Think Tank Airport International v2 of Takeoff?

I'm trying to decide which one would be better for travel. The major difference, to me, is the backpack capability. Anyone have experience with both? I'd like some advice.

What gear do you own?

I have the Takeoff, so I may be able to help you out!

NicolasRubio wrote in post #10455817
What gear do you own?

I have the Takeoff, so I may be able to help you out!

Most trips will be with two bodies and 5-6 lenses (all L's but currently nothing longer than 70-200), a 580EX, gitzo travel tripod, 15" laptop and an ipad. Probably a few other things like my videocan, mic, etc. I will eventually pick up a 300 2.8 (replacing a 120-300), which may come along. I doubt I'll ever have anything larger than a 300 but I would love to be able to pack my gitzo 1541T in the bag.

ZCphoto wrote in post #10455881
Most trips will be with two bodies and 5-6 lenses (all L's but currently nothing longer than 70-200), a 580EX, gitzo travel tripod, 15" laptop and an ipad. Probably a few other things like my videocan, mic, etc. I will eventually pick up a 300 2.8 (replacing a 120-300), which may come along. I doubt I'll ever have anything larger than a 300 but I would love to be able to pack my gitzo 1541T in the bag.

I don't know if all that gear would even fit in an Airport Security V2.0. The problem is the tripod INSIDE the bag, because if not, I think that it'd fit in all three of them.

Lets see, in the Airport Takeoff:

1D Mark III -> CHECK
(Ungripped?) 5D Mark II -> CHECK
70-200 (Which one) -> CHECK
300 2.8 -> CHECK
580EX -> CHECK
15" Laptop -> CHECK
iPad -> Most Probably
Gitzo 1541T -> Only in the outside, with the included tripod holder

A 300 2.8 should be packed vertical and not horizontal in the TakeOff, so that alone would take up about 40% of the bag.

If you have two cameras with grips, consider one full-length deep-space portion gone (in photo: D3 and the two spaces on the left).

A 70-200 with hood reversed will take up the space of about three 85Ls, so you'll be left with only enough space for a single 85L and the upper 15% portion of the bag (which is deep enough only for the height of an ungripped camera) to store your other stuff.

TTP Photo:

Here's what will be in the bag for an upcoming trip:

5D MKII ungripped
T2i
videocam
S90
16-35
Zeiss 21
24-70
24L
70-200 2.8
15" laptop
iPad
chargers, lenspen, rocketblower, CF/SD cardholder, etc.

My preference for trips is a backpack. But if you must have a roller, a roller backpack would work too.

Your gear will fit into the takeoff no problemo.

ZCphoto wrote in post #10460739
Here's what will be in the bag for an upcoming trip:

5D MKII ungripped
T2i
videocam
S90
16-35
Zeiss 21
24-70
24L
70-200 2.8
15" laptop
iPad
chargers, lenspen, rocketblower, CF/SD cardholder, etc.

That will fit in the Airport Takeoff with no effort at all! If you have any further questions on the bag, or need pics, shoot me a PM!


PS: remember my affiliate code? http://www.thinktankph​oto.com/affiliates.asp​x?code=AP-427

I have had both and still have the Airport International (sold the Takeoff brand-new recently as I am trying to fund a long/fast lens $$$$ ... otherwise would have kept it!).

They are very similar although the Takeoff has slightly less depth due to the backpack straps, the external dimensions are the same. The Takeoff has a covered laptop pocket rather than just a elastic sleeve, but in doing so loses the front zipper compartment of the International. However, if you buy the low-divider set for the International for better laptop storage, but find the Takeoff laptop pocket adequate ... then you will have MORE resulting depth in the bag with the Takeoff (confused??).

The zipper locking is different as the Takeoff doesn't have the fixed lock bracket and also doesn't have the lock-down cable on the back (both have the laptop cable lock in front). The notched-dividers allow camera with lens at the top and down the deeper side of the Takeoff, good for gripped/pro bodies.

The Takeoff is slightly lighter in weight and the dividers don't seem as thick.

Both are excellent bags and you can't go wrong with either of them (or any Think Tank bag)!

hope that helps some,
-howard

Here is my Airport International loaded up:
https://photography-on-the.net …?p=8879796&post​count=2523

hfgarris wrote in post #10461662
They are very similar although the Takeoff has slightly less depth due to the backpack straps, the external dimensions are the same. The Takeoff has a covered laptop pocket rather than just a elastic sleeve, but in doing so loses the front zipper compartment of the International. However, if you buy the low-divider set for the International for better laptop storage, but find the Takeoff laptop pocket adequate ... then you will have MORE resulting depth in the bag with the Takeoff (confused??).

Very

Could you explain that again, please?

NicolasRubio wrote in post #10461967
Very

Could you explain that again, please?

Sorry for the poorly thought out sentence...:o

The main reason I thought I wanted the Takeoff when I already had the International wasn't because of the backpack capability (I don't like backpacks!).

I wasn't too comfortable with my laptop in the stretchy pouch on the International when traveling, so I purchased the low divider set to allow the laptop to be carried inside the bag. The Takeoff has a covered pouch on the front for your laptop with the security of a clip to keep it closed which would prevent someone from grabbing your laptop and running off with it as you walk through an airport (although they both have a cable lock if you use it).

So, when comparing the International with low dividers with laptop inside the bag, against the Takeoff with full dividers and the laptop in the outside pocket, the Takeoff will have more depth for lenses as configured for my use, even though the stock International is deeper.

This would have allowed me to stand some lenses on-end which were laying down in my old bag, giving me a bit more room in the bag for another lens or two.

So there...

-howard

hfgarris wrote in post #10462282
Sorry for the poorly thought out sentence...:o

The main reason I thought I wanted the Takeoff when I already had the International wasn't because of the backpack capability (I don't like backpacks!).

I wasn't too comfortable with my laptop in the stretchy pouch on the International when traveling, so I purchased the low divider set to allow the laptop to be carried inside the bag. The Takeoff has a covered pouch on the front for your laptop with the security of a clip to keep it closed which would prevent someone from grabbing your laptop and running off with it as you walk through an airport (although they both have a cable lock if you use it).

So, when comparing the International with low dividers with laptop inside the bag, against the Takeoff with full dividers and the laptop in the outside pocket, the Takeoff will have more depth for lenses as configured for my use, even though the stock International is deeper.

This would have allowed me to stand some lenses on-end which were laying down in my old bag, giving me a bit more room in the bag for another lens or two.

So there...

-howard

Oh, now I get it!

What about the Airport Security V2.0 with low dividers? Too big?

NicolasRubio wrote in post #10463152
Oh, now I get it!

What about the Airport Security V2.0 with low dividers? Too big?

Yeah ... too big ...

I didn't want to be challanged at the gate about carry-on size, whether international or domestic flights. I have been asked to "gate check" the Airport International on a couple of occasions even though I was sure it would have fit in the overhead bin (they did that for anyone with a wheeled bag). Usually the TT International flies thru check-in without any problems!

-howard

Yes I definitely want to have a hassle free flight. Last week I was forced (at gunpoint........kiddin​g) to check in a small Oakley roller case so it made me think. I had a Tilopa but sold it due to concern about size. Now I realize the removable internal unit would have come in real handy if I had gear with me. I'm thinking the backpack look of the bag may help bringing it on board.

ZCphoto wrote in post #10463703
Yes I definitely want to have a hassle free flight. Last week I was forced (at gunpoint........kiddin​g) to check in a small Oakley roller case so it made me think. I had a Tilopa but sold it due to concern about size. Now I realize the removable internal unit would have come in real handy if I had gear with me. I'm thinking the backpack look of the bag may help bringing it on board.

As I have observed, plus reading experiences of others on the forums, it seems that people wearing backpacks are rarely challenged at the check-in counter, or at the gate, with the size issues of their carry-on bag. However, even roller bags which fit the sizing-frame at the counter, may not be allowed in the cabin by the gate attendants when the flight is full.

They seem to use "wheels" as the determining criteria of who is asked to gate-check the bag and who gets to carry it onboard. As such, the "Takeoff" may offer some advantage if you become aware that they are restricting carry-ons, and you can convert the bag to the backpack configuration before they single you out for a gate-check-tag.

-howard