So here's the deal. I own a green Lowepro Mini Trekker AW that I still prefer to use for short travel because of its portability. It weighs nothing compared to the 10 pound (while empty) Airport Takeoff.
That being said, I could no longer tolerate the 20 pounds hanging off my shoulders with the Mini Trekker.
I debated between the 3 Think Tank roller bags and decided on the one that offered me the most versatility. This one is an international carry-on sized bag. Also, I wanted to have the option of putting the bag on my back for whatever reason (unpaved roads or fooling airport personnel into thinking the bag is lighter than it looks so they won't weigh it...)
The dividers suit me just fine. I'm a Nikon shooter and in the bag now I have a D3 body, 70-200mm f/2.8G VR, 24-70mm f/2.8G, 14-24mm f/2.8G, 50mm f/1.8D, 85mm f/1.4D, 2 SB-800 in their bags, and assorted other stuff like a Giotto blower, polarized lens filter, etc. In fact, I have space for more... probably 10% more stuff. The lenses I carry are not as big as a 200-400mm or 300mm f/2.8G VR but they're not small either. Definitely a dramatic increase in space over the Mini Trekker.
So here's my gripe with this bag and let me explain to you why I think it's the way it is. Think Tank could have easily used a 2-section aluminum handle rather than the 4-section handle that I see on all their roller bags. Most carry-on rollers are 2-section aluminum handles so they're not only sturdier but also cheaper to acquire (cost). Yet Think Tank chose the 4-sectional handle... why?
IMHO, to save space.The 4 sectional takes up less space in the "handle compartment". However they sacrificed sturdiness in using the 4-section handle. I quickly googled "think+tank+airport+flimsy" and discovered what is probably the "Achilles heel" of all the Airport bags (or at least also the Airport International). Most reviews complain that the handles are flimsy as hell.
Now when I say the handle is flimsy, I don't mean that it's just normally flimsy. I mean that there's a TON of play between each section. Obviously the more sections there are, the more exaggerated each section's flimsiness becomes at the top of the handle. So much so, that at the top of my handle there is about 1.5 inches of play forward and backward and almost an inch left and right. Yeah, THAT flimsy.
Will it break? Probably not (benefit of the doubt). Does it inspire confidence when hauling $15k worth of equipment around? Probably not. Could Think Tank have done better? Probably... particularly when we're paying $300 for these things.
Otherwise I think the bag is solid. The wheels are smooth and there are plenty of compartments for stashing your stuff. Yeah my other gripe is that the handle is hard to pull out when tucked away in its compartment, but I can live with that if the handle were solid. I feel like I have to baby the handle so I don't break it though... and that's not good. The backpack straps are easy to use although I wish there was a belt strap/buckle like on my Mini Trekker (because it holds the bag down better which allows you to carry more weight)
Hope this helps. Having a rolling camera bag is still a huge benefit over a backpack.
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I liked the concept of this bag, a rolling case with backpack straps. Quality materials, strong zippers, the aluminum handle is great. Storage is abundant, the security cable is well placed and the zipper pockets are large. As is the interior of the bag.
This is where the bag falls short. The dividers are strangley placed and even though they can all be removed, it is not very easy to "customize" the bag. The rounded slot dividers for lenses are not even wide enough for a 72mm zoom lens to sit in. I found trying to get two bodies and three lenses was a real challenge inside this bag. I made it work but felt it was more annoying that it needed to be and I frankly am not happy with the result.
Anyone considering buying this bag should test fit their equipment and make sure that the bag can be returned before buying. I am keeping mine but Think Tank needs to pay more attention to the inside. If the dividers worked as well as the outside, the bag would be a winner.
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The Think Tank Airport Takeoff is everything I want in a rolling/backpack camera bag. Very sturdy, handles on all sides for when you need to pick it up. Zipper pockets on top end and sides are useful for travel documents. When this bag is completely jammed full with a 15" MacBook Pro in the computer compartment it slides nicely into the overhead storage rack on a Boeing 737.
Also TSA scanners so far have never asked me to unpack it... this is a big plus!
Honest reviews on Think Tank Airport Takeoff Rolling Backpack
I purchased this item because I needed something for the following criteria:
traveling
easy-access (airport check!) and large enough laptop compartment
enough space for my camera gear and some travel items (headphones, passport, munchies etc)
backpack, in case I need to be hands-free and also for uneven terrain, if necessary
roller-case for most of the travel part, because all gear is straining my back too much
practical and with sufficient storage for small stuff.
To begin with, this is just a partial solution to my ideal, but then again, that ideal doesn't exist yet. Loaded up, this bag is about as heavy as you would want to have anything on your back and not for too long, either. The partial solution and the few mostly minor drawbacks mentioned below are the reason for the 4-star rating, otherwise, this is a really good and recommended product.
PROs:
Very large compartment, sufficient space for all my gear, including some travel stuff, see my uploaded photos
very large laptop pocket on top/front, allows for quick airport access and magazines etc
clear and zippered inside pocket in the top laptop flap for passport, tickets and minor munchies
that flap also contains a metal wire with combination lock to close all zippers (outside airport)
very large and comfortable handles on top and side for regular luggage carrying/handling
the extensible, dual-tube handle completely recesses and is very long (handle is at 43" from ground; it also locks at 27 and 38"). A little wobbly as some mention, but perfectly suitable.
zippered cover for that. Handle doesn't get in the way of the regular carrying handle, allowing for short carrying down stairs with extended handle bar.
Size! Very important, particularly when traveling to Europe, many airlines do not allow more than 9 inches depth. This bag is nominally 9, actually 9.25 and with laptop closer to 10 inches, but can be squeezed, if necessary. Some airlines may give you grief if over 8 inches. Most other backback roller cases, however, are 12-13 inches, which is not OK even for most US airlines.
loops on the side for additional lens or accessory attachments. These loops, however, are vertical and not horizontally accessible.
zippered and opaque (and barely visible) side pocket for passport or other thin stuff.
Excellent and replaceable (Philips screw driver) rollers and sturdy stand. Very smooth and friction-less rolling, much better than my regular carry-on. Protective bump cover on the bottom for regular rollercase use. Fully loaded, this product stands nicely, slightly tilted towards you/the handle. Well thought-out center of gravity.
visible holder for your business card / name on the top, under the main handle
another zippered but thin storage under that.
completely covered and zippered backpack straps, no need to awkwardly store them.
one large, one very large clear, zippered pockets for accessories on the inside of the main flap.
very deep recesses for camera gear on the outsides (essentially on the outside of the handle compartment), allowing for some deep gear, such as large lens tripod collar feet or additional layers of rarely used items. Also good for pro camera bodies with 2nd handle.
large rain cover, inside the main compartment (uses up a small compartment)
additional bag of straps, haven't figured out what they are for yet. :-)
A lot of dividers for truly customized storage of camera gear.
specialized dividers for camera bodies with attached lenses, supporting the lens with a round cutout. There are two of these, one horizontal, one vertical, but all completely removable and interchangeable. I had a lot of dividers left after filling it up.
the entire surface of the inside bag as well as dividers is fabric, allowing to attach dividers wherever you want and without restriction (that, however, also makes it difficult at times, because the Velcro divider sides stick EVERYwhere and need to be inserted bent, quickly and well considered)
the entire (specialized!) camera insert with dividers can be unzipped and lifted out to use the bag as a regular carry-one bag.
when carrying this on my back with straps not too tight, the bottom sits on my bum (I am 5'11" / 180 cm tall), which even though it probably bumps your bum on each step actually makes for a nice back relief with the main weight resting on your behind and not your shoulders. If you are much taller, this may go into your lower back spine. In that case, tighten the straps and have it sit higher (and mostly on your shoulders)
The fact that the flap covering the shoulder straps folds over and attaches to the bottom actually makes for a nice spacer and well ventilated back avoiding sweaty mid-backs, as is the case with most back packs.
shoulder straps have one each spandex pocket, perfect for lens shammies or spare batteries. The straps also have (very high sitting) loops for additional attachments, but, again, they are vertical, not horizontal. Most attachments come with vertical straps needing horizontal loops.
CONs:
Carry straps are sturdy but not all too comfortable for a dedicated camera back pack of this size and loaded weight.
I wish those specialized round cutout dividers to support attached lenses would have at least one with a centered cutout. The way it comes, it is made for two camera bodies side by side, but the top width of the bag is not wide enough to actually allow for two large bodies (I have a Nikon D700 and a D200) and easy access to the main camera body calls for centered storage. It might work for two D200s / Canon Rebels or such, but not for D700/D3-4/ Canon 5Ds/1Ds etc.
The bag is actually too large to lug around on daily hikes and excursions. I would feel stupid taking this to tourist sites and didn't take it to hike up Maya pyramids.
The laptop pocket is not padded at all, which some may find problematic. Since it is on top, no weight will be on the laptop, so for most scenarios, this is not an issue. The compartment is so large, however, they could have easily accommodated at least side cushions to contain the laptop more and without adding thickness to the bag.
Improvements could be made by adding some roomier side pockets for camera purposes, to store thicker items such as batteries (probably avoided on purpose to keep the overall airline dimensions!).
the one spandex pouch on the side is not big enough to be a bottle holder. Bottles will fall out of it and some plastic water bottles you can buy didn't even fit. That needs improvement.
there is no dedicated tripod carrying option! With my final solution to use this only for the travel portion (and carry my tripod in the checked bag, which some countries now require, such as Taiwan), this is not a problem, but if you choose this to actually carry around frequently on your photo shoots, that needs to be considered. However, if needed, put the tripod on the side, one or two feet inside that undersized spandex pouch and an additional strap through those vertical loops.
All in all, this is a very good solution for travel for my main purpose: being able to take my entire camera gear as carry-on luggage, not having to check it, because it fits into overhead compartments and adheres to (most) airline dimensional requirements. Keep in mind, though, that it would not adhere to some European requirements and also by far exceeds European weight restrictions (8 kg, 15 pounds), which are enforced mostly all over Europe. Fully loaded, as shown in the pics, my bag weighs 30 pounds!
The main drawback is that this bag is mainly (but very well) made to be a carry-on roller case. The backpack solution is an add-on and, even though addressed well, limited by shoulder straps that could be wider, more comfortable and sturdier, particularly given the large zippered storage that they use up.
In the end, I took along my "road-warrier" Tamrac Expedition 4 back pack (filled with underwear and some less valuable camera accessories inside my checked baggage), which can carry most equipment for the photo shoots (short of the long lens) and is much better suited for day trips and hikes up pyramids. Once in the hotel room, this is OK, as my laptop, headphones etc no longer need to be carried any further. I guess it all is a compromise between how much gear you want or need to take along. For what I got (call it semi-professional or advanced enthusiast), it is too much to find a one-for-all solution, but this bag comes close. Very recommended!
I also tried the 5797 Evolution Speed Roller Backpack (Black), which is a better back pack, but aside from almost identical outside dimensions does not have sufficient storage for what I have due to its tapered nature, and is also awkward to use as a backpack.
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Perfect fit for overhead compartment, holds 2 DSLR/batt grip attached, 50mm, 70-200mm, 24-70mm, 24-105mm, 2 flash, 2 flash battery pack, thin 15.4 laptop, and usb portable HD.
