Think Tank Retrospective 10-Black Small Shoulder Bag
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Product Feature
- Internal Dimensions: 12" W x 9.5"H x 6.0"D (30.5 x 24 x 15.2 cm) External Dimensions: 13" W x 10.5"
Product Description
Think Tank Retrospective 10-Black Small Shoulder Bag Review
Before I bought this Think Tank Retrospective 10 camera bag here, I thought long and hard about it. Camera bags are highly subjective choices, and in many cases it takes buying a few of them over a period of time to settle on the right one for your individual needs. And sometimes those needs can and do change with the changing camera gear that we use. This time I wanted to take a long-term view and settle on one that would really last for general everyday use.This is a highly subjective and personal review from one who has gone through a number of bags over the years, and why I like this Retrospective 10 the best, and hope that my experiences can help others looking for that ideal DSLR bag.
Pros:
+ First-rate cushioned shoulder strap; soft and fully adjustable
+ Compact overall size; 13"W x 10 "H x 7"D, fits easily almost anywhere
+ Discreet outer appearance; doesn't scream "I'm a camera bag, rip me off!"
+ Excellent construction; black 1100D 'polyspun' polyester exterior fabric wears well
+ Seam-sealed rain cover; offers protection against the elements when you need it
+ YKK RC Fuse premium zippers; smooth, open easily, and do not jam
+ Carries full size DSLR with lens; room for extra lenses and additional gear
+ Organizer pocket in main compartment; holds batteries, LensPen, notepads, etc.
+ Removable carrying handle; great for grabbing bag when exiting taxis and such
+ Velcro 'Sound Silencers' on front flap; reduce noise while opening the bag
+ Clear business card holder under front flap; a place to store emergency supply
Cons:
- Small issue, but segmented organizer section could have more options for pens, LensPen, etc.
General Observations:
For personal use, the Retrospective 10 turned out to be the right size as an everyday bag with its 12"W x 9 "H x 6"D interior dimensions. If you think that you need a larger size, this bag also comes in two larger sizes: the Retrospective 20 is about 2 inches deeper and the Retrospective 30 is about three inches wider then the Retrospective 10. There are other sizes and materials as well.
I chose the black, which was a departure from the original choice, the Think Tank Retrospective 10, Pinestone. As much as I liked the look and feel of the sand-washed cotton canvas material look and the Pinestone color, had to go with the black poly version for total versatility: business meetings to the beach, within two hours. And the look and feel of the Retrospective 10 in black is surprising; it's like a discrete messenger bag yet with an almost casual "old school" look. Also see the user images posted here for greater details.
The logo is a small one, unobtrusively printed on a small leather rectangle... and it's on the back of the bag. It doesn't scream at you, like those on my old cases. You know the type.
I fiddled with the interior dividers, yet returned them somewhat close to the original places. They're adjustable enough to be customized to so many types and shapes of photo gear, and the dividers will keep your gear from getting banged around, even when traveling down a rutted road in an SUV. And there are enough dividers that you can configure the Retrospective 10 the way that it best suits you.
Two wide Velcro strips secure the top flap, without the need for zippers or plastic latches that can break (speaking from experience). But they also have cleverly designed Velcro 'Sound Silencers' on the front flap to completely eliminate noise while opening the bag, and if you've ever shot inside a museum, you know how handy this can be.
As far as workmanship goes, the zipper is smooth and sturdy. Think Tank uses the premium YKK RC Fuse, and this coil zipper has a smooth and secure pull on it. It was failing zippers that jammed on another "pro" bag that brought me to Think Tank in the first place. After a tech support person from that other manufacturer suggested that I use a bar of soap to lubricate the zipper on that bag, I knew that I needed to start looking for something else. Not once have I needed to do the soap trick on this Think Tank bag.
The stitching and workmanship are exceptional, putting it simply. And it's worth noting that Think Tank offers an interesting lifetime guarantee that they call their "No Rhetoric Warranty." I read it; they're not kidding.
There's a small strap on top that's there for lifting the bag from place to place. It's also quite handy when you're taking a taxi during heavy rain or snowstorms, and need to grab the bag quickly when you're seeking shelter.
There are webbing loops on both sides of the Retrospective 10, and these can be used to quickly attach pouches such as the Think Tank Little Stuff It Belt Pouch. This is where I carry and attach my Nikon P7100 when I'm taking a full compliment of gear, and this arrangement works quite well. I have two small Nite Ize S-Biner double-gated carabineers attached to the other webbing loop to quickly clip accessories to the bag as well.
As good as the bag is, the shoulder strap is where it really shines. This is one first-rate shoulder strap with a comfortably cushioned non-slip pad. It's wider than most on the market, fully adjustable, yet soft and flexible, and the hardware is metal. This is the first bag that I've carried for a day in the field that didn't feel like it was sawing through my shoulder with every step.
In Use:
Even with a bag full of gear, the dividers are smooth enough to allow for easy removal when you need your camera or a lens quickly. Right now my Retrospective 10 is holding the following items:
> 1 - Nikon D5000 w/ battery grip
> 1 - Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 lens (on camera)
> 1 - Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5 lens
> 1 - Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5 lens
> 1 - Nikon SB-400 Flash
> 1 - Think Tank DSLR Battery Holder 2 (w/4 batteries)
> 1 - Think Tank Pee Wee Pixel Pocket Rocket w/SD Cards
> 1 - AmazonBasics Wireless Remote Control
> 1 - Amazon Kindle Fire tablet w/cover
> 1 - LensPen NLP-1
> 1 - PowerPax Storacell "AA" 4-pack battery caddy
> 1 - Compact USB charger... because you never know
> 1 - Maglite "AA" Mini Flashlight
> Misc. pens, notepads, BlackBerry batteries and utility items
Should note that I'll often leave the leave the flash and some of the other items at home, depending on the day and the photos I want to take.
Like many other Think Tank bags, this Retrospective 10 comes with a seam-sealed rain cover, one specifically designed to keep the shoulder strap and carrying handle outside the rain cover, offering the gear in the bag excellent protection from the elements. This proved itself during a trip to Florida, where it was bright and sunny one minute, and three minutes later it was pouring rain. It was unexpected; I was drenched, but my camera gear stayed completely dry.
I find the same level of quality and protection in the Respective 10 as I found a couple of years ago when I got my Think Tank Artificial Intelligence 15 V. 2.0 Laptop Bag for my MacBook Pro, the first product from this company that I owned. It proved to be a sturdy replacement for another laptop bag with a failing shoulder strap.
[Update 12/2/2012]
When the seam stitching started to unravel on the large "pro" bag referenced earlier in this review, it was time to consider getting a replacement. Looked closely at the larger Retrospective 30 as a 'carry-everything' solution based on my experiences with this bag. Long story to short, I ended up getting the Think Tank CityWalker 20, which holds all of the gear mentioned here plus quite a bit more, including a tablet computer. This was not a replacement for my Retrospective 10, which is still my smaller mobile bag for on the go usage. But now I don't need to worry about weak seam stitching, failing zippers and advice that a bar of soap applied to the zippers would cure all.
Summary:
This Think Tank Retrospective 10 bag was clearly designed by and for photographers. Some might be somewhat put off by the apparent lack of order inside, as everything is accessible, and doesn't get boxed-in by hard dividers that fit nothing. It allows immediate access to your camera gear, with a good level of protection.
The Retrospective 10 is efficient as an everyday camera bag that doesn't look like a camera bag. It's understated and subtle design of the bag let you blend in instead of being labeled by your gear. This is the first camera shoulder bag that I've come across that blends great styling with an enormous carrying capacity for the gear I use most. It's a 5-star bag that is highly recommended for those who want a bag that works for you instead of against.
9/8/2012
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