Gear Check: Peak Design Everyday Messenger

I’m calling this “Part 1” because I’m sure I will revisit this with some more thoughts on it after extensive use.  I was just so impressed by the interesting packaging of it that I thought I’d unbox (unwrap??) it on camera.  This is a bag that raised just shy of 5 million dollars on Kickstarter so I’m very interested to see how it works in a variety of shooting and travel situations.

Think Tank Introduces Glass Limo

The original Glass Taxi was an innovative pack from Think Tank that designed for carrying 300mm and 400mm which most sports photographers use.  Now Think Tank is updating the lineup with the new Glass Limo, a large pack capable of carrying a 500mm with pro body attached, or a 600mm lens on its own.  It also adds rails on front and sides for attaching the huge range of modular components. Purchase From Think Tank By using my link to their site you’ll be able to claim a free gift when it’s time to check out ! Press Release Think Tank

Rotation 180 Pro

Mindshift Gear – A New Outdoor Photography Bag Company From Within Think Tank

EDIT:  Note that this bag is now available and I have done a HUGE in-depth review of it HERE on my new website Shutter Muse. Mindshift is an entirely new company formed from within the design studios of Think Tank Photo that will concentrate on the outdoor photography market. It will be run as a separate company but with all the same focus on design and high quality that we have come to expect from Think Tank. Products will be manufactured alongside the existing Think Tank ones and the design of the Rotation 180 Professional was done in house by

Think Tank Launches New Airport Backpack Series

Santa Rosa, Calif. – Think Tank Photo announced today that in May it will release the Airport™ series, a new line of travel-specific, high-capacity camera backpacks designed with maneuvering through airports quickly in mind. The three backpacks – the Airport Accelerator, Airport Commuter, and Airport Essentials —  integrate quick access pockets for both laptops and iPad, a top pocket for boarding passes, and three robust handles to ensure easy placement and retrieval from overhead bins.
The Airport™ series makes life easier for the traveling photographer. All meet international carry on size requirements.  The two smaller bags, the Airport Commuter and the Airport Essentials, are designed to fit under-seat in regional commuter planes.
Their light, adjustable, contoured harness provides comfort along with lumbar support.  The air mesh paneling keeps backs cool. The height-adjustable sternum strap allows for the perfect fit.  A removable waist belt, side water bottle pocket, tripod/ monopod mounting system and seam sealed rain cover extend their versatility. Adding even more functionality, these backpacks can be used with Think Tank’s Pro Speed Belts for additional support and capacity by adding component pouches and cases from the company’s Modular Rotation Component System.  For photographers who travel by air, these bags deliver on the three “C’s”:  Carry-on size, Comfort, Capacity,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank’s co-founder and lead designer.  “Their design, build quality and functionality are second to none.”

The three sizes allow photographers to select the best fit for their needs.

  1. Airport Accelerator accommodates two pro size DSLRs, six to eight standard zooms, a 500 f/4.0, iPad, and up to a 17” laptop. The largest of the three, this one has a padded removable waist belt.
  2. Airport Commuter accommodates a pro size DSLR, four to six standard zooms, (increased depth holds a 400 f/2.8), iPad and 15” laptop .
  3. Airport Essentials accommodates a standard DSLR, four to six standard zooms, iPad, and up to 13” laptop.

Features include:

  • Bottom hinge opens bag completely for quick and unencumbered access.
  • Cable lock and locking YKK zipper sliders for added security.
  • Laptop and iPad stored in a separate locking zippered compartment.
  •  Light, comfortable and contoured harness system.
  • Tripod/monopod mounting system.
  • Top zippered pocket for boarding pass.
  • Removable waist belt for additional stability when walking, running, etc.
  • Easily accessible front organizer pocket.
  • Seam sealed rain cover included.

Read more

Think Tank Set To Launch First 4-Wheeled Camera Bag – The Airport 4-Sight

This morning Think Tank have announced a new first of its kind camera bag.  The 4-Sight features 4 wheels on the base similar to many current carry on luggage bags, designed to make it even easier to get your gear through the airport.  The bag will begin shipping in May for a cost of $299 and readers of my site can as always receive a free gift when shopping through my links to Think Tank products.  The 4-Sight appears to be somewhat similar in size to the Airport Airstream which is my current roller bag of choice and will hold

Think Tank Skin Set Review

Last month I went to France to shoot the 24 Heures du Mans in Le Mans and before I left I grabbed a few extra items to make my assignment a little easier. First up was the Think Tank Hydrophobia 300-600 rain cover. The next think I wanted to do was take a look at the Think Tank Skin system to carry some additional items around with me while I was shooting.  A lot of you know me for my winter sports photography and for that I use a variety of specialized bags from F-Stop but this time I needed

Introducing the F-Stop Satori EXP Backpack

Last week we took a look at the newly released Guru 28 liter backpack.  This week I’m giving you guys a first in-depth look at the soon to be released F-Stop Satori EXP which is due to be on sale this coming July.  This pack sits at the opposite end of the Mountain Series to the Guru, with a Capacity of 62 liters and as the EXP designation implies this one will hold everything you need on your next expedition.  The pack might be larger than the F-Stop Tilopa backpack, but by forgoing the waterproof TPU base seen on the

Think Tank Announces Retrospective 5 Shoulder Bag

Think Tank have added to their highly popular Retrospective series today with the announcement of the Retrospective 5 shoulder bag available in either black or pinestone.  I personally have the Retro 10 bag and it’s a fantastic bag for carry around town with a camera and couple of lenses.  The material is super tough and wear resistant and there are plenty of pockets for all the bits and pieces you need.  This new Retro 5 is designed for a small DSLR and a couple of lenses or a full Micro 4/3 kit or maybe a Leica M9 or some such