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 10½"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 9½"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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In my personal opinion/experience I've found Think Tank to be the brand to go to for top of the line camera bags. If you've got top of the line expensive equipment why not invest likewise in the bag?
Said that, I will try not to come off in this review as a bias "Think Tank" fan boy. To note, I have tried out other shoulder bags in camera stores and spent hours reading reviews from photographers on the field on their opinions on various camera bags before deciding upon this bag.
Then another headache and hurdle I went through was deciding upon the Pinestone or Black color (which I evidently went with the Black as it was more of a neutral color and could easily go with your various attire plus be used at more formal events).
I believe this is a fantastic bag to carry around short trails, to the beach, and especially around urban settings as a casual bag for travel. If you want something to go on for long hikes I'd probably look into getting a backpack or waistpack, in which this case I use the Think Tank Speed Demon which can be used as a smaller shoulder bag or waist pack when I want to travel even lighter. The bag is slightly heavy but feels like a Tank and could take a beating.
By no means is this a small bag, but still within a bearable size to sling around town. The comfort padding along the shoulder strap is most welcomed and even for its size another reason I do try not to over pack the bag and weigh it down. You can fit 2 bodies with non-grips (recommended to reverse in opposite directions so their prisms don't bang against one another) or you can fit your D-SLR (non grip) body + standard size zoom lens attached with 2 more lenses in this bag with no problem. The bag is pretty deep and given you could probably thrown in a couple more lenses if they were small primes. It has a designated pocket within to keep a speedlite if you so choose to desire. There is a designated zipper and non zipper pocket within the interior dimension, with the outside pocket which they say you could fit in another dslr body only or an Ipad if you so wish I personally just keep this outside pocket to keep trail food and snacks in while the zipper pocket on the other side to store the wallet, phone, and keys.
For event shooting and many other reviews you'll find on this bag the velcro options to silence the flaps is a cool feature which is very usable for events or churches. As with most Think Tank products is does give the option to attach accessories which sometimes I may loop my "R U Thirsty" Think Tank bottle carrier on one end when on a short trail or around town.
Best Deals for Think Tank Retrospective 10-Black Small Shoulder Bag
Camera bags are my man purse and haven for geek toys. I prefer satchel or bike messenger style bags: easy to squeeze through crowds, stylish but doesn't look like a camera bag. I own two other Retrospective series bags and was sure the Retrospective 10 would not disappoint.
CONSTRUCTION
The Retrospective 10 sports a quasi-military appearance and is less flashy than Crumpler or Billingham bags. Black is more stealthy than the slate (blue) and pinestone (olive) color options. Pair the R10 with a vintage leather jacket, graphic T-shirt and destructed jeans and you'll look like an urban Johnny Appleseed. Few people will suspect you're carrying expensive gear.
Although it looks like a blacks ops satchel, the polyester canvas is softer and more flexible than military grade canvas. The fit and finish are excellent inside and out, but the thoughtful details of the interior are telling: nylon lining to reduce lint, 2 installed dividers with ears, pockets galore and end flaps to help prevent rain from flowing into the main compartment.
The heavy duty strap is 2 inches wide and sports a soft and grippy shoulder pad. Compared to nylon seatbelt straps, this strap is about four times thicker. A seatbelt strap is plenty strong enough and would reduce weight. Nevertheless, the beefy strap speaks to the overall toughness of the bag design.
Although padding protection is partial, your gear is reasonably well protected in the event of a knock or fall. The bottom boasts closed cell foam padding to protect during butt drops. The top, front and sides lack padding but layers of canvas, pockets and lining are reasonable protection against light knocks and scraps.
Think Tank claims "fabric exterior treated with DWR while fabric underside is coated with PU for superior water resistance." So no problem for light rain. If it pours, water will eventually drip inside from along the edges of the flap because the main compartment lacks a zipper. In such cases you should deploy the rain cover. The gotcha with the rain cover is you can't open the bag without removing it.
The rear zippered compartment is handy to stow documents, magazines or a paperback. It will not fit a full sized iPad but an iPad Mini slides right in.
STUFFING IN GEAR
Think Tank claims a pro size DSLR with standard zoom lens attached and 3 to 4 lenses and accessories will fit. Indeed my gripless 5D MKII with 24-105 4L IS USM was swimming inside. It would fit better with a battery grip or additional divider to snug up the space. With the 5D2/24-105 stowed lens down, there is plenty of room to toss in a Speedlite 430EX, 70-200 4L IS USM and a couple more small primes or zooms. Unfortunately the dividers lack Velcro in the center so it is difficult to subdivide the compartments. All that room gets wasted if you don't want your nekid lenses rubbing together. Yes you can lay an unattached divider between your gear, but you waste time arranging the dividers each time you put the lens back.
One thing that pleased me is my 5D MKII with mounted 70-200 4L IS USM fits perfectly stowed lens down! It is almost exactly flush with the top of the compartment.
A full sized iPad fits perfectly in the front pocket as does a gripped but lensless DSLR.
GOTCHAS
* The giganormous Velcro under the front flap is too strong and loud. The built-in Velcro cover can silence the noise but nothing is holding your gear inside if the bag tips over. An partial fix: fold the silencing patch to cover 75% of the two Velcro patches. It grips but is weaker and less bothersome to use.
* Compared to similar sized bags, this bag is heavy. Not a deal breaker but at 3 LB the Retrospective 10 is a pound heavier than my Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home, a more thickly padded bag of similar size. The extra weight is the price you pay for the vintage canvas, beefy strap and pockets galore.
* As detailed above, the lack of soft Velcro cloth in the middle of dividers makes it difficult to subdivide the compartments.
* This fabric attracts lint and hair. Yes, dark fabrics show lint more readily than medium fabrics. This trait is exasperated due to the use of static prone polyester canvas. My black Crumpler bags, made of ballistic nylon, are less prone to lint and dust attraction.
* The removable handle is too far forward and interferes with opening the top flap. Yes, you can adjust it so it is really loose and the top opens fine, but then the handle is too long. The same type of handle is used on the R5 and R7 but is set back and can be adjusted tighter without the top flap catching on it.
FINAL BURB
Although not perfect, I am pleased with this bag: handsome, stealthy, excellent fit and finish, quality materials, rugged and thoughtful design. It is pricey but boasts amazing storage within a moderate space. The soft polyester canvas molds to your body thereby taking some weight off the shoulder, making it comfy despite being heavier than average. The large capacity, comfy ride, pockets galore and inconspicuous appearance make this an ideal bag for travel or event gigs. Highly recommended!
Honest reviews on Think Tank Retrospective 10-Black Small Shoulder Bag
I got this bag in black a couple of weeks ago, and I am a pretty big fan of it. It is not my favorite bag, but it is probably the best overall bag. I will explain...
First, I want to give you an idea of the equipment that I have. I currently own a 60d with a battery grip, and I generally carry about three lenses and a flash. Those lenses are all pretty small: canon 55-250mm, Canon 50mm, Tamron 24-75mm, and a Canon 18-135. I do not have or carry something bigger like a 70-200 or anything like that. I would imagine it would fit, but it would be pretty tight.
The bag is built very well. It feels like it is made out of nice material. It my understanding that the pinestone and black are made out of different material. The pinestone being more like canvas, and the black being a little bit smoother. It seems like the material in the black would be reasonably water resistant. Think Tank also includes a rain cover if you need some more protection. The rain covers the front and sides of the bag, and it leaves the majority of the back of the bag exposed. I don't think it is that big of an issue, but it is something to consider. Also, the cover does not allow you to get your equipment when it is on. I wouldn't want to shoot in the rain, but my camera is not sealed.
The bag has a big flap that is opened and closed with velcro. The velcro patch on the bag is pretty big. I imagine it is about 3 or 4 square inches. I would feel reasonable having the bag on me when I was in public transportation because no one can sneak into it with me hearing it. But the great thing about the bag is that the velcro can be silenced if you are shooting in a church or museum. The bag allows you to cover up the patches of velcro so when you open the bag, there is no ripping noise. This would be great at a church or museum.
Outside the bag, there are two side pockets. The side pockets did not allow you to carry much of anything in it. I have placed the included rain cover in one of the outside pockets, but I can't imagine fitting anything thicker than one or two inches in the pocket. The bag also has a small loop on either side of the bag so you can expand it with some think tank lens cases or water bottle holder. If I need extra space, it fits my lowepro lens cases.
In addition to the side pockets, there is a large, zippered back pocket that can hold some small items like a kindle or smaller magazines.
Inside the bag, there is an organizational pocket in the front to keep things like memory cards, headphones, pens, wallet, etc. There is also a zippered pocket in the back on the bag for bigger things like a passport or maps. In addition there is a large gussetted pocket in the front, it can hold a lot of things. I put my ipad in its otterbox defender case in it, and it fits comfortably. You could probably put another body in there or a flash. It is a roomy, versatile pocket. And when you aren't using it, it does not take up any additional room. I wish the side pockets were like this big front pocket.
In addition, there are two pouches on the inside of the bag that is perfect for a flash. The pockets have a small strap and velcro to keep it in place. It is very handy.
The shoulder strap is very heavy duty. I imagine it is about as thick as 3 or 4 seat belts. I don't think one would have to worry about it breaking down anytime soon. The shoulder pad is pretty nice, and helps shoulder the load. It is padded and has some non-slip material on it as well.
The only problem, and I am not sure it is even a problem, is that the dividers in the bag are sort of flimsy. The weight of the camera can cause them to collapse a little bit. The dividers have flaps that allow you to cover the top of a section; the only problem with that it makes it difficult to access that section of the bag because the divider is stuck to the bag. I have other camera bags where the top part of the divider is sort of floppy, and it allows for easier access to your gear. This annoyance however can be seen as a plus as it would prevent your gear from spilling out if the bag dumped over. The floppiness of the dividers can also be a positive because it allows the bag to conform to your body making it easier to carry, more comfortable, and less bulky.
I think this bag is a great overall bag. If you were only going to get one camera bag, I think this would be a great one to get. It can expand or get small depending on what you need to carry. I use it when I travel because it can take a bunch of gear, but it is also small enough to take out when you are walking about.
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This is like recommending shoes because everyone's needs are different. Some things this bag doesn't have: racing stripes, free advertising for the manufacturer, things that make it obvious you have cameras, snap swivels, combination locks, carabiners, buckles that require 3 hands and other such crap. Its just a very strong, very well thought out bag that opens and closes with Velcro. You can fold the Velcro over to silence it but when you do use it, there is no way someone can open the bag without you hearing it, so who needs all the extra latches and buckles?
It looks like a small book bag, yet I easily got my 5D, 70-200/4, 24TS and 17TS inside. There was considerable room left over but things were getting so heavy I decided to quit while I was ahead. This brings me to the only two things I wasn't crazy about. First, being canvas, the bag is 3 pounds, empty. It feels much lighter than the Crumpler bags (and makes better use of the space) but it's still 10 ounces heaver than my more or less equivalent Tamrac bags with their space age material. The other thing is that by design, the bag does not, in any way, seal out dust. On the plus side, there are nice little touches like a hand strap, a pocket for business cards and of course, lots of pockets including one that expands enough to hold an extra SLR body.
So, if you just want quick access to your gear, with a reasonable level of protection and don't want to call attention to yourself, give this bag a try.
