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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Clifton, NJ on 4/3/2008
I've had a hundred bags over the past 50 years and this is by far the best thought out bag. Construction is outstanding as usual for a lowepro. Carrries all that I need and is above all easy to get to. Especially the camera which is stored ready to go. Just turn the bag and pull it out without taking from your shoulder.
Love tha layout.
" Perfecto"
from Portland, Or on 4/2/2008
I had the AW200 but it wasn't big enough. The zipper eventually came apart (on the AW200), probably because my camera was putting pressure on that area, and I was forcing the zipper over it too tightly.
The AW300 has more room for the camera and other gear. The strap design is a little different. It has a waist belt, that likely will be used when I have a lot of gear. This means you do have to unsnap the waist belt before you can get to your gear via sling movement.
I do like the sling design a lot. I take a lot of photos at the Burning Man festival and this means lots of walking and biking around the desert to different art objects, then needing to get the camera and put it away again, over and over. The sling is the best solution for this.
I just hope the zipper on this one holds up better.
I had a Tamrac that held everything I wanted to carry...but the zippers corroded a little and I began fighting with them. Bye-bye!
Tried the Naneau Alpha - nice looking, well built - but tiny, tiny photo gear compartment.
I just bought this Sling-Shot 300 and there's so much room - for what 'appears' to be a smaller bag!
Nice cushioning, well divided and several of those handy little pockets for filters, memory cards, etc. I have a Pentax k10d mounted with the walk-around 18-250, the battery grip, a Pentax 360 flash, and at this time four other additional lenses, all in the lower section with room for one more lens! Or I could move the battery grip and flash to the top or front pocket to open up another couple lens compartments. Nice.
I haven't been out to test drive it yet, but the 'sling' around action seems very smooth and quite functional. (While the Tamrac had more room - it was a matter of taking it off my back and having to lay it down and to access the equipment.) And this Lowepro just 'feels' so much more compact.
I also have two small Lowepro Nova(shoulder)bags which had given me an indication of the quality and solid design put into their products.
The only glitch I see so far is that I need to be careful to re-zip the access-to-camera flap before I fling the bag back around and watch my camera go flying out!! A inside velcro safety stap might have been a nice touch.
from Houston, TX on 2/22/2008
I didn't not expect this type of build quality for the price. This is an incredible bag. If you're toying with the idea of purchasing, just do it. You will not be disappointed.
from Florida on 1/21/2008
I use it to store my cameras and also to carry them on a shoot.
from Tempe, AZ on 1/21/2008
Somewhat heavy, put provides more than adequate protection of gear. Ample room for a body and multiple lenses and accessories.
Swinging it to the front, takes a little getting used to.
from San Jose, CA on 1/21/2008
Very good bag! Bigger than anticipated. The bag is very functional with alot of space and pockets for lens storage.
This bag does it all. Now remember that this a shoulder bag, and although it has a hip strap, anyone who does not have strong shoulders should not be packing this bag like I do. This all fit in the bag quite well: D300 with grip and 80-200 2.8 attached, D80, Nikon 300mm f4 (it's about 8 inches long, I had to be a little creative fitting that in), 50mm 1.4, nikon 18-55, tokina 12-24, sb600, lumiquest bounce card, 4 compact flash cards and 2 sd cards in the memory compartment which is easily accessible, two extra batteries for the D80 and D300, AA battery pack for D300, memory card reader, and the hoods for the 80-200 and 12-24. As ridiculous as this sounds, it all fit in without an squezzing except for maybe the D80 in the top compartment. I walked a quarter mile from my car to a hockey game with all this gear in a full on chicago snow storm, all I had to do was pull up the rain cover hidden away in the bottom compartment, this bag is spectacular
from King of Prussia, PA on 9/26/2007
I also own the 200 AW... I had it so packed that I couldn't even fit my cell phone. The 300 AW is huge in comparison, yet it looks about the same while wearing it. Mine holds the Canon 30D, 5 lenses, flash, filters, extension tubes, flashlight, cleaning stuff, spare battery, remote control. It is great to be able to switch lenses, not only without taking off the pack, but even while walking! The only thing I'd like is a convenient way to attach a tripod... then it would be perfect.
I originally bought this bag to store my Contax 645. I decided to take this bag with me on a month long trip to East Africa. I was able to fit my Contax 645, 210mm, 80mm, 120mm, and 35mm lenses with hoods. I also found space for 3 extra film inserts, a light meter, along with some non camera equipment. Towards the end of the trip I was able to fit my exposed film in an x-ray bag on top of the dividers. The bag was very heavy, but any bag would be with that much equipment. With such a heavy bag it would have been nice to put the weight on both shoulders, not just one. Also when the bag becomes so heavy, it is not very easy to sling the bag around and pull out your equipment. Overall it was a good choice for me because it is small, but still holds quite a big of gear. It was easy to take with me on cramped car rides and I had no problem fitting it in the overhead compartments on international (Virgin, Delta, Emirates) and domestic (Kenyan Airways, Precision Air) flights.
[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
from Southwest Florida on 7/12/2007
I purchased this bag when I got my new digital SLR. I needed a bag for the lens and camera, camcorder, small digital camera and all the electrical cables, batteries and other stuff. I wanted something to store everything in and also provide the ability to transport it all if going on a trip overseas, etc. It all fit with room to spare and provides compartments to organize and maximizes space in a daypack size. I put the electrical cables in the 2 smaller pockets and the cameras in the main compartment. There is also a small velcro section inside the main area for media - super! I can still get my lighweight jacket in so I will no longer have to carry a shoulder bag and a daypack!
[4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]
from Dover, DE on 7/10/2007
This bag is perfect for everyday use. It has plenty of room for all the gear I need on a daily basis. If you're like me and you carry a camera everywhere you go, this bag is for you. It has plenty of room to carry my 30D with EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM lens attached as well as three additional lenses (with room for more), my Sigma EF-500 DG Super flash, a camera cleaning kit, filters, remote shutter release, extra batteries, and manuals with room to spare. I really like this bag and it allows, as advertised, quick access to your camera when carrying. I'd definitely buy it again.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from Franklin, TN on 7/10/2007
I was really tempted by this bag. I purchased it at the same time as a 200 AW and checked them both out. It's good if you've got to carry something like a 70-200VR attached to your camera (that lens won't fit in the 200, even if it's off your camera- I tried). The problem is, if you load it with what it's made to carry, it's going to get very heavy on one shoulder. It can fit tons- about as much as my backpack, but not quite as bulky. But all that weight on one shoulder will get very tiring. I suggest the 200 AW instead, or if you need this size for a bigger lens, fill some of the spaces with non-camera stuff (jacket, snacks), or pack it full for a plane trip, then lighten the load for your day trips. It does have a good waist belt which really helps with the load, but you'll be unclipping it each time you swing the back around to get the camera, then you've got the belt dangling and bugging you! Overall, though, this series of bags if very-well designed for travelers/day-trips.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
This bag has all the good qualities that you would expect from a Lowepro bag so I won't go into those details. My primary disappointment with the bag is that my equipment is no more accessible than with any other backpack except when it is on your lap. Since I am not often is this position when doing photography, it is of no benefit to me. While the access panel is unique (it opens in a L shape) it is still basically a backpack that is difficult to reach while standing and shooting. If improved accessiblilty is your objective don't buy this bag. If you just want a nicely made medium size bag this is a good product.
[1 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
The nylon zippers open under normal use which cause lost of valuables.
[5 of 5 customers found this review helpful]
This is the perfect bag for me, there is nothing else like it. It works just as well as the 100 AW and 200 AW, so if u want to know how they work, read one of those reviews. this bag has great construction, the material seams invincibal. the amount of space in this bag is absolutely spectacular. Personally i shoot nikon, and in the instant access slot i fit my D80 and my 80-200 with room to spare. On the sides i could fit (just to give a vision of the amount of space) another 80-200 on each side, or an 80-400. And the bag is so deep that I could fit another 80-200 ontop of each of those lenses. In the top pocket I could fit an umbrella and a small lunch, or even a tshirt and mesh shorts rolled up. The main compartment is easily customizeable with the 4 faces of velcro in the main compartment and 5 dividers. the rain cover really works, you just pull it over the bag. [...]
[9 of 12 customers found this review helpful]
I've been using the Slingback 200AW and find it to be the perfect camera bag - for me! But, with new equipment I've outgrown it.
When sitting down on trains/buses you don't have to remove the bag - you just bring it to the front and place it on your lap: a real snap.
Also, I bring it to the front, rest my elbows on top and use it as a perch to steady my arms and camera. What took LowePro so long to make the 300 model?
I'll definitely purchase one when they become available.