ThinkTankPhoto lens changer 3 review!

vii_haven wrote in post #11702552
I didn't like that i had to go 'under' the flipped back flap to get my flash stored in the back pouch. I might buy a TT pouch to store the flash at the side/front.

yeah, that's my one gripe too. I wish the accessory section was a zippered compartment behind the lens tubes, or that there was another way to get to it at least once you flip the lid over. Maybe it could have been on the inside of the lid?

But be careful with the additional bag idea, there's no loops to make that easy on the LC3? The retros have great side loops though.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #11703474
yeah, that's my one gripe too. I wish the accessory section was a zippered compartment behind the lens tubes, or that there was another way to get to it at least once you flip the lid over. Maybe it could have been on the inside of the lid?

But be careful with the additional bag idea, there's no loops to make that easy on the LC3? The retros have great side loops though.

I'm trying to see if i can sew on an extra 'loop' across the rightmost tube so i can hang the extra pouch to hold the flash. or something slightly less destructive (eg. sew a piece of cloth going one round around the width of the strap so I can hang an extra TT pouch on it. Not sure how that'll work but i can see it in my head. Definitely not very aesthetically pleasing for now.

Anyone has any suggestions other than to buy yet another bag? haha.

vii_haven wrote in post #11703940
Anyone has any suggestions other than to buy yet another bag? haha.

actually, I McGyvered a way on an old bag... I used the tiny loops at the top of the TT modular bags that are for a shoulder strap, but used some small line and a ball:

vii_haven wrote in post #11702552
The bag has 3 lens tubes. I had the 16-35 2.8L II, 70-200 2.8L II in two tubes. One was left empty so i can 'drop' in a lens, and pick up another quickly with the same hand.

This is exactly how I have mine configured too.

Thanks for the review Ben! I think you won me over on this one, looks just like what I was looking for.

How is it to wear with 3 short lenses though? It seems like it's built for a bit longer lenses (my longest is a 135L).

how does it feel when you hae the 70-200 w/a hood set on it the correct way? does the lens stick out a lot?

toffiloff wrote in post #12171219
Thanks for the review Ben! I think you won me over on this one, looks just like what I was looking for.

How is it to wear with 3 short lenses though? It seems like it's built for a bit longer lenses (my longest is a 135L).

You can stuff some socks underneath your short lenses to take up space. Or, put something photographically relevant under the short lens separated by a pad.

SillyGuy wrote in post #12381091
how does it feel when you hae the 70-200 w/a hood set on it the correct way? does the lens stick out a lot?

I don't have one, but I'd imagine there's enough room it just fits nicely. That's what this bag was designed for.

Savas K wrote in post #12381532
Or, put something photographically relevant under the short lens separated by a pad.

TCs and or macro tubes work well.

Thanx for this review, it looks like a great solution for me. I don't like the idea with belt's with pouches or fanny packs etc..

Question though, how flat/compressed can you get the bag when empty ?


Plan is to pack this in a bigger bag.

Thanx!

The 70-200 will drop in nicely with the hood extended. I do that.

I always pack this bag into my Airport Security with the standard dividers.

Works great with a BR strap which i used to use. Now i use a BR DOUBLE strap, and i still haven't figured out how to maneuver this bag with a double strap.

great review thank you. do you think the bag could take a 7d gripped?

0.0f wrote in post #12388337
great review thank you. do you think the bag could take a 7d gripped?

definitely not. for the same reason it won't take a 5D Mark II gripped. It won't take it ungripped as well. BUT, if ungripped, and detached from a lens, you will be able to slot it into one of the lens tubes.

the bag was designed for lenses only, not for bodies so its by no fault of thinktank that it doesn't fit bodies.

MR do little wrote in post #12387700
Question though, how flat/compressed can you get the bag when empty ?

very flat. It's not really padded as it's meant as a lens holster (or alternative to the waist/belt setups we both dislike) so the only issue is the bottom of each tube has some padding to it, but it can be folder up to compress it. I'd say easily under 2", but probably 1"?

0.0f wrote in post #12388337
great review thank you. do you think the bag could take a 7d gripped?

no, but w/o the grip yes. It's no thicker than the hood of a 24-70 or 70-200 basically. I'm cheating to put a non gripped body in there as it is (and you need a longish lens to make sure it stays, or you have to be VERY careful when you open the flap).

thanks for the reply guys. im looking for a bag which would take a couple of lenses and the camera but would prefer a compact messenger type of bag. will look at the crumpler prime mover that seems pretty neat and it takes a 7d gripped with a 70-200 f2.8

look at think tank's retrospective bags as well.