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I own a number of bags, belt packs, back packs and sling bag. My Lowepro 250AW does a good job of carrying more stuff than I really want to carry in a sling bag but my biggest complaint is that when you sling the bag to the front, you really only have safe access to your camera, accessories and lenses require the bag to be opened further to what I consider an unsafe condition, exposing your valuable lenses to the possibility of dropping from the bag.
I like the concept of the Sling-o-Matic, not so much for the reversible sling, but mostly for the large, side access door where you have access to all of your camera and lenses while still keeping them secure n the bag.
I labored over which size to get, I really want to limit my kit to my D600 w/Sigma 35 F1.4 attached, a Sigma 50mm F1.4 and a Tamron 70-300VI. I finally decided to start small and work my way up if need be so I ordered the Sling-o-Matic 10 and it turned out to be the perfect size.
I haven't taken it out on a trip yet but I will be heading to the UK in October and this is the bag I'll bring with me.
Utilizing the bag basically as it came from the factory I am carrying my D600 w/35mm mounted and dropped straight in the bag, the 70-300 standing up in another compartment. A Sigma 20mm f1.8 and Sigma 50mm f1.4 stacked and separated by one of the included extra dividers, in another compartment and my SB800 and D600 battery charger in yet another compartment. All of which are accessible through the one side door. Some filters, Rocket Blower and Carry Speed strap are packed in a few of the outside compartments and there is still plenty of room both in and on the bag.
My D600 with 70-300 mounted will not fit in the bag dropped straight in but everything will still fit if I rearrange two pockets so the the camera and lens can be stored laying sideways.
THe Sling-o-Matic 10 is heavy with all I have in it and it is by no means crammed full. I cant imagine the weight of either the 20 or 30 if they are packed full. If I was going on a trip where I needed to take everything that I owned I'd pack it up in my back pack and bring the Sling-0-Matic 10 along to be what I actually used when walking about.
From my limited time with it the bag is plenty comfortable though I'm sure I'll be using the reversible sling feature at some point when I'm in the UK next month. I will update this review once I return.
As for now, I'm thrilled with the bag, fit an finish are what you'd expect from Think Tank.
UPDATE 10/9/2013
I'm on my way back from the UK and I used the Sling-O-Matic 10 to carry my kit. What I learned on this trip is that camera bags, no matter which kind, are not for me. The Sling-O-Matic was comfortable but heavy, hot and bulky so I used it only to carry my kit from one city to another. Once I unpacked in my hotel room I selected the lens appropriate for what I was going to do, which in my case was always my Sigma 35mm f1.4, and donned my Carry Speed FS-SLIM Sling Strap with Foldable Mounting Plate and headed out. I'm in love with this strap, it handles the weight of my D600 and Sigma lens quite well, and doesn't cause me to perspire like the sling bag will.
I guess for me my number one concern is comfort and for that I think the Carry Speed strap is best. There were a few times I could have used my 70-300 Tamron lens but my comfort won out and it remained in the hotel safe the entire trip.
Also, after climbing around in castles and such with my camera exposed to being knocked around, I will probably invest in a BRAND NEW SLING POUCH FROM CARRYSPEED MADE BY NEOPRENE to protect both the camera and lens.
My initial inclination when searching for a new bag was to go with the Think Tank Lens Changer 25 which I will probably try next. I think this will fulfill my need for another lens and as it's around my waist my back will be cool though I'm sure it will present its own issues with my portly physique :)
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This is a good quality, durable product, and functions pretty well. The only negative aspect is that it is a little on the small side. In retrospect, I might have been better off with the next size up.Best Deals for Think Tank - Sling-O-Matic 10 Sling Camera Bag
Bag is great, really love how you can rearrange pockets inside, fits my D700 with 24-70 2.8 lens, and also a big bottle of water! Great bag.Honest reviews on Think Tank - Sling-O-Matic 10 Sling Camera Bag
I bought this specifically to take my Sigma 50-500 OS to the zoo. That lens is HUGE. This bag accommodates it on a gripped camera (5D Mark III), with room at the end for a few other small things (a wrapped gitzo ball head, and rain cover). It has plenty of exterior zippered spaces (a pet peeve with other bags that don't).The shoulder strap is very well engineered and comfortable. The monopod straps are ingeniously designed.
I hate carrying bags but this one is engineered enough to make it more tolerable. My 11yo son carries it when the camera is out, but the rest of the stuff, including a monopod are still in/attached.
I have three TT bags and will be buying more as many more as I can rationalize.
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