Think Tank Retrospective 7 "Review"

Not really a review, but I just got this bag yesterday and thought I would take a few photos of it and give my thoughts.

I'll start by saying I LOVE TT bags, and have a gazillion of them. I have 5 Urban Disguise bags, 2 StreetWalker backpacks, 3 rollers, and a bunch of other misc things. I also have the Retrospective 5, Retrospective 10, Retrospective 30, and the Lens Changer 3. I really like my Retrospective 30 and use it all the time for things like engagement shoots. It looks great, I can stuff a ton of gear in to it, and it's pretty easy to shoot out of, but for me it's way to big for an everyday bag. The Retro 10 is smaller, but as a guy who uses 5D's with no grips and all primes, the 10 always felt like it was too big for my gear - so I don't really use it much. The Retro 5 is great for when I want to carry a body & 2 lenses, but it is a little small for much more than that.

When the Retro 7 was announced, I knew it was going to be as close to a perfect bag as I could probably hope for. When it showed up yesterday, I wasn't disappointed. Just like the rest of the Retro series, it's built well and looks great. My typical carry-around kit is usually my 5D3, 50L, 24L II & 85L II. This bag can pretty easily take all 3 of those, and a 600EX Speedlight (though it's a little tight with the lens hoods on). I could probably also stuff something like my 24L II, 50L, 85L II & 14L II, but I didn't try. Again, it might be a little tight with the hood on all of the lenses.

Here's some photos showing the bag with the 3 lenses above and the 600EX-RT - if you have any questions let me know.

Nice review ... the Retro-7 looks like a winner, very nice!

It appears the iPad can fit either in the front or rear pockets. Is the rear more padded?
Does having the flat iPad at the back of the bag effect the wearing comfort against your hip?

-howard

hfgarris wrote in post #14511697
It appears the iPad can fit either in the front or rear pockets. Is the rear more padded?

Yeah, it has a little bit of padding both on the outside flap and the area between the iPad pouch and the area the camera goes in. The front doesn't have any padding.

hfgarris wrote in post #14511697
Does having the flat iPad at the back of the bag effect the wearing comfort against your hip?

No, doesn't seem to.

You wouldnt happen to pick up the bg-e11 soon. Id like to see how the 5d3 fits with grip.

ClassicJ wrote in post #14512085
You wouldnt happen to pick up the bg-e11 soon. Id like to see how the 5d3 fits with grip.

I would think you would be better off with the Retro-10 if you have a gripped camera, it is 6" deep inside, but the bag is about the same size since it doesn't have the external rear pocket.

-howard

ClassicJ wrote in post #14512085
You wouldnt happen to pick up the bg-e11 soon. Id like to see how the 5d3 fits with grip.

Nope, no grips for me.

You might be able to cram a body + grip in this bag, but it definitely wouldn't fit comfortably. As Howard said, you'd be better off with the Retro 10.

This is exactly what I was looking for. And also the exact same reasoning why I ordered this bag and not the 10. I am not a grip person and just need an everyday bag for my 5D3, 85L II, 35L, and future 24-70L II... Would it be selfish to ask to see more photos? If not it's cool, mine will be in sometime monday

Btw OP, just bookmarked your site. Excellent work.

Michael Cheddar wrote in post #14512520
Would it be selfish to ask to see more photos?

Let me know what you're looking for!

Michael Cheddar wrote in post #14512520
Btw OP, just bookmarked your site. Excellent work.

Thanks!

Curious as to why you prefer the black version over the new blue slate or pinestone.

goldjim wrote in post #14512879
Curious as to why you prefer the black version over the new blue slate or pinestone.

Just prefer the black.

I'd love to see side-by-side photos of the 7 with the 10. The 7 sounds like it might be the perfect walking'-around bag for me.

I really like the 10 but a little less depth would be ideal since I do not use grips. Shame this bag did not come out first. I ended up with a 5, 10 and 30. May have to sell the 5 and 10 and get this. seems pretty idea.

1 question, I notice is just a bit shorter. Any issue with using a 24-70 or similar size set up mounted?

Tommydigi wrote in post #14514087
1 question, I notice is just a bit shorter. Any issue with using a 24-70 or similar size set up mounted?

The specs say it is 8.8" tall, and a mounted 24-70L is 8", so it should fit! It should also hold a unmounted 70-200/2.8L II without a problem.

It is also a bit wider which should help as well.

I have a Retro-7 on order, so I can try it to be sure early next week.


-howard

Just bought a Retrospective 7! Happy user so far...

I bought a pinestone one though, it looks more rugged.