ThinkTankPhoto Retro 5 Review!

I figured I'm make an official thread for a review since there's a lot of questions and wondering floating around in the "news" thread from when the bag was announced...

Anyway, I do a bunch of these reviews on my blog, and add a lot of info to my photos over there as well as add videos. So you should go here to see the full review (still a work in process): http://www.benjacobsen​photo.com …oto-retro-5-video-review/
I'm also a thinktank affiliate, which I feel bad mentioning, but I only bring it up because YOU get a FREE accessory if you order using a link on my site.

Anyway, on to the good stuff:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/benjacobsen/5​690777307/

• ID: 9.5" W x 7.8" H x 4.5" D (24 x 19.5 x 11.5 cm)
  
• ED: 10" W x 8.5" H x 6" D (25.5 x 21.5 x 15 cm)
  
• Weight: 2.3 lbs (1.0 kg)
  
• Lifetime Warranty

video is finally processed and uploaded: http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=enR5pGgnv3U

When the 17-40 is mounted how is is it from the top of the case?

Also can a camera body be slid in with the lens facing "across" (side of camera down) the case instead of down?

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #12356186
When the 17-40 is mounted how is is it from the top of the case?

shorter than the 70-300, but not by much. It's just about perfectly flush with my Lee ring and neoprene cap on it.

yes, you can just remove dividers and fit longer combos in the bag.

thanks for the review!

hrm, to buy this and sell the R10 or not... tough choice. this is a much better size for me to work out of.... or maybe i'll just convert my r10 to my everyday work bag

I'm hoping my 17-55 will fit, Think Tank said it would and didn't even question it. I'd really like something smaller than a R10. Here's hoping that it will work. If not I guess I'll put up with the size of the R10 as I want something smaller than my 7 MDH.

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #12356750
I'm hoping my 17-55 will fit, Think Tank said it would and didn't even question it. I'd really like something smaller than a R10. Here's hoping that it will work. If not I guess I'll put up with the size of the R10 as I want something smaller than my 7 MDH.

17-55 will fit unmounted.

randomlinh wrote in post #12356714
hrm, to buy this and sell the R10 or not... tough choice. this is a much better size for me to work out of.... or maybe i'll just convert my r10 to my everyday work bag

what do you want to keep in it and what do you have in your R10 now?

I've been using my R10 2 ways, the first is for gear storage and hauling (when I need everything) and for that it'll stay. The second is for shooting, and with my kit now, it's bigger than I need. I've pulled out all the crap I could (un-needed accessories) and then strap the front flap down as tight as possible, and it's slimmer and smallish, but now with a 5 next to it, it's still massive....

It's nice having both, if that's possible for you. I've found over the years, with all my bag swapping, I've regretted selling any bag that wasn't replaced with a similar item just from a different maker. I've missed my tamrac adventure 4 messenger for when I didn't want the R10. It's just nice having options.

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #12356750
I'm hoping my 17-55 will fit, Think Tank said it would and didn't even question it.

stax wrote in post #12356793
17-55 will fit unmounted.

it's 4.4" according to B&H. The 17-40 (what's in my pictures) is 3.8" according to B&H. I just measured my 17-40, and OFF the camera (so with a rear cap) it's almost exactly 5" with my lee filter ring and neoprene hood. Measure your 17-55 sitting on a counter with both caps on it and see how long it is, if it's ~5" it'll fit on the camera. But yeah, it'll fit 100% in the bag OFF camera, but I'd bet on the camera as well.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #12358186
what do you want to keep in it and what do you have in your R10 now?

I've been using my R10 2 ways, the first is for gear storage and hauling (when I need everything) and for that it'll stay. The second is for shooting, and with my kit now, it's bigger than I need. I've pulled out all the crap I could (un-needed accessories) and then strap the front flap down as tight as possible, and it's slimmer and smallish, but now with a 5 next to it, it's still massive....

i use my r10 in a similar fashion, as well as to shoot out of. But as you've stated, it's a bit bulky for that purpose. Generally, in those situation (events) I have to lug my Pelican anyway so having an R5 would be so much nicer (I tried to shoot out of my FX5B... heh).

It's rare I would just need the R10 to haul stuff, but it does happen. However, it would probably be a nice messenger bag for my day job... so I could easily carry lunch to work and have separate places for carrying my GF1 everyday, heh. My timbuk2 is too small for that.

Is there something between a R10 and R5 in size?

My R5 just arrived. Looks great. Can't wait to get home and see how it works out with my gear.

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #12359500
Is there something between a R10 and R5 in size?

No.

When I saw they made a 5 I was excited but I was really hoping the R-5 would be the same size as the R-10 but not as deep ( basically same thing but for a camera with no grip ) Would be the perfect bag for me.

Do you even really need a bag for 4/3 systems ? ( I don't own one ) why carry a 2.5 pound bag for a 1/2 pound camera? The bag looks nice, the R-10 is an excellent bag ( my fav ) so I am sure this is good too. I would be curious to see how it works with a Rebel kit with like an 18-55 + 55-250. Probably pretty ideal for something like that. I may eventually still get one since I don't really have any really small bags and it may be nice for my 60D and a few small primes.

Also that point about the side straps is a great feature with the Retro bags. Its the main reason I went with the R-10 over the 30, I have 2 pouches that I use when needed and really its a great option. I keep a 580 in one and it makes getting my flash out easy and when I want to go lighter I just remove the pouches and the bag is much smaller.

Tommydigi wrote in post #12359584
Do you even really need a bag for 4/3 systems ?

Not if I'm carrying just one camera, but I frequently have as many as five other lenses with me, in addition to whatever's on the camera, and sometimes I have two bodies, a strobe, hoods, etc.

The 5 also looks like it will serve well when I want to carry just my 5DII and a couple lenses.

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #12359500
Is there something between a R10 and R5 in size?

not yet?

Tommydigi wrote in post #12359584
Do you even really need a bag for 4/3 systems ?

depends on what you're doing and what you have.

Normally, no I do not.

When I'm skiing, I need an easy way to carry it. If it's one body, one lens it goes in a pocket, but as soon as I have 2 lenses I need a (chest) bag...

If I'm near water, I go this route: