I have the Slingshot 100 (which is the best bag I have for walking around/travel photography, IMHO), but it's a little too small for some of my needs. So, it's now time to add to my collection of camera bags. :D (Yeah, I need another camera bag like I need a hole in my head, but still....)

Would probably go for another slingshot, but Tamrac has now come out with the Velocity bags, which work under the same concept (carry as backpack, sling out to have easy access to the gear--as you know, a very handy and convenient feature for travel photography). Unfortunately, none of the stores I am near carry the thing, so I can't check it out myself and would have to order it online. Wondering if anyone owns the Velocity and can comment on it? Or even better, can compare it to the Slingshot?

From the pictures it looks like a possible downside with the Velocity is that once you sling it out, the weight is carried more on your left shoulder. (With the slingshot, the weight is distributed across your back when you sling it out, which is a critical comfort feature when you're trying to shoot something, IMHO) However, the form factor of the Velocity (more of a backpack shape than the slingshot) seems appealing to me.

Anyone? TIA, everbody.

Has no one tried the Velocity? :(

OK, since it came up on a different thread, I'll answer my own question.

I was able to check out the velocity while traveling recently (oddly, I never seem to find both bags in the same store) and I've concluded that the Slingshot remains the superior bag.

Slingshot is better padded, seems to be better made, and the fastening/straps feel more secure when in the "backpack" position. The Velocity also has a lower center of gravity when in the slung position, which to me is a downside. However, my fears about weight distribution per my OP were assuaged - the velocity seems to handle this as well as the slingshot, excpet for the lower CG issue.

Also, I've found that once my Slingshot bag is slung out, it actually makes a handy rest for my elbows when doing hand-held shots. :p

Will be sticking with the Slingshot line until the Next Big Thing in camera bags comes out.

I recently went to Asia for 3 weeks and took with me an SLR and 3 lens. I was looking at both Velocity and Slingshot. What I wanted to buy at first was a backpack type camera bag that would hold some other small items. After looking at the Velocity, I settled on the Slingshot 200 which is a great combination of camera bag and backpack. So I agree, Slingshot is the superior bag.

Now this seems to be a great alternative for larger loads: http://www.rotation360.com/

Perhaps there will be yet another bag purchase in my future...

Has anyone out there seen/tried/bought this one?

I've read plenty of comments about it on DPReview and the FredMiranda forums, although I've never seen one myself. Supposedly, it's a decent system (albeit expensive like most ThinkTank gear) if you're carrying shorter/smaller lenses with you. If you're carrying a 70-200/2.8 (or even a 70-200/4L if you're one of those white-lens users :) ) you'll suck up a lot of the capacity of the rotation bag section, to the point that you can't really store much else in there. I probably wouldn't buy one because it doesn't really fill a unique niche in my carrying needs.

Here's my personal hierarchy of how I carry my gear:

* Ultra-compact (body with a lens on it) - Think Tank Digital Holster 20. Fits my D70 with the 18-200VR, and a little memory card wallet. If I want to carry this + 1 lens, I'll switch to my previous holster bag (LowePro Toploader 70). By default, I prefer to travel light, so these are my most common setups.
* Camera-only full load - Slingshot 200 - holds everything I'd need for an "assignment" type shoot, including multiple flashes.
* Light hiking - TTP holster on a TTP belt with a water bottle holder. If I need something extra, add on an accessory pouch (I have a couple).
* Full-day hiking - put the holster on my daypack's belt. Water and other accessories go into the pack. Tripod straps onto the pack.
* Multi-day hiking - little adapter straps to put the camera right on my shoulder straps. Everything else goes in the bag, so my hips are clear to allow the use of trekking poles.

When I travel, I usually put the component bags from my TTP system just inside my daypack with a laptop sleeve. Makes for a kind-of-heavy pack (probably 20-25 lbs), but it's an all-in-one bag that will fit into an RJ overhead. I can't justify a rollaboard camera bag.

* Full-day hiking - put the holster on my daypack's belt. Water and other accessories go into the pack. Tripod straps onto the pack.

This is what I am thinking the rotation 360 is good for. It has some additional nice features like a rain cover and place for a tripod.

I currently do something similar to what you do - but this means the camera bag is in front all the time. (I either clip a regular bag to the backpack belt OR use a fanny-pack type bag that stays in the front) I can live with this system, but rotating it out of the way to a snug, safe position in the back seems mighty appealing.

I guess I really should save the $250 and not add to my burgeoning collection of camera bags. (And I can't seem to part with a single one of my current five different bags, because they each serve some purpose in my system. -- I think I may have a bag fetish! :p)


When I travel, I usually put the component bags from my TTP system just inside my daypack with a laptop sleeve. Makes for a kind-of-heavy pack (probably 20-25 lbs), but it's an all-in-one bag that will fit into an RJ overhead. I can't justify a rollaboard camera bag.

I do this too. If it's a non-hiking trip where I don't need massive amounts of gear, I put my tripod and electrical cords, chargers, etc in checked luggage, and stick my whole loaded slingshot 100 in my backpack as a carry-on. If it's a short trip I usually blow off the laptop (unless it's also a business trip) and just bring my PSD or simply massive numbers of CF cards. (yeah, I know, it's risky)