Think Tank Speed Demon, System Beltpack for DSLR's and Accessories

2012-01-15T19:00:00

As a nature photographer in Alaska, I never know what might present itself. The idea that was presented to me for this product is its size. "This bag will keep you from dragging all your gear along." That's fine if you have a structured shoot in mind like when I have done "product" shots for the local diner. Most of my outdoor work consists of scenics, macro and wildlife all in the same outing. I love all of the ways to configure this bag, but it's never big enough for me. I tend to bring too much gear along, and that's why I bought this bag – to impose some discipline. I discovered when I don't bring a bunch of stuff, I have to make-do with a less than optimal setup. Alaska is big. The distances can be great and the wildlife dangerous, so I need three lenses, a passel of filters and a flash. It's a truly wonderful bag in form and function, but not as a primary bag on an outing. Maybe 4 stars is not fair, but the 5th star wouldn't fit in the bag!

Dale P.

2012-01-09T19:00:00

Great bag, but not for full-size DSLR like Nikon D700 - its just too small for a D700 with a lens.

Robert B.

2012-01-02T19:00:00

Nice Fit and Finish

PAUL T.

2012-01-01T19:00:00

I've used this bag a few times to carry my Nikon D7000 plus a couple lenses but I've found it most useful to carry lenses & flashes since I usually have my camera out for shooting. This is much less bulky & easier to quickly access than a backpack when I am on the move.

BYRON D.

2011-10-23T21:00:00

i have a lot of camera bags, and i got this think tank to be a small bag for a travel or walking bag for either a complete m43 kit / rangefinder kit, or an APSC DSLR w/ 1-2 lenses. build quality is outstanding. much better than Tamrac or Lowepro here are my thoughts: 1) Size - fits D90 with kit zoom, small compact telephoto and possibly a prime lens. it is NOT for full-frame. Not for APS-C w battery grip. Perfect for mirrorless camera with 2-3 pancakes and a kit zoom or so. i.e. E-PL2 with 20 1.7, 14 2.5, kit zoom, and maybe 45 2.8 macro or something similar. 2) comfort - sits well on the hip. I do not like this as a shoulder bag. the bag itself is a bit bulky for it. best as a hip pack. 3) very accessible. side pockets and unique top zipper access are great. in summary: Buy this if: -- you like to travel light -- you use rangefinders (can fit M9 with 50mm summicron, 90mm elmarit, and 28 or 35mm summicron. can also fit m43, or Samsung NX100 with 20mm 2.8, 30mm f/2, 20-50mm 3.5-5.6 and 50-200mm 4-5.6 -- you like to take a small consumer grade SLR with 2 smaller lenses Do NOT buy this if: - you have a full frame camera - you like to travel with f/2.8 pro-level zooms - you like to have a battery grip attached. - you want to use this as a shoulder bag.

John S.

2011-01-18T19:00:00

This bag is very well built. Very comfortable when strapped on my waist and my gear is easily accessible. I do find it protrudes too much in front of me and I initially bought it for wedding work but may reconsider due to its size. A great bad non the less but seeing it in reality was a surprise in size. I will certainly consider other products from "Think Tank" as I can see the craftsmanship is top notch and the ideas are well thought of.

MARK C.

2010-07-25T21:00:00

BEST camera bag I've found yet. My problem has been neck strain when carrying a DSLR around all day on vacation. Shoulder bags don't help (slip/slide off shoulder and create shoulder strain). Backpacks don't allow easy/quick access to your camera when you need it. The Speed Demon solves that. First, it has a padded waist strap (no cutting into you). Strap it to your waist (no shoulder/back strain) and it opens AWAY from you, for easy flip-up access to your camera. Pull it out, shoot, put camera away in well-padded case when done. If you're like me and always want a strap around your neck when shooting (in case you drop the camera) but don't want to be taking it on and off your neck every time you put the camera down, the thing to do is put a long strap on your camera and use this bag. When not shooting, you leave the camera strap around your neck and insert the camera into the bag. The bag supports the camera and relieves the weight from your neck. Plenty of room in the bag for a one-day shoot. I can get a Nikon D90 w/18-105 lens in this bag along with an extra zoom lens or SB-600 flash. If I remove the padded insert, I can even store the D90 in it with a battery pack attached, for extended shooting. The bag also has a handle and shoulder strap, in case you want to carry it one of those ways. And to top it off, the bag has tons of compartments with easy-to-pull zippers, and it includes a waterproof rain cover. Best bag there is for carrying around a DSLR all day without muscle strain. Highly recommend it!

FRED C.

2010-05-23T21:00:00

Fits my 7d and 24-105 nicely for traveling around. If I needed to fit more I could just add onto the waist belt. Really nice system. I throw this bag into my climbing bag for trips and it keeps it separated and protected from all the other equipment.

jamison_travels

2010-02-20T19:00:00

The Think Tank Speed Demon is a super-comfortable belt-bag for those who wish to economize on the gear they will be carrying. With its extremely wide belt, the bag carries very well, without any significant discomfort. It stays in place, unlike so many others, without any tendency to slip downwards. It's not for super-long telephotos, but will carry all that any reasonable photographer needs for a day that include much walking around. It will easily hold a Nikon D90 with a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lens, and has the additional room for a Nikkor 35-70 f2.8 lens and a high-speed standard lens. If the shooter intends to keep the camera outside the bag, it will also carry an additional lens. There is more than enough room for polarizers and graduated neutral density filters, as well as the micro-fiber lens cloth. I must say that it exceeded my expectations, and it is thus the bag I generally take for any shoot that doesn't require a super-heavy pro telephoto (which would be too large for the bag). There is simply nothing about the bag that I don't like!

RM G.

2009-09-25T21:00:00

Its a small hip bag that comfortably fits my D90 with a wide-angle zoom (12-24mm) and a tele zoom (55-200mm). In this configuration there is plenty of space for a few filters, a SB400 flash, extra batteries etc. Adding a normal lens is possible, but then things start to get a bit cramped. That can be a bad thing or, as in my case, a benefit because it forces me to decide what I really want to take along (Think Tank makes them bigger too, I deliberately chose the smaller version). The bag is well-built, offers plenty of padding and protection and, important here in the NE, the raincover really works.

CHRISTOPH G.