Think Tank Retrospective. Great shoulder bags for everyday use
As a videographer and photographer, I often have to carry heavy equipment. Good camerabags are essential. Over the years I have collected a number of different bags, and a few stand out as favourites. The Think Tank Retrospective 7 and Retrospective 40 are definitely among them!
About Riske de Vries
Riske is one of the two video makers behind the “Videomakers” (left in the picture). The Videomakers run the largest Dutch-language YouTube channel about making videos, offer online courses for video makers and photographers, and do film and photo commissions.
My Experience with the Think Tank Retrospective bags
I have two camerabags from the Think Tank Retrospective line: the 40 (green) and the ThinkTank Retrospective 7 (blue). The first one I bought was the Retrospective 40. I chose this bag because I found it very practical to have easy access to my stuff while filming and shooting, so I often carried it on my shoulder during holidays or assignments where I had to walk a lot.
The look of the bag also played a big part. I like the fact that this bag does not scream 'camera bag', which many other camerabags do. This certainly makes me feel a little safer on holiday, as it is less obvious that I am carrying expensive equipment. I also liked how big the Retrospective 40 was, which meant I could actually carry a lot in it.
Think Tank Retrospective 7: The perfect Travel Companion
At the same time, I found the size to be a disadvantage. I found that it was sometimes too big for what I was buying it for, and that I just wanted a smaller model for holidays. That's why I bought the Think Tank Retrospective 7. It holds a system camera and lens, plus two extra lenses. Or an extra lens, a bottle of water and a sandwich. Perfect!
The Think Tank Retrospective 7 in particular has accompanied me on many trips in the (more than) 10 years that I have had it, often carrying it for whole days on excursions and hikes. These days, I sometimes prefer a backpack, depending on the type of trip. So, in addition to the Think Tank Retrospectives, the Peak Design backpack is a regular companion.
It holds a system camera and lens,
plus two extra lenses.
Professional use: film assignments and equipment management
As well as holidays, I regularly use the Think Tank Retrospective 40 for film assignments where I have a lot of equipment to carry. My large film camera (first the Sony FS7 and now the Sony FX6) usually goes in a slightly larger square bag, but there are times when I want to be more mobile and a Retrospective is more practical. With the Retrospective, if I want to, I can remove the compartments inside the bag and turn the inside into one big compartment. And the Sony FS7 just fits in there! Ideal for shoots that require more mobility, or when I need to carry more cameras and other equipment, so I have to use all my camerabags.
Innovative Features: Customizable pockets and quiet velcro closure
What I also like about the bags is that they are really well-thought-out. They both have compartments on the back for laptops and/or tablets, which I sometimes take with me on film shoots. There are plenty of dividers to spread your stuff around the bag, and you can also arrange the dividers in the main compartment yourself, as they are Velcro fastened and easy to move (or remove).
Finally, the Velcro closure on the flap is quick and easy to use, but you can also make it silent if you want by sticking the Velcro 'closed' in the 'sound silencer' position. This allows you to open your camerabag without making a sound, especially at times when silence is desired.
Conclusion
All in all, I am still very happy with my choice of Think Tanks, although I no longer use them in every situation. After many years of use, they have only begun to look tougher due to some fraying and staining, but they are still as strong and reliable as they were on day one.
Note: the Think Tank Retrospective range today consists of the Retrospective 4 v2.0, Retrospective 5 v2.0, Retrospective 7 v2.0, Retrospective 10 v2.0, Retrospective 20 v2.0 and the Retrospective 30 v2.0, all available in black and pinestone.
