When I’m hitting the streets for some photography, a good bag for my gear is very important. It needs to fulfill some important needs ..which I’ll discuss here below. The Retrospective 5 of ThinkTank is exactly that bag. Of course it has to be strong build, weather proof and give easy access to my gear. But hey, this is the obvious part. Besides these more general characteristics (mentioned in almost every bag review) there are some reasons in my opinion that makes the Retrospective 5 the best suitable bag for me
.
Fashion
Being on the streets I’d like to blend into the crowd when doing street photography, so a bag that isn’t screaming ‘I’m a camera bag’ is what I need. Also being active in the fashion industry I need a more fashionable bag, one that suits my outfits. The Retrospective 5 is exactly that bag for me. It’s like a camera bag is disguise. They are available in three colors and all kind of sizes, the 5 is the smallest one.
Flexible protection-level
Camera bags have a certain characteristic appearance, mostly rectangular/ square shaped …something I don’t really like. Luckily in this bag it’s possible to take out all the dividers and the bottom protection, so it looks even more like a regular messenger bag. However, that also takes away a lot of protection. Just use this option thinkfully, so you can get that needed appearance yet have enough protection.
Product
Of course most camera bags have good quality and so the Retrospective series have. They really thought it through when designing this bag, the compartments, zipper quality and placing …even the shoulder strap has this perfect anti-slip on it (something I really miss on my BlackRapid strap). Of course the 5 isn’t the bag for a full DSLR equipment, then the 10 would be more appropriate. For me it’s great, I holds one DSLR with mounted lens (for instance) 50mm, a external flash, my Starbucks Tumbler and an extra prime. Unfortunately it’s only possible to put an iPad into the front compartment, not inside the bag because of the dividers. The Retrospective 7 is suitable for an iPad and the 10 can even store an 13″ MacBook.
These bags really can be used on the longer term, as you can see on the right:
Get yours!
This bag, but also the other sizes of the Retrospective product-line are available at Camex, visit their webshop or store in Arnhem to try them out yourself and get some professional advice.