On a photo trip to Portugal with the Think Tank Airport TakeOff v2.0
During a photo week in and around Lisbon, full of sightseeing, hidden gems on the coast, one thing proved invaluable: my Think Tank Airport TakeOff v2.0 rolling suitcase. Wheels that make you happy, shoulder straps that won't make your back protest, and a layout that feels like customisation. Standing at the airport, rolling through town or suddenly having to climb through unpaved terrain: this bag adapts. Everything fits in, everything stays in place.
About Michael Freitag
When Michael Freitag is not out and about in football stadiums, photographing weddings or taking portraits of people, he takes the opportunity to pass on his knowledge and experience to photo-crazy participants at the photo camp in Portugal with his wife Inga in the spring and autumn.
Which trolley do you take with you as hand luggage on photo trips?
The Think Tank Airport TakeOff V2.0 is a camera bag that can be carried as a trolley with wheels as well as a backpack. It accommodates 1 to 3 DSLR cameras, multiple lenses (including a 400mm f/2.8), a 17‘ laptop and a 10’ tablet. Its integrated backpack straps and comfortable carrying system make it ideal for travelling over both paved and rugged terrain.
On a photo tour of Lisbon
A week-long trek to capture Lisbon and its surroundings. From famous sights to rugged cliffs, deserted spots and quiet beaches. Not every path is passable, but my gear always has to go with me, and that's exactly where the Think Tank Airport TakeOff v2.0 excels.
This photo trolley's supple wheels mean it often rolls effortlessly with me. It's almost fun to manoeuvre it through Lisbon's old town or glide down the aisle in the plane. No dragging, just fun on the move.
"Due to smooth wheels of this photo trolley, it rolls effortlessly with you."
During photo camp, we often choose to visit places without roads or trails. That's part of the adventure. But I do want to have all my gear with me: my camera with the right lenses, my laptop and personal items. This trolley makes that possible. If the terrain becomes uneven, you can easily convert the Airport TakeOff V2.0 into a backpack so you can carry your stuff to the location.
Photo trolley as hand luggage on the plane
When I travel by plane, the Think Tank Airport TakeOff always goes with me. This is because I find it important to always have all my photographic equipment safely packed and with me. This makes the Airport TakeOff wheeled suitcase the perfect hand luggage for me. Thanks to its compact size, I have never had any problems taking my travelling companion on board any airline. Thus, my Airport TakeOff has already been to many places around the world. Besides my photographic equipment, I always have quick access to my laptop and travel documents. My 16" MacBook Pro fits perfectly in the front pocket and is well padded there, and there is also a padded pocket for my smartphone.
You can tell that designers are working on the development, and that photographers' needs are also being met. For example, I often use the steel cable with combination lock to secure my suitcase to an anchored object. This way, my suitcase is not easily taken away while ‘napping’ at the airport (table or chair), at the stadium (fence or LED sign) or on the train (seat holder or my leg).
Along Portugal's coast: hidden gems for photographers
Just below the 25 April Bridge in Lisbon, and under the watchful eye of Cristo Rei, lies a hidden piece of city. A deserted place, almost a ghost town, full of photogenic nooks and crannies. We only get close by car. But walking further? That's tricky.
Luckily, my wife and I have our Think Tank Airport TakeOff V2.0 with us. We roll it to wherever we can... and then comes the big advantage, why I love this trolley so much: in a few seconds, you turn this trolley into a backpack. Zip open, shoulder straps on - and go!
Don't think this is an emergency solution. The backpack is really comfortable. The back padding is thick and comfortable, the wide shoulder straps are adjustable and have anti-slip. So you walk effortlessly through deserted streets or rugged nature with your full photo equipment on your back.
What did I take with me in the Think Tank AirPort TakeOff V2.0?
Of course, what I take with me depends on the photographic assignment. For this shoot in a deserted part of Lisbon, I had my CANON R1 and CANON R5 MKII with me, along with three lenses: the CANON RF 70-200mm f/2.8, the RF 28-70mm f/2.0 and the RF 15-35mm f/2.8. Also going with me was the DJI Mini 4 Pro drone, including RC2 remote control. I also had a mini tripod, the Cable Management 10 V3.0, two CANON LP-E19 batteries and four LP-E6P batteries. For extra power a power bank, and for post-processing my 16-inch MacBook Pro. A cleaning brush, some writing utensils, a notebook and an ND filter set were not to be missed, of course. For the road, I put another Hanuta 3-pack and a 0.33-litre can of ginger ale in my bag.
And the great thing is: everything was logically and conveniently packed. No cramming, no fumbling. Thanks to the adjustable dividers with sturdy Velcro fasteners, everything stays firmly in place. Everything fits exactly - and I can reach it immediately if I need anything.
Why feeling is so important in camera gear
Haptics. What a beautiful word. It means: how you experience something through touch. And for me, that is super important. Because a good camera bag should not only be practical, it should also feel good.
The surface, the zips, the handles, the lining, the wheels, the trolley handle, the inner compartments... everything feels solid, stable and top quality. You notice immediately: this is not a cheap solution, this is made to work with. And if anything ever wears out, like the wheels or handle, you can simply replace those parts. Clever, right?
And you know what? When the trolley is new, it also smells great - like you know something beautiful is about to start.
What I haven't used yet, but of course did test, are the rain cover and the easy-to-attach tripod holder. Everything is included. No fuss, no extra purchases needed.
It really is my faithful travel buddy: my Think Tank AirPort TakeOff V2.
