Belt & Harness Systems Compared - Think Tank and Lowepro

Hi Everyone

Whilst searching the web to find out info on harness and belt systems, I came across this article which I just had to share with everyone.

http://www.photosafari​india.com/articles/rev​4-beltsys.html

It pretty much answered all my questions in regrards to which system to buy. There were a lot of helpful posts on here, but a lot of my questions were answered in this one article.

Big thanks to Vandit Kalia. The author.

I also would love to here from anyone else who have wisdom and insight to share.

thank you for time

jwsm wrote in post #9787895
Hi Everyone

Whilst searching the web to find out info on harness and belt systems, I came across this article which I just had to share with everyone.

http://www.photosafari​india.com/articles/rev​4-beltsys.html

It pretty much answered all my questions in regrards to which system to buy. There were a lot of helpful posts on here, but a lot of my questions were answered in this one article.

Big thanks to Vandit Kalia. The author.

I also would love to here from anyone else who have wisdom and insight to share.

thank you for time

JWSM,

Thanks very much for sharing. A very useful viewpoint for me, while I have been searching for practical feedback on these belt systems.

JH

Agreed that Think Tank gear has, from the very start, been designed more for the professional event/sports shooters. For example their very first product, the Airport Addicted, was to facilitate airline carry on for a 400 f2.8, 500 f4, or 600 lens, laptop and a bunch of bodies, lenses and strobes. In no way was it designed to compete with the Lowepro "trekker" series, unless one is trekking to a stadium and needs a laptop. The Think Tank designs do not have a harness system comparable to the larger Lowepro or Tamrac backpacks.
Within that design orientation, the Think Tank gear is really quite innovative and well made.
Mike K

Mike K wrote in post #9822949
Agreed that Think Tank gear has, from the very start, been designed more for the professional event/sports shooters. For example their very first product, the Airport Addicted, was to facilitate airline carry on for a 400 f2.8, 500 f4, or 600 lens, laptop and a bunch of bodies, lenses and strobes. In no way was it designed to compete with the Lowepro "trekker" series, unless one is trekking to a stadium and needs a laptop. The Think Tank designs do not have a harness system comparable to the larger Lowepro or Tamrac backpacks.
Within that design orientation, the Think Tank gear is really quite innovative and well made.
Mike K

Yes. I absolutely love the TT Airport Security bag for travel. But I also use a Kata backback for outings when a rolling bag is inappropriate. And I have been testing our the dual R-Strap for managing 2 bodies at events. But there are times when it would be handy to carry a few more accesories and additional primes on my person with quick accessibility. Thus my interest in a belt system.

JH

TT for sure

jhoag wrote in post #9824015
Yes. I absolutely love the TT Airport Security bag for travel. But I also use a Kata backback for outings when a rolling bag is inappropriate. And I have been testing our the dual R-Strap for managing 2 bodies at events. But there are times when it would be handy to carry a few more accesories and additional primes on my person with quick accessibility. Thus my interest in a belt system.

JH

If you are an event shooter, then the TT setup is best. IMO, the LP is way too bulky. TT even has a less bulky "Skin" series.

jhom wrote in post #9868383
If you are an event shooter, then the TT setup is best. IMO, the LP is way too bulky. TT even has a less bulky "Skin" series.

Thanks Jim. I am quickly coming to that conclusion. I am doing a Tennis tournament in a few weeks and will try the TT system out fo that. It will include wilde and tele action, + candid and group shots - i.e. the whole event. I think that will provide a good indication of flexibilty and mobility.

JH

jhoag wrote in post #9869036
Thanks Jim. I am quickly coming to that conclusion. I am doing a Tennis tournament in a few weeks and will try the TT system out fo that. It will include wilde and tele action, + candid and group shots - i.e. the whole event. I think that will provide a good indication of flexibilty and mobility.

JH

If you are the sort who frequently change lenses, here is a trick. Have a lens case for each of the lenses you intend to carry and use. This would mean having one open lens case on the belt. This way you can easily exchange lenses without fumbling. You unmount the lens you want to remove from the camera body and drop it in the open lens case and then mount the new lens from its case on the belt.

Lowepro lens cases can be mounted onto the Think Tank belt - very convenient should you want to use the Digital Holster system (which beats the Lowepro Toploader system by a mile - no in-position lens hoods digging into your legs as you walk up and down hills, for one). Both the Pixel Racing Harness and the Lowepro shoulder straps leave something to be desired, though - the Lowepro has the tendency to split at the yoke under heavy loads, while the ThinkTank is just plain flimsy and unable to stand up to punishment...

Thanks very much Jim and Shadowblade. Good advice and info. This is such a difficult topic to assess without actually talking to real users.

JH

I'm heavily invested into think tank photo stuff (US$550) and I just love how each element works with each other.

I have a think tank steroid speed belt with modular pouches. Used to have lowepro's 60AW pouch and Lens Case 1W which I sold away after I got the think tank stuff. The lowepro's are too padded and their velcro mounting isn't very trustworthy.

Also - their stuff is all zippered. I lent the Lowepro Lens Case 1W to my friend with my 50 1.4 + hood for a day or two, and because of his forgetfulness, bent down to pick up a coin with the lens case open. Thankfully there isn't any damage to the lens (hood had some scratches- it was a sports track), but it made me certain that think tank was the way to go.

Headshotzx wrote in post #9876135
I'm heavily invested into think tank photo stuff (US$550) and I just love how each element works with each other.

I have a think tank steroid speed belt with modular pouches. Used to have lowepro's 60AW pouch and Lens Case 1W which I sold away after I got the think tank stuff. The lowepro's are too padded and their velcro mounting isn't very trustworthy.

Also - their stuff is all zippered. I lent the Lowepro Lens Case 1W to my friend with my 50 1.4 + hood for a day or two, and because of his forgetfulness, bent down to pick up a coin with the lens case open. Thankfully there isn't any damage to the lens (hood had some scratches- it was a sports track), but it made me certain that think tank was the way to go.

The zippers and weather protection are the very reason I like the Lowepro lens cases (not the Toploaders, though)! When hiking, climbing, 4-wheel driving, horse/camel/elephant riding, etc. my equipment tends to get bumped around a bit and be subjected to sand, dust, rain, sleet and snow - the open-lid ThinkTank cases just wouldn't cut it. I do wish the Lowepros had slightly less padding though, to reduce bulk - the ThinkTank modular pouches have plenty of padding for protection from physical impact.