Generally I write reviews only on one product, but this might change with this article. Quite frequently people ask me which camera bag I use and more over, which bag is having my preferences. This is a rather tough question, as the choice of a bag will be determined by the mission or goal and by the location of the reportage.
You will understand more after reading the below detailed list of bags which I frequently use under different circumstances.
# 1: Think Tank Airport Security V2.0
I will use this bag under two conditions, namely when I need to dispose of a lot of equipment and when I am sure about the existence of asphalted roads (no muddy festival grounds) on the location.
Filled, the bag weighs more than 30kg and rolls smoothly without any effort. The content is large enough to contain a Nikon AF-S VR 400mm F/2.8 and two reversed hoods on your camera. The depth is even high enough to place a Nikon AF-S VR II 70-200 F/2.8 lens upright in the bag.
The laptop front pocket is rather open, so I always prefer to first store the laptop into the Think Tank Artificial Intelligence and then secure with a steel cable of the front trolley. At the back of your bag you will find a steel cable to secure during stocking.
You also have an option to change the trolley into a backpack, but I would not recommend this for long hikes, as it is little comfort for your back and shoulders.
When you are traveling by airplane, you might encounter problems about the size with certain airlines, but with some persuasion you normally achieve to convince them.
My opinion: Great bag when you move around with a lot of equipment.
Click HERE for more info
© Think Tank
You will understand more after reading the below detailed list of bags which I frequently use under different circumstances.
# 1: Think Tank Airport Security V2.0
I will use this bag under two conditions, namely when I need to dispose of a lot of equipment and when I am sure about the existence of asphalted roads (no muddy festival grounds) on the location.
Filled, the bag weighs more than 30kg and rolls smoothly without any effort. The content is large enough to contain a Nikon AF-S VR 400mm F/2.8 and two reversed hoods on your camera. The depth is even high enough to place a Nikon AF-S VR II 70-200 F/2.8 lens upright in the bag.
The laptop front pocket is rather open, so I always prefer to first store the laptop into the Think Tank Artificial Intelligence and then secure with a steel cable of the front trolley. At the back of your bag you will find a steel cable to secure during stocking.
You also have an option to change the trolley into a backpack, but I would not recommend this for long hikes, as it is little comfort for your back and shoulders.
When you are traveling by airplane, you might encounter problems about the size with certain airlines, but with some persuasion you normally achieve to convince them.
My opinion: Great bag when you move around with a lot of equipment.
Click HERE for more info
© Think Tank
# 2: Think Tank Streetwalker Hard Drive
The second bag, the Think Tank Streetwalker Hard Drive, is a backpack, which rarely gets stowed away into my closets as I really use it for each concert or festival.
The bag looks small, but permits to store an insane amount of equipment. Even the Nikon AF-S VR 400mm F/2.8 fits into the bag. Under normal circumstances, I insert two pro bodies with four lenses from 16 to 300mm & some converters and even then, there is sufficient storage room for a 15" laptop.
My opinion: The day that this bag is stolen or broken, I'll purchase immediately a new one !
Click HERE for more info
© Think Tank
The second bag, the Think Tank Streetwalker Hard Drive, is a backpack, which rarely gets stowed away into my closets as I really use it for each concert or festival.
The bag looks small, but permits to store an insane amount of equipment. Even the Nikon AF-S VR 400mm F/2.8 fits into the bag. Under normal circumstances, I insert two pro bodies with four lenses from 16 to 300mm & some converters and even then, there is sufficient storage room for a 15" laptop.
My opinion: The day that this bag is stolen or broken, I'll purchase immediately a new one !
Click HERE for more info
© Think Tank
# 3: Think Tank Shape Shifter
The Shape Shifter from Think Tank is also a backpack, but it is no ordinary backpack. In a normal backpack you would expect an open box that is distributed with velcro dividers. This bag is completely different. The Shape Shifter has in the inner compartment sufficient space for two bodies and three lenses. Even the Nikon AF-S VR II 70-200 F / 2.8 as largest lens fits in the sleeves.
You should however know that bigger lenses do not fit into this backpack, neither a body with lend. This might be a disadvantage but in practice and in my particular case, this is not hindering me and quite frankly, I must admit that I use the Shape Shifter very often.
As the lenses can’t stay on your camera, the bag remains fairly flat. No one believes that it is photo-bag. Therefore when you are looking for a backpack during your next active holiday, simply choose for this backpack.
My opinion: Try it and you'll love it :)
Click HERE for more info
© Think Tank
You should however know that bigger lenses do not fit into this backpack, neither a body with lend. This might be a disadvantage but in practice and in my particular case, this is not hindering me and quite frankly, I must admit that I use the Shape Shifter very often.
As the lenses can’t stay on your camera, the bag remains fairly flat. No one believes that it is photo-bag. Therefore when you are looking for a backpack during your next active holiday, simply choose for this backpack.
My opinion: Try it and you'll love it :)
Click HERE for more info
© Think Tank
# 4: ThinkTank Pro Speed Belt with lens cases
After the trolley and bags, I also occasionally use a belt with attached lensbags. Particularly when photographing active sports like a marathon or bike race where you have to sit on a motorbike and even jump off regularly, it can be very convenient to have your equipment with you.
The Pro Speed Belt gives you more than 10 loops to attach a lens cases or pouches. The placement of your bags in the beginning requires some research, but once they are fitted, everything is within reach of your hands.
My opinion: Very useful solution for certain types of photography.
Click HERE for more info about the belt
Click HERE for more info about the lens cases
© Think Tank
© Think Tank
After the trolley and bags, I also occasionally use a belt with attached lensbags. Particularly when photographing active sports like a marathon or bike race where you have to sit on a motorbike and even jump off regularly, it can be very convenient to have your equipment with you.
The Pro Speed Belt gives you more than 10 loops to attach a lens cases or pouches. The placement of your bags in the beginning requires some research, but once they are fitted, everything is within reach of your hands.
My opinion: Very useful solution for certain types of photography.
Click HERE for more info about the belt
Click HERE for more info about the lens cases
© Think Tank
© Think Tank
# 5: Lowepro Super Trekker AW II
Finally a huge backpack : the Lowepro Super Trekker AW II. This backpack has been taken out of production for a while, but it is remains great for people with a lot of equipment or for those having very large lenses (600 or 800mm lenses).
I bought this bag when I owned a Nikon AF-S VR 600mm F/4 lens. The interior is large enough for such a lens even when a hood is mounted. In dusty areas (as nature reserves in Africa), you don’t want to change any lenses, so this might be a very good solution for you.
The harness system is very handsome. The filled backpack can weight more than 40kg and you don’t feel it on your back or shoulders. Everything is meticulously adaptable so that the entire weight rests on your hips (as it should be).
Do you really want to possess this backpack : Look on secondhand sites and perhaps you will be so lucky to find one.
My opinion: Do you intend to walk with all your stuff? No problem, you can do it with this backpack.
Did you have any questions about these (or other) bags, feel free to ask.
Sincerely,
Sven Michiels
Finally a huge backpack : the Lowepro Super Trekker AW II. This backpack has been taken out of production for a while, but it is remains great for people with a lot of equipment or for those having very large lenses (600 or 800mm lenses).
I bought this bag when I owned a Nikon AF-S VR 600mm F/4 lens. The interior is large enough for such a lens even when a hood is mounted. In dusty areas (as nature reserves in Africa), you don’t want to change any lenses, so this might be a very good solution for you.
The harness system is very handsome. The filled backpack can weight more than 40kg and you don’t feel it on your back or shoulders. Everything is meticulously adaptable so that the entire weight rests on your hips (as it should be).
Do you really want to possess this backpack : Look on secondhand sites and perhaps you will be so lucky to find one.
My opinion: Do you intend to walk with all your stuff? No problem, you can do it with this backpack.
Did you have any questions about these (or other) bags, feel free to ask.
Sincerely,
Sven Michiels
