Caselogic SLRC-205 SLR Camera Sling

Recent Comments

1. 

   -Ashi- @ 3:09 am

   After some extensive research and try-ons, Case Logic SLRC-205 Camera Sling Bag is my current favorite bag to carry my small DSLR (Olympus E-620) and two lenses (one attached to the body).

   Case Logic must have a great design team that cares. They seem to put a lot of attention on the design that not only looks good, but also very utilitarian. They keep improving the holder for the camera body with a lens attached in their camera back, the latest hammock design exhibits that. It’s a very simple design that will suit various camera configuration. Such effort deserve to be praised.

   It’s a pleasure to carry this bag. Weight distribution of a sling bag is crucial, as the load is stressed on one shoulder (in this case, left, and there’s no right shoulder option as noted by another reviewer). However, Case Logic SLRC-205 feels like feather when I put it on me with the bag fully loaded (~5 lbs. of equipment).

   In the main compartment, I have put an Olympus E-620 (around the size of Canon XSi/T1i) with Zuiko 14-45mm II (3.5″ long, 3″ diam.) attached with hood reversed. It still has some room at the bottom to store my 50mm macro lens if desired. However, I squeezed my Giottos large rocket Blower Giottos in. It’s a tight fit for that configuration. A larger camera body may have a hard time getting in without removing the neck strap. I had the quick release plate of my tripod attached to the bottom of the camera and it’s a tight fit, but no problem. There is no problem in term of horizontal space.

   In the extra lens pocket I was able to put a Zuiko 50-200mm in (6 1/4″ long, 3.5″ diam.) with its gigantic hood reversed and tripod holder attached, which makes it around 5 1/4″ wide, and the pocket still has some room to spare. The nice little touch about that pocket is it has an elastic band near the bottom. I forgot to zip the bag up once, after I changed my lens, and that elastic band held the lens closer to the bag, saved my precious lens from an irreversible disaster (though a smaller lens might have felt through, so don’t bet your life on it, but it’s a nice contingency design).

   There is also a spare pocket for small things like memory cards, battery and trinkets (I also put lens cleaning pens inside). It is more accessible than the side pocket, which is blocked by the tripod holder. My other gripe about that side pocket is it’s not deep enough for a standard novel-size camera manual. I just wish there is one non-flat type pocket dedicated for larger item such as the rocket blower, and some pen holders for my lens pens. A cellphone/iPod holder on the shoulder strap would be a nice touch.

   There is a filter pocket! I love the design team. They were able to squeeze so many features in a compact bag, and all except the side pocket mentioned are readily accessible when you swing the back to the front, without having to take the bag off (which is the shortcoming of a backpack style bag). The two filter nets inside it hold 67mm filters fine, though the smaller one is better suited for a 58mm filter.

   The tripod holder is wonderful. I have a full-size aluminum tripod (Dolica 62″ Proline with Ballhead) retracted and stored in its dedicated tripod bag. Using the two Velcro closure, the tripod was piggybacked onto the back and doesn’t shift around. The tripod is longer than the sling so I won’t carry a tripod that way to a crowded place. However it’s nice to free your hand if you’re hiking.

   The shoulder strap is very comfortable and well padded. The length control is a bit weird. Instead of that plastic thing you would loop around twice, you pull the extra strap to the desired length and then roll it up like an omelet, then fasten it with a Velcro strap. I prefer the traditional plastic loop (when done right, the loop is actually more secure).

   The interior padding is okay only. It’s not super thick, but should be okay for minor impact. The part I’m more worried about is the spare lens pocket, as it’s more exposed. Main compartment should endure concoction more. The interior material is made of high quality nylon. It feels smooth and I don’t believe it’ll scratch the equipment (just don’t rub the lens glass with it).

   There are handles tactically placed. I don’t feel the content will fall out when using them. While the zippers secure the bags well, but the main compartment’s zipper could be smoother when zipped around the corner.

   Minor gripe. Though Case Logic team deserves the recognition, but I wish the logo can be a little more low profile. It’s not gigantic or hideous, but when I see the sunshine logo, I know who made the bag already. The way it is put now, it looks like a camera bag, which is not something I like to flaunt about (i.e., rob me!). I also wish the side pocket and the main compartment have a more joint look, so it looks more like a regular sling bag. As of now, the main compartment looks alarmingly like a camera holster…. A discreet, understated design is the best attention grabber.

   Overall, it’s a very well-designed bag for a small DSLR with two lenses. Importantly, it is in a compact design with good ergonomics and holds all the crucial items. I just wish Case Logic design team could add one more pocket for lens cleaning supply, or perhaps one pocket for iPod/cellphone on the shoulder strap. Case Logic team deserves the praise.

   Pros:
   
   - Holds many gears in a small package
   
   - Good built material
   
   - Holds weight but doesn’t weigh down
   
   - Well thought-out design perks
   
   - Very accessible pockets
   
   - Excellent value

   Cons:
   
   - Needs one more pocket for non-flat items
   
   - Exterior design could be slightly more discreet
   
   - No pocket for camera manual

   
2. 

   A. Molokin @ 6:00 am

   I spent a lot of time researching sling-style DSLR cases and this is by far the best I have seen. I’ve owned one for a few months already and I have no complaints.

   Comfort – adjustable, padded strap allows the bag to wrap around your torso for a comfortable fit. Sometimes I even forget that it’s there. I cannot say the same for the boxy-style camera bags, they just feel out of palce.

   Storage – The main compartment has the hammock suspension system, which I think offers good restraint and easy access to your camera: just unzip the top cover and reach for the camera. The compartment is deep enough to fit a super-tele lens attached to the body, or an attached medium sized prime with room at the bottom for another lens. Another compartment has room for two more medium sized lenses or a lens and a charger. A few more zippered pockets offer room for small gadgets like wireless remote control, USB card reader, some filters, lens cleaning gear.

   Protection – there’s enough padding to keep your toys safe, though I wouldn’t get on crowded bus with it.

   Style – This is the only case I have seen that actually looks great, and not really like a camera bag – bonus points for that; last thing you want is to advertise your stash of expensive toys.

   Worth mentioning – a hook and loop tripod holder; pretty useful for a light tripod, though the bag will get heavy if you’re going on a long hike. Build quality is good, feels like money worth spending.

   Kudos to the designer of this case.
   

   
3. 

   Jessica @ 7:08 am

   I spent days looking for a sling bag before I bought this one. I travel light, but have a Canon 5D, plus a 28-135mm lens and a 70-300mm telephoto lens. I wanted a sling pack to slide my small amount of other personal stuff into while traveling in (potentially shady) areas (and non-shady ones).

   Verdict: I love this bag. It is so awesome. The hammock is so cool. But there are some other things to consider:

   1. It is going to be very annoying to constantly stop, slide the bag around and take photos. The bag needs some breaking in at the beginning; it is very stiff (and that is a GOOD thing). If buying it for a vacation, take it out for a romp BEFORE your trip to soften it up and get used to the maneuvers required to load and unload your camera. I only say that because it has an usual design.

   2. The height of my 5D (from the bottom, set down, to the top near where the flash module would hook into) seems uncomfortable fit-wise into the hammock compartment. I am not sure if an EOS 1- or 5D with one of those battery pack grippers would be able to fit into this compartment. My 5d JUST fits. However, a camera with a full telephoto lens might fit in here without disassembly. There is a lot of space in the hammock for a longer lens than my 28-135mm lens.

   3. In order to use this, it is really optimal to remove any other protection: ie, camera armor (which I had) and the strap. To keep the strap on while storing the camera in the bag is to add serious and repetitive frustration to your life when you unload- and load the camera back into the bag. There is just not space for the strap in the compartment.

   4. There is limited space for much else if you have a telephoto & default lens. The small side pocket has space for my mini tripod, my folded strap and a few lens caps. The flat pocket over the camera hammock fits something flat, like a manual and some papers or whatever. There are a few other nooks and crannies but don’t expect this to double as a backpack for personal items if you have a lot of stuff. It will fit a camera, a manual, a mini tripod, some other various doo-dads, 2 lenses (one on, one off), and a small variety of whatever else.

   Regardless of the above items, I think this is a fantastic bag and is totally worth the money. I hope it lasts long enough to carry my camera to the Southwestern USA, Denmark, Norway, Bermuda and throughout my winter of snowshoeing and winter sports! The padding is awesome and it is very sturdy. When this bag dies, I hope I can buy another one. Perfect for an on-the-go photographer.

   
4. 

   Don @ 9:17 am

   I purchased this bag because I was looking for a functional single strap sling bag that would allow me access to my Canon 40d easily and on the go. I got to go to Paris, FR on a biz trip and really hated the bag that I had. Most of the bags I’ve seen for traveling are either way too big for the type of shooting I do or just plain ugly and scream out “CAMERA BAG!!!” Not only does this bag look good, it was EXTREMELY functional. With a quick slide around the body you could get into the camera compartment easily and it has enough storage for my needs. I carried the camera with a 28-135mm attached (I think you could use up to a 70-300 if you wanted although it might be a bit tight), an 18-55mm in the upper compartment, along with a spare flash card, my usb cable, wall charger and a French phrase book (pocket sized)it packed well. The construction of the bag seems rugged enough (I plan to use it for hiking as well) and the padding and hammock system seem very good at protecting the camera. I have recommended this bag to several family members and I intend to order 3 more to give as gifts No, I don’t work for Case Logic, but when I find something of good quality that functions as advertised, I do think it’s important to share that info. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this bag particularly for lots of walking and site seeing. As long as you’re not some kind of pro who has to have more than 2 lenses and all kinds of gadgets you should be good to go. There is a flap on the outside to carry a tripod around and I do believe it would work, as I put my umbrella in it to see how that would go…no problems. Nice job Case Logic

   
5. 

   E. Flores @ 11:19 am

   I’m a fan of Lowepro but Caselogic really beat them with this one, at least in the sling category. Unfortunately this one can only compete with the 100AW series because of its size. The Caselogic’s 205 is only slightly bigger than Lowepro’s smallest. (Again the 100AW)

   Here are the reasons why.
   
   Feels stronger, the fabric the memory cushions and even the wide band just feel better around your body.
   
   The interior color, you just have to love that bright yellow, it almost seems as it is lit in the inside.
   
   It has a ’suspension’ system consisting of a sheet of material that holds your camera within the inside of the bag, preventing it from touching the bottom, unless you have a long lens. I feels at bit flimsy but it feels good to know you have it.
   
   Aesthetically, is just looks cooler than any of the Lowepro’s up to date. This thing looks beautiful.
   
   With the two extra handles and the 4 extra compartments on the outside, it is just real well thought out.

   I just got it today and I cant wait to get it out on the field. I think I’ll sleep next to it tonight. LOL

   Beautiful bag. And cheaper too!!!

   The two categories where I think the Lowepro’s is better are that the inside compartment can be divided to you fit your equipment, the Caselogic’s has 1 large compartment. And the Lowepro’s comes with a nice weather cover that can protect it against the rain. I have never had to use it though, but once it did help me protect my camera from dust at a rodeo. Other than these two features of the lowepros, Caselogic is better in everyother way.

   I forgot to mention the tripod holder, another plus.