Today I arrived home from work to find a box at my doorstep.  It was one of those days where I kept thinking about that box and waiting for the moment when I got to rip it open because I knew exactly what was inside: the Lowepro Slingshot 200aw. 

I've wanted one of these camera bags for a long time but couldn't exactly justify the cost.  Now, with a two-week tour of Europe upon me, I finally have an excuse to get my hands on one.  My current camera bag is woefully inadequate for a long trip: too small for my present array of gear, made for a video camera, and with the standard uncomfortable single strap.  With my bad shoulder, I would never survive entire days of walking around with that thing hanging off my arm, so I'd probably end up doing my usual throw-all-the-camera-gear-in-my-backpack routine.  This strategy leads to stopping to take off the backpack and rummage for a lens, getting left behind by the tour group...not good.

So I got the super-speedy Slingshot, with a single-strap design that is ergonomic yet allows me to swing the back around to my chest for quick access to my gear.  When I tried it out around the house this afternoon it didn't disappoint.  It sits very nice and snugly against my back, thanks in part to the cushy layer of padding it offers my delicate spine.  The strap is also well padded for good weight distribution, and there is a special extra strap that attaches for extra comfort with heavier loads.

Inside the main compartment I easily fit my D80 with a lens attached, my bigger zoom lens, and my SB-600 flash unit, along with a number of little accessories.  The smaller compartment on top is still empty, and I'm saving it for snacks, wallets, etc. during our long days of sightseeing in Europe. A memory card organizer behind a velcro flap in the main compartment will make it easy for me to switch out cards in a hurry.

All in all, this awesome accessory should encourage me to carry my camera non-stop and consequently take more pictures.  And that's what it's all about.  You can skimp on certain gear, but I feel like making your camera comfortable and easy to carry should be priority #1.  I know I've stashed my camera on numerous occasions or made my male counterpart to be a beast of burden because I was sick of lugging it around.  There have also been times when I have taken fewer pictures because I couldn't waste the time stopping what I was doing to put down my bag and get out my stuff.  A comfortable, easily accessible way to carry your camera means more pictures, and that's important.

Hopefully our European adventure will be well-documented and the Slingshot I have coveted for so long will serve me well.  I'm planning to take it on a test run this weekend on a trip to Columbus, Ohio for a visit with friends.   I might not have as many places to carry it around, but I will certainly get to take it as a carry-on when we fly out there, so I'll know what to expect when we fly overseas (sort of).  I know there have been some new flight restrictions on camera batteries, but I'm pretty sure we won't be affected.

So far, I'm pretty impressed.