Think Tank Announces the Retrospective
The Retrospective
Think Tank Photo has announced several new product lately. One of which rates a 12 on scale of 1-to-10 for it’s cool factor. I am speaking about the new Retrospective series camera bags. As the name implies, it sports a very retro look and feel. I have only seen the press release photo, but from what I can tell it looks very cool. It comes in a Black Poly Spun Canvas or a stonewashed Pinestone Cotton Canvas. I personally really like the look of the Pinestone from the photo and I have always loved the feel of the old cotton canvas bags. I can’t say anything about its functionality, as I’ve never actually touched one or looked inside of one. But, given it is made by Think Tank, my bet is it will not suffer in that area. Hardly anyone has outside of Think Tank has set eyes on this set of bags, as the bags have not been released yet. But they should be released soon.
There are two types of bags in this series. The Retrospective camera shoulder bags, designed for a camera and lens. This bag is capable of carting around a pro size DSLR and can accommodates up to a 70-200 f2.8 lens (lens hood reversed). It has a front pocket capable of carrying a body without the lens attached. There are three sizes in this bag: Retrospective 10, Retrospective 20 and the Retrospective 30 selling selling for $149, $159 and $179 respectively.[1. all prices in USD] Then there is the Retrospective lens changer shoulder bags, and this model comes in two sizes. The Retrospective Lens Changer 2 will carry two lenses and will sell for around US$99 and the Retrospective Lens Changer 3, as the name implies, will carry three lenses and will be US$119.
This series is designed to pay homage to the days when bags where visually simple but highly functional. Here is what Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo’s president and lead designer had to say about the bags:
“As camera bag designers and frontline photojournalists, we honor the role of reportage and its influence on photojournalism. We understand that photography is more than an assignment or a paycheck, but a way of life and an art form. To quote Cartier-Bresson: ‘To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.’”Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo
Want it…yesterday!
I'll admit it. I'm old school. I have several ThinkTank belt bags and I like the Skin series, but at heart I'm a shoulder bag guy. The Retrospective bags look very cool. I can hardly wait to try one.
jack
I have made 2 purchases from Think Tank and had issues with both products. There lack of customer care and response makes me feel better when I spend my money elsewhere.
I am sorry you have had a bad experience with them. I honestly believe that is not the norm. I have had nothing but positive experiences with them.
On the one occasion that I had a problem with a ThinkTank accessory (not a bag), their customer service was amazing. In fact, I wrote to them to let them know how nice (and rare) it was to receive such attentive customer service these days. I hope that's their norm.
As for the new Retrospective, it looks good. I might have to build an annex onto my camera bag closet to fit in yet another bag.
Looks great! It seems to be the kind of bag I'm looking for: big enough, yet not too big, and especially a great camouflage: it looks more like a casual bag than a photog bag with a big “expensive camera gear – please rob me!” sticked on top 🙂
Can't wait to see it somewhere… Thanks for sharing Matt!
I emailed Brian Erwin of Think Tank and spoke with him about your issue. He said they are standing by to help you. Please contact them and see if you can get your problem straightened out. Trust me, what you experienced is not the norm.
Matt, next time you're up in BKK or China, check out the Delsey range of bags. They're made in Vietnam and so out here cost a fraction of the Thinktank or Domke ones. It's a ballistic nylon bag with removable padding and a low profile, they're really smart and simple.
http://www.delseycamerabags.com/view_product.ph…
I own several thinkTank products and they are all great. I saw the new bags at PMA and they looked and felt great. I have to agree the Pinestone bags look great and they don't scream steal me!
Hey Matt,
These look great. Are you getting any in for review?
Kesh
One can hope!
It's great that they seem to have understood that it was not really such a great idea to try to disguise camera bags by making them look like a notebook case as they did with the UrbanDisguise series.
Sacha, I don’t think it is that as much as it is, just in general new bag offering. The Urban Disguise bags seem to be doing well. But I do get your point.
I have been waiting to see who would to come up with the first modern, improved version of the old Domke F2-camera bag. I guess this is it. I will definitely check this out, even though I am a strong fan of the F2…
On my last trip to Malaysia I carried all my stuff in my Domke, and the swopped to my Think Tank Modular belt when on set. (In my Domke F2 I had: D700, 14-24/2.8, 35/2.0, 50/1.2, 50/1.4, 85/1-4, 105/2.5 + 3 batteries, cabels, charges, one million cards and other stuff.
Personally I am a fan of the old Domke F2-bags. On the destination I swop into a Thin Tank Modular belt system. Looking forward to see what these TT-guys have come up with.
Back to old-school!
Cotton bags are best way for healthy life. Looks nice and echo friendly..
Here is a great video review of the retrospective 30. http://bit.ly/cV2jbX
I picked up a Retrospective 30 the other day. It's a very nice bag. Lots of room, hangs very comfortably from my shoulder. Terrific bag.
This is a really nice bag, good stuff!
Mbop Megashop