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Slingbag, the camera bag reinvented.

In the past there were very few choices for a good camera bag.  It was usually a shoulder bag, made of leather, with some various unpadded dividers inside.  We have come a long way with today's camera bags. In terms of padding, compartments, versatility, and functionality today's bags have a lot to offer. With so many bag options it's hard to know where to start.  We're going to start by taking a look at slingbags.  You would be surprised how many different models there are for slingbags.  We're going to evaluate some of the differences between them in this article.

Slingshots 

They have revolutionized how we carry our cameras. One big strap goes over your shoulder, then when you want to use your camera you just sling the bag around to the front to access your camera gear.  I have been using the slingshot 100 for over 3 years now and have found it to be very helpful in many arenas.  It can hold my Nikon D200 with a 24-60 f/2.8 on it, my SB-800 flash, a fast prime lens and various accessories.  It is really a great bag for keeping it small and still being able to carry my essential gear.  And the best part is, I can carry lunch in the top compartment, or whatever "other" stuff I might need that day.  Then when you go up in size you can add more gear, and a bigger lunch.  In the new style Slingshot bags, the 102, 202, and 302 they added a couple of minor tweaks.  The first is a strap on the side to carry your tripod or mono-pod.  The next is an extra pocket on the top compartment for small accessories.  Overall a great camera bag that can be used for a lot of purposes.

   
 Slingshot 102  Slingshot 100
  
             Slingshot 200                            Slingshot 202
 
 
           Slingshot 302

         
Classified Sling 180 and 220 

The Classified bags are designed to be very discreet, but very functional.  It's quite a different layout than the Slingshot.  It's made to hold a lot more camera gear, and even a 15" laptop in the Classified Sling 220 and a netbook in the Classified Sling 180.  Sorry there is no room for lunch in this bag, unless of course you want to pull out some of your camera gear, but who wants to do that!  Like I said the design is quite a bit different from the slingshot.  It is more of a vertical bag vs the slingshot is more of a horizontal bag.  In the classified you're accessing all your gear from the top down, if you want to get to the bottom you pull up a divider and voila!  In the slingshot you can unzip the top flap and see all your gear nicely divided.  This is mainly all personal preference, but like I always say, if it isn't comfortable then you might as well leave the bag on some corner somewhere if you think you're never going to use it.  Modern, very discreet, and very functional slingbags.

  

Passport Sling 

The Passport Sling is the most recent addition.  This is a very interesting bag.  It is a core bag just like the slingshot 100, meaning it will hold the main camera gear, camera body, main lens, flash, and various accessories.  The cool thing is that it is collapsible, and has room for all your extras (like your lunch) and is expandable.  The bag's shape is a little something to get used to and look at, but it's really a very functional and versatile camera bag.  A great accessory if you need a collapsible bag for travel.

Outback 200 & 300

The Outback 200 & Outback 300 are really not traditional slingbags, however they come with a strap that converts them into a sling style bag.  They are mainly a waist belt system with add on sliplock pouch capability.
Whichever sling bag you choose, they have really revolutionized the camera bag, making it more versatile and functional for today's photographer than ever.  I'm sure these bags will evolve as time goes on. Just like we have already seen with the new versions of the slingshots. One thing is for certain that slingbags are here to stay! 

Happy Shooting,  AvidMax