Wotancraft Pilot 3.5L Camera Sling Bag Review
In this blog I will share my experience using the Wotancraft Pilot 3.5L camera sling. I’ve had it for a few months and used it occasionally, however no where near as much as the 7L version. Many aspects are shared between the two bags so I will refer back to the 7L blog throughout this one too. For the full 7L blog, click here.
For full transparency, I need to disclose that Wotancraft sent me this bag for free to keep. All they asked was for me to mention it on social media a couple of times; however, I suggested writing this blog instead. They insisted that I use it for as long as possible in order to give it a fair shot. They did not stipulate what had to be said, nor did they have a chance to read this blog before anyone else. Unlike other brands, they have not been chasing me for this blog and, if anything, encouraged me to take longer with the bag.
Size & Capacity
The bag isn’t very long but it’s deep. It can take one body with lens and have room for either another lens or some accessories.
You can also fit a longer zoom lens on a body or use the dividers to create a shelf and add an extra item on top.
It can also fit an 11” iPad vertically however since there’s no suitable divider, anything else in the bag will rub again the iPad.
Materials
The bag is made from a fairly standard material seen on most bags with a degree of weather resistance.
Inside, you’ll find plenty of padding and Velcro material for the dividers and accessories, which I’ll discuss later.
I do wish the clips and buckles were made from a more premium material rather than the plastic currently used. While it doesn’t feel like it will break, it doesn’t feel particularly premium considering the price. Overall, the material choice is functional but lacks the premium feel of offerings from Peak Design or Bellroy. This isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker—most people wouldn’t care—but it’s something I noticed.
Harness, Zips & Clips
The harness is my least favourite part of this bag, and if I were to continue using it, I would need to replace it. Firstly, the giant buckle that adjusts the length can occasionally dig into your back.
The way the strap runs through the shoulder pad means it often twists, which becomes uncomfortable.
Finally, if you prefer to wear the bag closer to your body, the strap doesn’t have enough reach before the buckle clashes with the shoulder pad. This isn’t an issue for taller people or those who prefer the bag to sit further away.
On the other hand, the magnetic clasp used to access the bag is by far my favourite feature. It makes quick lens swaps a breeze while remaining extremely secure. I’ve not seen this system before, and now I think I’d struggle to go back to a traditional zip. I’ll elaborate on this in the next section.
Access
Accessing this bag is pure joy. There’s a giant flap covering the top, and the way the material folds keeps water, dirt, and other people’s hands out. It features a magnetic clasp that automatically latches when the flap is closed.
It’s a clever system: to close it, you simply bring the two parts together, while opening it requires sliding them apart. This makes it very secure without being a hassle to use.
The bag’s design allows for easy and quick access to all your gear, making fast lens changes simple. The 7L has the same system and during my Vietnam trip, I kept two lenses in the bag, separated by a divider, and could swap them in moments. With other bags, such as those using a zip, this process would take much longer.
External Features
At the back, there’s a document pocket with a weather-sealed zip, ideal for a passport, phone, or cash.
The bag also features ample lashing points for mounting accessories and a top grab handle that’s very useful.
Internal Features
Internally, the bag is minimalist, designed as an open space you can customise to your liking.
Accessories
This is where the bag becomes modular and quite unique. It includes standard internal dividers to split the bag into sections for organisation.
Additionally, the bag comes with various accessories. Some attach internally via Velcro, while others clip onto the exterior. These include options like a filter pouch, lens holder, and other useful add-ons. However, I’d advise caution—it’s easy to overload the bag with these accessories, making it bulky and heavy.
Wear & Tear
Please read the 7L blog here for wear & tear
Value For Money
Overall, I feel the bag is good value and an excellent choice for travelling photographers. It’s ideal for cities and hot environments, while not being overly large. The only thing I’d change is the strap, and I plan to do so when I get a chance.
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
- Warm
- Soft
- Bright
What are these presets suitable for?
Street & Travel Photography
Some Nature (with further editing)
Some Portraits (with extensive editing)
Do I actually use these?
Yes. This is the same pack I use right now for all my editing. This isn’t a pack made just to sell.
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 differences 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?
10 in the main pack and 24 in the extras pack
Why two packs?
The main pack is what I use for 99% of my edits and is kept small to reduce wasted time scrolling through presets. The extras pack is everything 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
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
Please note that due to the nature of digital products, refunds are generally not accepted. However, if you experience any issues, feel free to contact me and I’ll review your situation individually. You are welcome to use this product for personal or commercial projects, but you may not copy, distribute, or resell the files in their original or modified form.
Finally I want to say a massive thank you for supporting me. Buying these presets is the most direct way you can support my work.
Thank you!