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Think tank Retrospective 20 or 30

(7 posts) (6 voices)
  • Started 1 year ago by RAW
  • Latest reply from TheCaz
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  1. RAW

    member
    Joined: Feb '11
    Posts: 12

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    Hi Guys,

    I found a Think Tank Retrospective 30 for $120 is it worth it? I plan on carrying my Nikon D7000, 10-24, 24-70, 70-200 and camera cleaning accessories. Would this bag be to big? Is it worth getting even if I have the Think Tank Streetwalker Harddrive?

    For the people that have the Retrospective 30 can you carry a tripod in the bag?

    For the people that carry a shoulder bag, when you walk around the city is your camera and bag strapped to you shoulder? Or do you put your camera back in the bag after shooting and pull it back out when you want to shoot something?

    Posted 1 year ago #
  2. Pierre

    preferred member
    Joined: Mar '10
    Posts: 1,023

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    I have tried numerous bagpack style bags and found them very tiring. They gives me back pain and reduce my hands movements. I find being able to do much-longer walks with my gears if I carry as much as possible on a belt. That has its draw-backs as well, especially going in-and-out of a car.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  3. RAW

    member
    Joined: Feb '11
    Posts: 12

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    @ Pierre : So are you saying i should get a belt carrier?

    I am going on vacation to NY this week so i would like get a lot of input a.s.a.p. Should i just walk around with the backpack i already have?

    Should i not get the shoulder bag and use to bag i have and get the grip for the D7000?

    Posted 1 year ago #
  4. TaoTeJared

    preferred member
    Joined: Apr '10
    Posts: 2,422

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    Bags are really a personal choice and involve your shooting style. I have probably 15 different bags and still have never really picked one but each fulfills the need for the day/shoot. There is no black & white answer.

    I find it really depends how you shoot for that project, day, trip, hiking, walking long distances, etc. If you switch lenses a lot, than a shoulder bag or lens pouch, maybe best. If not, a backpack may be better. Add to that, if you want water bottles, lunch, coat or other things to take with you.

    You are carrying some heavy glass. I have a bad back and sometimes use a Marmot bag that is like the SpeedFreak series that has a belt to help distribute the weight if the shoulder strap gets too heavy.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  5. Michael DeRose

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    Joined: Sep '10
    Posts: 277

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    I have both the retro 30 and the d7000 and it is a great match. I am BEYOND happy about my choice and i never thought in a million years i would get excited about any sort of bag.

    As for your questions, i don't think that it is too big. its a nice size bag and you'll have space for your glass and then some. This bag is odd though. I have so much in mine, i thought it might become heavy and hard to walk around with. The surprising part is that the bag is so well made that it balances the weight (somehow...perhaps magic??). Lastly, i would say that most (98%) tripods will not fit in this bag. Like i said, its a large bag, but not that large.

    I should also note, that i have a crushed lower spine and walking around with my old bag made 5 mins seem like 5 hours. When i walk around with the retro 30, i have no pain from the extra weight.

    Im not sure if this small rant helps any, but i love love love my retro 30 bag. Also, if you can get it for 120, that's a steal!!

    Posted 1 year ago #
  6. shasta_doug

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    Joined: Apr '10
    Posts: 12

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    I have both the Retrospective 20 and 30. I use them for slightly different purposes now that I have both. I have a D700+grip, 24-70, 70-200, 16-35, and 24-120 and I select the lenses to bring based upon the shoot idea.

    I started with the Retro 30. I found the Retro 30 is a great all-around bag. It holds the body+lens attached, and has space for 3 more larger lenses. It has the two pockets in the front to store the extra things. What I found, is this bag is not that deep so when I'm out shooting and want to stow my camera with the 70-200 attached, it doesn't really close well where the velcro will secure it and it bulges out.

    So to make it easier to have the camera go in and out with the 70-200, I went out an got the 20 as it is a deeper bag. It holds the D700+grip+70-200 attached, plus two other large lenses inside. The cover closes nicely. It has the one large pocket in front which is huge. I like it for all the extra items or even an iPad, though that also fits in the zippered pocket on the back side.

    So, if I want one camera bag to carry the maximum I want to bring, it would be the Retro 30. If wanted one bag that allowed me ease of in and out with whatever lens I have have on, I take the Retro 20.

    I do find both bags heavy after several hours of walking around and touring, but they are mostly comfortable for up to 2 hours straight. They are great for where you want to walk and then stop and shoot for a while. For all day touring, I use a back-pack. As said before, they do not fit a tripod and have no straps to connect it to the outside. The Retro 30's extra space is nice if you also want to place a water bottle inside if you're out a long time.

    To answer your question, is it worth it? Yes, think that is a fair price for a solid product.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  7. TheCaz

    senior member
    Joined: Nov '10
    Posts: 55

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    The 30 for $120 is a great price. I also agree that the bags are amazingly well balanced. I understand why people rave about them and I concur. Still, I'm not sure that you'll find the 30 easier to carry your gear in all day than the Streetwalker you already have. I also don't think you carry a tripod in it, but I've never tried.

    Personally, if I had a Streetwalker, I'd invest in a belt instead and think about going lighter. I have the Retro 20 for my gear, but never take it when I'm walking around. I wear a ThinkTank belt with a utility bag for accessories and a lens pouch. I can also strap on my Cokin P bag if I think I might need them. Instead of worrying about the shot I might miss with a lens I'm not carrying, I focus on the shots I can get, and I never have to complain about how I'm tuckered out after a couple of hours from schlepping around a bag and all my gear, but I understand that it's a personal choice ...

    Posted 1 year ago #

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