to get moving, there's a second smaller strap that attaches easily to the main strap so that the bag really stays put on your back, even when hunched over on a bike.
This is beautifully made and intelligently designed bag that will likely last for years. I can't recommend it highly enough.
UPDATE: Have gotten the 70-300 IS (non-DO) canon zoom and the SlingShot 100 will not fit this lens whilst it's attached to the body without distortion of the closure flap - it does however fit the 20D body with a 17-85 mounted on it whilst the 70-300 is in the left compartment and the 70-300's large lens hood stored either on the lens in reverse, or in the right compartment, so I'm still happy with it.
UPDATE 2: Alexander asked me is the Slingshot would work on one shoulder: i.e. not over your head and across your chest. The answer is yes and no: you can certainly sling it over one shoulder, but due to the angle it was designed to work at the strap does not 'sit' as well on one side, so if you choose to carry it like this, you'll have to hold on to the bag a bit. Having said this, I use it on one shoulder far more than slung across my chest, so let that be your guide.
Primary Bag December 11, 2005
K. Boynton (Virginia)
174 out of 185 found this review helpful
This is the best photo bag I've ever used for general purpose. It's full of features for a digital photographer. I shoot with a Canon 20D (with the grip attached), and have no problem fitting the camera into the bag even with my EF 24-70 f/2.8L attached (hood reversed). I can also squeeze in my 70-200 f/4L with a little creativity. In addition, I can carry two primes in the second lens pocket. The two external pockets are very generous. One has a mesh pocket, the other a small organizer for pens and a pad. In the top, I tend to squeeze the shooting essentials (430EX flash, cable release, polarizers, ND filters, lens cleaning stuff, and batteries or just a raincoat for iffy days) and tend to use the front pocket for random stuff I pick up while out shooting. Flashcards fit nicely into a built in card carrier (fits four in plastic cases). The "sling" system is very easy to use (and confortable) and the all-weather cover is terrific (stores away inside a small compartment at the base of the bag). The all-weather cover can stand up to the worst conditions; I've used it in a torrential downpour while walking across Nicaragua. Everything stayed dry. All in all, this bag is fabulous. If you use a vertical grip or a pro-SLR, you've gotta go with the 200, though. The 100 is just too small for my camera body and lenses. I also encourage you to pick up some lowepro sliplock attachments that can fit to the outside of the bag. With one or two, you can pretty much carry anything you could ever need for a day of shooting.
Great Overall Backpack for the Field December 28, 2005
S. J. Simmons
61 out of 62 found this review helpful
I got this bag as a gift, and after getting used to it, I absolutely love it. It is a little smaller than my Micro Trekker 200, so it didn't hold all my equipment--I had to take out my second SLR body, but after some creative fitting, it holds my EOS 10D with 28-105mm lens attached, my 100-300mm L series lens, a 17-35mm wide angle lens, 420EX flash, as well as an assortment of extension tubes, tele-extender, filters, etc. The nicest feature of the bag is that you can swing it from your back to your front and open the side of it to pull your camera out. Everything in your bag is accessible without removing your backpack. It is equipped with the digital photographer in mind, with a pocket for memory cards and a protective cloth for the LCD panel on the back of your SLR.
The one drawback is that it's narrow. I wanted to set it up so that I could put my Canon 10D attached to my Canon EF 100-300mm L lens, and it was an extremely tight fit. Nevertheless, I find it a great backpack.
 Not my favorite bag November 26, 2006
Shelly
50 out of 53 found this review helpful
I've had this bag for several months now. I used it to hike Yosemite and found myself adjusting the straps several different times along the way. At one point it would be too tight, then too loose. Not sure it would be my favorite bag for a long hike again.
I would absolutely recommend the 200 vs 100 if you have a digital SLR with more than two lenses. If you have a compact camera or only one or two lenses, then the 100 would be fine.
I agree with another reviewer who mentioned that it is a "difficult" fit for females. The chest strap falls right between the breasts, and could be very unflattering (and uncomfortable) for anyone with more than an average bustline.
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