- Original camera sling bag design allows for quick rotation from back to front to access your camera, lenses and accessories
- Hideaway Tripod Mount? system secures a compact tripod or monopod to side of the sling via foldout holder, quick-release buckle and strap
- Patented, built-in All Weather AW Cover? protects your camera gear and personal items from the elements and tucks away when not in use
- Includes a built-in microfiber cloth for and two memory card pockets
- Fits a DSLR with attached standard zoom lens; 3-4 additional lenses or flash units and accessories; compact tripod or monopod
Product Description
The next-generation of the SlingShot™ AW series builds on the inventive design of its predecessor and incorporates enhanced features based on suggestions from some of our customers—also known as big fans of this original camera sling bag. Created to go from carry mode to ready mode in seconds, the SlingShot™ AW rotates from back to front for fast and easy access to camera gear. The newest design incorporates even more of what busy shooters are looking for: extra space for personal items, faster access, improved organization, and the ability to add a tripod. The SlingShot™ AW offers more volume in the upper compartment, plus the addition of an elastic band for securing a manual or book. A zippered slash pocket at the top is the perfect spot to grab a UV filter, cell phone or keys. Easyglide zippers throughout the construction make opening and closing fast and smooth. The main camera compartment features a flexible divider system that lets one quickly and comfortably access a DSLR. A built-in microfiber cleaning cloth is conveniently positioned at the side and tucks away into a stretch mesh pocket and out of the way of the camera. The next-generation SlingShot™ AW includes a Hideaway Tripod Mount™ system with foldout holder and quick-release buckle with strap to secure a compact tripod or monopod to the side. Additional features include: Lowepro’s patented All Weather AW Cover™; ergonomic sling strap and padded waistbelt; padded main compartment with adjustable dividers; 3 SlipLock™ attachment loops; and 2 built-in memory card pockets.
Todd @ 1:45 pm
I have been using a Lowepro Micro Trekker 200 for the last several years. It’s been a great bag and has held up very well. The problem is, it’s just not comfortable enough to wear for an extended period of time. I usually set it down somewhere (leave it in the truck). The camera comes out and gets hung around my neck. If I need to switch lenses, I’m out of luck unless I walk back to where ever I set the bag down. I wanted something easy and comfortable that would allow me to carry just enough equipment to get the shots I wanted.
After doing a lot or research on line and in store, I found the Slingshot line of bags. I chose the 202 because it was the smallest bag that would fit my camera with a mid range lens attached. My go-to setup is a Nikon D5000 with the 16-85mm lens. As small as this combination is, it won’t fit in the 100 series bag unless you detach the lens first. I chose the 202 over the 200 because the 202 has a strap to carry a tripod built on to the side of the back pack. The 202 will fit my go-to setup AND my 12-24mm lens, my 55-200mm lens, my SB-800 flash, batery charger, cord and spare battery all inside the camera (lower) portion of the bag. There are still front and top zipper pockets for other gear and/or your lunch.
I also bought the Lowepro Bottle Bag which I highly recommend. It attaches via built-in straps on the side or back of the slingshot. So now, I can even carry a drink. Lowepro sells a variety of accessories like the bottle bag that can attach to their camera bags.
From a pratical standpoint, the Slingshot series of bags allows a photographer a considerable amount of convenience and freedom. The bag is comfortable on your back. You can carry as much or as little equipment as you want. When you need it, the bags “slings” around to your front without taking it off your shoulder. You pull out your camera, take your shot, put the camera back, and move on hands free. With the bag in the front position, it even makes a steady spot to rest your arm/support the camera for those longer exposure shots. The Sling Shot even has a built-in all weather cover that you pull out to protect the back pack and your equipment in the event of rain or snow.
The one odd thing I found only affects you if you buy the bottle bag or some other accessory like I did. The only logical place to attach the bottle bag and be able to easily reach it, is on the same side where the tripod strap is. (The other side of the bag has the flap that opens to the camera.) If you do this, you can’t carry both at the same time. You can attach the bottle bag to the front (back of the back pack when it’s on your back), but you’ll never reach your water bottle without taking the back pack off or “slinging” it around. This is not a problem or a design flaw. It is just something to be aware of if you take my advice and buy a bottle bag or other accessory.
The one complaint I have… The opening where the camera body sits is considerably wider than it needs to be. It turns into waisted space. Lowepro should come up with a use/design to take advantage of this wasted space. If they are reading my review, it would make a great spot to install a small compartment/wallet to hold spare batteries and a charger, add one more divder to hold something like a lens hood, or extend the existing divider so you could fit a longer zoom lens.
In the reseach I did, I couldn’t find a better back pack. It is so near perfect that unless something better comes along, I have to give this bag a “highly recommended” to anyone considering it. I would happily buy it again.
Tim E Robertson @ 2:56 pm
The Lowepro SlingShot has been a favorite of photographers since its launch. Since then, Lowepro has been busy listening to its customers and refining this popular sling-styled camera bag. The result of this collaboration is the SlinShot 202 AW. Read on to discover if the redesign was a success.
DESIGN
While the previous version of the SlingShot, the SlingShot 200 AW was very popular with photographers, there were a few areas where Lowepro could make this product even better. Having used the SlingShot 200 AW, my list of needed improvements included: additional space for personal items, improved organization, and the ability to add a tripod.
It seems as if Lowepro was indeed listening to my and other photographers suggestions. This new version of the SlingShot includes these improvements and more. As a highly mobile and very comfortable sling bag designed for the photojournalist on the go, this newest version of the SlingShot 2XX AW builds upon the great reputation of the product line. Here is what Lowepro had to say about their new SlingShot, “Our newest, fast-access SlingShot AW series builds on the inventive design of the original and incorporates what many photographers are looking for: faster access, extra space for personal items, improved organization, and the ability to add a tripod. The SlingShot 202 AW offers more volume in the upper compartment for extra accessories or personal items. A Hideaway Tripod Mount(tm) system with foldout holder and quick-release buckle secures a compact tripod to the side. The same inventive design, letting you quickly rotate to the front to access, remains a tried and true feature of this customer favorite. Also includes: a patented All Weather AW Cover(tm); 3 SlipLock(tm) attachment loops; built-in microfiber cleaning cloth; dedicated memory card pockets; and easy-glide zippers; plus a fully padded main camera compartment with an updated divider system to accommodate the most popular DSLR models.” Jump to the product page for additional details and specs.
USABITY
Having used Lowepro products for many years, I have developed a system for transporting my gear to a normal booking. A larger roller styled backpack like the Lowepro Pro Runner x450 AW for the main portion of my gear, and a smaller backpack like the Lowepro Pro Runner 200 AW for the few items I would need with me when away from my vehicle. This system generally works great for a normal booking where I need a significant amount of gear for different types of photography scenarios.
However, there are those photo expeditions where I am shooting for stock photography purposes or just for the love of the art form. During these expeditions, I need a camera bag that is lightweight, comfortable, and allows quick and easy access to my gear. Because I could be shooting in inclement weather, the bag needs to be capable of protecting my expensive gear from the elements. Additionally, there may be a shot where I need to use a tripod, so I need to be able to easily mount a portable tripod on this lightweight and comfortable bag. I thought I had found the answer in the Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW. It was almost there. Needing a few refinements, the great designers at Lowepro were almost there with this initial design.
Enter the Lowepro SlingShot 202 AW. Having received the review unit from Lowepro, I proceeded to take the bag on a photo expedition to the Central Coast of California. This new SlingShot allowed me to better organize my gear and personal items with the new organizing features found on the inside and outside of the top compartment. The other issue I had with the previous version was the lack of a tripod holder. The SlingShot 202 AW was up to this challenge as well. Having loaded my gear into the bag, I was off to the water for some fun!
Walking the coast, you must be able to quickly access your gear for that image that suddenly presents itself. Also, you need to be able to quickly restore your expensive gear when not in use. The ocean water is corrosive and destructive to most things, especially sensitive electronics. This is where the SlingShot design shines brightly among the competition. The side access pocket is designed to allow you to quickly slide the bag around your shoulder remove your camera and restore the bag back into its resting place. This quick access system worked flawlessly.
An additional refinement to the 202 is the placement of the built in microfiber cloth to provide additional protection and cleaning capabilities. In the 200 AW, the cloth was located at the bottom and center of the side access opening. This position could cause the cloth to get in the way when trying to remove or restore your camera. By attaching the cloth to the left of the opening, it is no longer an obstacle. However, placing the cloth on the left moves the cloth quite a distance from the camera and the LCD screen it is attempting to protect (more on this later).
The camera compartment is, as with the 200 AW, roomy and highly configurable. I was able to carry a Canon 5D2, 24 – 105mm f4L lens (attached), a 50mm 1.4 lens, lens hoods, batteries, a charger, a wireless transmitter and receiver, a 270EX Speedlite (as a fill flash), CF cards, a card reader, and the supporting cables etc. This is a great deal of equipment to fit in such a compact and lightweight bag.
Lastly, unlike with the 200 AW, I was able to bring along a tripod on the expedition for those long exposures, time-lapse shots, and maybe a few HDR snaps. This was a big deal! In fact, this feature alone will, IMO, solidify the success of this product. Nicely done, Lowepro!
MAKING A GREAT PRODUCT EVEN BETTER
One area I would like to see Lowepro change is the placement or length of the microfiber cloth. With it currently located on the left side wall of the camera compartment, the cloth barely stretches to cover the back of the camera body/LCD screen. This issue could be resolved by either relocating the cloth to the right side wall of the compartment, or by lengthening the cloth.
Adding a rear vertical compartment for an iPad would really bring this great product crashing into a must have camera accessory for those photographers living on the razor’s edge of technology. Adding a side entry vertical compartment between the back padding and the camera compartment would add very little to the bulk of the bag and the addition to the footprint would be negligible. With the ability to connect DSLRs to the iPad via Apple’s Camera Connection Kit, the iPad has become an ideal way to view (and soon through the introduction of many photo editing Apps) and edit images in the field. Having one bag that can safely and comfortably transport all this gear will no doubt be very successful in the marketplace.
[...] Review Rating:
The Lowepro SlingShot 202 AW has been redesigned and updated to become a great expeditionary styled camera bag. If you need a lightweight and comfortable bag that allows quick and easy access to your camera gear, I can highly recommend this fine product from the leaders in camera carrying systems. I am awarding the SlingShot 202 AW the excellent rating of 8 out of 10 in our [...] Rating System.
Vicki M. @ 3:00 pm
I wanted a bag for travel that could be MORE than a camera bag but not too big or heavy — I have back, neck and shoulder problems and really need to be careful. I used this as my “personal item” carry-on while flying — it held my Canon 5D body, 25-105mm zoom lens, 50mm prime lens, 15mm fish-eye lens, 430ex flash, battery charger and extra battery, and some memory cards, along with a small wallet, my cell phone, hard case for glasses/sunglasses, and my current small “carry along” knitting project. I am very happy with how well it held all those various things and how well it traveled — there are maybe some mods I’d make for the non-photog items. It was also quite comfortable to carry both slung over a shoulder, as well as more backpack style. It’s a great bag.
JJS @ 5:44 pm
I just purchased the Lowepro 200AW SlingShot about a month ago (the predecessor to the 202AW). I liked the bag and had no problem with it at all. But when I saw that the 202AW was coming, I took a look at that bag. The 202AW increases the storage space in the top section and for the pocket on the front, adds a zipper storage compartment on the outside of the top flap and one on the inside too, the interior has been redesigned slightly, the memory card storage pockets have been changed a bit on the inside of the main compartment flap, and the bag now includes a tripod holder. At first I didn’t think I would like a SlingShot bag. I didn’t like the look of it really and was going to get a normal square case. But since I could return the SlingShot if I didn’t like it, I gave it a shot. I’ll never go to a square bag ever again. I feel that the SlingShot has more chances of going “mobile” with me than a square bag. If I bring a square bag, I think it really stands out as saying “I have a camera in here!” But with the SlingShot, it kind of blends in and looks like a regular backpack.
The 202AW is much deeper on top and has thicker storage in that front pocket. Nice additions. The inside of the top section has an elastic strap on the “floor” that you can use to hold a hard drive (as seen in their product pictures) but I use it to hold a pocket cheat sheet for my Nikon SB-600 and any other paperwork I carry (photo tips, reminders, etc.). When you open the top section flap, they added a zipper compartment to the inside part of the flap as well as a zipper compartment on the outside of that flap. The inside compartment is about 4″ wide by 4″ deep. The outside compartment has a 4″ vertical zipper…storage is about 3″ in (left to right) and 4″ high (top to bottom).
The camera storage area has been redesigned. If you turn the bag to the side and open the entire top section, the built-in microfiber cloth was sewn into the bottom area of the 200AW so when you put your camera in (while wearing the SlingShot), it was a natural way for the cloth to be pulled over the back of the camera. The 202AW moves the microfiber cloth to the left and you pull it right to cover the camera. I didn’t really care for this. But since they redesigned the memory pockets, I actually don’t use the cloth anymore. The memory card pockets were entirely too big on the 200AW (maybe they fit compact flash cards better but I use SDHC) and were nylon so closing the flap on the camera without that microfiber cloth over bothered me. The new pockets are made out of microfiber material and are much more unobtrusive so I don’t use the cloth anymore. There is a mesh pocket to tuck it away. My Nikon D90 has a plexi cover on the back LCD so if that does end up getting scratched over time, it’s only a $10 part to replace. I’ve had my D90 for about 2 months now, snapped over 5000 shots and it still looks brand new so I’m not worried about it.
The tripod holder is awesome and that was the main reason for upgrading to the 202AW. Everything else is just a bonus. I have Gorillapod tripod that I have on the bag. When you’re wearing the SlingShot and turn the back to access the camera, the tripod is on the bottom. There is a foot pocket for the bottom of the tripod and it seems like it was made for the Gorillapod. The feet fit perfectly. If you’re not going to carry a tripod on the bag, the foot pocket tucks up inside so you don’t see it. There is an easily adjustable plastic clasp enclosure on the top to secure the top end of the tripod.
The 202AW can sit up on its own. The 200AW didn’t do that so when I set this bag down, I don’t have to worry about the bag falling over and getting dirty. Just the bottom is exposed. The bag is made of a durable nylon and although I’ve had some dust on it here and there, a few pats with my hand and the dust is gone. There is the same all weather cover tucked in the bottom as the 200AW but I am not going to pull that out until I actually need it (I’m sure it’s folded nice and neat in there right now).
Finally, the shoulder strap is very comfortable to have on. I don’t mind carrying this bag at all even with a D90, Sony HD video camera, 3 lenses, tripod, SB-600, lens filters, etc. The weight is distributed very nicely and when you have the bag adjusted correctly, it sits on the back nicely. If you’re just going to throw the bag on your back like a one-shoulder backpack, it fits on the left shoulder the best because of the curve in the strap. There is a small area on the front of the strap where you can tuck a few fingers to hold onto the bag if you want. When wearing it like the SlingShot, there is a counterbalance strap that you can connect. It goes across the other part of your chest and helps to stabilize the back even more.
In summary, Lowepro made an AWESOME bag in upgrading from the 200AW. If I had any complaint at all, it would be with the placement of the microfiber cloth. I just don’t like pulling the cloth from the left but that’s probably just me. It’s still a 5 star product. Build quality is great and because you can get so versatile with this bag, I think it’s definitely worth $89.95. You get what you pay for an in this case, you get a VERY nice camera bag.
Christmas Island @ 8:10 pm
I love this bag! Lots of room for everything you need! Took this to Disney and Universal this summer and it was indispensable. Even with my Nikon D90, 2 lenses, and detachable flash, I still had room to use the extra compartment for bottled waters and snacks! Depending on the amount of gear you stash into it, it can get a bit heavy and hot after a while, but overall, I thought it was comfortable and easy to carry/use. **Although I was comfortable without it, I did not receive the adjustable padded waistbelt with mine, even though it’s listed as an accessory.**