2012-05-04T21:00:00
Rated 1 out of 5
Poor execution of a promising design
I've been a semi-pro photographer since the mid 1980's and have owned several bags from other manufacturers (Tamrac, Tenba, Lowepro, etc.) and was really intrigued by this design from Think Tank. I shoot Nikon equipment and needed a bag that would hold my laptop and large bodies and lenses. Being able to access the equipment quickly was important to me and this bag seemed like it would be a perfect solution.
Unfortunately, it isn't. I was very disappointed in this bag from Think Tank for several reasons. From a design perspective, it simply doesn't work. It's not designed for pro Nikon bodies or even a D300 w/ grip... and a laptop. It's just too tight. I can manage to use the bag with my Nikon's, but not while packing a laptop. I was also very disappointed in the quality control of the construction. The stitching was off in several areas and even one of the Think Tank logos was sewn on crookedly, which really surprised me given the reputation of this company. The idea of switching shoulders is good until you actually use it. Since the front/back of the bag has to be identical because of its reversible design, they tried to keep both sides flat, but this results in poor storage options. There's no place for miscellaneous items (even chargers, card readers, lens cleaners, etc.) all of the pockets are so tight any items that are not extremely thin bulge awkwardly. So the only option is to put those items in the main compartment in a separate space created by the dividers, but the items are still jumbled together and difficult to access and impossible to organize.
When loaded the bag hangs awkwardly and they provided a strap that comes out of the bottom of the bag to attach to the shoulder to stabilize and lift the bag. This design seemed like an afterthought and doesn't work well. It's as if they designed this bag based on style and design concept and never actually used or tested the bag.
Richard H.
2012-04-26T21:00:00
Rated 2 out of 5
Intriguing idea, but poor design details
I was expecting a lot more from this bag and from Thinktank. It's a neat concept and I really liked the idea of switching right/left shoulders easily, but it just doesn't work in real life. Too many compromises result from trying to create an interchangeable front/back. Furthermore it doesn't fit a Nikon Pro body. Oh, it might if you don't have a laptop in the bag and if you pack it loosely, but even then it does NOT fit comfortably and is difficult to remove quickly (the whole point, right? otherwise you'd have a different bag.)
I was also disappointed with the quality of the construction, which really surprised me considering what I read about Thinktank. The logo was stitched on crooked; in several places the stitching was off; and the fabric and padding isn't consistent -- in some areas it's very good, in others it just feels cheap. And this isn't really a cheap bag.
From a practical design perspective, this bag is just one mistake after another. It hangs very awkwardly when fully loaded. It's as if someone got carried away with the idea and style, but never actually used the bag. The flat pockets are almost completely useless as any items bulge awkwardly. There are no nifty pockets for organizing anything such as chargers, batteries, pens, remote's, cords, filters, etc. so everything is jumbled together in the cavernous main compartment.
And, btw, this isn't a knee-jerk reaction. I bought this bag 6 months ago and have used it countless times since then. It has been durable and protected my equipment well, but its issues and problems far outweigh its benefits. I doubt I'll try another Thinktank bag based on my experiences with this one.
Richard H.
2011-10-16T21:00:00
Rated 2 out of 5
Too big and heavy for one shoulder
Think Tank bags are very sturdy in construction. But this design makes sense only in theory. Having the ability to switch shoulders is great in concept. Since this is the largest size in this line, one would put a lot of things in it, including a 15-inch laptop. So you'd end up putting all the weight on one shoulder even if you can switch when you get tired - which comes pretty soon! It would only make sense if you buy the smaller size of this model.
GRACE S.
2011-09-03T21:00:00
Rated 5 out of 5
Great bag, light weight, well built
Excellent bag to store, protect and transporting camera body, lenses and accessories.
ALIPIO C.
