I'm not a photographer, I'm a musician. However, I LOVE this channel! I'm learning so much, but what I enjoy most is the chemistry between Chris and Jordan, these bros are hilarious! I appreciate that his is not a channel of clinical and stuffy reviews. You fellas are great!
I have the Peak Design and a Vanguard (not the one tested). I want to like the Peak for its style, but I usually take the Vanguard. It just works better for me. The Peak seems pinched where I want space, hard to access when I want easy access. I have a small Wotancraft for use with small kit. Great bags. Good review, enjoy your show.
Another great real world review with added entertainment, a wonderful combination. Other bag reviewers should take note, it's important to see what fits and how well rather than a time wasting tour of an empty bag!
Chris, you’re right: most of us began with a LowePro. And some of us stick with it still! After twenty some years I’ve yet to wear one out, so now I own six LowePros. My only complaint against the brand is that they discontinue so many excellent bags, and often with no obvious replacement. P.S. a camera bag shouldn’t be sexy - it should be so unsexy that nobody would steal it.
Chris with a machete and his kids sketcher. lol One of the things that bothers me about shoulder bags that you didn't test is their tendency to tip over when you set them down. My current one will dump the contents and get dirty. They should outlaw velcro. If you ever do an event work and need to silently get gear out of the bag...
The bags I tested other than the Lowepro did have a case of the tipsies. The Peak is especially prone to this. Now the latch is solid so I wasn't worried.
Think Tank has come up with the best velcro flap solution imo. I don’t use my Ret 5 much anymore, but man, the flap system worked so well. I left a little velcro exposed allowing the flap to stay closed, and then just the slightest rip sound when opening.
@@SL-jo4om as an owner of a Tenba messenger with the silent velcro feature, I’d have to say the Think Tank is still much better due to the level of control the user has on the amount of velcro being used. My Tenba makes loads of noise unless I engage the silent feature perfectly, which does not happen when I’m on the move.
@@buddyWalrus I have a Think Tank Retrospective, which I no longer use. Reducing the amount of velcro noise is nice but cumbersome and also results in a slightly less secure bag. I prefer having the velcro always secure AND always acceptably silent. I might use the Think Tank if absolute silence was required.
Kind of surprised that Jordan isn't including a dedicated audio recorder in his kit. Looking at that Vanguard bag, or the slightly smaller model, the 36.
@@SaniyaKhan-ru5dr i have owned a few. And currently my lighter camera loadout goes in the Hadley Pro. And my bigger loadout in the Wandrd Prvk 31. Both are lasting me years now without any complaints.
During the last twenty I made several attempts to replace my old Domke F2 with something better. But incidentally I still grab the Domke for anything which will fit inside. I waxed, washed and rewaxed it several times, took it to the beach without the inserts but filled with towels, water, food and books just this very day and it does much more. It looks like crap but still fits like a glove, gets bigger or smaller as needed as there are no hard inserts dictating how it fits to your body. The hooks are not as easy to work with as anyone would love but 20 years of trouble-free usage is an asset not many types of locks will give you. Old but hardly surpassed!
The biggest thing I look for in a camera bag is something that doesn't look like a camera bag. The second thing I look for is a bag with an 18% grey inner liner.
The 18% gray liner is an interesting thing to look for. Do you actually find yourself using it in the field when you shoot? If so, do you still shoot film? I used to look for lens cloths in 18% gray.
I never expected a bag review to contain the phrase "like an old burlap sack in the Great War", but when you think about it, that's what the Think Tank Retrospective looks like. In fairness, though, the Retrospective is a nice bag, though a little heavy (at least the Version 1 model that I have). I like Think Tank products, but it's nice to have a real world and real look view of these bags. Thanks Chris and Jordan! You are entertaining and informative. Great work as always.
I used to love this kind of bags, but every time after buying realized that it just kills my shoulder fully packed. So, I switched to a backpack. Even 6L Peak Design Everyday Sling - not the biggest one - packed with heavy gear after a full day becomes a burden. Can't imagine wearing a 10L Sling fully packed the whole day. And definitely, 13L Peak Design Everyday Messenger bag when packed with gear is just too heavy for one shoulder. 6L Sling is the best option for a light day carry. I used to think that buying a bigger bag doesn't mean I would pack it in full and the size would just give me additional freedom-in vain. Every single time a bigger bag was fully packed or even overpacked and was killing my shoulder. So, now I limit the weight with a bag size. Now I mostly use Peak Design 6L Sling for a light day carry or 30L Backpack for more demanding tasks. Anything in between is an awkward size: shoulder bags are too big, 20L backpack is too small.
These are good points , I have a couple of older Thinktank retrospectives , they have huge shoulder pads.. The later ones look a little more versatile but I’ve used the 30 for events and never had any trouble getting gear in and out but they are hard on the shoulders if you have too much gear over a few hours. On the other hand for street when I get by with just one lens and camera they are great for their very “not a camera bag” look. I went back to a small backpack for anything in the real outdoors (a Lowepro Flipside 400AWii) although honestly I don’t use the Flipside feature unless its wet underfoot. It has a slot for a tablet or thin laptop but I never take these in the field anyway. Certainly a lot better balanced on the shoulders and being retired lacking the strength I had in my younger days. Less is definite more, for me now !! I do have a sling bag as well but being a dyslexic I have trouble getting it on because I could never remember which way around to put it over my head and feel a dick in public wrestling a tiny bag :)
The Vanguard comes with a matching fanny pack, dad jeans, and a pair of white New Balance shoes. It may be a great bag, but it looks like it was designed by the people that designed Dodge/Chrysler minivans from the 1990s. 😂😂
In the UK Vanguard are a seller of cheap/modestly priced hand luggage. I didn't know that they had branched out into "bags" but then I haven't looked at them lately. To me $100 is still a high price.
They also have the Capture Clip with perfect spots to place it so that your camera is easily accessible outside the bag and frees up more space inside.
@@niccollsvideo if you can drill a hole for a threaded 1/4-20 hole into the handle or the guard, then yeah....a capture clip would work perfectly. Plus there's literally a travel tripod holder built into the underside of the top fold that would fit most camping/ travel size machetes with ease.
Thanks for the thorough review! I'm curious about the computers though. Chris, what do you use the tablet for in the field? Jordan, same question about the laptop? Also, for anyone having trouble with the strap slipping, rub some silicone sealant onto the area it usually falls on your shoulder. Let it cure of course and it will be nice and grippy.
Yeah, I would have liked to see a Billingham bag. I used to lust after one in their Sage canvas with Chocolate trim. At the time I was looking, they were chronically out of stock. Then I discovered the Wotancraft Trooper and I've never looked longingly at another shoulder bag since. I am, however, always looking at new backpacks.
I was never blown away by my Wotancraft. It just felt like a brand making a solid bag that wanted you to feel like it was some Gucci quality good. Well made, but just miserable to work out of. I’ve yet to find a bag that is better for active work than my Domke, it just does the job and never feels too heavy, even with a full set of medium format gear. I love my Peak Design when I’m mostly traveling and need more protection than convenience, but most days it’s a Domke for me. Sold my Wotan, Billingham, Ona, etc.
Interesting. I love my Wotancraft bags (a Trooper M and a Trooper S). Best shoulder bags I've ever owned, functionally and aesthetically. Which Wotancraft bag did you own?
@@timothylinn it was a trooper M. The opening action was stiff even after being broken in, the features people liked (like the gusseted cover) were something I didn’t particularly find useful, and the bag was so stiff that it didn’t conform to the body well. The craftsmanship was also far lower than I’d find acceptable for the price, lots of untrimmed threads, the leather quality was mediocre, and similar issues. It was a pretty bag, but it wasn’t a bag I’d want to work out of, and the hubris of the brand just made it all the easier to pass on it.
I have Vanguard Uprise II 38 for about 6 years. The bag looks like new and it is amazing what you can stuff in there. It can hold 15in laptop with charger and mouse, Nikon D4 with 24-120 attached, 70-200 f2.8, 50mm, two flashes, triggers, memory card holder, some extra AA batteries, two books and a notebook. Only problem with messenger bags is if you load them up more than you should you can't carry them around on your shoulder. And you can remove the the cube and use it as everyday/laptop bag which I did quite often and even fit some smaller DSLRs in there as well. Vanguard makes amazing value bags!
I use the Think Tank Retrospective 30 because I like to carry a lot of gear, and I love that I can fit my R5, 14-24, 24-105, 70-200, and two other lenses such as a 35/1.4 and 85/2 macro, plus tons of room in the front pouches for adapters, filters, extension tubes, cards, etc. I also like that I can fit all that gear and have any of the lenses mounted to the camera and it all still fits. Plus it's comfortable and durable.
I have a discontinued LowePro Pro Messenger 180 AW which has a fatal flaw: when wearing it, the straps pull the top edges of the bag inward, causing the entry to the main pouch to sort of collapse in on itself, so I always have to use two hands to remove and insert lenses. Does the Retrospective 30 hold its shape well so that you can simply put a lens inside without having to spread it open with the other hand?
I have 3 Lowepro, 2 ThinkTank, 3 Vanguard. Bought Vanguard recently, instantly like them and will add some more in my collection. Well priced, smart design, decent protection, surprisingly durable for a guy like me who always overloads my bag. Vanguards wins.
I get how not having a dedicated pocket for a machete can be a deal breaker on the Peak Design bag but why not just strap it down with the tripod straps? Of course, now you'll just have to carry that damn tripod but, then again, isn't that Jordan's thing?
I have the Vanguard bag and love it. I keep my camera gear in the top compartment and drone in the bottom. Great for event coverage and run-n-gun shooting. It’s my favorite field bag.
You could have used the external carry straps on the peak design bag to strap your machete on, hey?! Thanks for the great video, informative and entertaining as always!
Great video. I had more bags than I could fit in my closet! Always looking for the perfect one! I had to donate some to a HS camera club. I finally settled with a Think Tank Retro bag--for now!😀
I am on the fence also for a new shoulder bag and really cannot make up my mind rn. For bigger jobs I love (LOVE) my old-but-still-in-excellent-condition Tamrac Pro12. The lovely thing is: it fits everything bar the kitchen sink. The downside is: it fits everything bar the kitchen sink, which may or may not have resulted in me WAY overpacking for what I was doing. So something a little smaller is called for. This video gave me a few more ideas, so thanks a bunch! :-)
Three thoughts: 1. Think Tank's Urban Disguise series was great. I also hate that they discontinued it. 2. Think Tank's Retrospective series seems to have replaced it. Most people seem to love the Retrospective bags. I think they're hideous. 3. Wotancraft's shoulder bags are just awesome. I own two different sizes in the Trooper series. I've never owned a bag I've liked better.
Such a shame Think Tank discontinued the Urban Disguise collection. The top flap opening away from the user is so critical for quick access to the gear. The Retrospective looks a handful with the top flap needing some chin action.
National Geographic W5310 3-way bag would also be a solid choice. Can only fit a 14 inch laptop but the machete could be strapped to the bottom. Built-in backpack straps transforms it into a daily commuter in a second. I've been using it for more than 3 years and it serves me well!
I’ve the peakdesign, amazing in terms of weather resistant, space for storage (30L) but the part that connects the shoulder strap to bag does wears out and will break, same for the zipper. Bag body itself has no issue whatsoever.
My friend vouched for his original Think Tank Retrospective which made me get a Think Tank Retrospective 7 V2, but after 2 years of daily driving my bag I wore through the outer canvas layer entirely on the spots where it rubbed against my hip and butt, there is still a nylon layer beneath that I don't think will be damaged by friction so techniquely it still functions fine but that's quite disappointing given the price tag imho. Also too bad you guys couldn't get Billingham and Domke into this video, they make great classic bags that definitely age much better than my recent Think Tank.
Most camera bag reviews no longer have the power to part me from my money. I have used the Domke F4 AF Pro bag for YEARS. I love the form factor, the huge pockets (I'm a girl) the slip pocket on the back for my phone and papers, and the front pocket for everything else. Canvas that hugs my side and isn't too huge. TONS of padding and my favorite places in this bag are the slots between the padded compartments to keep my Swiss Army Knife, batteries ND filter for reflections, and mirror compact. This bag holds an incredible amount of gear and personal items with no bulging.
I don't get camera bags. The first thing I did with my camera bag was to take scissors to the top flap and cut it off. Now I can pull my camera out without having to open the stupid flap. My next problem is my new camera: a 1981 Hasselblad 500CM with a 50/4.0 Distagon CF. So far, the only thing I've found to do with it is my gym bag. It rests on my sweats. It's the only bag I have that has a wide enough shoulder strap that I can stand the weight of the camera. You'd think an FF mirrorless with 3 primes would feel just as heavy, but the 'blad is a real clunker... Translation: Hey! Thanks for the reviews!!!
#suggestion Bellingham S3. It’s a very iconic over the shoulder bag I use with my film cameras (Contax iiia, Rollieflex T, and Pentax Spotmatic). Love the look, comfortable and carries quite well all I need for a day out shooting). PS: I KNOW this is DP Review (as in digital), but sometimes you need to give out a little analog love!). Good review today!
Love my Peak Design, and that I grabbed the sale price of $180 Typically load it out with my Z6 + Tamron 35mm 1.4 and an 85mm 1.8, either my Rolleicord TLR or Voightlander Bessa II, some extra film and batteries as well miscellaneous things like lens wipes and hand sanitizer. Thanks to the Peak Design Capture Clip, if I REALLY want to weigh myself down, I sometimes toss my F100 in the bag and my Z6 with a lens on the clip. Alternatively I even take my 4x5 large format setup out with it. 4-5 loaded film holders, light meter, mini notebook, 210mm tele lens or 90mm, dark cloth, hand sanitizer and more miscellaneous. My camera goes on the tripod with the 150mm lens and I half extend the tripod for easy carrying on my shoulder/ fast setup for my shot.
Great review. However, I am a fan of the "old school" camera bags - the Crumpler brand of canvas bags. I generally buy them used online for less than $40 and I now have several of various sizes (6 Million dollar bag, 7 Million Dollar Bag, etc.). Yep, I go cheap on used quality bags - so I can use the $$ that I saved for buying camera and lenses.
I must admit I'm pretty old school with bags... I've been using a Billingham Hadley Pro for the last 6 months or so.. I did use a Wotancraft Trooper for a year or so before that...but I've just ordered a Domke 803 messenger style bag.. as I like the way the canvas patinas.. All these bags are great for a couple of Fuji camera and my daily junk..
The front pockets feels like if I run or move quickly will spill the contents out? Like if smaller items such as battery etc were inside. Does it? Btw is there any way to carry this bag with a tripod along? I’ve been quite interested with their looks but always hesitated with the design usefulness.
@@HwL01 Hi there, I take it you mean the Billingham?? No nothing falls out of the pockets as long as you keep them snapped shut. It is a nice bag, small and perfect for a Fuji or Leica set up.. Quality is lovely and they look cool..but they are pretty pricey. Not really a bag I would choose if I needed a tripod.. here I'd go for a back pack.. The last well, my first Billingham is over 30 years old.. I like to swap around my bags from time to time.. hence the reason I just ordered the Domke...
I actually love my Peak Design 10L sling (V1). pretty comfortably fits my Tamron 28-75, 70-180, Sigma Art 50 1.4, a9, and my tablet. Outer pocket can hold batteries/filters as well without intruding on the interior space. I've fit a xt2s transmitter in there as well when I was fitting a speedlight into the main compartment. Just a surprising amount of space in such a small bag.
I woult love to have a guitar case with a insert for cameragears. To go stealth out to the forest with a guitarcase hanging on the back. Who could suspect that there is a camera in there?😂
What responsible adult let you 2 fools play with a machete? As a big fan of timbuk2 bags, you guys should look at generic padded inserts to fit non-camera specific bags. Because sometimes great bags don't look like camera bags and sometimes the think tank Urban Disguise is just the right look. And why is Chris wearing gloves in the summer?
Love the bags in this video but I wish there were more varieties for women who want a cute looking camera backpack or shoulder bags that don't scream "I got a camera with me"
I've tested the LowePro MG160, and for the life of it I couldn't fit my equipment in it, and the dividers were really hard to remove. After an hour, I decided to return it and went for the Tenba Messenger
I recently switched to a Saddleback leather big mouth duffle bag and cover my camera gear using padded lens wraps. I really like the lens wraps as they allow me to use pretty much any bag I want.
Where is the bigger shoulder bags? I dont see it... For example Cullmann Amsterdam Maxima 520 ... which can store lot of things... 2 big DSLR's with Grip and lot of glasses...
Think Tank Retrospective 10 is about as large as I would want to go... DJI Air2s, controller, two spare batteries, three Go Pro's with two car mounts, and a mini tripod. Room to spare for accessory bag, small tablet, and a small vlog camera. Camera only... replace drone/go pro with D610 with 24-70 with room for a 70-200 in the guts of bag would fit easily but limit useable storage for anything else.
Jordan I just bought a manfrotto messenger bag and am carrying almost every item you are. My only saving grace is my kit is Mini. The mini 3 drone a G95 a 12.4 tablet the headphones have to get a long lens though and a mic
Cheers gread video. I actually found my best camera carrying setup after yerars. I am using an insert for my hiking bakcpack from Deuter. Very simple, by far the lightes option to go and fits everything nicely. I tested the Tenba (which I ended up using), one from the compay URTH that aquired or changed the name from GOBE and the PEAK Design insert. Anyway good video. liked all of your comparision vidoes so far. In my opinion the best way to caryy a camera with a few lenses the insert is the best way. As camera gear backpacks are way to heavy with all the features they come with. It took years to figure out that I do not need them. Good hiking backpack + insert + small tech pouch is all that I need to carry camera + lenses + batteries + filters etc.
I like the look of that Wotancraft (Is that the 7l or 10 as you said it's the smallest and 10l?) a lot, as shoulder bags, for me, are just for small urban kit, they need to be able to hold a small water bottle and occasionally a jacket outside. It helps that it looks good and not too camera bag. My current choice is the Compagnon Element 11 and there are a lot of similarities. The roll top on that is versatile.
I use bags for storing gear. I start shooting I'm wearing a lowepro gear vest and lowepro cases and cotton carrier chest and belt holsters. I want my gear close at hand. No digging through a bag.
For me it's not so much as which bags you reviewed but the comments and what you look for in the bags. Some of the things I've never though of to check you mentioned. I'm happy to know that I'm the only one that carries a machete on photo shoots.
I've completely abandoned using shoulder bags. It doesn't matter how well designed they are they always have all that metal and glass weight on one shoulder and it just wrecks my back day after day after day.
Bow river outfitters, ross reels, Orvis and Loop jackets... nice assortment of really nice gear :) not tooo camera related though :D otherwise a good review of the bags and dafinitely woth a look if you are in search of a new bag! nice!
I'd really love to see a backpack version of this featuring the Wotancraft Pilot 20L backpack. I love my Pilot 10L, but I'd like to see more reliable reviews of the backpack before I spend half a grand on it.
After loading up the bags all of the following tests should have been carried out with the bags loaded. It's the only way to test access and handling when on the move. Most people will take items of kit out with the bag on the floor or some sort of support be it table or bench. At the cost of some ultimate protection a floppy bag like the Wotan will always be more comfortable and travel better than the rigid boxy ones. That one has "outdoors" as a leading feature. Best one for the woods where DPR often test.
I don't have the shoulder bags but I have two Peak Design bags. The 45L Travel Backpack, and a 20L Everyday Backpack Zip V2. Big supporter of PD because (and I'm not sure about the other brands mentioned in this video) they offer lifetime warranties on everything.
They have to with their garbage zippers going out every single year. In the year 2023 I’ve had loads of PD bags and they’ve all either failed (zippers) or been lacking in some way. I’ve sold them all and finally bought quality Billingham bags.
@@cccycling5835 I'm sorry to hear that. The backpacks I mentioned in my previous comment are still going strong today, with no signs of wear and tear, and that is after multiple trips and hikes.
