Opinions on Think Tank Gear

[Larry Placido]

Here's my question...

For all those that use Think Tank gear on a daily basis, I was wondering what you like and what you would change with their gear... My dilemma is like most of you, I've spend a ton of money on various bags of sizes, shapes, etc. Now, I have gear that I don't even use any more.... It now gathers dust.

I want to be as versatile with my gear as possible... Just FYI, I shoot mainly sports if thats of help to you... Any comments, recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
~Larry

[David_Buzzard]

I just got one of their lens changer 75 belt pouches, and I really like it. It's the best belt pouch for 70-200 lenses I've seen yet.

David Buzzard's Technical Blog

[DierkHaasis]

I use an Airport Addicted and the Urban Disguise 40, both are well thought through, dispense with some of the more trendy, superfluous features one finds with LowePro and other competitors in favour of some very handy and sensible ones. The built quality is very, very good, I like it better than LowePro's but that's nothing scientific.

With the AA I haven't yet found anything to change though I could easily lose some of the additional pockets. The UD is definitely one of the best photo bags I've ever seen, it is relatively simple [again, I could easily lose the so called 'organiser'] with small outer dimensions but a lot of space inside. It could be slightly deeper, the D2x [or a D200 with MB attached] fits but its a very close call. I'd also like it to come with an optional steadying strap á la Timbuk2 courier bags to use it on the bike. Since Think Tank offers an easy to attach backpack system, and there are enough metal D-rings to connect two normal shoulder straps, it's not a real downside.

For a sports photographer the TT belt system makes a lot of sense is equally well thought out and built. I just don't lose it for the usual reasons: makes one too wide, isn't particularly good suited to motorcycling and biking.

[Martin_Doudoroff]

I have Think Tank's Speed Freak. It has been a delightful bag. No bag is perfect for every situation, but its dimensions and key features—belt mode, front-hinged top, reconfigurable compartments—have served me superbly for a couple years now. I haven't yet tried out any modulus attachments with it, because doing so implies using the belt full-time, which I don't do.

Construction quality and value for dollar is outstanding. My only quibbles:
1) I wish the process for extracting and stowing the belt could be more efficient.
2) I wish I looked less ridiculous when wearing the pack as a belt.

Think Tank might be able to do something about #1 by employing velcro, but #2 is probably beyond their powers.

[NillToulme]

I have the TT Airport Security roller. It's absolutely superb. On my most recent return from Montana I think I had more or less the following in it:

400 f/2.8L IS with hood reversed and leather cap in place (but with Wimberley replacement foot instead of stock foot)
1Ds Mark II body
400D body with Sigma 18-200 OS attached
16-35L
100-400L IS
15mm f/2.8 fish
1.4x and 2x converters in pouches
580ex flash in pouch
400D battery grip
400D charger in pouch
Wimberley Sidekick in soft wrap
Dell 12" laptop with power cord/brick & cordless mouse
4 fly reels in pouches
Compact Zeiss binocs
A Confederacy of Dunces in hardback
Various odds & ends

Strapped to the side was my Gitzo 1325 tripod with RRS BH-55 head in the TT Bazooka carrier, with three fly rods in metal tubes strapped to it in turn. This works well until I've got rid of my checked baggage and get to security, at which point I pull it off and sling it over my shoulder.

The bag slides nicely into the overhead bin, top first, once I remove the laptop and book from the front pouches. If I ever drop it on somebody's head I'll need all my liability insurance though.

TT's slightly smaller (about 1" each way) version of same for international flight rules is the Airport International.

The Bazooka is a very tight fit on my 1325/BH-55, but usable and accordingly as compact as possible. TT has since come out with a larger size to accommodate the larger pods.

Nill
~~
www.toulme.net

[DierkHaasis]

Originally Posted by NillToulme

The Bazooka is a very tight fit on my 1325/BH-55, but usable and accordingly as compact as possible. TT has since come out with a larger size to accommodate the larger pods.

That's right, I totally forgot: I, too have a Bazooka, the Big Bazooka. It should work very well with the 13-series by Gitzo, probably even with an unmodified* 15-series. Despite it's name it is rather small on the outside as are all TT products.

*I had to put in new handles on the leg locks of my very old Gitzo; it now fits only just:

[David Barry]

I have been a fan of TT gear since I bought my first belt system from them. I mistakenly bought the wrong size belt (too optimistic!) and e-mailed them to see what they could do. Not only did they get a new belt out to me straight away to the out of town address I was leaving for, but were happy to trust me to send back the original when I got back from the shoot I was going on. Doug Murdoch answers e-mails personally, and they are just great to deal with.

As far as the quality of the gear is concerned I think it is excellent. All the components are top notch, and the designs are incredibly well thought out for a photographer.

I have a belt system which, although it does make one amazingly fat, does let you carry a bunch of items on your person without restricting your movements. The interchangeable pouches mean you can have just enough places for what you need for that occasion. One additional use I have found for the belt system is for traveling on commuter jets where you have to check your backpack, in my case an Airport Extreme. I have everything packed in the AE which quite happily goes through security and is easy to carry (with my empty belt system over my shoulder as my second item), and then at the gate I transfer the items I want to keep with me to the belt system, take the really convenient laptop case (which has space for papers and a paperback)out of the back of the AE, check the AE plane side, and wear the belt on to the plane. The belt easily fits in any overhead and the laptop bag under any seat. If you travel internationally, the belt also gives you the chance to bypass some of the carry-on rules, as something that is on your person can be argued as not being a carry-on, just like the coat you are wearing over the belt.

I also have an Urban Disguise 50, which I haven't used a great deal as the amount of stuff it holds doesn't seem to fit my needs as often as I thought it would. The design is again, very clever, and being able to have two full size bodies and three lenses in such a discrete bag is neat. The material is different to the AE and I am not quite so fond of it.

For those occasions when you just want to go off with a full size body and a lens, the Digital Holster is a must have. I have the 40 size which will take a full size body with the lens attached. The really clever part is that it has a zippered telescoping extension that allows you to have a small and large bag in one. With the extension zipped up I can have my 24-70 2.8 on with the lens hood reversed. If I open the extension I can have the lens hood on the 24-70 extended ready to shoot, or, which is the really nice thing, have my 70-200 2.8 on with the hood reversed, which otherwise is a difficult combination to protect on its own. I know the Canon 1Ds and L lenses are made to take a lot of wear and tear, but throwing the body with a 70-200 2.8 onto the back seat of the car without some protection is something I'll avoid if I can!

In summary, excellent gear, well made, well designed, and with excellent customer service, highly recommended.

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