thinkTank « 360Photography

RSS

Posts Tagged ‘thinkTank’

ThinkTank Vision 15 Camera Bag Review

24 Apr

The post ThinkTank Vision 15 Camera Bag Review appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Peter West Carey.

ThinkTank’s Vision 15 camera bag is one in a line of stylish camera and computer shoulder bags built for photographers who want a functional bag that looks good walking down the street. It’s designed for someone who wants easy access to their gear and isn’t looking for a backpack.

Key features

The Vision 15 has a host of features that I enjoyed while testing. These include:

Fits a DSLR mounted on a long lens

I love my 28-300mm L lens (the same size as a 70-200mm f/2.8 or 100-400mm L lens) and this bag does a grand job of storing it while attached. ThinkTank, in their literature, mentions leaving the camera unattached, but I found the combination just barely fits, with easy, quick access.

Canon 6D mounted with 28-300mm L lens alongside Canon 10-22mm lens

Side view with padding removed

Great organization for extras

Inside the spacious main compartment is space enough for a few lenses and speedlights. There are both vertical and horizontal padded dividers to protect your shorter lens stacked one on the other.

All the dividers have velcro on each side, so they can be attached to either long side of the bag or to other dividers. I usually travel with a long lens attached and a wide angle lens stored. This means I have room for: smaller Sony RX-100 V, waterproof cover (included with bag), battery pack for phone and tablet, glasses case, power brick for laptop and DJI Osmo Pocket. And there is still more room in there.

It can handle a portable office

If your bag is not just for your camera, but for all the other items you want with you on a shoot or day out of the office, this bag can carry most of it.

The Vision 15 can manage a 15″ laptop and a 10″ tablet. The laptop sleeve is padded on the back and bottom while the tablet slot is found on the zippered front pocket.

That front pocket has a host of other slots to hold pens, business cards, large phones, cables, and keys (with a tether and clip so that don’t get lost). And it still has ample pocket space for books, batteries, chargers and all the other little things that join you on the road.

An added bit of security to the main compartment

While the generous top flap of the bag keeps the elements at bay, a secondary zippered flap will help keep prying hands away. The flap has velcro to help hold it in place, meaning it will open when the main flap opens and close when it closes. Or zip up the inner flap for an added sense of security. It can also be tucked under the main flap to keep it out of the way for quicker access.

Expandable bottle holder

This little design aesthetic impressed me when I wasn’t expecting it to. Velcro keeps the bottle holder closed when not in use, reducing the chance that it will get caught on something. Plus it looks more stylish this way.

But when you need to hold your coffee or water bottle, just expand the pocket to one of two sizes for a (nearly) custom fit.

Tough, coated bottom

While the bag’s fabric is stylish and does a good job of resisting stains and water, the bottom is made of beefed-up waterproof tarpaulin. This tough option makes for easy clean up when the bag is placed in anything but the most pristine locations. A quick wipe with a damp cloth keeps it clean and your contents dry.

Front and back book/papers pockets

On the back of the bag is a large pocket for books or notebooks. This is a great spot to place quick-at-hand items, and I use it for my calendar and main notebook.

On the front of the bag is a smaller pocket. While you could fit a book in there, it presses against the organizer pocket behind it. While is looks good in photos, it’s not useful for thick items.

Generously padded shoulder strap and carry handle

The bag comes with two main modes of transport: a padded shoulder strap and a carry handle on top. The padding on the shoulder strap is generous and the strap itself has a wide range of adjustment for a variety of torsos. However, the top carry handle only works when you remember to clip the top flap shut. Still, it is a secure way to get the bag in and out of your car for a quick grab.

It fits easily under a seat on a plane

I’ve tested the bag under economy coach seats on 737s and smaller planes with ease. There is ample room and the bag doesn’t scratch along the underside of the seat.

Not so artful tripod holder

On a bag like this, the tripod attachment goes in the only location it can; on the bottom. ThinkTank uses their attachment straps (which can be removed when not in use, as shown above) to allow for a variety of tripod sizes. There’s really no other place for a tripod to go and the clips do an adequate job.

Roller Bag Passthrough

For those who love their roller bags for airports, the back of the Vision 15 has a slot for your roller bag handle to pass through.

Limits

While this bag has a lot going for it, I find the pockets get full fast. Even just throwing a Mindshift card wallet into the front pocket will expand it enough to press on the other pockets. Toss in a charger and Miops cable release as pictured above and you quickly start puffing the bag up, unlike a backpack-style bag.

Vision 15 with rain cover attached

Don’t expect to comfortably carry a full-size tripod on the bottom of this bag. The length would make things unwieldy. Also, with the tripod attached, you suddenly don’t have an easy way to set down the bag.

In use

I tested the bag in use on my job for a month, which included travel on four different flights up an down the West Coast. Its smaller form factor (compared to my normal backpack) is welcome as it packs into my car trunk easily and was effortless to remove, thanks to its clean lines and lack of straps like a backpack.

Opening and accessing contents is straightforward and I left the velcro attachment connected on the inside lid most of the time. Yet, when I had to set the bag down a couple of times in less than ideal situations, that inner zipper was nice to employ. I never did use the rain cover but I am glad they shipped the bag with a black cover to keep it stylish.

Conclusion

The ThinkTank Vision 15 is a very useful shoulder bag. While it can’t quite hold all I like to carry (no space for a drone), it holds all you need on a day-to-day basis when away from the office all day. It easily holds a long lens as well as battery packs, chargers, cards, tablet and laptop. It can easily handle four lenses and a flash, while the padded shoulder strap makes carrying that load bearable.

While the Vision 15 is sized for a 15″ laptop, they have two other, smaller sizes (which cut out the space for a tablet) that might fit your particular setup better.

The post ThinkTank Vision 15 Camera Bag Review appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Peter West Carey.

Digital Photography School

Comments Off

Posted in Photography

ThinkTank launches PhotoCross 15 rugged backpack

16 Apr

ThinkTank has announced the MindShift PhotoCross 15, a new rugged 20-litre backpack designed for toting photography gear around outdoors. The bag features an extra-large side panel alongside tripod straps, wide shoulder straps, a breathable 320G air-mesh back panel, customizable interior dividers and a seam-sealed rain cover.

The PhotoCross 15 is made with a variety of durable, weather-resistant external materials, including 420D high-density nylon and heavy-duty nylon Tarpaulin. The backpack’s interior features removable closed-cell foam dividers, as well as a polyurethane-backed velex liner, P210D liner and a polyurethane-coated 210T seal-sealed taffeta rain cover.

ThinkTank’s new bag can accommodate an ungripped DSLR with three to five lenses (including a 70-200mm F2.8 lens) and up to a 15-inch laptop. Zippered interior pockets can be used to store memory cards, spare batteries and other small accessories. Other features include a 1L water bottle pocket, front pockets and both top and side carrying handles.

The ThinkTank PhotoCross Backpack 15 retails for $ 169.99 USD in Carbon Grey and Orange Ember color options. This model joins the smaller PhotoCross 10 and 13 backpacks.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

ThinkTank updates Shape Shifter camera bags and offers ‘naked’ option

23 Aug

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_3303476890″,”galleryId”:”3303476890″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”standalone”:false,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”startInCommentsView”:false,”isMobile”:false}) });

Thanks to their use of individual pouches for camera bodies and lenses and the ability to expand their size, ThinkTank’s Shape Shifter camera bags are known to be among the most versatile in the business. Now ThinkTank has funneled years of feedback from photographers into an update and released a new generation Shape Shifter line.

The series consists of three models: the Shape Shifter 15, the Shape Shifter 17, and the Naked Shape Shifter 17. Like their predecessors all new bags compress down to only three inches when empty and can be expanded in line with the amount of gear you carry on a shoot. They also come with a detachable water pouch, YKK RC-Fuse zippers, a removable waist belt, a tripod attachment and a rain cover.

The Shape Shifter 15 holds a 15″ laptop, a DSLR, three lenses and a 12-inch tablet plus accessories. The larger Shape Shifter 17 is good for a 17-inch laptop, up to two DSLRs, four lenses, tablet and all the cables, lens caps and other accessories you need. The Naked Shape Shifter 17 is even more versatile, as you can configure the bag in exactly the way you prefer by inserting ThinkTank’s Skin Pouches and Lens Changers. The Shape Shifter 15 is available now for $ 250, the 17-inch model is $ 280 and the Naked version will set you back $ 220.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Review – The ThinkTank Photo Airport Roller Derby Bag

24 Jul

For those who know me, they know that I have a slight obsession with camera bags. There are just so many varieties; roller bags, backpacks, shoulder bags, etc., so it gets a little hard to get bored of them!

Recently though, I’ve been using a ThinkTank Photo Roller Derby bag as my everyday roller. Now, using a roller bag may not be ideal for everyone. But for people like me who need to transport a lot of kit, they are lifesavers! This isn’t the only roller bag I have, though. I also have a ThinkTank Airport Security V2.0 which is absolutely fantastic, too.

But why did I jump to a slightly smaller bag? The answer to that is simple: the ThinkTank Photo Airport Roller Derby bag has four wheels, whereas the Airport Security only has two. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it makes moving the bag around that much easier.

So before we begin the review, let’s take a look at the Roller Derby’s features as from the ThinkTank website:

OVERVIEW

Materials: Exterior

3D air mesh
3-ply bonded nylon thread
Polyurethane coating
1680D ballistic nylon
420D velocity nylon

Durable water-repellant (DWR) coating
YKK® RC Fuse (abrasion-resistant) zippers
Custom-designed, replaceable wheels with sealed steel bearings
Rubberized laminate reinforcement

Materials: Interior

Image courtesy ThinkTank

210D silver-toned nylon
Polyurethane backed velex liner & dividers
2x polyurethane coated nylon 210T seam-sealed rain cover
Closed cell foam & PE board reinforced dividers
Belly-O mesh pockets
3-ply bonded nylon thread

Specifications:

Internal Dimensions: 12.6” W x 18.5” H x 5.5–7.5” D (32 × 47 × 14–19 cm)
Exterior Dimensions: 14” W x 22” H x 9.0” D (35.6 × 55.9 × 22.9 cm)
Tablet Compartment: 10.5” W x 10.3” H x 0.6” D (26.7 x 26.1 x 1.5 cm)
Laptop Compartment: 10.5” W x 14.5” H x 1.0” D (26.7 x 36.8 x 2.5 cm)
Weight: 9.5–11.5 lbs (4.3–5.2 kg) depending on accessories used.

Additional Features:

Lock & cable to secure lockable zippers and tether the bag
3-ways to roll: upright at your side, back wheel tilt, or side wheel tilt
Seam-sealed rain cover included
Bottom handle for easy over head lifting
Tripod mount and water bottle pocket on side
2-position locking handle extends to 39–42” for better ergonomics when pushing
Interior zippered pockets for batteries, CF cards, filters and accessories
Top zippered pocket for wallet or cell phone
Rapid access side pocket for travel essentials
Reinforced back panel for increased durability
User replaceable wheels
Seam sealed rain cover included

Image courtesy ThinkTank

BUILD QUALITY

If you have used ThinkTank products in the past, you are most likely already familiar with the overall quality of their products. The ThinkTank Photo Airport Roller Derby bag is no exception. I have been using this bag almost everyday for the last eight weeks. It has been dragged through mud, wet grass, over gravel, been pulled in and out of my car, and been shoved around on public transport. Through all of this, not once have I had any issues with any of the wheels (they just keep going, no matter what!), and most importantly, my equipment has come out of it completely unharmed.

Wheels showing wear but mostly just scratches.

It’s been dragged a bit over concrete and other hard surfaces, and other than a few little scuff marks on its exterior, it’s perfectly fine and shows no sign of giving up any time soon. The telescopic handle feels more sturdy than the one on my other roller, and is easily pulled up and down for use. Most bags’ weakness appears first with the zippers; especially if you’re packing a lot of kit into the bag. However, the zippers used on this bag are no different to that of any other ThinkTank product. The zippers are easily opened and closed no matter how much equipment is packed in. In fact, I’ve yet to see any of the zippers across all my bags (yes, I have a few!) even begin to show any sign of strain.

Lockable Zipper

At the base of the bag, extending up the back a little way, is a tougher nylon cover which is perfect for protecting the material of the bag as you pull along; such as when going down stairs or whatnot. Internally, the bag is no really different to any other ThinkTank bag. The removable inserts provide ample protection for all of my kit. The rollers on the bag have also proven to be very durable. I’ve taken my bag through puddles, mud, wet grass, gravel – you name it – and all without a single problem.

What really helps the wheels is that there are actually eight wheels in total; two wheels on each castor. This helps spread the weight of the bag and its contents out more effectively, thereby reducing the strain on each individual wheel.

Image courtesy ThinkTank

Wheels

DESIGN

The design of the Roller Derby is very well thought out. The main camera compartment is easily accessible. The opening hinges across the bag, not up/down. This does make it easier to work with in smaller spaces, or out of the trunk of your car, as you don’t need much space to open it.

On the inside of the opening are three compartments where you can put extra items like memory cards, cleaning tools etc. On the front of the bag you’ll find there’s also a handy compartment to fit your laptop/tablet and other little bits and bobs too.

Image courtesy ThinkTank

If you need to leave your bag unattended, ThinkTank has you covered there, too. They have provided a cable, which is attached to the bag, and a lock which will enable you to lock the bag to an object so it’s more secure. The zippers to the main camera compartment are also lockable, so all your kit is safe; this is also perfect for air travel or public transport, for that little extra peace of mind.

The bag also ships with a rain cover which, I might add, is one of the easiest rain covers to put on bag! It covers the bag nicely and gives your equipment that extra level of protection from the elements.

Rain cover on

Image courtesy ThinkTank

IN USE

This has now become my go-to bag for day-to-day use. It’s smaller than my other roller bag, which makes it easier for fitting in to cars, on trains, etc., and is also easier to fit under a table in a media room. The four castor design makes it easier to put the bag under a table, and take it out again; without having to move myself about to maneuverer it. I can just simply push it under, or grab it out.

Here it is in the trunk (boot) of my car.

I’ve found the compact design of the bag to be very helpful when working in tighter spaces (some of the media rooms here in the UK are very ah….cozy!) as it doesn’t get in the way when I am unpacking my kit from it. Yet, despite its compact nature I can still fit my everyday required kit.

In this bag I can fit:

Two EOS 1-D series cameras
A 400mm f/2.8 lens
A 70-200 f/2.8 lens
A 16-35 f/2.8 lens

A 1.4x Teleconverter
Two 600-EX RT Canon Speedlites
Other little bits and pieces

CONCLUSION

I love roller bags, they work perfectly for my requirements. For me, this bag is a winner. It’s compact design, yet high carrying capacity, make this bag ideal for people who want to carry larger amounts of equipment easily. Here are my thoughts:

Who is this bag for:

This bag is ideal for people who want a bag that they don’t have to carry around. The wheels make transporting equipment so much easier. It’s particularly ideal for travel on public transport, as its compact design will easily fit in the luggage area of many trains, or next to you on the seat.

Who is this bag NOT for:

If you’re someone who needs to travel with a bag with them all the times, you may want to look outside roller bags. If you want to carry more equipment, this particular model may be a little too small as well.

Pros:

Empty, the bag is quite light for a roller bag, weighing in at 5kg (11 pounds). Its compact design makes it easier to store when you’re in transit and at home, and the wheels make it a lot easier to move around. A well thought out design makes the most of its compact size to fit a generous amount of kit inside.

Cons:

I wouldn’t say this is necessarily a con; rather just something to be aware of, but the 4-wheel design can mean the bag can tend to roll away if it’s left on a slope, so be careful of this! When using a large lens (such as a 400mm f/2.8 or 600mm f/4, etc.) with the hood on, you are no longer able to put a laptop in the laptop compartment in the front of the bag. The price may be a con for some if you’re not in the market for a bag that’s almost $ 400.

If you’re on the market for a good quality, durable, and ergonomic roller bag, I would strongly suggest you take a look at the ThinkTank Photo Airport Roller Derby!

googletag.cmd.push(function() {
tablet_slots.push( googletag.defineSlot( “/1005424/_dPSv4_tab-all-article-bottom_(300×250)”, [300, 250], “pb-ad-78623” ).addService( googletag.pubads() ) ); } );

googletag.cmd.push(function() {
mobile_slots.push( googletag.defineSlot( “/1005424/_dPSv4_mob-all-article-bottom_(300×250)”, [300, 250], “pb-ad-78158” ).addService( googletag.pubads() ) ); } );

The post Review – The ThinkTank Photo Airport Roller Derby Bag by Daniel Smith appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

Comments Off

Posted in Photography

ThinkTank introduces new ‘Airport Roller Derby’ bag

18 Jun

If you want to bring the intensity of a full contact sport to the way you transport your camera gear, ThinkTank’s new Airport Roller Derby bag may interest you. It’s a large rolling bag built to accommodate a 15-inch laptop, up to two standard DSLRs with lenses attached and six to seven standard zoom lenses or strobes. With four dual wheels it will roll upright, tilted back or on its side. Read more

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

ThinkTank StreetWalker HardDrive backpack review

26 Apr

A good photography backpack is capable of stowing essential elements like a full-size camera body, small family of lenses, laptop, tripod, and all necessary accessories. A truly great backpack can carry all of that while being carry-on friendly and providing a high level of comfort and adjustability. The minds at ThinkTank strove to bring that full package with the StreetWalker HardDrive photo backpack. But does it provide enough bang to justify its $ 229.75 price tag? Find out in our review

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

A Review of the ThinkTank Airport Commuter Camera Bag

09 Oct

If you’ve ever had to work your way through a busy airport with your gear, you know that an ordinary camera bag just isn’t going to cut it. Making sure everything is safely packed, moving through security, getting on and off your plane, working your way through yet another airport– it’s a challenge. Think Tank Photo addressed the challenge head-on not too long ago, when they introduced a new line of Airport Backpacks. The line includes (from biggest to smallest) the Airport Accelerator, Airport Commuter, and Airport Essentials, all of which meet U.S. and international carry-on standards. I’ve been putting the Commuter through its paces for the better part of a year, and– as someone who’s never owned a gear bag designed specifically around air travel– I’m really impressed.

As with all things Think Tank, the construction is impeccable. Heavy-duty zippers and stitching, comfortably padded straps and handles, as well as all of the pockets and compartments I’ve come to expect from Think Tank. While lots of pockets isn’t exactly innovative, Think Tank’s newer bags have also been designed with dedicated pockets for tablets or laptops. The Airport Backpack series is designed to hold both. The exterior-access pockets are also right where they do the most good, providing quick access to travel essentials like i.d., credentials, passports, boarding passes, and other travel necessities. A large side pocket is perfect for a bottle of water or paperback book.

All of that great exterior access doesn’t do you much good, though, if the interior doesn’t do its job well. Fortunately, the gear section of this bag is pretty remarkable. The two things I noticed while packing it were (1) how much it holds, and (2) how deep it is. Without doing any reconfiguring of the pre-installed dividers (OK…I removed one little one in the middle), I packed three bodies, five lenses, two speelights, a set of Pocket Wizards, and all of the cards, cords, batteries, gels, film, pens, business cards, m&m’s, and all of accessories I needed. And there was room for more.

Other “bonus features” include a locking security cable, removable waist belt, and tripod attachment straps. To be honest, I was a little disappointed by the tripod attachment. That great side pocket I mentioned earlier? That’s where the feet of the tripod go, but I never felt the tripod was truly secure. I’ll admit my tripod might be somewhat to blame– if it was more of a travel size or if it was carbon fiber I might feel differently.

The only other down side for me personally is that this is a lot of weight for my back. It is all very well-padded and evenly distributed, but my back’s not what it used to be. I’m hoping that an Airport 4-Sight rolling bag is somewhere in my future.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

A Review of the ThinkTank Airport Commuter Camera Bag

The post A Review of the ThinkTank Airport Commuter Camera Bag by Jeff Guyer appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

Comments Off

Posted in Photography

ThinkTank introduces TurnStyle sling bag

16 Aug

ThinkTank has announced a new sling-style camera bag. Called the TurnStyle, it’s available in three different models, the smallest of which is targeted to mirrorless camera owners. TurnStyle 5 is designed to hold a mirrorless body and up to four lenses. ThinkTank claims the larger TurnStyle 10 and TurnStyle 20 will hold a standard DSLR body and up to three and four lenses, respectively. All three are built with weather-resistant materials and include a rain cover. Click through for details.

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized