Bellroy Venture 6L Sling Review
I already own the 10L camera sling that can happily take all my bulky gear and even double up as a beach bag. I also own the smaller 2.5L sling that is great for everything that you’d normally put in your pockets plus a little more. However I found myself needing something in the middle for days when I don’t plan to go out with 3 lenses or just my phone. Sometimes I’d want to go out with just one or max 2 small primes plus the DJI Pocket 3 and given the 10L is just too big for that and the 2.5L is too small, this 6L sling is perfect.
Materials & Design
The main outer material is a 100% recycled water resistant woven fabric. The zip is solid with a water resistant coating to keep rain out. The strap is thick and feels more like a car seatbelt however it’s much softer. All the buckles are metal and although the intricate design might seem brittle, I’ve never had any issues. Inside all the materials are equally high quality and soft to the touch with the bottom of the bag having some reinforcement to help keep shape and protect the contents should you drop it. By far the biggest issue is the design of the front pocket.
It has an inverted lip which allows for easier access but is also great at collecting water by acting as a small pool. This means that should you get caught in prolonged rain, water will start to pool in this lip and then soak through into the bag. For a water resistant, outdoor & adventure themed bag, this is a pretty bad design even though it does make it much easier to access the pocket.
Ergonomics
The shoulder strap is wide enough to feel comfortable and there is plenty of adjustment so you can have the sling close to your chest or further down your back. The strap also allows easy adjustment to change which shoulder you want the bag to sit on. If you don’t have much weight, this strap is sufficient. However the moment you add a camera, a spare lens, a battery pack and some accessories, the shoulder strap can start to dig in. Personally I got around this by taking the shoulder padding from the 10L sling and using it here. When the bag is on, it’s comfortable and doesn’t get in the way at all. Finally the strap also compresses the bag when it’s on your body thus reducing its footprint.
Features & Space
The top zip can be opened from both sides which is a very useful feature as it means you can open only the side that you need to access. The shoulder strap is totally removable so you can use this sling as a tech pouch or even a camera cube in a bigger bag if you wish.
The front pocket is spacious and comes with two smaller pockets and a key leash. Typically this is where I would put small items such as lens wipes, lip balm, tissues, coins and keys.
The main compartment has a long zipped pocket on the top which is ideal for sunglasses but that’s where I keep all cables. There are two side pockets, one on each end of the bag which is where I keep the power bank and the DJI Pocket 3.
There are two small pockets on the back panel of the bag which are ideal for a wallet or lens filters. Finally there is a large zipped pocket on the very back of the bag which is where I would usually put my phone or passport if I’m travelling. I would suggest not putting anything too bulky in the back pocket to avoid it sticking out and becoming uncomfortable.
The main compartment is very spacious and can easily take my Fuji XT5 with an f1.4 prime attached while leaving enough room for a second f1.4 prime. If you’re using f2 primes, then you can fit even more. Equally it can take the XH2s with the 16-55 zoom attached.
Summary
Overall this is a fantastic sling that is perfect for a city break or as a small camera carry. I feel it’s the best compromise between room and size and even though I love the 10L and 2.5L, I tend to gravitate more to this bag. My biggest issue is the design of the front pocket however unless you plan to always be out in the rain, it won’t cause problems.
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Instead of telling you how these will change your life, I would rather be practical and answer the most common questions that people tend to have when buying presets.
What are presets?
They are editing settings that are saved in a file and can be applied to any image.
Why do people buy presets?
Sometimes because they like the work of the photographer and want that style for their own photos. Mostly because they would like to see how other people edit and learn by reverse engineering the presets. Other times it’s just to support their favourite photographers, thank you!
What’s the overall style of these presets?
- Filmic
- Minimal
- Soft
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What are these presets suitable for?
Street & Travel Photography
Some Nature (with further editing)
Some Portraits (with extensive editing)
What do these presets look like?
These presets 100% reflect my current editing style. Please see examples of work below.
Do these presets get updated?
Yes, as my style changes, these presets will also be updated. Any time a new update is available, you will get a free update via email. Of course you also keep all the old presets in case you prefer the older looks. Only presets purchased from 2025 onwards will receive the updates.
What file types are these presets for?
- All RAW files
- JPEGs & TIFFs (not recommended)
What camera brands are these presets for?
These were designed around Fujifilm, Sony, and Leica sensors. With that said, they will work with all camera brands. While there might be subtle colour changes due to individual camera colour science, the overall feel of the preset will carry over.
Will these work with JPEG files?
Yes, but you will need to reduce the intensity and make further edits. I strongly recommend editing RAW files.
Are these one click edits?
95% No. You would need to do some basic adjustments as each image is different. These adjustments can include exposure, colour balance etc. In 5% of cases you can just apply and leave it alone.
Do I need to know how to edit?
You need to have a basic understanding of adjusting exposure, highlights, shadows, etc. A more comprehensive editing skillset will let you get the most out of them.
How many presets are included?
15 in the main pack and 20 in the extras pack
Why two packs?
The main pack is what I use for 99% of my edits. The extras pack is random test presets, one-off looks, and looks I don’t use often.
What software do I need?
These presets will work with any of the following:
- Photoshop (adobe camera raw)
- Lightroom Classic
- Lightroom Desktop
- Lightroom Mobile
Will these presets work with free versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed for the full paid versions.
Will these presets work with very old versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed on and for the latest software.
What file type do I get?
XMP
What else do I get?
- Comprehensive PDF guide
- Short video of me editing using these presets
Can I modify these and turn them into my own?
Yes! In fact I encourage you to modify them and play around. Use these to help you get your own style.
I have more questions…. What do I do?
Make a cup of tea and drop me an email on hello@snapsbyfox.com
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