^ that’s a video, click play and enjoy. Also click the resolution button bottom right to get the 720p HD goodness. 🙂
I’ve been using a thinktank retro 10 as my main shoulder bag since they came out (May 2010) and an urban disguise before that. It’s a fantastic shoulder bag. As soon as ThinkTank announced the retro 5, a new, smaller version, I knew I had to check it out. I’ve been working on consolidating my gear a bit lately, and with my current kit consisting of a 5Dii, 17-40, 70-300, 24L and 85mm 1.4, I don’t need quite as much space as I used to as I basically take the body and 2 lenses depending on what I’m doing. That leaves a lot of extra space in an R10 to be honest. So the R5 arrived today, and so far I think the size is perfect for a bare bones DSLR kit (those of you who need grips are out of luck on this one, a gripped or pro series body won’t fit).
This new retro 5 is aimed as people using either small DSLR kits, or MFT (Micro Four Thirds) or EVIL (Electronic viewfinder interchangeable lens) kits. For a DSLR with 2, maybe 3 lenses, it really is perfect. You have enough room to squeeze in the basic accessories, but the bag stays nice and compact. With an EVIL or MFT kit, you’re going to have plenty of room for 3~4 lenses and a body and maybe even lunch as well. The bag has a padded bottom and padded inserts, but the sides do not have a lot of extra padding. I know that’s a concern with some of you, but I can tell you after a year of use with my R10, I’ve never had a problem with the padding… The inside of the bag is ~7.25 tall, so any lens or camera lens combo that’s no taller than that will fit inside the R5. It’s then ~9″ wide and ~4.5″ “thick”. These measurements are mine using a ruler as a reference, be sure to check out think tank’s specs on their product pages.
Here’s a link to my initial (text) retro 10 review and here’s the link to my retro 10 video review.
Here’s my Think Tank Affiliate link, as well as a link to the retro 5 in pinestone as well as a link to the black version.
Hey Ben,
Nice work. Just a point – a gripped 5DMKII will fit, with a 24-70 and an iPad….
http://instagr.am/p/EWNV8/
There’s mine 🙂
Best,
Sime
Yeah, vertically w/o a “real” lens on it, it sure will… 😉
but yeah, I’m following you on instagram and liked that shot already. I’m impressed you got the iPad in there. It doesn’t fit very well in the front compartment (sticks out ~1″ for those w/o both) but reworking your inserts on the inside is a pretty neat option.
any chance you can get whoever posts to the thinktank facebook page to post this review BTW?
Ben
Can I ask if your adorama filter holder will hold 4×4 and 4×5 filters? and if so how many please?
Thanks!
Jonathan
yes, it actually holds 4×6 filters by design, anything shorter just sits below the lip a bit. It’ll hold 5 filters.
http://www.adorama.com/GBSFP46.html?kbid=63581
A very good review. I always appreciate it when people review and they include their dislikes…
Anyway, I own the retro 10 and i always attach my keys to the holder BUT i tuck them into the front most pocket where the Raincover is. This way the strap of the key holder goes over the divider so i just tug on that portion and the keys come out easily…
Thanks!
are you referring to the metal clip on the strap I don’t love? Yeah, I also tuck mine into that pocket, but I don’t put my keys on it (I’d always be grabbing my front pocket wondering if I lost them if I did!). I clip my pixel pocket rocket to mine actually.
Love this bag but would really like a size in between my 5 and 10 – something comparable to the Domke F6 in size ( still my favourite ever bag. Not big, discreet but can hld a lot of gear.)
Yeah, the 5 is pretty snug with my 5Dii and 24L and 85mm 1.4 and whatever else I toss in the last slot. Adding side bags makes it work better if you have them, and don’t mind the added bulk (which a R7.5 would have). But I do like having the bag be as small as possible honestly, and they way I shoot, the camera is only in the bag for transport, once I’m shooting the camera is out so this small/tight fit works perfectly for how I’ve been using it. YMMV obviously.
Hi Ben!
Nice review, very useful for me 🙂 I have Retrospective 10 and 30. The only thing I really disliked about these bags is the side pockets are so tight, can’t fit a water bottle there. Is it the same on Retrospective 5?
Yep, exactly or maybe smaller (since the whole bag is). The good news is the rain cover fits in there perfectly, the bad news is nothing else does. You can use those loops on the side to add modular bags if you need something though, but I agree having pockets more like the UD series (elastic) would have been much better…
Good Luck!
Ben
Seriously the only good (and great) review of this bag on the internet. Thanks!
How floppy can you make the bag? My understanding is you can remove the bottom stiffener. I’m not concerned about lack of padding–does removing that bottom stiffener help the bag to conform to you body a bit more the way some Domkes do?
yes it gets less rigid, but it’s already much softer than most bags. W/o the inserts on the bottom I’d say it’s pretty close to a domke, but I haven’t owned one in a while.
Very good review Ben.
After this review I order TT retro 5 pinestone :))
And now when its on my way I am in doubt… with my 5Dii + 24-105 will fit in this bag.
What do you think?
Regards from Croatia.
It’ll fit assuming the 5Dii is w/o a grip. My 5D fits with a RRS L-bracket and a lens around that size.
Good Luck!
Ben
Ben,
Thanks for putting these reviews out. I’m debating whether to get a 5 or 7 and patiently waiting to read your review. I want to be able to carry my 7D attached to a 17-55, 35L and flash. I want something to carry my stuff and yet be small enough not to get in my way while I carry it while shooting. Do you think the 5 will be OK or do you think I should wait to hear what you have to say about the 7. Another question would be whether the 7 is small enough to carry and not to be a problem while shooting? The dimensions from TT seems as if the 7 might be the same size as the 10…
The 7 is very close to the 10 in specs. The camera portion is smaller because the laptop are takes some of that space. The 5 is a lot smaller. Provided you don’t use a grip you’ll just be able to sneak your 7D w/17-55 & 35L & flash in there. It’ll be snug, but that’s a good thing IMHO. That setup would swim in the 10. It would fit in the 7 better than the 10 but it’s still bigger than you need unless you want to bring an iPad or netbook with you.
The 7 review should be published shortly, I did the video 2 days ago. 🙂
Good Luck!
In Image 3 of 7, it looks like you have a flash in its case in the center section. If so, what flash is that? I’m looking for a case to carry a 5D2 with an RRS QR plate, a 35L 1.4 mounted, and a 430 EXII plus a couple batteries, a bounce card CF cards, etc.. I’m thinking the R5 is perfect but I’d like to be able to store the flash in its case or, at least, “unfolded.”
that’s exactly the flash in the shot (430EXII) and it’s not folded so it works!
Ben
Ben, excellent work – One of the best reviews of the TT R5 online!
I was wondering will the R5 fit a Canon 60D mounted with a 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens and also take my 70-200mm f/4 on the last slot?
it should. It would be tight but they should fit. I doubt the 2.8 version of the 70-200 would fit but the f/4 versions are just enough smaller they should slide in there like my 70-300 does.
Good Luck!
Ben