Personally, I would never use a shoulder or sling-type bag. For short outings, an hour or so, they might be alright but for anything longer, they'll cause a lot more fatigue than a backpack. Uneven weight distribution causes fatigue and can cause other musculoskeletal problems over prolonged use.

Backpacks are a bit more difficult to get gear out of in a hurry but are far easier to use on longer treks and far easier on the body. A couple different sized backpacks or if you can find a good modular pack that you can add or remove accessories from as needed. Somethink like the ThinkTank Rotation 360 might be a good option, although it's fairly pricey.

I was thinking along the lines of LowePro Slingshot. I used to have a real nice harness setup where you could attach 2 small bags that an uncle had made for me but it apparently grew legs one day.

For the past several years I've used a backpack when I had to hike in with heavy equipment and a shoulder bag when I only need a bare setup but even that bag is one of the larger and tends to irritate my shoulder at times. I thought the Slingshot looked like a nice little bag for what I wanted to replace. Add into it the ease of being able to swing it around for easy access without having to take it off or set it down. Kind of hard to do that in the middle of a river.

Just trying to make plans for when I shake off this crappy severe lung infection and before the dr bills come in and I get buyer's remorse.

Purcuasing and using a camera bag are very personal decisions. I tend to like the Domke bags and have one each of most of the different size bags they make, starting with the original bag (became the F2) purchased in 1974 or 1975.

No matter what people recommend, you should go to a large camera store and see which bag fits your style of shooting and will hold the amount of equipment you intend to carry.

Little difficult to go to a large store here as it's over 100 miles away so not something that can just be up and done. Besides, I already called them and the manager I know said that is one of the models they don't have but hope to add this spring.

Have 12 bags/cases now so I do know the ins and outs of all the traditional styles but with the Slingshot being newer I was simply hoping someone had used one on here and could get their impressions. Just prefer to have some things to think about beforehand rather than going in not knowing anything but a product write up. I always go and try out all my equipment before making a final decision.

I use the LowePro Slingshot 100 for camera plus one lens. I recently picked up a 70-300mm for my D80. It just fits into the bag with the hood stowed. Both lens and bag were chosen specifically for the ski hill. The bag is a lot handier than the backpack I've used in the past. You can stop and quickly flip it around, top access, and return it to the back position when done. All that is required is to undo one clip. It fits snug enough for hard skiing with little swing. There is only room for the one lens so that decision must come first. Now I'm interested in getting a suitable backpack for more gear while travelling. Still not too big but enough to carry several lenses and attach a tripod. I want to be able to carry my camera gear (less tripod) onto flights without checking it. Again something versatile yet compact would seem the choice rather than a full expedition type. I would take such a pack for day hikes.

I use the Low Pro NOVA AW-1 Bag for work. I only carry one camera, 4 sets of AAs, small battery charger and 6 memoriy cards in a hard shell case. I find it works for my needs but more often than not I leave it in the back of the SUV and grab the camera and an extra set of batteries and just start shooting. I have carried the bag for about an hour around a faurground and through an airport and the bag gets a little tiresome. I didn't have enough gear to justify a backpack at the time but it I had to do it all over again I might just get one even if its only 1/4 full case its easier on the shoulder.

Kata GDC Torso-Pack.

The system is modular so your able to attach different bits to it later on. Say one of their backpacks that attaches to a buttpack that attaches to a belt system.

Also, if your in the need for some body armor they make that to.