Edit: this post was done before I’d had the bag for long. I’ve since done a video review of this bag that’s more in depth. Check that out here. The video is also the header image you see above, click that and you’ll be able to watch the review here.
Thinktank announced the retrospective line a few months ago, and a LOT of people immediately liked the looks and pre-ordered. There have been posts on all the photo forums I’m on (5!) about them and everyone has been very excited about the bag. Well they got them in a few weeks ago, so I shuffled around my bag lineup and ordered a black retro 10 (selling my UD30 [:(] and tamrac adventure 4 messenger in the process). While the bag is not perfect, I will say I’m very happy with it right out of the box. I like it MORE than my UD30 which I never got tired of (rare for me with bags I own for any length of time). I only sold the UD30 to fund this bag.
I will also mention I am an affiliate for thinktank. This means if you use my affiliate link, YOU GET A FREEBIE and I get a small portion of the sale. Their program is mutually beneficial, and their products are always sold at MSRP elsewhere, so do YOURSELF a favor and make sure you use my link (you get a free pixel rocket or cable management or 2 other options [edit: this list changes, those two were on it last week, but now the list is the Modular Pouch, Security Tag, or Lock It Up™]). Here is the link to the black retro 10 as well. Being an affiliate DOES NOT MEAN I give them good reviews though. I comment on the products I use honestly, I use thinktank products because they are very good, but they’re not perfect, read the rest of the review and you’ll see I like this bag (a lot) but it’s not w/o it’s faults.
Make sure you go through the gallery at the bottom and read the descriptions under every image. That is where I cover the specific details of the bag. This bag has a canvas material used in it similar to what Domke uses. I like all black (stealth) bags and it’s a nice material, but not what would be my first choice. But I know a LOT of people LOVE canvas bags so this appeals to more customers. The strap is a bit weird in that the material itself is quite thick. I’d say it’s 2~3 times as thick as a seat belt and ribbed. This makes it a bit stiff and heavier than needed. It does have an excellent strap pad though, which has great grippers to keep it on your shoulder and your shoulder comfortable (I have 20.86lbs in it today for the photos). The strap is a bit shorter than it could have been, my UD30 strap was MUCH longer. I don’t think anyone would use it at it’s shortest, but at it’s longest it just gets down to my belt level. I am 6’4″ so I know I’m not the norm, but if I cross the strap over my head it’s even higher. I would have preferred a lighter material that was longer, but the pad is great!
Those are the only two complaints I have though, the rest of the bag is phenomenal. The only other critique I can even think of is that the back pockets (against your body while carrying it) can’t quite fit an iPad. I’d bet they designed this bag before those specs were released though, so it’s not fair to criticize TT for something they had no knowledge of. The iPad fits in the 20 and 30, but if the 10’s zipper was 1/2″ wider it would have worked PERFECTLY. As it is, it’s just too small. The inside inner pocket is also weird in that it doesn’t go to the bottom of the bag? It’s stitched about 2″ from the bottom, odd but not an issue. Both of the outer pockets, the accessory one inside the bag and the bigger one on the far away side take the iPad though, so you CAN use this bag and an iPad if that’s what you’re after.
The rest of the bag can eat up lenses and accessories and a camera w/o any issue at all and the outside dimensions still remain relatively slim. It’s a very clean looking bag on the outside which I LOVE. It also includes a nice rain cover if you need it. It’s got 2 outer side pockets on the ends which are great for memory card wallets, the rain cover or other small items, then it’s ALSO got loops for their belt components (I wished the UD30 had those). TT is also very smart with “velcro silencers” or flaps that cover the velcro strips so they don’t make noise if you don’t need to use them. BRILLIANT!
Here’s a video of me loading this a few different ways:
Thanks for the great review! I’m pondering replacing my Tamrac adventure Messenger with a R10, too.
I’ll stay tuned for your usage review…
Sam,
The adventure 4 is a great bag, but it’s a lot thinner. Because of this gripped or “pro” bodies don’t fit well (not an issue for me, but it is for some), but also, my filters eat a LOT of space… So the R10 is the perfect size step up for my kit. Glad you liked the review.
Ben
Thanks for the review. I might just have to order this now. I’ve seen the pics for the R20, and felt it was too large. This, while not that much smaller, seems like it’ll work well.
I could use a pixel pocket rocket, too, though, I don’t think that’s an option anymore =/
Linh,
Thanks for the comment. It appears you’re right on the freebie, this is the list right now:
Modular Pouch
Security Tag
Lock It Up™
they must have just changed that though, because last week I had the choice of the first two, the cable management and the pixel pocket… Bummer.
Ben
Thanks for the post! Very interesting bag. I ski a lot–as you do. Will you use this bag skiing?
I’ve just changed camera bodies–D300S now; no grip (yet). Same lenses: 50/1.4; 18-200VR; 75-300VR and I’m sure they will fit well in this bag after seeing your review.
My pet pieve is bags/camera straps that fall off your shoulder. I want both hands free.
Thanks!
DaveL
Toronto
2mnycars
Dave,
I will not use this bag skiing. I was using the UD30 for that job, but then I found a mountainsmith descent at REI for 20% off and used my dividend to grab that. It’s got the best harness for a chest pack every, but that’s the only way to carry it… For the price, it’s worth having a skiing only bag IMHO. As for straps and shoulders, the retro strap, or the pad, has AWESOME grippers, so you’re safe there. But I don’t use camera straps, instead I use a cotton carrier and love it for active shooting. For less active shooting I go without.
Ben
I don’t think I’m ready to give up my UD30 for this, but it has potential. This bag looks bigger than the UD30, a lot bigger. Does it stand up as well as the UD30 when loaded with gear? That’s one thing I really like about the UD30, it stands up nice and solid even though it is a very narrow, low profile, soft bag.
Geoff, if anything it stands up better than the UD30 because it’s a thicker bag… It’s 7″ flat on the bottom where the UD is 4.25″. But the bag isn’t any thicker loaded (with what I put in it) because the UD gets thicker quick as you fill the front pockets, the R10, being thicker, doesn’t get any thicker as you load it up. So they’re similar in depth loaded. The R10 takes a gripped body much easier though and I can fit two lenses next to each other (thickness wise) where in the UD it was only 1.
Ben,
Great review.
This is a request for an evaluation of the retrospective 20 for those of us needing a 70-200 on the body ready to go.
J
John,
the only problem with that is I only have the 10… A friend has the 20 though, it’s made the same as the 10, it’s just tall enough to fit a 70-200 2.8 ON THE BODY where the 10 you have to have it OFF the body, but the lens itself fits.
Good Luck!
Detailed review, thankyou. I too have been using an R10 for a month+ now. When I first received the bag I felt it was way “overengineered” in terms of material weight & stiffness, Empty it is >3lbs which is more than many modern expedition backpacks. As you say it does “wear in” and soften but the shoulder strap could still be used to tow a truck. I actually want to carry less, and travel lighter – also I am seeking to simplify my goto kit rather than stuff in everything “just in case” (1 body, 3 primes). I realize this may be the luxury of being “amateur” status but if that is where you are coming from, this bag may be “over the top” in terms of its build solidity. Think Hummer where Subaru would be a more appropriate solution 90% of the time. Also I think the bag is actually a little too tall for its compact size. The tallest lens I carry is a tilt-shift PCE 24mm on a D700 and there is 3 inches spare at the top of the bag which is sort of redundant space unless you are packing sandwiches – so the proportions are not quite right if you are not packing taller tele lenses (when you should get the R20 anyway).
Having said this, the bag has REALLY grown on me in use. Incredibly practical in most respects (your comments on the flap dividers is very true though). I went for the pinestone which is a drop dead gorgeous color. Slide a Gitzo 0 series pod horizontally through the topflap, 2 legs in and 1 leg “clamping” outside with a quick release tie at the feet to secure it while hiking (works a treat), and add a full size water bottle holder on one end loop and off you go. If it were lighter built and a tad less tall – it would be (my) ideal. sigh.
PS Love the video reviews – way to go!
for the height, TT has to make the bag work for the most people possible. I’d imagine more people would be turned away from a bag being too small (ie doesn’t work) than having a bit of extra space. Yes the 20 is taller but it’s VERY tall. The 1o is perfect with my long lens still inside it.
Nice idea for the tripod though, do you have any images of that setup? I just have a shoulder strap for my tripod and I sling that over my other shoulder…
Amazing review. You convince me to purchase the Retro10 and use the modular bags when I need to carry more. I was considering the 30 but I was afraid it was going to be too big & heavy when I want go with lighter gear. I was wondering if you could share which TT modular bags you use with your Retro10?
Luis,
Glad I could help. I use the lenschanger 75 for the 100-400 and the skin chimp cage for my larger filters or another body.
Ben
Ben,
Today I ordered my Retro10 through your affiliate link. Small thanks for your awesome review. Plus the free gift is nice too.
I went to my local camera store and I picked up the Skin Strobe since I use the sb900 and it’s a beast.
Thanks again. I’m excited to get my retro 10.
Luis
Thanks for using the link Luis and I’m glad the review helped! I’m sure you’ll love your new bag.
Ben