Alternative to my Think Tank Retrospective 10?

Iridium · Jun 1, 2014

Hello,

A couple of years ago I had purchased a Think Tank Retrospective 10 in order to house a Mamiya 7II with a 80mm lens attached, a Zeiss Ikon ZM with a Voigt 28mm attached or a Mamiya 50mm lens instead, along with a light-meter and a flashgun. Even though the bag is extremely well-made, it is designed more on the contemporary needs of the digital era. I mean that they have distributed the volume vertically in order to give space to the modern dslrs with the bulk/long lenses attached or not attached. Thus, I cannot take advantage of the space above my cameras, as I don't want to cover them with other objects.

After all, I am thinking of replacing this bag with another well-made (canvas preferably) one which will be a bit longer (the volume is spread/distributed along) and less deep. I want to have my cameras with the lenses attached and fast access is necessary. Those Domke bags have this cube where you have to separate your equipment. Think Tank bags are all the same height or even taller. Perhaps, the Billingham 1.4 is a good option for my 2 cameras.

Any suggestions or your bag with the same type of cameras and extras in?

Cheers!

Rolfe Tessem · Jun 2, 2014

I think either the Hadley Pro or Wotencraft Ryker would work out for you.

http://www.wotancraft.com/shop/bag/ryker

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/218545-REG/Billingham_505233_Hadley_Pro_Shoulder_Bag.html

Iridium · Jun 2, 2014

Rolfe Tessem said:
I think either the Hadley Pro or Wotencraft Ryker would work out for you.

http://www.wotancraft.com/shop/bag/ryker

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/218545-REG/Billingham_505233_Hadley_Pro_Shoulder_Bag.html

I didn't know the Wotancraft. Nice, but quite expensive. The Hadley Pro seems a good option. Thanx!

benjiboy · Jun 4, 2014

Leather camera bags may look nice, but the chemicals they use to tan leather don't do photographic equipment any good, and leather is heavy, and even heavier when wet.

removedacct3 · Jun 4, 2014

I'm very satisfied with the bare bones bag.

John Koehrer · Jun 4, 2014

There are smaller Retrospectives. 7 and 5.

Iridium · Jun 5, 2014

John Koehrer said:
There are smaller Retrospectives. 7 and 5.

Only maybe Retro 7.

Iridium · Jun 5, 2014

MrclSchprs said:
I'm very satisfied with the bare bones bag.

Looks nice, but I don't think that a Mamiya 7 II with lens can get inside with my Ikon ZM.

pixelrandy · Jun 6, 2014

John Koehrer said:
There are smaller Retrospectives. 7 and 5.

The Retrospective 7 isn't any shorter than the 10. The two are just about the same size externally, though the 7 has less room for camera gear as it has a built-in tablet sleeve that eats up some space.

The 5 would almost certainly be too small.

I use the Retro 10 and 30 for my Pentax 67 kit or the 10 for my Mamiya 645 1000s. The Extra depth hasn't ever bothered me.

I work for Think Tank, so just let me know if you have any questions.

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 6, 2014

I have a Lowepro Event Messenger bag that I use to haul around a pair of Rolleiflex 2.8Es with lens hoods attached. I also fit a dozen rolls of film in the main compartment. The dividers are Velcro so you can move and re-arrange them if you need. The meter, Rolleinar closeup adapters and other odds-n-ends go in the front zipper compartment, and there's a slot in the back for a tablet or other similarly slim computing device. Best of all, it's cheap (under $50 IIRC). It served me very well on my trip to Paris for 10 days last October, and it looks sufficiently unlike a camera bag as to be inconspicuous when out and about.

Rolfe Tessem · Jun 6, 2014

benjiboy said:
Leather camera bags may look nice, but the chemicals they use to tan leather don't do photographic equipment any good, and leather is heavy, and even heavier when wet.

I can't imagine what good they don't do as the leather is on the outside and the equipment is on the inside .

This Wotencraft model has a microfiber lining that is really luxurious for the gear residing there...

Rolfe

Iridium · Jun 7, 2014

TheFlyingCamera said:
Lowepro Event Messenger 150

This one, I think, is the best value for money and perhaps I will get until I find the money for a Hadley Pro.

agphotography · Jun 8, 2014

I too had the Retro 10 for some time and loved that bag, but you're right it is designed for taller lenses like 70-200mm and 24-70mm, neither of which do I use (as I primarily use primes on my systems). I eventually got a hold of the Retro 7 and I am much happier. It is a little shorter and a little wider than the 10, but it carries quite a bit for its size! I can comfortably carry my Mamiya 7 with a 65mm and my Fuji X-pro with a lens (or two depending on what I want to use) with plenty of room in the front pocket for film and whatever else I need to tote around. It's also worth noting that I can easily fit my Hasselblad kit (500CM + 50 / 80 / 150 CF lenses) in the 7 without trouble.

It's just as durable as any Think Tank product and it's comfortable to wear.

k_jupiter · Jun 9, 2014

benjiboy said:
Leather camera bags may look nice, but the chemicals they use to tan leather don't do photographic equipment any good, and leather is heavy, and even heavier when wet.

For a hundred years they have wrapped the finest photography equipment in leather, mostly without inner linings.

tim in san jose

Iridium · Jun 9, 2014

agphotography said:
I too had the Retro 10 for some time and loved that bag, but you're right it is designed for taller lenses like 70-200mm and 24-70mm, neither of which do I use (as I primarily use primes on my systems). I eventually got a hold of the Retro 7 and I am much happier. It is a little shorter and a little wider than the 10, but it carries quite a bit for its size! I can comfortably carry my Mamiya 7 with a 65mm and my Fuji X-pro with a lens (or two depending on what I want to use) with plenty of room in the front pocket for film and whatever else I need to tote around. It's also worth noting that I can easily fit my Hasselblad kit (500CM + 50 / 80 / 150 CF lenses) in the 7 without trouble.

It's just as durable as any Think Tank product and it's comfortable to wear.

Thanx! Very useful experience. I would like to stick to a Think Tank, due to its unbeatable quality and durability. Thus, Retro 7 seems to be an option.

sticknpuck · Jun 18, 2014

I use a retro 30 for my "new" pentax 67 as well. By strapping a velcro piece about half way up the bag to cradle the lens, i can lay the camera nicely on it's side. I find it easier to get the camera out of the bag that way and still have lots of room for other stuff. It also makes the camera far less prone to bangs when placing the bag down or dropping it. It's kind of suspended within the bag. The camera is also at the same height in your bag with any lens attached.

pixelrandy · Jun 18, 2014

sticknpuck said:
I use a retro 30 for my "new" pentax 67 as well. By strapping a velcro piece about half way up the bag to cradle the lens, i can lay the camera nicely on it's side. I find it easier to get the camera out of the bag that way and still have lots of room for other stuff. It also makes the camera far less prone to bangs when placing the bag down or dropping it. It's kind of suspended within the bag. The camera is also at the same height in your bag with any lens attached.

That's exactly what I do with my Retro bags w/ my P67. *thumbs up*

sunbayphoto · Jun 24, 2014

I love my Tamrac Velocity 8x sling bag. The ergonomics fit me well when walking in the city. I think I have the 8x model.
It is deep but inserts can be configured anyway you want. When walking fast I pull it up high against my back to eliminate movement of the bag.
It is very easy to slide around the front and pull out the camera, or switch lenses, or whatever.
Check the Tamrac website. Show us a photo of your bag and its configuration when you are done.

Alternative to my Think Tank Retrospective 10?

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