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Photography News Issue 25 absolutephoto.com
First tests
Accessories First tests We get our hands on the latest kit and share our first impressions – so you know whether or not to add it to your wish list
Specs
Materials N100 nylon with UTS coating, N210D HD Oxford nylon, stretch polyester Waterproof Yes, All Weather AW cover built-in and stowed in the base
150 AW
Capacity CSC with lens Extra lens
Tablet, ie. iPad Mini Small accessories Dimensions External 24.3x15.5x38.8cm Bottom compartment 22x11x18.5cm Top compartment 21x9x17.3cm Tablet compartment 18.8x2x18.5cm
Reviews by Kingsley Singleton and Will Cheung
Lowepro Slingshot Edge 150AW £63 & 250AW £74
250 AW
Capacity Compact DSLR with lens or CSC
with lens Extra lens
Tablet, ie. iPad Mini Small accessories Dimensions External 26.7x15.6x48cm
Bottom compartment 23x12x21cm Top compartment 22x10x23cm Tablet compartment 19.5x2x23cm
Contact lowepro.co.uk
The 150 AW is very cute. It looks like it started life as a full-size rucksack and was then subjected to a shrinking ray A camera bag designer’s job is a challenging one. It must be like having to redesign the wheel every time the computer is switched on. The remarkable thing is that time after time, they come up trumps. Case in point, Lowepro’s latest bags, which are from its urban daypack series, the Slingshot Edge. Designed specifically for the photographer about town who wants to travel light with a bag that offers high levels of protection without compromising accessibility to its contents, the series comprises the 150 AW and 250 AW. Inmy view, the 150AWis very cute. It looks like it started life as a full-size rucksack and was then subjected to a shrinking ray. It has been designed with CSCs in mind so I tried it with the Fujifilm X-T1, a larger CSC, as well as an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II. Both cameras fit the bottom compartment very nicely so getting at the camera while it’s in place is no
problem. The double zip gives you options on fastening, too. Under the dividers that support the camera, there is room to possibly stow a couple of lenses, depending on their size, or, more particularly, their girth. To get at them, though, means tugging at the Velcro dividers so it needs a little effort. The supplied dividers can be removed entirely so you can quite easily shuffle things around. Two little pockets with elasticated covers for spare batteries are incorporated into the compartment cover which is a neat design. The paddeddivider between the top and bottom compartments is stitched and not removable. There is plenty of room in the top compartment so space for a telezoom and/or waterproofs, snacks or whatever. The fitted shoulder strap is comfortable and wide, and it’s quickly adjusted once the bag is on your back. There is an extra strap on the bag, and
slim and the deeper compartments means it’ll happily accommodate an APS-C DSLR. I tried a Canon EOS 760D and a couple of lenses and that worked well. Those of you with a larger CSC, like the FujifilmX-T1, with several lenses might find the 250 AW to be the better solution, assuming you want to carry a more extensive outfit around. In use, I thought both bags performed very well indeed and I had no issues with getting at the contents, The protection levels were also impressively high. The slim nature of the bags was also a handy quality when getting on and off rush hour public transport and content security rates very highly, too. Of the two I found 250 AW marginally less comfortable to tote around and use and this is down to my body shape. It does go to show the importance of personally checking a bag’s usability in-store before making your buying decision. WC
this is to keep it in place, ie. when you don’t want it to ‘sling’. For example, I used it when I went cycling with the 150 AWon my back. When not in use, rather than have the strap dangling down I stashed it in the AWWeather cover pocket. Awayfromthemaincompartments, there is a deep external pocket for stuff like anotebookandpens or photo odds and sods like filters. An elasticated water bottle holder, the AW cover stashed in the base in a zipped pocket and tripod holding straps complete the 150 AW’s key features. Given the bag’s length, a traveller style tripod or a GorillaPod is perfect and the good thing is that you can still get at your kit without having to unstrap the tripod first. If you are shooting without your tripod, the supplied straps can be taken off and stowed so they’re not dangling as you stroll around. The 250AW is basically a stretched version of the 150 AW so it’s just as
How it rates
Verdict I enjoyed using both the 150 AW and the 250 AW. My personal favourite is the 150 AW, a lovely little bag, perfect for strolling the city with a small CSC outfit on your back. Of course, I have nothing against the 250 AW, and its bigger size does suit APS-C format DSLR users to a T, but the lighter CSC option has a great appeal. Whichever model you go for, you are guaranteed excellent protection and quick access to your kit so definitely worth checking out. Pros Size (especially the 150 AW), slim, lightweight, integral AW cover, attractive looks, good price Cons A very personal thing – the 250 AW didn’t suit my body shape
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