Think Tank Retrospective 20

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Think Tank’s new Retrospective series comes in two styles: Retrospective Soft-sided Camera Shoulder Bags and Retrospective Soft-sided Lens Changer Shoulder Bags. Available in two colours: Pinestone Cotton Canvas and Black Poly Spun Canvas. Ever since the release, they have been selling like hot cakes and are all most out of stock everywhere. Luckily I was able to get my hands on the Retrospective 20 for a try out. The Retrospective is packed with many nice features, you can see them here. The exterior of the Retrospective is simple, there are no obvious branding logo to attract any unwanted attention. I had my Len Changer 50 attached to the side for additional carriage.

The padding of the Retrospective is less compare to Lowepro’s shoulder bag such as the Stealth Reporter series. By that, the Retrospective camera bags are also more collapsible and flexible. The style is similar to the Crumpler’s Millions dollars bags, utilising Velcro under the main flap. One of the notable feature on the main flap is the “sound silencers” which allows you to suppress the loud tearing sound Velcro makes.

One feature I like the most is the collapsible nylon pockets on both sides of the main compartment. These pockets are designed to store  flash units which makes them nice and tidy. You will notice that most of the hook and loop straps (Velcro)  can be tucked away for quicker access.

Another important feature of this bag is the very large organizer pocket inside the main compartment. It is large enough for those spare batteries, CFs, cables, etc.

There is also an expandable front pocket (one for the Retrospective 10 and 20, two for the Retrospective 30, ) which is big enough for a spare pro size DSLR. For the Retrospective 10 or 20, you can actually fit an iPad or netbook there.

On both sides of the Retrospective, there is  a webbing loop which can be used in conjunction with the modular pouch. The pouch fits very securely to the webbing loops, I didn’t feel any swaying movement from the pouch when it was attached to the side. The canvas strap is also nicely designed; the non slip material on the pad is much better than the one I have on my Lowepro Stealth Reporter. The strap is thick and integrated fully to the side of the bag (sewed from top to bottom). The strap of the Retrospective distributes/secures the weight of the bag more evenly  in comparison to the Lowepro Stealth Reporter. The Retrospective actually uses the whole width of the strap to loop through the side buckle, while the Lowepro Stealth Reporter uses a “D ring” type of connection on the side. There is also a side pocket on each side which is suppose for water bottle, but the pocket is way too small for any standard size water bottle, so it is probably more suited for loose change, wallet, phones, etc.

The “D-ring” type of strap connection on the side of the Lowepro Stealth Report doesn’t distribute/secure the weight of the bag too well. Finally what can you actually fit in a Retrospective 20 ? A lot…………….. Click image to check out the attached notes

• Nikon D3 + Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 (attached)
• Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 (attached on the side with Len Changer 50)
• Nikon 70-200mm VRII (Left hand side compartment)
• Nikon 24mm f/1.4 (Right hand side compartment)
• Nikon 85mmm f/1.4 (Right hand side compartment)
• More rooms for iPad, flashes, spare pro size DSLR

Having tried the Retrospective 20, I will be getting the smaller Retrospective 10, which is about two inches shorter but still big enough to store the 70-200mm f/2.8. It will be a nice addition to my Think Tank Street Walker Pro and Modular Belt that I am currently using.

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