i need a think tank 8.5

[back alley]

tt retro 5 is too small and the retro 10 is too big!

the 5 fits the gear i like but no ipad
the 10 is too big to carry around, for me!

so, logically it would appear that i need a retro 8.5...perfect for my gear and an ipad...

life is just not fair!!:bang:


😉

 

[Rob-F]

I was just looking at Think Tank bags at my local store. I made a note to self to consider buying a retro 5 for my Leica M gear. Looks like it ought to carry two M bodies and 4 or 5 lenses; or am I just imagining that?

I also want to take some Hassy gear down to the dealer's to see if one of the larger Think Tank bags will hold it all--or most of it--well. It's hard to find a bag that fits the 'blad with a 50mm or 40mm lens fitted.

It's an interesting point you raise: a bag that fits M gear, and will hold an iPad. I don't yet have an iPad, but I think there's one in my future. Maybe suggest this to the ThinkTank people?

 

[back alley]

i don't think a retro 5 can hold 2 bodies and 5 lenses, not easily anyway.

i have the x100 and rd1 with the small 50 attached and it pretty much fills the interior.
add my iphone and ipod in the outer pocket, 4 batteries for each camera and i wonder where 4 more lenses would fit.

 

[Thardy]

Fogg B- Laika...

Never mind, iPad won't fit.

 

[nlubis]

+ 1.
I don't think Retro 5 will do 2 bodies w/ 5 lenses, not to mention film, etc etc.
Too tight to be comfortably taking the camera in and out.

 

[Tim Gray]

2 cameras and 4 lenses can be done, but it's tight. One lens on each body, and the other two in the other side. I do it when I travel, but it's a lot better if there's only 3 lenses total instead of 4. It's pretty comfortable for two cameras and 3 lenses (two mounted) as long as you don't have huge lenses.

Of course, this assumes smaller lenses. With a 90 Summicron or a 75 Summilux, or maybe even a 90 Elmarit or 75 Summicron, you aren't getting a 4th lens in there.

The only way I see getting 5 lenses in there is if they are small and you are stacking things all over each other.

 

[woodphoto]

Try the Domke F-832, fits plenty of gear and room for my ipad... they also make a small F-831, and a large F-833

in there right now is a my Bronica RF645 with 65mm lens, a wide 45 and finder, Bessa R2a with 35mm f2.5, summicron 50 and film for both... and a ipad

It has quenched my thirst for the elusive "perfect" bag for now.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/712096-REG/Domke_701_02A_F_832_Medium_Photo_Courier.html

 

[mathomas]

I'm doing a video review of the Retro 5. Very nice bag, but no way are you going to get 2 bodies and two lenses in without compromising either ease of access or room for other items. With two bodies+lenses in the main compartment (which is a nice fit), the front pocket can certainly hold a couple of extra lenses, but you'd (I'd) feel the need to wrap one and would have room for little else. And to the OP's original point, I feel the bag is a bit overengineered for its compact size, and needs a bit more room to get out of its own way. Maybe an inch or two in additional length is all that's needed.

If you want to carry two M bodies with lenses mounted and 2/3 additional lenses, the Domke F-5XC is your mule, IMO. Here's my video review of it, which explains how to make best use of it:

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=/&gl=US#/watch?v=hG8K4hgbe8o

 

[mathomas]

I just uploaded my review of the Think Tank Retro 5:

Part I
Part II

Hope it helps others with bag decisions.

 

[TKH]

the 5 fits the gear i like but no ipad


😉

Depends on your gear size.


I use very happy a Domke 5 bx but now I wanted something to bring my iPad with me.
Voila, the TT Retro 5 with gear and iPad.

To separate the iPad from the rest of the gang you have to use an extra self-made divider (or something bigger from an other bag). Blue one here.







You can carry a Pentax K7, DA21, FA43 and A100 Macro lenses. A medium sized book, some other stuff as you can see on the pic.



Rainer

 

[back alley]

that looks good and i have made the same fit...but with less gear than i preferred. with only the x100 kit it would work nicely for me or only the rd1 but with both plus an extra lens...not so much.
but i'm liking the retro 5 very much and using the x100 alone much of the time...

 

[Larry H-L]

I'm with you Joe. Yesterday I traded my Retro 10 for a Retro 5.

The 10 is too fat and wide and the 5 is not long enough. The friend I traded with said the same thing as you, there needs to be a Retro 7.5 or 8.5.

Size wise for me, the Courierware Extra Small messenger bag with an insert is perfect. I have 3 of them.

 

[jarski]

Hope it helps others with bag decisions.

Thanks!

is there space for 13" MacBook Air in Think Tank Retro 5 ?

 

[Larry H-L]

Jarno, I don't think so, my Retro 5 measures only 10.5 or 11 inches long.

 

[ramosa]

Mike,

Very useful videos, especially because my most used bag is the Domke F-5xb, which you refer to. I think the Domke makes more sense for me, as I use an M body with one lens on and, at most, two more lenses. I don't think I need the additional size of the Retro 5.

 

[Rob-F]

i don't think a retro 5 can hold 2 bodies and 5 lenses, not easily anyway.

i have the x100 and rd1 with the small 50 attached and it pretty much fills the interior.
add my iphone and ipod in the outer pocket, 4 batteries for each camera and i wonder where 4 more lenses would fit.

You are right! I took two m bodies and five lenses to the store. It was a no-go. I have actually gotten two bodies and four lenses into my well broken in Domke F-5XB. Holding it next to the Retro 5, the usable camera & lens cargo space is no larger in the latter. It does have places for small stuff like aux viewfinders, film, & lens brush.

 

[back alley]

the retro 5 is nicer looking, classier looking than the 5xb...it also has the advantage (for me) of a no zipper top for better entrance and egress of gear.
and it can stay up on one shoulder, something i have not been able to do with any other bag.

 

[back alley]

for tomorrow and as a practice run for my trip to toronto...

i have loaded up the trusty 5xb with an x100 plus rd1 w/50/2.5 attached and the 15/28 lenses as well.
the 28/50 is an idel combo...the 15 in case of crowds or tight spaces and of course, the x100 for the heavy lifting!

all this does not fit into the much nicer tt retro 5.

add one more lens and i'll need the 5xc..