Ok- so let's jump right in and get to it. For starters, everything I have ever seen from Think Tank very well made. From pulling it out of the shipping box it just screams quality. Even the little details- internal zippers have pockets to slide into at the end of their tracks so they won't scratch your gear. There is an included rain cover. The waist belt is adjustable and removable if you don't use it (also can be replaced with a beefier one that is part of their modular system, if you need more capacity for some reason)
This is not your everyday carry around and shoot out of bag. This is the bag I use as a storage locker for all my gear, as well as to travel loaded for bear. Pretty much all my gear other than reflectors, umbrellas, stands and tripods lives in this bag full time, so if I have to head out quick I don't have to think, I can just grab the whole enchilada and go.
My normal configuration and loading for the bag:
D4 with 24-70mm attached, hood on and in shooting position
D3200 with 17-55mm hood reversed
70-200 with hood reversed
50mm
35mm
SB910 with stand and all factory filtersSB710 with stand and all factory filters
Two carry speed straps
Phottix Odin trigger system with two remote units and main controller
Full gel sets for each flash
Spare batteries for both cameras as well as for flashes and remotes
Honl 8in traveller soft box
Business cards, memory cases and cards, and lots of assorted odds and ends.Not visible but also inside when traveling are my 15in macbook pro and my ipad mini, as well as card readers, battery chargers and power cables for all.
So, all that and without even working too hard on the organizational system there is still one bay left over that will hopefully soon be filled by a 14-24mm. The bag probably weights around 30lbs fully loaded, but it is well balanced and feel much lighter on the back. I wouldn't want to lug it around for days straight, but it was no problem at all running through the ticket counter lines, security lines and all over several airports between San Diego and Rhode Island and back. The only gripe I can even halfway make is that when it's fully loaded the laptop pocket is a little tight and I had to pull out the soft box, slide the laptop in, then slide the soft box back in. The only problem I have had with the bag is that I didn't pay attention one time when I just shoved the computer in really hard and fast and the corner of my spreck cover caught the edge of the laptop pocket and tore the lining. I am actually quite sure Think Tank would repair or replace this under warranty if I asked, but since it was totally my fault for not paying attention I haven't asked. It wasn't poor construction, it was fabric versus a sharp cornered edge.
So- you can fit everything except the kitchen sink into this bag. For the trip to Rhode Island, instead of carrying a second bag for personal stuff, I left out the D3200 and used that section to carry my toiletries, an external drive I needed while I was there, sunglasses and a few other personal effects. I used the tripod pocket as a water bottle pocket and made it my sole carry on. It is primarily a backpack, so obviously it has backpack straps. There is also a beefy grab handle on the top of the bag as well as another grab handle on the side opposite the tripod pocket, which was very helpful when tossing the fully loaded beast into the overhead compartment.
As you can see, there are also a couple of D rings and loops on the shoulder straps to attach other gear. Think Tank also makes a camera strap that attaches to these D rings in case you do want to use this as your working bag. If I had to, I could see reconfiguring this bag to carry a limited amount of gear and split off some space for clothing/etc and use this as a sole bag for a weekend getaway and daypack.
So- the bag holds a lot. You get that. But it is designed and marketed primarily as an airline travel bag. Think Tank says this bag meets all international and domestic carry on requirements. For once I actually used the little size tester at the counter just so I could comment on the result in this review- yes, it fits. It fit easily into the overhead compartments on both the regular and short hop planes I took. But, what happens if the overhead bins are full of other people's luggage, or something random, like a flight attendant? (not making this up, it was her way of staying out of the way while people boarded... southwest seems to value creativity in their hiring process....)
It definitely fits under the middle seat with enough space left for my 5'7" frame to have some leg room left. The middle and isle seats were another matter. It fit, but it was longways and there was no leg room. Short answer- kick the flight attendant out and get an overhead bin spot and you are fine. Otherwise, if you are short like me it's still workable under the seat if you have to do it.
So, it holds a lot of gear and it fills it's primary advertised function of flying as carry on luggage. There are still a few more features. The top of the bag has a pocket that is perfect for business cards. There is a key fob strap/clip and organizer pockets for pens and the like in the exterior pockets. There is a specific iPad designed pocket as well. The bag is also set up to carry a tripod. There is a stretch pocket on the side of the bag for the tripod feet, and several loops up the full side of the bag that are designed to use with an included velcro strap to secure the top of the tripod. On the trip, I only used the stretch pocket to carry a water bottle, but I have tested my full size tripod and it works just fine with the system. Two out of three legs in the stretch pocket and the strap around the top. An even better and quicker solution is to use a mini tripod like the MeFoto Backpacker, which eliminates the need for a strap and carries just fine using only the stretch pocket. (if I left out the 70-200 or reconfigured a bit, I could easily fit it into the inside of the bag as well). In the image below you can see the loops for the velcro tripod strap where you could secure the top of a full size tripod. The velcro strap is included, but is removeable so it isn't dangling when you aren't using it.
The last little feature of the bag is a built in cable lock system.
You can set your own combo, and it is designed basically to lock around a table leg or something and into the main zippers of the camera compartment. It's a think cable, wouldn't really stop someone with wire cutters or probably even EMT shears and a desire to take your bag. I guess it would provide a deterrent from a simple grab and run theft if you were in a coffee shop, or if you clipped it to something while you were on location shooting. But really, if I was going to get up in a coffee shop or airport bar and head to the restroom, I would sling the bag onto my back and take it with me. If I was worried about where I had to leave it during a shoot, again, it would be on my back. As long as it is in my sight, I am comfortably certain that if anyone does try to grab it and make a run for it, the bag is heavy enough that I will be able to catch up to them easily. And if anyone can manage to outrun me while carrying that bag loaded with all my gear- they can have it, I wouldn't want to mess with the person who could do that anyway unless I had a really big gun. But it is there, and maybe others might find it more useful than me.
So, the bag has so far survived an inquisitive, drool monster toddler, two cross country flights and three festivals. It hold a hell of a lot of gear while remaining easy to carry and handle. It works well as a carry on bag and fits anywhere you need it to on the plane. It can be added to if you need to bring the kitchen sink with you as well and even has a lock if you are into luggage shibari. It isn't cheap, but quality never is. It's a purchase I have not regretted for a second and I have a feeling that the bag is going to last for longer than the gear in it will.
Oh, and for the record, when I sent Think Tank the images of the little dragon climbing all over the bag, they sent me a free memory case in return- but other than adding to my already great impression of the company, that free gift in no way biased this review.
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