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!

The other disappointment (and make sure to check the pictures as they help explain this better) is the two main inserts.  They need soft velcro on their sides.  The “flipper” tabs also need to have a way to get them to NOT velcro to everything in sight so they can actually flip.  I’ll also add I MUCH prefer tamrac’s velcro on their inserts with TWO pieces per location…  That really locks an insert into place, having just the one tab means if you push from the correct side it will move on you, doubling the tabs means it can’t do this (I’ve never had a tamrac insert move on me in the YEARS I’ve had with their bags overstuffed, I’ve already had my TT inserts in this bag shift on me just checking it out).   This bag is also wide enough (7″) that you can fit two smaller lenses side by side on the bottom of the bag.  But because the center inserts don’t have soft velcro on their sides, you can’t put a divider that could connect to the center insert.  Instead you’re left going diagonal.  ALL OF THIS COULD BE FIXED WITH A FEW TWEAKS TO THE MAIN “FLIPPER” INSERTS.  In fact I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting some made locally so I don’t have to deal with this!

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:

I hope this review has helped.  Please, if you’re going to buy a TT product, do yourself a favor  use my affiliate link, YOU GET A FREEBIE !  Here is the link to the black retro 10 in case you’re interested!