Bags... Tamrac vs Lowepro

I'm looking at one of the following...

Tamrac Expedition 4
Lowepro Mini Trekker AW
Lowepro Slingshot 200

The first two have an advantage in that they both have facilities for tripods, which is a big plus. The tamrac is slightly smaller, which is also favourable.

The slingshot has the advantage of being able to change lens without removing, which is also a big plus.

My current kit is 30D + grip, 17-85, 10-22, 70-200/4, usual nic-naks, Tripod.

Likely to add in the near future a 60 or 100 macro, swap the 17-85 for the 17-55, and either 300/4 - 400/5.6 - 100-400. It looks like all three bags will hold the majority (if not all) of this stuff.

I'm leaning towards the tamrac, but does anyone have any thoughts on the above bags?

Many thanks
Mark

ahem

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Regards
Mark

Are you looking for something to transport your equipment, or something to work out of?

If you want a fairly roomy working bag, I use a Lowepro S&F Specialist 85 AW. I carry a 40D w/grip with 70-200 2.8L attached (hood in shooting position), 100 2.8 macro, 24-105 4L, 580 EX, battery pack CP-E4 with extra magazine, 12mm, 25mm ETs, 1.4X and 2X TCs. These last four I stack together. It has a pocket in front to hold extra batteries, cable release, etc. I also have a lens pouch attached to the side in which either my 24-105 or 70-200 rides depending on what I have mounted.

It rides comfortably with the strap over my head and one shoulder, and I can access everything while on the move. The only thing you might miss is a tripod mount, although I expect you could probably rig something up to tote one along.

Rich
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'The only Zen you find at tops of mountains is the Zen you bring there' ~ R. Pirsig

LenZen said:

Are you looking for something to transport your equipment, or
something to work out of?

Click to expand...

Both really, plus occassional storage of gear - hence the toss up between a ruck sack and a slingshot. As I said I'm leaning towards a ruck sack, and would like feedback on the relative merits of Tamrac vs Lowepro.

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Regards
Mark

Well, I don't have any of the particular models you mentioned, but I do have an older Tamrac 777 backpack, and a couple of other bags from Lowepro, and as far as quality and functionality go, I think both companies make excellent products. I wish you luck on your search as I am always looking out for the "perfect" bag.

Rich
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'The only Zen you find at tops of mountains is the Zen you bring there' ~ R. Pirsig

I have the Slingshot 200 and really like it. there have been a couple other recent threads discussing it... sorry don't have the others you mention...

as you say there's no provision for tripod on the slingshot, but otherwise it's a great bag - very comfortable to wear all day, even fully loaded, and it's definitely a big plus to be able to change lenses without removing it. I considered the Mini Trekker but decided against it for this reason. the other nice thing about a sling bag while travelling is that you can swing it around front where it's more secure if you're in a crowded area (ie pickpockets). You can supplement it with up to 3 sliplock accessory pouches (4 if you count the one on the top/front of the strap, but I think that one just gets in the way).

the 200 should fit most of the gear you mention, although of course not all 3 of the big lenses you mention simulatanously. I've seen someone carry the 100-400 in it along with camera and a couple other lenses. I don't have any lens that bulky, but can carry 40D plus up to 4 lenses, flash and misc accessories.

you might be able to jury-rig some kind of attachment for a tripod to one of the sliplock attachment points - e.g. there's one on what would be the side when upright/on the bottom when bag is swung around to the front - but I've not tried that myself. if you're really stuck on carrying a tripod, one of the other bags might be better?

I have two Lowepro AW200 bags. They are very handy for a camera and up to four lenses as well as charger, etc. My problem with one bag is that the plastic part of the zipper started to separate from the webbing. It took a lot of very careful stitching to repair it. I don't know about the Tamrac bags.

Your best bet, from my experience, is to go to your local camera store and try the different bags out in person. Any shop worth your dollar will be happy to have you try the bags, even load up a sampling of yout kit etc. Looking at pictures and asking other's opinions will only get you so far.

I recently went looking for a particular bag and after 45 minutes of playing/wearing/packing/unpacking I wound up with an entirely different type bag than I came in for. In retrospect I believe this one (happens to be a Tam. Exped. 7) far better suits my needs.

PS. When I got home I looked up the price of the bag I'd purchased and found that I'd actually gotten it for five or ten bucks LESS than at B&H

I'm still trying to decide which bag to buy too.

I have an Adorama Slinger and love it, that's why I considered the AW 200, but I like to rest my camera on the bag, while I walk in trips and the 200 is so big and isn't flat, I would not be able to do it and I have the idea it not so comfortable to find and take out another lens to change, while walking, as the Slinger is. The Slinger is too small for what I have now, but definitely I will still use it, when I don't need too many lenses.

My equipment now:

40D
430EX
420EX
70-300 IS
17-55
85 1.8
Gary Fong
Vosonic
All the other miscellaneous: Batteries, cards, Blower, cables, etc.

Planning to buy:
Bracket
ST-2
100mm macro
Fisheye

Since I haven't found a bigger Sling bag I really think will be comfortable for me (I am petite), I figured, I might as well get a backpack and am considering the Mini Trekker. It is big too, but it will be on my back and I think it will fit everything I will ever need. It's weatherproof and has a tripod holder and the bag itself, is not very heavy.

I'm still open for suggestions though!

Gloria

Stupid question... i have the Slingshot 200.... what do you mean when you say you can "change the lens without removing it?" I didn't know I could do anything like that.. whatever that means...

Some of these bags should have user manuals showing how to use all the features..

Chris

Chris Onjian said:

Stupid question... i have the Slingshot 200.... what do you mean when
you say you can "change the lens without removing it?" I didn't know
I could do anything like that.. whatever that means...

Some of these bags should have user manuals showing how to use all
the features..

Chris

Click to expand...

Definitely do-able. You just have to arrange your slots so that it'll allow you to access the lens while the bag is opened to the chest. then unscrew the lens from the camera - put it in the empty available slot and take the other lens out and attach to the camera. The trick is to discipline oneself to remain still while it's happening and resisit the temptation to remove the bag, put it on the ground and do the lens changes the normal way. And a small amount of flexibility as the bag is on the upper chest so it means lifting the arm quite high to access the bag.

Hmmm....actually i'm not sure i've changed any lenses on the fly that way on the sling shots (i've got both 200 & 300) but i think it's entirely possible.
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adambike

I meant: change lenses without taking the bag off i.e. just swing bag around front of your waist. with a backpack, you have to take it off your back first to get at/change gear.

Chris Onjian said:

Stupid question... i have the Slingshot 200.... what do you mean when
you say you can "change the lens without removing it?" I didn't know
I could do anything like that.. whatever that means...

Click to expand...

ADAMBIKE said:

Definitely do-able. You just have to arrange your slots so that it'll
allow you to access the lens while the bag is opened to the chest.
then unscrew the lens from the camera - put it in the empty available
slot and take the other lens out and attach to the camera. The trick
is to discipline oneself to remain still while it's happening and
resisit the temptation to remove the bag, put it on the ground and do
the lens changes the normal way. And a small amount of flexibility as
the bag is on the upper chest so it means lifting the arm quite high
to access the bag.

Click to expand...

it's actually easier than you suggest. when you swing the bag around to your front, just loosen the main strap a bit with your right hand - then the bag will sit lower around/near your waist, rather than up high on your chest. it's then easy to change lenses without "lifting the arm quite high"

after you've changed lenses, swing the bag back onto your back and tighten the main strap again.

with a bit of practice its easy to change lenses while on the move - then again, I'm also used to doing the same on the run with a conventional shoulder bag. I never remove the slingshot to set it down on the ground before changing lenses...

and yes, I have the compartments/slots all arranged so that they're vertical and accessible from the half-open flap when the bag is horizontal around my waist. I rarely open the main compartment zipper more than halfway.

Scroll down to the 200 model - there's a video link

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?/photo/lowepro/slingshot.html

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Regards
Mark

I'm on holiday in Melbourne Au. My existing bag (very old) got damaged being put into and out of the overhead bins on the planes. I bought a new AW200 yesterday.
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Jim F

It shows that the bag does lay flat, when in front of you. Now I understand that it's pretty easy to take things in and out.

Thing is I'm petite and would need the 300. Do the guys that have the 300 think it would be comfortable for a petite person to use?

Now, I sure don't know what to do! The Mini Trekker or the 300!

Thanks!

Gloria

Maryarena said:

Now, I sure don't know what to do! The Mini Trekker or the 300!

Click to expand...

Well, I 'was' going to get the mini trekker AW. But that's why I asked about the tamac expedition 4 - I saw a review somewhere which said it has better weather protection (better zips I think), plus some extra external pockets in a slightly smaller package... decisions, decisions!

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Regards
Mark

I also had the Tamrac Expedition on my list, but it is a little smaller than the Mini Trekker and weighs more. Every ounce counts! It does look like a great bag though.

I just wish, like someone here suggested, that I had a store where I could go and try them all!

Gloria

Will the Lowepro SlingShot 300 fit under the airplane seat? It's 9.1" deep. I think, if it's not too loaded it would??

I'm seeing it so differently, after seeing the video where it lays flat in front of you. Now to decide for the 300 or Mini Trekker!

Thank you,

Gloria

The shoulder straps on the Lowepro Mini Trekker are too thin for my taste. I carry a 30D, a 16-35 F2.8 MkII, 400 F5.6 and a 70-200 F4 IS. About a similar load to what you are thinking of. There is enough space to get another lens of medium size into the Mini Trekker. For doing short hikes or days hikes it's a nice compact backpack. I've grown to like more than when I first got it. But the should straps don't have the padding that the larger Trekker does. I don't have much room for expansion so when I add a couple of more lens I will need to upgrade.

The Mini Trekker is short so you can get a fanny pack underneath it. For short to medium day hikes its good. For something a bit more demanding I'd consider a pack with more padding in the shoulder straps.