Wendy asks:

I am writing you because I saw your rave about the LowePro Slingshot. Since you use one and I cannot find the answer online could you tell me if my gear would fit in the 200? I have a Canon XTi with grip, Canon 70-200 f/4 which I would like to leave attached (w or w-o the hood), Sigma 17-70, Canon 60mm, 18-55mm and Canon 350xt body. Throw in the battery charger, disk reader and if necessary I will carry my underwater Inon strobe just in case I am unable to carry my pelican case on the plane. If you don’t mind 1 more question. I would like to get a monopod-so many brands-anything in particular I should look for. Weight is a consideration, cost-would like to keep it under $100, would I need a ball head? Manfrotto, Slik? Currently I have been using my Taylormade driver as a monopod on the golf course to shoot a pair of eagles and their baby! A tripod is more than I want to carry.

Yes, I am a big fan of the Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW. It is relatively small for a bag that will carry a basic kit, the single shoulder strap design is very flexible, and it has a waterproof cover. That said, I’m not sure that the 200 is going to be the right bag for you.

While it might be just barely possible to squeeze all that equipment into the Slingshot 200 AW, I think that accessing it would be a real problem – you’ d have to pack the bag very carefully and very tightly. I certainly recommend that you try this out at a photography store before you buy, both to make sure that the gear will fit and to make sure that once you load it up you’ll still be able to access the equipment.

When I shot with the 350D(XT) I found my 200 AW would just barely carry the camera with the EF 24-105mm f/4 L attached (hood reversed) plus with the EF 17-40mm f/4 L (no hood – I used the 24-105 hood on it with the crop sensor body), the EF 70-200mm f/4 L (hood reversed), and the EF 50mm f/1.4. I carried a few other odds and ends (batteries, filters, etc.) in the small outer pocket and the upper pocket. (The upper pocket is large enough that it could carry a prime lens, though it isn’t padded.)

There is a larger version of the Slingshot, the 300 AW. I haven’t used it, but I’ve heard that it is a fine bag – though if you really load it up it may be too heavy for the single shoulder strap suspension, and a real backpack model may be more appropriate.

(One final note on the Slingshot. I’ve used mine heavily for a year and a half or so and it has generally performed well. However, last week I discovered that one of the main zippers is coming apart where it curves around the “top” of the bag. I’ll have to reserved final judgment until I find out what Lowepro has to say about replacement or repair when I contact them later this month. UPDATE 8/29/07: Lowepro really came through on this. Today I received a brand new Slingshot 200 AW from the Lowepro customer service center – only two business days after I sent my damaged bag to them. I’m very impressed!)

I’m afraid I can’t offer any really good monopod advice since I don’t own one. I sometimes do use a tripod as a monopod (leaving the legs pushed together) but that’s about it. I do like using the ball head when I use the tripod this way since I can adjust the shooting angle of the camera independent of the leg angle – this is useful if you are shooting down (from a balcony at a concert or theatrical event, for example) or up (photographing birds, for example.)

Post that monopod question at one or more of the photo discussion web sites: DP Review, photo.net, Fred Miranda, etc.

Good luck,

Dan