Last Updated on 09/30/2015 by Chris Gampat
When the original Cosyspeed Camslinger debuted, we thought that it was very specialized. A couple of years later, we have a slight update in the form of the Cosyspeed Camslinger Streetomatic–a minutely larger but significantly sexier version designed for mirrorless camera users who want to keep their kit to a minimum.
The Streetomatic is a bag that, well, still isn’t really considered a bag but isn’t exactly the fanny pack that the previous version was. It’s a bit of a middle ground between being a sling and a satchel. In fact, I prefer to wear it like a sling and makes the most sense when it comes to commuting around Brooklyn by bike.
This bag has significant improvements over the previous version; but it’s still not perfect for the working pro.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Looks really, really nice without being pretentious
- Side pockets to hold things like your phone
- Can hold a Fujifilm X-T1 with lens attached plus one more prime lens
- Very comfortable; probably the most comfortable bag I’ve worn in a while
- Forces you to keep the kit minimal.
- Much easier for you to get access to your gear than the previous version
- Great for the hobbyist photographer
Cons
- I really want to be able to stuff an iPad or a 13 inch laptop in here while maintaining the classic thinness to appear to mirrorless camera users. Preferably the latter.
- I could do without the green Cosyspeed tag on the strap
- Still have no need for the finger loop.
- Not exactly practical for the working pro photographer as a main bag
Tech Specs
Considering that this bag is still just in the IndieGoGo stage at the publication of this review, there really aren’t very many tech specs available yet. But you can check out the page!
Ergonomics
The Cosyspeed Camslinger Streetomatic is significantly better built than the original in many aspects. For starters, the loop that you had to stretch over a little post to keep the bag closed has been removed. It’s now a beautiful and fully functional buckle. You also have the option of using this tan version–which looks very nice.
To the left of the bag you’ll spot dividers that come with the Streetomatic.
The exterior of the bag is made from a canvas that is soft to the touch.
The back of the Streetomatic has padding that rests against your back or your hip depending on how you wear the bag. The strap also has loads of padding without causing you to sweat and therefore leaving sweat lines along your shirt as you walk and shoot. Adjusting the strap uses velcro instead of pushing/pulling through one loop to the other.
That’s smart!
On either side of the bag are these pockets that are slim and can only hold things like a phone, a wallet, chapstick, medicine bottles, filters, lens wipes, etc. It’s really just for the essentials–and again the Streetomatic makes you consider your kit very carefully.
On the inside of the bag, you’ll have a soft almost suede-like surface snuggling up to your camera. By using a divider, I was able to stuff the Fujifilm X-T1 with the 35mm f1.4 attached into the bag while sideways. However, the hood needs to come off in order to get another lens in there. If the hood is attached, it’s pretty much just holding the camera with the lens and there isn’t much space to practically put anything else–not even a divider.
Build Quality
The Cosyspeed Camslinger Streetomatic isn’t cheaply built. Everything about it feels like a quality bag from the canvas design, the nifty buckle, and the zippers on the side pockets. It comes with a rain cover if you choose to use it, but we’re not sure how many people actually could bother to use one. A poncho for your bag doesn’t exactly make sense unless you’re walking through a hurricane.
One of the best parts of the Streetomatic has to be the strap; it’s comfortable–very comfortable. To that end, I should mention once again that I used it as a sling camera bag and not as as bag around my waist.
Ease of Use
When you first grab the Streetomatic, you’ll need to figure out what gear you want to pack in there. Obviously the smaller cameras will allow you to cram more into the bag itself, but the larger ones will force you to be a bit more discerning. It’s the choice between the Fujifilm 16-55mm f2.8 or the 35mm f1.4 and the 16mm f1.4. Granted, I only own the 35mm lens and the rest is on a long term loan to us from Fujifilm; but packing the bag and choosing what you want to bring is seriously the hardest part. That’s not a fault of the Streetomatic though as it’s very configurable.
Opening and closing the bag is easier than it was than when the original Camslinger had a little loop. This buckle is beautiful and simply works well.
The Streetomatic also comes with a little finger loop that attaches to your camera and substitutes itself for a wrist strap–except that it goes around your finger. If you’re a photographer/editor that suffers from periodic bouts of Carpal Tunnel, then it’s probably best used for some other function. If you use a really nice strap, then keep that on instead.
Conclusions
Before I get to my conclusions, know that Phoblographer readers get a special gift when they use the previously hyperlinked text to back the project.
So how is it?
Thomas, the company’s founder, has made huge strides forward. Though I wouldn’t use this bag on a daily basis because of the lack of space for a laptop, I’d strongly consider it as a second kit bag–which I’ve been needing more and more as of recent when I shoot on location. The Streetomatic easily holds a flash and radio trigger while another bag can stuff my camera(s), lenses, cables, laptop, etc. It makes a lot of sense.
If I didn’t need to take a lot of stuff around and went on a casual photo walk, this is an option I’d surely consider with a bit of hesitation. Why the hesitation? Well, it’s tiny and in some situations looks weird. If it were smaller, it would be a fanny pack and stuck in my closet with loads of other camera bags that come into my apartment for review. If it were bigger, it would be with me everywhere providing it held a laptop, my camera, lenses, and maybe even a flash while retaining the sling design. This just works so well with bike riders!
With it being as small as it is, one just has to think “What does he have in there that he couldn’t stuff into his pockets or sling around his chest?” In some ways, it can be likened to a murse–a man purse for those of you not privy to American euphemisms.
Don’t get us wrong, this is a beautiful bag–but the Streetomatic still needs to evolve into something larger and more functional for the everyday working photographer/editor like myself. But if you’re not that person, it will probably suit you very well.
Is this a beautiful bag? Heck yes.
Did Cosyspeed do a great job with the advancements? Absolutely.
Is it to the point where I’d use it everyday yet? No; but give it time and it should get there.
We give the Cosyspeed Camslinger Streetomatic four out of five stars for the progress that they made; but that means that when the next version hits the streets, it had better be perfect.