Do you like to take pictures? Do you like to be comfortable when lugging your gear around? Well, I have a few camera bag recommendations for you.
I recently had the opportunity to try out three camera bags provided by Think Tank Photo, a company started by two designers and two photographers in 2005.
As a loyal Lowepro user, I was skeptical I could find another camera bag I liked as much, but as soon as I unpacked the box I knew my loyalties were about to be challenged.
After looking through the Think Tank Photo web site, the three bags that caught my eye were:
- Retrospective 20 in Pinestone (left)
- Sling-O-Matic 10 (center)
- StreetWalker HardDrive (right)
Why these bags?
First, the Retrospective 20. I loved the subtle look of this messenger-style bag in a distressed, gray-green color, however the strap looked uncomfortable. I almost wrote it off by the photos, but figured it was worth a shot (see the pun, there?). It was a good size, after all.
The Sling-O-Matic 10 looked to be the most comfortable for carrying my gear on day trips. I prefer bags that only hold the essentials so I’m not tempted to bring too much stuff, and this bag seemed the perfect size. I own a Lowepro backpack and shoulder bag, but I’d never used anything like this design. I wondered if it was as convenient for grabbing gear on-the-go as it looked.
The StreetWalker HardDrive had the best name out of all the bags, but that’s not the only reason I wanted to try it. It looked to be the smallest bag that could carry a laptop, and although I normally use a portable hard drive to offload images, it would be nice to have the option to bring a small laptop along, particularly as an airplane carry-on. I also recently bought an Asus Netbook, so I knew I had the right equipment to test it out.
Typical gear I carry
For normal day-trips, I carry a Nikon D700 body, a 16-35mm f/4 VR lens, a 50mm f/1.4 lens, a flash, a portable hard drive (Wolverine is my current model), and maybe my old Nikon D70 body as a backup.
For longer trips, I might have an 80-200mm f/2.8 lens, my tripod, extra battery, extra CompactFlash card, and maybe a Netbook. (The Netbook is a nice-to-have item.)
In addition, I take any number of small accessories, such as flash gels I’m playing with, filters, a lens hood, various chargers, gray cards, a lens cloth, pen and paper, model releases if I’m feeling ambitious, and instruction manuals. I also usually force a bottle of water in there somewhere as well.
When I evaluate a camera bag, this is the gear I have in mind. From there I ask myself, would I want to carry this all day? How easy is it to get at my gear?
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Retrospective 20
Think Tank Photo description: “Inconspicuous, soft-sided shoulder bag with a simple exterior that blends into the environment. Carries 1 pro size DSLR plus 2 – 4 lenses. Taller size to fit a 70-200 f2.8 lens attached to camera.”
This is a beautiful bag.
I love that it doesn’t look like a typical camera bag, just a nice over-the-shoulder messenger bag with lots of padding and secret pockets. The site says it’s great for travel photographers and photojournalists, but you don’t even have to take yourself that seriously. This bag is great for the adventurous advanced amateur — someone who wants to carry their digital SLR around without drawing too much attention.
The attached rain cover is a huge advantage in a bag like this. Let me tell you a story about my trip to Tokyo. I had all my gear on my back and I was at a Buddhist temple. Clouds gathered, thundered clapped, and rain fell… If there hadn’t been a built-in rain cover in my bag I would have been screwed. Of course you don’t have to go to Tokyo to worry about the elements, but it does make a better story.
By the way, I’m happy to say I was wrong about the shoulder strap. It’s easily adjustable and very comfortable. This bag is incredible.
This is how you blend.
Note the barely visible zippered pouch on the back for easy document access. A good place to store model releases, maybe?
The top flips back to reveal a spacious interior.
Plenty of space inside for my digital SLR with an 18-35mm lens attached. I also stuck in my flash, portable hard drive, and a 50mm lens. I didn’t put the 80-200mm in, though it’d fit. I’d carry a small bottle of water instead.
Very cool built-in rain cover.
I am partial to having a spot for my pen and paper.
Very comfortable strap.
The Retrospective sells for $159 at the time of this posting.
Buy the Retrospective 20 (Full Disclosure: This is an affiliate link, so if you buy through it I get a commission.)
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Sling-O-Matic 10
Think Tank Photo description: “Industry’s first sling camera bag that “automatically” switches back and forth to either shoulder and still keeps gear access upright! Carries a DSLR, 70-200 f2.8 attached or 2-3 lenses and a flash.”
This was my favorite bag. My pictures don’t do it justice. It’s not quite a backpack, not quite a shoulder bag — it’s a sling bag. You wear it across your chest and then swing it around to unzip the side. It makes changing lenses a snap, and lets you grab your camera quickly.
You can also attach a tripod via the tripod straps, and a rain cover is included. Very nice.
I’m a big fan of this style.
Unpretentious, unprepossessing. I will hide your expensive camera equipment right out in the open and no one will suspect a thing.
What’s this? A single strap? That you can switch back and forth to either shoulder? Brilliant.
The paper insert shows you what your gear looks like in 2-D.
Bam! My hand and my camera body. The padded dividers are all adjustable and Velcro snugly to the sides.
You can carry a water bottle in this pocket.
Interior shown with included rain cover and straps.
The Sling-O-Matic 10 sells for $129 at the time of this posting.
Buy the Sling-O-Matic 10 (Full Disclosure: This is an affiliate link, so if you buy through it I get a commission.)
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StreetWalker HardDrive
Think Tank Photo description: “DSLR and a 70-200 2.8 with hood attached and 15” laptop.”
So this is a big bag. This is the bag I would take as a carry-on on a trip away from home. It has breathable, comfortable straps. It carries everything I need to carry, and more. I’m a little afraid of how much I can fit inside this thing.
Plus it’ll hold my laptop. The StreetWalker has a padded zippered pocket for a laptop up to 15.4″. It’s fantastic.
The only reason I would rate it slightly lower than the Sling-O-Matic is it’s not an everyday bag for me. It’s just too big. But it has the rain cover, it has the tripod pouch so you can easily carry your tripod on your back. It has lots of pockets and pouches, which I love. And I dig the shoulder harness that’s designed to adjust to both men and women.
An understated front. If you look closely, you can just see a zippered pocket protruding slightly on either side. This is where you can store your bottle of water.
Contoured shoulder harness, and breathable mesh liner to keep the back cool
Lots of space and movable padded dividers
Pretend my Diet Dr. Pepper is a refreshing bottle of water. See the stretchy side pocket in action.
Laptop not included. The pocket fits a laptop up to 15.4 inches.
A popout tripod pouch for carrying a larger tripod. A pouch like this comes in handy if you’re traveling or just going out to shoot fireworks.
A great spot to store pen and paper.
You can purchase a Pro Speed Belt to attach modular or multimedia components to the bag.
The StreetWalker HardDrive sells for $179 at the time of this posting.
Buy the StreetWalker HardDrive (Full Disclosure: This is an affiliate link, so if you buy through it I get a commission.)
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I like these bags so much I decided to sign up for Think Tank Photo’s Affiliate Program. I only do that if I can personally endorse a product or service.
My understanding is that Think Tank Photo is running a special where if you buy at least $50 worth of product through their site they’ll give you a free gift — you just have to go to their site using one of my links above or browse through this link directly.
If you end up getting a bag, let me know. (Click to e-mail me.). I’d love to hear if you like them as much as I do.
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Thanks for reading!
