The Think Tank Photo Retrospective7 Camera Bag - A Review

As I have said in my review of the Think Tank Photo Airport 4-Sight, I usually am a one-camera-one-speedlite photographer. And usually, I use a backpack to lug my camera gear around.

But now that I am no longer hampered, not as much anyway, by my shoulder problem, I believe I am ready to use shoulder bags again.

Enter the Think Tank Photo Retrospective 7.

The pinestone-colored Retrospective 7 is gorgeous! The texture can be likened to, I believe, a pair of pants. It doesn't look remotely like a camera bag. Even up close, because of the material used for the shell of the bag, you wouldn't be able to tell. Only a few trained eyes, perhaps only the other Retrospective users, will be able to tell that you are lugging around a camera bag. On the front, there are no logos, no brand names - just a plain and simple shoulder bag. And this, I believe, is a big plus since you would not want to shout out, on the streets, that you are carrying your precious camera gear. Of course all bets are off once you pull out your camera and you start shooting...

The Canon 7D paired with A 70-300mm lens.

The only logo that you can find outside the bag is the one found on the back; which is right next to your body; which cannot be seen by other people when you walk around.

Speaking of pulling your camera out... Underneath the flap are two of, I believe, the biggest hook-and-loop fasteners that I've seen in a bag. (Yes, yes, the more popular name for that thing is Velcro, but not all hook-and-loop straps are Velcro brands, right?) This means that it is not that easy to open up the flap - even fully-loaded, the bag tends to lift when I open the flap. Now, this size of a hook-and-loop strap makes for one noisy contraption. However, Think Tank Photo provided a silencer for those times you need to maintain the quiet. But, with this mode there really is nothing to prevent the contents of your bag to spill out, no buckle, no magnets: So use caution when you silence the hook-and-loop straps.

Behind the bag is a space for an iPad or, as you can see on the picture, an 11-inch Macbook Air. That is a sweet deal!

Padded dividers are provided and you can customize how they are placed to your heart's content.

Also, you can find, on this bag, one of the thickest padding I've seen on a shoulder bag strap. This makes carrying the bag really comfortable. A rain cover is also provided for those times when you get caught up in the rain. Or in the snow in winter time.

And where is the best place to test out this bag? On the streets of course - during a music festival. What can I say? The bag is a joy to use. So let me serenade you with a little music from the Chicago Jazz Festival.

With all these features, The Shy Photographer rates it Highly Recommended!

So get yours here:

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Gear used to make this post:

-- Canon 7D

-- Canon 24-105 IS USM f/4L

-- Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro (review)

-- Benro Travel Angel (review)

-- Canon Powershot (review)