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Posts Tagged ‘Tank’

Review: Think Tank Turnstyle Sling Bag

09 Feb

From messenger bags to suitcases, camera bags today come in just about every shape and form. After spending years tinkering mainly with backpacks and belt packs, I decided to try out a relatively new type of camera bag: the Think Tank TurnStyle sling bag. With its unique body-conforming design, and the rugged durability that comes with all Think Tank products, the TurnStyle has quickly become my new favorite camera bag. Here’s why:

ThinkTank TurnStyle Sling Bag Review

Think Tank TurnStyle Sling Bag

First off, it’s important to know that the TurnStyle bag comes in two colors (charcoal or slate blue) and three sizes. TurnStyle 5 is the smallest, meant to haul compact mirrorless camera systems, while TurnStyle 20 is the largest, capable of carrying a standard DSLR with a 70-200mm f/2.8 attached, plus another lens. Right in the middle of these two bags is the one I opted for: the TurnStyle 10, which could purportedly hold a standard DSLR with a 24-70mm f/2.8 attached. This is where I had a bit of a gripe with the bag off the bat.

ThinkTank TurnStyle Sling Bag Review

What Fits in the TurnStyle 10

While the TurnStyle 10 is definitely a roomy bag, it couldn’t exactly hold my Canon 5D Mark III with a 24-70mm f/2.8 attached. The camera with lens does fit into the bag, but it won’t even come close to zipping up. (Note: I figured out I can make it fit if I take out all the dividers).

What does fit, albeit on the snug side, is my Canon 6D with the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens attached; in this setup, there are two more lens compartments open that can hold small or medium-sized lenses or a Canon Speedlite. In the above photo, the configuration shows a Canon 6D with 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens attached, a Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, and a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.

What definitely will not fit in this bag is a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, unless it’s the only thing the bag is carrying. This makes the TurnStyle 10 a perfect travel photography camera bag, assuming you’re carrying a smaller DSLR body, and relatively few accessories. If you intend to carry a heavy-duty DSLR kit, the TurnStyle 20 will be a more accommodating size.

ThinkTank TurnStyle Sling Bag Review

Best Features

Body-Conforming Design

By far the best part of the TurnStyle bag series is its body-conforming design. Initially, the idea of the bag only having one strap may make it seem like you’ll end up carrying too much weight on one side of your body, but that is far from the case. The thickly padded single shoulder strap does indeed contour your body nicely, making even the heaviest gear bag feel relatively lightweight. This overall design makes the TurnStyle bag by far the most ergonomic camera bag I’ve ever used.

Suzi Pratt_Turnstyle 04

Converts into a Belt Pack

Another positive design feature is the ability to easily rotate the bag from your back to your chest, for quick access to your gear without having to take the bag off. You could even adjust the strap’s length, and turn the bag into a belt pack for better accessibility.

Made of Quality Materials

Similar to all other Think Tank products, the exterior components of the TurnStyle are highly durable and visually appealing. The bag’s exterior is made of rip-stop polyester with a water-repellant coating, and all zippers are abrasion-resistant. That is the say, this bag holds up even when you expose it to the elements, making it perfect for taking on your next photo safari vacation.

ThinkTank TurnStyle Sling Bag Review

Many Dedicated Pockets

The TurnStyle’s main compartment for holding your camera gear, comes with removable foam dividers so that you can customize the interior padding, based on what you’re carrying. There is also has a padded back pocket for holding a tablet or paperwork, and a larger zippered pocket on the front of the bag for holding essentials such as your wallet, cell phone, memory cards, etc. Finally, there is the signature component that accompanies all Think Tank bags: a dedicated rain cover that shields your bag from the elements.

Over to You

So is the Think Tank TurnStyle bag right for you? Honestly, it comes down to how much gear you want to carry with you. While you could combine this bag with a waist pack or shoulder bag to hold more gear, you experience the full benefits of the TurnStyle bag when carrying minimal gear. In this sense, it’s best suited for travel or street photographers, shooting with mirrorless or smaller DSLR cameras. If you plan to carry a longer telephoto lens, you’re probably better off with either the larger TurnStyle bag, or a different style altogether.

Have you tried out a sling-style camera bag? What were your thoughts on it? Do you have another favorite bag? Please share in the comments below.

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‘Built like a tank where it counts’ – LensRentals tears down Canon EF 35mm F1.4 L II

10 Dec

‘Built like a tank where it counts’ – LensRentals Canon EF 35mm F1.4 L II teardown

Roger Cicala at LensRentals has a great job – he gets to take things apart whenever he wants, and get paid to do it. And even better, he gets to pay himself to do it. Roger just got his hands on Canon’s new EF 35mm F1.4 L II, and just like us, he’s been very impressed. But, it must be said, for very different reasons. Click through this slideshow for a quick look at what he found behind the red ring, and if this whets your appetite, read Roger’s full tear-down at lensrentals.com.

‘Built like a tank where it counts’ – LensRentals Canon EF 35mm F1.4 L II teardown

This is the plastic ring which sits at the front of the all of the elements of the 35mm, underneath the cosmetic nameplate.

According to Roger, ‘In most lenses rings like this hold the front element in place, but in this case, it seems the entire purpose of this ring is to improve weather resistance […] It fits tightly around the glass and into the front barrel of the lens, and it has a rubber gasket for further sealing internally.’

‘Built like a tank where it counts’ – LensRentals Canon EF 35mm F1.4 L II teardown

Where most lenses use only three lightweight screws to attach the filter barrel, the Canon EF 35mm F1.4 L II uses six ‘long, strong and deeply threaded’ ones. 

Behind the screws, Roger’s team found that ‘each hole contained a brass reinforcing spacer with a spring around it. So basically each of the 6 screws passes through the brass spacer and screws into the front barrel, with a spring maintaining tension. This is an expensive way to do things and obviously serves a purpose.’

‘Built like a tank where it counts’ – LensRentals Canon EF 35mm F1.4 L II teardown

With the rear barrel removed, two more layers of rubber felt sealing gaskets were revealed and a ‘a very, very robust eccentric collar set […] used to optically adjust the rear group.’ (that’s the notched, circular thing towards the top of the rear group in this image, surrounded by red gunk to lock it in place).

In Roger’s words. ‘we consider thick nylon collars robust, brass collars very robust, but these massive heavy collars with a center locking screw are beyond anything we’ve seen outside of super telephoto lenses and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II’.

‘Built like a tank where it counts’ – LensRentals Canon EF 35mm F1.4 L II teardown

Unusually, even for weather-resistant lenses, the EF 35mm F1.4 L II features tough, moisture-resistant tape underneath the rubber focusing ring, to prevent water getting underneath and into the main body of the lens (the tape has been removed in this image).

‘Built like a tank where it counts’ – LensRentals Canon EF 35mm F1.4 L II teardown

‘With the focus ring off, we can see another set of robust optical adjustment collars that adjust group 2. (Later experimentation hinted that these were primarily centering collars, with the rear collars primarily adjusting tilt.)’

‘Built like a tank where it counts’ – LensRentals Canon EF 35mm F1.4 L II teardown

As the disassembly progresses, the EF 35mm F1.4 L II seems to get more and more robust – ‘With the USM motor and barrel off we can see the focusing helicoids and the heavy metal rollers that move the focusing elements within the helicoid. In almost every lens, these would be small nylon washers over a screw, not the relatively huge metal rollers we see in this lens.’

‘Built like a tank where it counts’ – LensRentals Canon EF 35mm F1.4 L II teardown

Roger’s team took a closer look at those helicoid rollers.

‘When you look close up you see these aren’t just sliding posts, there are actually tiny ball bearings inside them. There’s also a spring tensioning system around one of the rollers. […] By this point I was really rather awestruck by the amount of careful over-engineering that went into making this lens. Nobody, and I do mean nobody, else is engineering lens mechanics like the newer Canon lenses.’

Roger’s final analysis: 

‘[The EF 35mm F1.4 L II is] designed thoughtfully and logically. Things that will inevitably get damaged on any lens, like the front element and filter ring, are designed to be replaced easily. There are some things inside, particularly with the tensioning screws and springs, that I’m not certain I understand the purpose of, but I am certain there is a purpose. If I had to summarize the mechanical design of this lens, I would say simply that no expense was spared, no corner was cut.’

Click here to read the full teardown at lensrentals.com

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Think Tank launches Lily Deanne series of shoulder bags for female photographers

24 Oct

Think Tank has launched the Lily Deanne, its first series of photo bags designed specifically with women in mind. The shoulder bag is available in three sizes, each designed to accommodate pro-sized camera bodies and lenses. Read more

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Think Tank unveils Retrospective Leather and Mirrorless Mover 25i bags

10 Sep

Think Tank has expanded its Retrospective photography bag lineup with leather versions of its bags – the Retrospective Leather 5, Leather 7, and Leather 30. The company describes these as ‘upscale, rugged shoulder bags’ with a new Dual Cross buckle on the front flap, Sound Silencers that eliminate front flap noise, YKK zippers, removable padded dividers, and a removable carrying handle. Read more

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Think Tank Shape Shifter Backpack Review

12 Aug

Finding the perfect camera bag is a challenge in today’s world where every bag style is possible. From messenger bags to belt packs to purses, there are many different camera bags out there to tickle your fancy. While the trend recently may be minimalist and compact, I’d like you to consider for a moment the exact opposite – a large, yet highly versatile, camera backpack known as the Think Tank Shape Shifter.

In general, many bags suffer from giving off the feeling and appearance of too much bulk, while at the same time not having nearly enough space for all of one’s camera gear. The Think Tank Shape Shifter is ingenious in that it is designed specifically to go from thin and skinny, to large and expansive, whenever you need it to. Top that flexibility off with fantastic padding and back support, as well as lots of pockets to hold all sorts of gear, and you have what I deem to be the perfect camera bag.

Think Tank Shapeshifter Backpack 2

Flexible sizing

The Shape Shifter’s key feature is its flexibility in sizing, thanks to its rather simple zipper system. Similar to how luggage works, you simply unzip a section of the bag when you need it to expand, or zip it up to minimize the size. At its most compressed, the Shape Shifter measures 3 inches in diameter, and 7 inches at its maximum expansion.

Think Tank Shapeshifter Backpack

Sturdy build

As you can expect from all Think Tank bags, the Shape Shifter is built tough, despite having a minimalist profile. Featuring a black water-resistant exterior fabric, it also comes with a seam-sealed removable rain cover, just in case of a sudden downpour. The straps and back padding are made of 3D air mesh with a breathable air flow system, making the bag extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time. There are also strong waist and chest straps to help equally distribute the bag’s weight across your upper body. The ergonomic value here is especially high, since backpacks already do a better job of equalizing the weight of heavy gear, as opposed to a one-sided messenger bag.

Think Tank Shapeshifter Backpack 4

Pockets galore

There are several main pockets in the Shape Shifter including a compartment for a laptop, up to 17″, and a huge compartment full of stretchable neoprene pouches for holding lenses and camera bodies. Alternatively, you could also stuff about four size small t-shirts in the pouches if you wanted to use the bag as a makeshift suitcase. There are also smaller zippered pockets on the bag’s exterior, where smaller items such as batteries and memory cards can be stored. Larger items such as tripods and lighting stands can also be strapped to the backpack if needed, using two sturdy straps that come with the bag.

Think Tank Shapeshifter Backpack 6

I took the Shape Shifter on a trial run while photographing the USGA U.S. Open at Chambers Bay recently. Needing to take along a majority of my photography equipment, I managed to fit all of the following into the backpack:

  • (2) Camera bodies (Canon 6D and 5D Mark III)
  • (3) Lenses (Canon 40mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8)
  • (1) Flash (Canon 580 EXII)
  • (2) Flash Triggers (Yongnuo)
  • (1) Laptop (Apple 15″ MacBook Pro Retina Display)
  • Camera accessories (memory card wallet, spare batteries)
  • Laptop accessories (card reader, external hard drive, charger)
  • Other goodies (sunscreen, sunglasses, mints, credentials holder, notebook)

The resulting bag was admittedly pretty heavy, but the comfortable back padding and straps made the bag much easier to carry despite the added weight.

Think Tank Shapeshifter Backpack 5

Versatile, despite shortcomings

One of the biggest challenges that the Shape Shifter has is in its ability to carry your whole photo studio. You can indeed do just that, but the bag gets extremely heavy, and some gear is difficult to reach without stopping to unzip and lay out the entire bag. Additionally, the structure of the bag makes it hard to carry preassembled cameras (lens attached) in it, meaning it is meant to have the lens and bodies in separate pouches rather than attached as one unit. The best way around this is to simply wear your cameras while shooting, and keep items you don’t need regular access to in the Shape Shifter.

Alternatively, you could also convert the Shape Shifter into a more functional daypack or suitcase, since its pockets and design don’t restrict it from being used as solely a camera bag. Say you’re travelling by air and trying to meet the two bag carry-on limit. You could put the majority of your camera gear that you need to be readily accessible in a smaller bag such as the Think Tank ChangeUp, and use the Shape Shifter to carry your overnight travel items and excess gear. Again, the big benefit of the Shape Shifter is its ability to shrink or enlarge depending on your needs.

Have you tried out the Think Tank Shape Shifter? Did it meet your expectations? Let me know in the comments below!

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Think Tank Photo Sub Urban Disguise 30 Shoulder Camera Bag Review

02 Aug

Packing and carrying equipment for travel adventures is always a challenge. With increasing airline restrictions and not being willing to check your gear, you need to find the best possible alternative for your needs. Like most of my peers, I covet several bags. Usually when going abroad I take a bag with all the equipment and a smaller, second bag for everyday outings once on location. As I tend to travel lighter and lighter every day, I was on the lookout for a bag that could serve dual purposes for my recent Italy trip. I wanted a bag that could carry my two Fuji X bodies, some lenses, a filter kit, and my iPad. The other important consideration was that the bag needed to be easy to access and work from.

Think Tank Photo Sub Urban Disguise 30 - Image Courtesy of Think Tank Photo

Think Tank Photo Sub Urban Disguise 30 – Image Courtesy of Think Tank Photo

After much looking around, I settled on the Think Tank Sub Urban Disguise 30. As you may know, Think Tank products are legendary and they carry their well-known “non-rhetoric warranty.” This bag is one from their compact series, designed for small kits. There are four different models and the 30 is the biggest of them all, the one that features a separated iPad compartment.

The bag is constructed of high-quality ballistic polyester, treated for water resistance. It features YKK® zippers, stretch pockets on the sides, two-ply bonded nylon thread, and a removable shoulder strap. The interior comes with removable dividers and a rain cover that fits in the main outside pocket.

Besides the main compartment, the Sub Urban Disguise 30 has multiple pockets. There is a front organizer pocket on the front flap that can accommodate personal items. Under the main flap, there is a large pocket that is roomy enough to store bigger accessories, like battery chargers, cables, or perhaps a travel book. There is also a mesh pocket inside the main flap for smaller accessories. The exterior stretch side pockets can fit a bottle of water or a flash.

Think Tank Photo Sub Urban Disguise 30 Details - Images Courtesy of Think Tank Photo

Think Tank Photo Sub Urban Disguise 30 Details – Images Courtesy of Think Tank Photo

The bag dimensions are:

  • Exterior: 12” x 10” x 7.3” ((W x H x D)
  • Interior: 11” x 9.5” x 5” (W x H x D)
  • iPad pocket: 10.7” x 8.5” x .8” (W x H x D)

According to Think Tank, this bag can fit a standard-size DSRL, two to four zoom lenses, a regular iPad, and a 70-200 f/2.8 lens unattached. As I am shooting mirrorless, my use was a little different, and I was able to fit two Fujifilm X-T1 bodies with lenses attached, three separate lenses, a full-size filter kit, the iPad, and accessories, and I had room to spare.

Lower Section Think Tank Photo Sub Urban Disguise 30

My kit bottom layer  contains Fujinon XF 55-200 mm f/3.5-4.8, Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4 and Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 fisheye for Fuji X mount.

Lower Section Think Tank Photo Sub Urban Disguise 30

My kit upper layer contains Fujifilm X-T1 body with Fujinon XF 10-24mm f4.0 lens attached, Fujifilm X-T1 body with Fujinon XF 16-55 f/2.8 attached and on there is a complete Lee Filter kit with 3 ND grads and 2 NDs. (Photo taken with iPhone)

As you can see, I loaded mine by layering the interior in two tiers. I placed lenses on the bottom of the bag, which I separated from the top with the provided dividers, and then placed both camera bodies on top for easy access. On the side I had the filter kit. As explained above, one of the things that I was looking for was to have easy access to the gear, and this way I had both bodies with the most used lenses within very easy access. The bag is very comfortable to wear as the shoulder strap is solid but very well padded.

One of the best things about this bag is the way it opens. There is a flip-top lid that folds away from your body, and that really helps you to reach the camera fast. This top lid is zippered and totally separated from the main Velcro exterior flap that accesses the bigger pocket. In the end, the bag was everything that I expected, so I will continue to use it on future trips, especially the ones around cities with lots of walking, and where I need quick access to the cameras, to take a shot and put it away again.

Obviously, how much you can fit in the bag will depend on the type of configuration you use and how you divide the bag internally, but if you want something relatively light for urban walks or travel, this is really a very good option. If you don’t need to carry a tablet, you can also consider this bag’s smaller siblings with three more models to choose from. There is probably one that will suit you well. The price for this bag starts at $ 49.75 and this particular model is $ 84.75, a price that I believe is more than reasonable for all these features and quality.

 

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Think Tank Photo launches Trifecta 10 DSLR and Trifecta 8 Mirrorless backpacks

17 Jun

Think Tank Photo has launched two new bags, the Trifecta 10 DSLR Backpack and Trifecta 8 Mirrorless Backpack. Both backpacks are designed to hold a photographer’s ‘workhorse’ lenses, including ultra-wide, mid-range, and telephoto zoom lenses. As the names indicate, the bags are designed to accommodate DSLR and mirrorless systems. Read more

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Think Tank introduces new low-profile ‘Urban Approach’ bags for compact system cameras

13 Mar

Bag and accessory manufacturer Think Tank has announced that it will introduce a new range of shoulder bags and a backpack for compact system camera users in April this year. Dubbed the ‘Urban Approach’ range the bags are said to be ‘low profile’ to allow the photographer to carry equipment without standing out, and will be finished in low-contrast matte black. Click through for details

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Think Tank launches Airport Helipak for Phantom Quadcopter

18 Dec

Camera bag manufacturer Think Tank Photo has announced a backpack designed specifically for photographers using Phantom Quadcopters paired with GoPro cameras. The Airport Helipak is said to accommodate DJI Phantom 2, Phantom 2 Vision or similar quadcopters with their accessories, along with a 15-inch laptop, small cameras such as GoPros, and personal effects. Read more

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Think Tank launches Perception and Digital Holster bags for mirrorless systems

04 Nov

USA bag brand Think Tank Photo has launched a collection of daypacks and a new holster designed specifically for mirrorless camera systems. There will be three new bags in the Perception series of small backpacks, and will be available in sizes that range from the Perception Tablet that is suitable for a body, lenses and a mini tablet, to the Perception Pro which holds a tablet, a 15-inch laptop and a large mirrorless body with a collection of lenses. Read more

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