*REVIEW* Think Tank Retrospective 20

Can someone comment on the 20's padding? It does look like a great bag. However the bag walls and bottom look thin. How much protection is there? Thanks

hugues wrote in post #14905017
Can someone comment on the 20's padding? It does look like a great bag. However the bag walls and bottom look thin. How much protection is there? Thanks

It's thinner than say my Lowepro backpack or the Top Loading Zoom but it's sufficient for normal use walkaround use. Just don't drop it and expect a miracle, especially since the top flap is basically just a flap

Correct, the padding is thinner (for example, compared with the Lowepro) - both on the bottom and the inserts. I have added extra padding to the bottom of mine and have combined 2 inserts for the central 'divider' to make it a bit 'stiffer'. I like the bag very much though and tend to carry 2 bodies with attached lenses.

TT Restrospective has no side padding at all. On all my Retrospective bags I am squeezing some of the dividers they provide to the collapsible inside nylon pockets on each side .. nevertheless they are my favorite bags

Oh .. did I say that Lowepro and KATA are kings of padding?

omik wrote in post #14905278
Oh .. did I say that Lowepro and KATA are kings of padding?

Lowepro Messenger Pro has better padding all around. The biggest problem with Retrospective is thin padding at the bottom, you can contact TT CS and they'll send you updated padding free of charge. The new wall padding I got is the same thickness, but the bottom one is extremely thick, on par with Messenger Pro, not sure why it doesn't come as stock.

hugues wrote in post #14905017
Can someone comment on the 20's padding? It does look like a great bag. However the bag walls and bottom look thin. How much protection is there? Thanks

Bad! Bad! Bad! They sacrificed even a modicum of protection for ease of use. The bottom padding is non existant. The sides and between are bad. I decided to keep the bag because of ease of use. I added a domke padded bottom and used my UD padding to make it decent. Unfortunately made it bulky.
I think the biggest design flaw is the bottom padding by far.
Still an elegant bag though.

When I had the bag I thought the biggest design flaw was the outer pockets being too small. What do people use those pockets for, pens and pencils? I tried my flash in there and it was way too tight.

DavidR wrote in post #14969258
When I had the bag I thought the biggest design flaw was the outer pockets being too small. What do people use those pockets for, pens and pencils? I tried my flash in there and it was way too tight.

I find those pockets are great for my smartphone. Slips right in. But I've never really used it for anything else. Maybe the odd little thing. A small wallet, car keys, etc.

DavidR wrote in post #14969258
When I had the bag I thought the biggest design flaw was the outer pockets being too small. What do people use those pockets for, pens and pencils? I tried my flash in there and it was way too tight.

Extra battery on one side. Memory card carrying case on the other. That said, it would have been nice if they made those pockets expandable.

Find the comments interesting. I had a Retro10 that carried my gear ok. However, I hated the raincover. So I traded the bag for one that suited me better for some other uses...Speed Racer. And I bought 2 Billingham bags that are more economical here than Think Tank.

I came back from Cape Cod in the late spring (read Atlantic Storms) and posted how disappointed I was. Jon recommended an F3X. Shame on me, I have one, and should have taken it instead.

2 extremes with bags. Shooter's Bags. Packing Crates. What I need is shooter's bags. Fast access, compliments how I work. Put too much padding in and bags become packing crates. That's what my R10 was with the raincover on...no way I could protect my gear, and continue shooting...hence my last purchase. A Billingham Hadley Pro. it's a waterproof shooter's bag with (some) padding.

Love my Domkes and Billinghams. Have 4 ? or 5? Think Tanks too...

DavidR wrote in post #14969258
When I had the bag I thought the biggest design flaw was the outer pockets being too small. What do people use those pockets for, pens and pencils? I tried my flash in there and it was way too tight.

Slim water bottle fits, if you don't have a flash just on the other side of it.

I don't think I ever used those side pockets but I have used the straps on the sides to attach pouches. I have a 7 and 30 and I am very happy with them.

I just picked up the Pinstripe Retrospective 20 tonight at my local camera store. A bit pricey compared to my last purchase (crumpler 6MDH) but worth it. While the side padding is not as thick as the crumpler it holds my 40D with grip easily which is why I gave up on the Crumpler 6MDH. I was very impressed with quality of construction for all of the straps and buckles overall I am very impressed with it. Now just to figure out the optimal layout for all my gear.

My only complaint on the 20 is there are no dedicated pen and memory card holders built into the bag anywhere.

DavidR wrote in post #14969258
When I had the bag I thought the biggest design flaw was the outer pockets being too small. What do people use those pockets for, pens and pencils? I tried my flash in there and it was way too tight.

I put my used batteries & full CF cards in the side pockets to make sure they don't get mixed up with my good ones inside the bag. I've never found a use for the back pocket.