There's a very long preamble to this review, which I will post lower down. Read if you're bored. However, in order to get to the point...
Maker/Provider: Think Tank
Product: Speed Freak
Price: £85
Overall Rating: 9/10
Overall Summary:
The continual search for a camera bag is at an end
Detailed Review
I needed a bag that would hold the following, without being too huge or wide:
EOS 5D + 24-105F4
70-200 F4
17-40 F4
I also wanted to be able to attach a pouch with my 300F4 to the bag. Other nice to haves were room for a 1.4X OR 50 F1.8, swap 70-200 for 550EX, and possibly even room for my Bushnell Trophy 10x42s.
The Speed Freak could almost have been made for me. Read the preamble for more detail, but I like belt bags and I like shoulder bags in different situations. The speed freak is both.
Kits that Fit(tm)
This bag has exceeded my expectations of what can fit. My lenses all have reversed hoods fitted when in the bag - 70-200 has stock ET74, 24-105 has EW-83J (stock hood for 17-55 F2.8 IS), 17-40 has modified EW-83DII (stock hood for 24 F1.4L. It has been filed down so as not to vignette, resulting in a far more compact yet more effective hood than stock EW-83E).
1) 5D + 24-105 + 17-40 + 50 + 70-200. The 50 sits on top of a divider above the 17-40.
2) As above but 1.4X instead of 50.
3) 5D + 24-105 + 70-200 + 300F4 + 1.4X. I was astounded that this setup fitted, but it does, although is a little tight on the zips. This requires the 70-200 to be fitted to the camera. Both telephotos can fit with their tripod rings and QR plates.
The front pocket is big. In fact, big enough that my binoculars go in it without problem. It is even possible, although care should be taken due to lack of padding, to get the 550EX in the front pocket. Otherwise it can replace the 70-200 in kits 1) and 2) above.
In use
This bag is about versatility. The belt system is well padded and I find nicely fitting, with enough flexibility and the most comfortable I have tried. It can take additional sliplock-type bags (eg crumpler, lowepro, think tank, etc pouches). However, the sewn loops are narrow and don't fit many sliplock bags, which may have to use the larger section behind the sewn loops - which then allows the bags to slide back and forth.
There are pockets galore, inside and outside. I like being able to put a couple of bottles of water in the side pockets for walking, slip some papers down the back pocket, spare battery and memory cards inside, allen key for tripod plates in the lid and binocs in the front pocket. The one issue with all the versatility is the lid. It has a zip across the top of it, in addition to the zip around it, so you can get in without opening the whole lid. The downside of this in my opinion is that it's an easier way in for thieves in an urban environment - one which it is rather too camera-baggy for comfort anyway.
Build quality is great - nothing has frayed, materials are well-chosen and the main lid zip is very robust. The shoulder strap is lovely and easily removable for waist-bag mode. The waist belt also tucks away nicely for shoulder bag use.
Think tank have clearly used belt systems before designing this bag. The reverse-flip lid is the clearest indicator of that. This means the lid is not in your way when trying to change lenses with the bag on your body, and is also a good anti-pickpocket feature (notwithstanding the mentioned additional zip which lets things down on that front) since the zips can be positioned between the bag and your body, where it will be difficult for them to get hands unnoticed.
The bag isn't overly weather-proofed, and has a separate AW cover. This cover works well and is easy enough to use, but I've always preferred design for weatherproofing (eg CCS overlapping lids and internal drawstring cover - these work well without impeding use like the AW covers do).
Looks wise, there is no mistaking that this is a camera bag. It is not stealthy nor is it neutrally designed (like say the crumplers that could be messenger bags or handbags, or the business neutral lowepros).
Overall
This is as close to perfection as I've ever found in a camera bag. My most serious complaints about it could be resolved with a simple lid redesign (remove top zip, offset main zip downwards half an inch to give weather-proofing overlap). In terms of size and utility it's brilliant. I quickly sold my old shoulder bag, and my belt system and backpack haven't seen use since I bought this (must get them sold...). The size fits exactly the kit(s) I want to carry, without being so wide as a Nova 190. It's comfortable to walk with all day. It's very well made. The price might seem high, but it's nothing compared to what I've spent over the years on all those other bags...
Score: 9/10 (nothing's perfect)
Maker/Provider: Think Tank
Product: Speed Freak
Price: £85
Overall Rating: 9/10
Overall Summary:
The continual search for a camera bag is at an end
Detailed Review
I needed a bag that would hold the following, without being too huge or wide:
EOS 5D + 24-105F4
70-200 F4
17-40 F4
I also wanted to be able to attach a pouch with my 300F4 to the bag. Other nice to haves were room for a 1.4X OR 50 F1.8, swap 70-200 for 550EX, and possibly even room for my Bushnell Trophy 10x42s.
The Speed Freak could almost have been made for me. Read the preamble for more detail, but I like belt bags and I like shoulder bags in different situations. The speed freak is both.
Kits that Fit(tm)
This bag has exceeded my expectations of what can fit. My lenses all have reversed hoods fitted when in the bag - 70-200 has stock ET74, 24-105 has EW-83J (stock hood for 17-55 F2.8 IS), 17-40 has modified EW-83DII (stock hood for 24 F1.4L. It has been filed down so as not to vignette, resulting in a far more compact yet more effective hood than stock EW-83E).
1) 5D + 24-105 + 17-40 + 50 + 70-200. The 50 sits on top of a divider above the 17-40.
2) As above but 1.4X instead of 50.
3) 5D + 24-105 + 70-200 + 300F4 + 1.4X. I was astounded that this setup fitted, but it does, although is a little tight on the zips. This requires the 70-200 to be fitted to the camera. Both telephotos can fit with their tripod rings and QR plates.
The front pocket is big. In fact, big enough that my binoculars go in it without problem. It is even possible, although care should be taken due to lack of padding, to get the 550EX in the front pocket. Otherwise it can replace the 70-200 in kits 1) and 2) above.
In use
This bag is about versatility. The belt system is well padded and I find nicely fitting, with enough flexibility and the most comfortable I have tried. It can take additional sliplock-type bags (eg crumpler, lowepro, think tank, etc pouches). However, the sewn loops are narrow and don't fit many sliplock bags, which may have to use the larger section behind the sewn loops - which then allows the bags to slide back and forth.
There are pockets galore, inside and outside. I like being able to put a couple of bottles of water in the side pockets for walking, slip some papers down the back pocket, spare battery and memory cards inside, allen key for tripod plates in the lid and binocs in the front pocket. The one issue with all the versatility is the lid. It has a zip across the top of it, in addition to the zip around it, so you can get in without opening the whole lid. The downside of this in my opinion is that it's an easier way in for thieves in an urban environment - one which it is rather too camera-baggy for comfort anyway.
Build quality is great - nothing has frayed, materials are well-chosen and the main lid zip is very robust. The shoulder strap is lovely and easily removable for waist-bag mode. The waist belt also tucks away nicely for shoulder bag use.
Think tank have clearly used belt systems before designing this bag. The reverse-flip lid is the clearest indicator of that. This means the lid is not in your way when trying to change lenses with the bag on your body, and is also a good anti-pickpocket feature (notwithstanding the mentioned additional zip which lets things down on that front) since the zips can be positioned between the bag and your body, where it will be difficult for them to get hands unnoticed.
The bag isn't overly weather-proofed, and has a separate AW cover. This cover works well and is easy enough to use, but I've always preferred design for weatherproofing (eg CCS overlapping lids and internal drawstring cover - these work well without impeding use like the AW covers do).
Looks wise, there is no mistaking that this is a camera bag. It is not stealthy nor is it neutrally designed (like say the crumplers that could be messenger bags or handbags, or the business neutral lowepros).
Overall
This is as close to perfection as I've ever found in a camera bag. My most serious complaints about it could be resolved with a simple lid redesign (remove top zip, offset main zip downwards half an inch to give weather-proofing overlap). In terms of size and utility it's brilliant. I quickly sold my old shoulder bag, and my belt system and backpack haven't seen use since I bought this (must get them sold...). The size fits exactly the kit(s) I want to carry, without being so wide as a Nova 190. It's comfortable to walk with all day. It's very well made. The price might seem high, but it's nothing compared to what I've spent over the years on all those other bags...
Score: 9/10 (nothing's perfect)
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