Think Tank Retrospective 10

If you like this post, help us share it

A couple of months back, I have tried out the Think Tank Retrospective 20, you can check out the post here. Personally, I find the Think Tank Retrospective 20 a little too big for my taste. While I prefer a more low profile shoulder bag, in some occasion I do want to carry the 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII around. Fortunately, the Think Tank Retrospective series do come in a smaller version – the Think Tank Retrospective 10. The main differences being a couple of inches shorter  and you cannot fit the 70-200mm f/2.8 attached in the Retrospective 10.

Unlike the Retrospective 20, the Retrospective 10 didn’t specify it can hold a 70-200mm f/2.8 in the main compartment, but I can confirm that the Retrospective 10 can still fit an unattached 70-200mm f/2.8. I have been using the Lowepro Stealth Reporter D200 AW for a while now. It is the only shoulder bag that I think is low profile enough. I have tried the Crumpler 7 million dollar home previously, but it is still too big for my liking. Despite the pick of the Lowepro Stealth Reporter D200 AW, it doesn’t fit the 70-200mm f/2.8, not to mention it doesn’t fit with the 24-70mm f/2.8 attached very well too. However, It is the only shoulder bag that I find comfortable to walk around with i.e. low profile enough. Here is a side by side comparison with the Retrospective 10 and Stealth Reporter D200 AW. As shown, the Retrospective 10 is slightly taller so it can accommodate the 70-200mm f/2.8.

Here is a re-cap of some of the nice features in the Retrospective 10 which I have already mentioned in the Think Tank Retrospective 20 post. The padding from Think Tank is usually less compare to those from Lowepro. By that, the Retrospective camera bags are seen to be 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 has plenty room 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 are webbing loops which can be used to attach modular pouches. The pouches fit very securely to the webbing loops, I didn’t feel any swaying movement from the pouches when they were attached to the sides. Here I have attached the lightning fast (left) and the lens changer 35 (right) to give me that extra holding capacity. In my previous Think Tank Retrospective 20 post, I have commented that the Think Tank Retrospective 20 is more comfortable than the Lowepro Stealth Reporter D200AW mainly due to how the strap is attached to the bag. This is also true for the Retrospective 10. The canvas strap on the Retrospective 10 is 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 all the way down to the bottom of the bag). 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 to the side which doesn’t distribute the weight that well.

Think Tank Retrospective 10 – fully integrated strap

Lowepro Stealth Reporter D200 AW – strap connected via a D-ring

So…here is the question, What can you fit in the Think Tank Retrospective 10? Pretty much same as the Retrospection 20, click the below image to see the attached notes.

• Nikon D700 + MB-D10 + Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 (attached)
• 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)
• Netbook (front pocket)

Here is how  the 24mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4 are stored in the side of the main compartment.

A common question I got asked was, “Does it fit the iPad?” The answer is Yes. In fact you can fit the iPad in all three pockets of the Retrospective 10 (refer to below image), i.e. front pocket (top left), inner pocket (top right) and the back pocket. The front pocket is even large enough to fit a Macbook Air (11”) (bottom left) and a Netbook (bottom right).

While the Retrospective 10 is not really water resist, mainly made out of classic cotton material, it comes with a seam-sealed rain cover for protection against wet condition. The Think Tank Retrospective 10 is a low profile shoulder bag that can fit a large amount of camera gear and accessories, specifically the 70-200mm f/2.8, as well as room for an iPad or netbook. It doesn’t particularly looks like a camera bag which conceals its appearance from the crowd. It is very comfortable to wear thanks to the integrated canvas strap with non-slip material on the pad to keep the entire strap on your shoulder. For extra holding capacity, it is possible to attach modular pouches to the webbing loops on the sides. This is a keeper for me.

Where can I find the equipment seen on this site?

When you order Think Tank products through Kent Photography from the below affiliate link , you will receive a free gift with your orders. Please show your support by purchasing your photo equipment through any of the affiliate links seen on this site.

If you find this site useful and planning to purchase any of the equipment seen on this site, please show your support by purchasing your photo equipment at B&H Photo Video, or through any of the affiliate links seen on this site.