Sling bags ? I'm considering purchase of a sling bag & soliciting opinions, pro/con re: their usefulness. My kit currently consists of a Sony RX10 iii & I expect to add a crop camera...

Macsea

I'm considering purchase of a sling bag & soliciting opinions, pro/con re: their usefulness. My kit currently consists of a Sony RX10 iii & I expect to add a crop camera (APS-C) in the near future. Thanks .

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Personally I never quite saw the interest of any bag unless I was on a trail. A sling bag on a trail? Forget it, you can just take a purse and have the same problem.

This is my opinion of course. (Whatever it is worth).

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Macsea wrote:

I'm considering purchase of a sling bag & soliciting opinions, pro/con re: their usefulness. My kit currently consists of a Sony RX10 iii & I expect to add a crop camera (APS-C) in the near future. Thanks .

Macsea, my first bag was a sling. I very quickly learned to hate that bag. If you are a sedate, eye-level shooter with one camera and two lenses you can probably get away with it.
Nothing worse than hanging over something to get a good low angle and the bag will sling around. Bend over to tie your shoe and it will fall over your head. I've screwed up so many shots because I get into an awkward position in a gutter to get a unique shot and...., here comes that bag!!! If you do the double whammy and are a strapless shooter(the only thing worse than a sling!! LoL), it will probably knock the camera right out of your hands!!
Slings are wanna-be backpacks, except as I said, the most sedate of styles.
I've never seen a pro using a sling. But for your 3 pieces of equipment, maybe. I'd just recommend a really small backpack so you never have to worry about it staying in place. But hey, it's just my opinion from years of VERY active shooting with a lot of gear with me.
But just wait till some start to tell you to just use a diaper bag!!!

Good luck
SS

Macsea

Thank you. I've used a belt pack for years , carrying a camera & a lens or two while fly fishing. No problems like you mentioned but can see where the situations you've mentioned could occur. I'm not fishing much now but I think I'll just hang on to the belt pack for now. At 81 yrs. I don't get around as well so.... Thanks for the insights , SS !

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

I have always used Tamrac Bags:

http://www.tamrac.com/collections/sling-bags

RG4073 Loc: Kettering, OH

I'm with SharpShooter on this one. I've had a sling bag for years and it never makes it out of the closet anymore. I tried and tried and tried to use that darn thing efficiently and effectively on many trail walks and got nothing but frustration in return for my efforts. Too bad; it's a neat and appealing idea.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Macsea wrote:

I'm considering purchase of a sling bag & soliciting opinions, pro/con re: their usefulness. My kit currently consists of a Sony RX10 iii & I expect to add a crop camera (APS-C) in the near future. Thanks .

After a half dozen bags of various design types, I settled on a nondescript lowepro sling and use it the majority of the time. It lets me keep my hands free for shooting and putting stuff in and out of the bag, distributes weight across my shoulders, easily holds what I need, and doesn't scream Camera when in crowds. Most often I have one camera and 3-4 lenses in it at a time.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I carry my equipment in this http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-349254-1.html#5868432
--Bob

Macsea wrote:

I'm considering purchase of a sling bag & soliciting opinions, pro/con re: their usefulness. My kit currently consists of a Sony RX10 iii & I expect to add a crop camera (APS-C) in the near future. Thanks .

magpix Loc: St. Michaels, MD

I really don't understand these negative comments about sling bags, as I use one on a regular basis when hiking or walking city streets with my Fuji XT-1 and three lenses. I've never had a problem with the bag moving around by itself. I use the Lowepro 100 AW Sport Sling which utilizes a small strap with a quick release to prevent any uncontrolled movement. The bag stays on my back, but when I need access to the camera compartment, I simply release the small strap, swing the bag to my front side, unzip the compartment and grab what I need. It also has zipped compartments for small items like filters, batteries, cards, etc. as well as straps to carry a small tripod. It is extremely light and even includes a rain jacket. The camera compartment is on the small side, however, and you would want to make sure your new camera and lenses fit comfortably. As an alternative you might also want to check out the Lowepro Inverse 100 or 200 which are belt bags with a shoulder strap. I know a few pros that use them, and they are extremely happy with them.

nytexano

Sling bags are for minimalist photographers, particularly street shooters. They're NOT for those who pack larger SLRs, myriad accessories and all the lenses from their closet. If you have time to change lenses or put on specialty filters, you don't really NEED a sling, but can use one for it's convenience and good weight distribution. They're designed specifically for fast draw: for those who pack light and want instant access to their camera. There's no faster access than from a sling bag. It's as simple as that.

When I have a particular goal or assignment requiring more equipment, I pack a shoulder bag. Otherwise, it's the smallest sling (Lowepro Streamline) I can get away with. Don't be influenced by the 'Mine is bigger than yours' crowd. If the sling fits, wear it.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Rongnongno wrote:

Personally I never quite saw the interest of any bag unless I was on a trail. A sling bag on a trail? Forget it, you can just take a purse and have the same problem.

This is my opinion of course. (Whatever it is worth).

I agree, the sling bags tend to put a lot of weight on the shoulder you sling it over. If you see something interesting you need to unpack before you can take a shot and by that time the moment could be gone.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Macsea wrote:

I'm considering purchase of a sling bag & soliciting opinions, pro/con re: their usefulness. My kit currently consists of a Sony RX10 iii & I expect to add a crop camera (APS-C) in the near future. Thanks .

I personally love my Lowepro Sling bag. I carried a Nikon d5100 with 2 lenses, batteries, SD cards, etc. I never had a problem using it. The bag can be expanded if needed. Liked that it would swing out of the way behind me when shooting. Is lightweight, wide shoulder strap and does not look like your typical camera bag. Easy to get the camera out when needed.
Much easier to use than a back pack unless you are hiking back trails. I bought mine on Amazon. I have had it quite some time and it has held up well.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

The only place I use a sling is in the house. It's my go to main bag for shooting indoors and around the house but it never goes outside. When I want to travel I have two different backpacks I use, one light and the other heavy if I bring the majority of my lenses with me. If I can get away with it I don't even use the back packs when in the field I use a vest because I generally only carry an extra lens or two but I have two bodies with me one around my neck slung to my right side (d7200) and the other (an IR converted d5000) clipped on my belt on a Peak Design Capture Pro clip on my left.

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

SharpShooter wrote:

Slings are wanna-be backpacks, except as I said, the most sedate of styles.

I have to agree with SS on this. My backpack can be used slung over one shoulder when I am in situations of quickly needing a lens change, but is far more stable with both shoulders in use along with the chest and/or waist strap.

Yeti Bigtoe

IMO slings are a great way to carry a not too large kit. It's hard to beat the fast access to your camera by swinging it around under your arm in front of you. Also is great for hopping on and off tour buses etc. Just swing around when one wants to sit down. No awkward moves needed. I have the Lowepro Steamline which I use for carrying a mirrorless in the side/bottom compartment and a few accessories, iPad mini in dedicated slot, provisions, possibly another smaller lens in the separated top compartment and bonus water bottle on the low side. I also own the Thinktank Turnstyle 10 which easily holds a mirrorless, two lenses and an iPad mini. In my case a Pany GX7 with a 12-40 or 35-100 or even my 100-300. All very neat and somewhat discrete. They keep me smiling and don't mat my fur.