Great for a day of outdoor photography

There is something particularly attractive about a camera strap. With it secured around your torso, you have easier access to your gear than with a backpack or shoulder bag. A little adjustment for comfort and you’ll want to take the Niko Camera Sling 3.0 with you wherever you go.

A quality bag.

You can see the quality of this bag right away through the selection of materials and the high caliber of construction. The main buckle has a large push. It opens very easily without the need to apply a lot of pressure.

The main compartment’s zipper is integrated into a water-resistant rim. Water drops directly from the top of the bag to protect your camera. It is not waterproof, but it will keep your camera safe during an unforeseen light rain.

This bag is built to last. Chrome Industries focuses on making high quality bags that will stand up to life. All of their bags come with a lifetime warranty against defects in material and construction.

From the moment you hold this bag, you can tell that quality was a priority.

Compartments and Storage

Like most camera bags, the inside of the shoulder bag has customizable dividers that can be adjusted to hold the specific gear you want to take with you. I’m glad Chrome Industries included this feature, but it’s not worth commending as it’s a pretty standard feature across exchanges.

The main interior section comfortably fits a DSLR and two standard lenses. It can hold a 70-200mm lens if you are willing to carry only one lens. The interior feels roomier than you might expect considering the size of the bag.

There are more compartments in this bag than I expected. The smaller pockets are perfect for all your camera accessories and SD cards. A zippered pocket on the back of the bag rests right against your body, which is perfect for your phone, wallet, and keys. It’s pretty easy to stay organized with this bag.

There are pockets on the side that resemble water bottle holders, but nothing seems to fit into them. I ended up using them to quickly drop my phone a couple of times. Since the bag can’t hold water, I wouldn’t recommend it for long day trips into the wild.

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hanna stryker

hanna stryker

hanna stryker

At the front of the bag, there is a folding pocket that allows you to carry a tripod. It has velcro and two buckles to keep the tripod in place. These secure it very well, but can be a bit awkward to carry depending on the size of the tripod.

In general, this bag contains a lot for a sling. With the dimensions of 7.5 inches high x 12.5 inches wide x 5.5 inches deep and only weighing 2.14 pounds, its capacity is quite impressive.

Quick access and adjustability

If you stumble upon the perfect shot, this slingshot will help you get your camera out in record time before the photo opportunity is gone.

Using the metal D-ring, you can quickly adjust the fit of the sling. When you swing the bag towards your torso, you can pull the D-ring down to quickly secure the bag. You don’t have to mess with standard strap adjusters when taking your camera out.

The orientation of the zippers and the top flap make it easy to access the camera compartment. In a matter of seconds, you can go from having the camera secured on your back to having the bag on your torso with the camera out.

Once you get your camera out, you’ll probably want to sling the bag back over your shoulder. Having a camera around your neck and the sling in the front feels a bit cramped. If you’re just taking a quick photo, it’s not annoying. It’s when you’re walking around with your camera that it becomes a bit too much.

comfortable, but not comfortable

The previous version of this bag did not have the extra strap that goes under the arm. When I looked up the Sling 3.0 online before I bought it, I expected this new strap to be an extra step that would just annoy me. While it’s an extra step to undo the strap buckle when shifting the bag to the front, it’s worth the minimal effort.

Having that strap under your arm locks the bag in place. Doesn’t bounce or slide down your back when you move. This is ideal for photographers who walk long distances on a shooting day or ride a bike. The weight is distributed so it doesn’t feel heavy. The fit is comfortable and secure.

The sling is a bit tricky to put on the first time, especially since you can adjust which side of you the little strap goes on. Initially, you’re not sure where everything is supposed to sit, but once you get the hang of it, it works pretty well.

The company says the bag can be worn around the waist, but it’s definitely too big for that to be realistic. The only scenario to consider wearing the bag around your waist is shooting a stationary subject with multiple lenses.

My biggest complaint about the sling is that it can stick you in the side. The flaps that join the bag and the straps have quite stiff corners. The bottom corner pushes some of the weight of the bag to your side. When I was wearing a thinner shirt, it started to irritate me while poking me. Wearing thicker fabrics, like sweatshirts, can keep all of this from showing, as long as the bag fits snugly.

Should you buy the Niko Camera Sling 3.0?

The Niko Camera Sling 3.0 is a well-constructed, roomy bag designed for quick access. If you like street photography, event photography, traveling with a camera, or taking short walks with a camera, you should definitely consider this bag. It feels secure on your back, but you can still reach your camera in seconds. You can also rest easy knowing the bag is waterproof and will protect your gear.

This sling does so much, so well. If it didn’t dig into my side, I’d be screaming from the rooftops that I found the perfect camera bag. When you spend all day in the world trying to focus on great photo opportunities, this little flaw can be quite irritating. It can be remedied by wearing a sweatshirt, so it’s up to you if that’s a deal breaker. If Chrome Industries fixes this, they’ll have a top-tier bag on their hands.