Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW

for Canon EOS 1D

Equipment list in bag :
Canon EOS 1D Mk I
Canon EF 300mm f/4 IS USM(mounted)
Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM
Canon EF 100mm F/2.8 USM Macro Lens
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
 (2)NP-E3 batteries
 Canon 580EX Speedlite (in case).
  Note:  all hoods except for the 10-22 hood are reverse mounted on lenses.

Review text:
I originally considered the Slingshot 200 AW to carry a lightweight travel setup.  When I heard about the Slingshot 300 AW being released I decided to wait for one so I could try it with my 1D 'main' setup.  I managed to get hold of one of the 'early' release SS 300s that Lowepro sent to B&H. 

The bag arrived wrapped in a large Lowepro marked plastic bag with all the tags and packing material.  Workmanship is fairly typical for Lowepro, however my initial impression was that it was not quite as well finished as my older Lowepros (Orion AW, Spec. 85 AW, Trim Trekker, and Omni Trekker).  This bag had more of a shiny look to it, whereas my older bags 'feel' more rugged.  This isn't necessarily a knock against this bag-just a note of the difference in 'feel'.  Other than that, I have no issues with the build quality.

The bag offers a full waist belt with large support 'wings' on each side.  Depending on your view, this may or may not be a good thing.  In my opinion NO waist belt should ever be permanently attached to any bag.  I'll even go one step further-NO strap of any kind should be permanently attached to a bag.  This is one reason why I shied away from the Tamrac Velocity Series.  They have permanently attached straps.  (In defense of the Tamrac Velocity bags though, the waist strap can be tucked into a pouch in the back of the bag.  No such pouch on the Lowepro Slingshots, all that waist belt remains exposed). I prefer to use a belt of my choosing, and have the option of using it only when I want to.  Otherwise they just get in the way.  And with such a large belt as used on the Slingshot 300 AW, it really does detract from the comfort level and ease of carry.  The main 'strap' that goes over your shoulder is well padded and curved to follow the contours of your back.  This strap is also permanently attached at the top of the bag, with an adjustable buckle arrangement at the bottom.  There is plenty of slack on all of the straps to fit any sized person I could imagine.  One that I really miss on this bag is any type of back pack harness attachment points or a way to integrate this bag into the Street & Field line of belts and accessories.  Bascially, with this bag you have to "take it or leave it".  Oh-almost forgot, there are four sliplock attachment points on the bag (two on the waist belt and two on the front of the main bag).

The three pockets (top-main, front, inner CF card pocket) are well thought out and sufficient for the task of holding the small essentials such as extra batteries, CF cards, and cleaning gear.  They will also hold a lens hood or two if needed.

The main compartment will easily carry a Canon 1 Series or Nikon D2? sized camera (or any of the "semi-pro" bodies like the Nikon D200 or Canon EOS 30D with a grip installed) with a Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM lens mounted.  I had no trouble putting my 1D with a Canon EF 300mm F/4 L IS Lens attached in it, and could probably have fit my Sigma Zoom Telephoto 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM in there as well.  I was able to put my Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX in it, but it was not mounted on a body.  The rest of the compartments are pretty straight forward hook and loop adjustable dividers.  One thing to note is that while there are 6-7 'compartments, I found it impossible to put more than four lenses and the 300mm prime in them.  This was because I had the hoods on them reversed, and that takes up a lot of room.  If you use and carry hoods for all of your lenses like I do, this may impact you as well.

As of this writing I haven't decided whether to hang onto this bag or not, so I haven't 'field tested' it beyond my living room.  It does seem comfortable, at least for the few minutes I've had it on.  Something to consider if you are short in stature like me (I'm 5ft. 6 in.), is that the bag will ride best if you wear it 'high and tight' on your back.  Not really a problem, except that when you swing it around to the front position it will be at chest level which is pretty high for accessing your gear.

Right now, for me, the jury is still out on this bag and whether or not it truly offers any advantage over Lowepro's 'regular' shoulder bags like the Stealth Reporter Series bags...

Likes about the bag:
 Concept, design, and workmanship.  I like the  fact that it will hold a 1 Series body.
Dislikes about the bag:
Has a 'bulky' feel to it.  Permanently attached straps are a bad idea,  No 'back pack' harness option.




Thanks to Anthony Gargani for review.

Review #2
(Added 18th Jan 2007)

One camera is the Canon A2 (film) with Canon EF 28-105mm lens on, and the other is the 1d MKII with the Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM on. Flashes are Canon 430EZ, and Canon 550EX Speedlite. Canon battery pack. Loose lenses are Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM , and Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, all Canon L's. The photos were taken with a G7 with the Canon 580EX Speedlite.

Thanks to Richardj7 for photos