ThinkTank Speed Racer review
rwells
Registered Users Posts: 6,084 Major grins
Hey guys/gals,
Like most of you, I've gone through a lot of bags. I purchased a couple of bags a while back (ThinkTank Speed Racer & Urban Disguise 60 & Pelican 1620 hard case) and wanted to give a review of one of them here.
ThinkTank Speed Racer --- I love this bag
ThinkTank products are of the highest quality, & they are very well thought out. I needed a bag that I could use as a shoulder bag and have quick-n-easy access to the contents without taking the bag off like you have to do with a backpack. I was also not looking forward to having to lug a loaded shoulder bag around for several hours, strap digging into me.
The Speed Racer solves these issues in multiple ways.
First: you can use this bag just like a regular shoulder bag, hanging it from the strap either around your neck/chest, or hanging on your shoulder. Simply swing the bag around to the front, unzip the top which by the way opens away from your body, allowing easy and quick access to the contents inside.
Second: you can use the very nice hip straps that turns the bag into a fanny pack, or of course, you can wear it around front when actually working an event. I find that while wearing the hip straps & I throw the strap across my chest, I can wear this bag loaded down all day without issue. While wearing the bag with the strap across your chest and the hip straps on, to access the bag simply loosen the belt (very easy to do) and rotate the bag to about your front pocket. Zip the top open and get what you need. This also gives you sort of a "shelf" to use while changing lenses, etc.
Third: you can do like I did & order the optional harness system that actually goes with the Urban Disguise series. (I originally purchased this for my Urban Disguise 60) This allows you to turn the Speed Racer into a backpack. The only thing you need to accomplish this is a nylon strap, the same kind as any backpack has on its side.
With the harness in place & the hip straps around you, the bag is very stable. It also now has a nice "shelf" that I bungee my light stands onto, or you could put your tripod there as well.
The bag will hold a 5DMkII w/grip and a 70-200L f/2.8 IS w/hood reversed mounted and ready to go. You can have two bodies with lenses mounted in the bag if you don't have grips on them. Note: The bag comes with a rain coat for itself hiding inside the bag.
I normally have a:
5DMkII w/grip w/17-40L mounted -- 70-200L f/2.8 IS non-mounted -- 1.4TC -- 30D w/grip or 5D w/grip non-mounted -- (2) 580EXII -- (2) Stofen diffusers -- (3) PocketWizard Plus w/cables -- ExpoDisk -- PocketRocket CF card holder (10 cards) -- CP filter -- (8) batteries -- Charger for 5D2 -- Charger for 30D -- Remote shutter release -- (3) DIY snoots -- bungee cords
I'm sure I've forgotten something, but that gives you a pretty good idea of what the bag can hold & how user friendly it is.
Just noticed that I didn't take a picture of the front pockets open. They hold a good amount of gear up front.
1)
Front view of bag happily protecting everything
2)
Back view of bag. Hip straps tucked in, out of the way.
3)
Back view with the hip straps pulled out.
4)
Both hip straps have the accessory loops for other ThinkTank items.
5)
Opened up. Notice that the top opens away from your body, making it easy to get to the contents.
6)
The main camera taken out, you can see the 70-200L f/2.8 IS w/hood reversed on the left. 30D w/grip body on the right. 1.4TC fits under main camera body as does ExpoDisk, CP filter & (2) Stofens, (8) batteries. -- 5D2 & 30D chargers are hiding in an area between the 70-200 and the top.
7)
Here is all the stuff I normally carry. Of course I change the items as the assignment dictates. And here is the harness also --- This small bag holds an amazing amount of gear!
Hope that helps...
Like most of you, I've gone through a lot of bags. I purchased a couple of bags a while back (ThinkTank Speed Racer & Urban Disguise 60 & Pelican 1620 hard case) and wanted to give a review of one of them here.
ThinkTank Speed Racer --- I love this bag
ThinkTank products are of the highest quality, & they are very well thought out. I needed a bag that I could use as a shoulder bag and have quick-n-easy access to the contents without taking the bag off like you have to do with a backpack. I was also not looking forward to having to lug a loaded shoulder bag around for several hours, strap digging into me.
The Speed Racer solves these issues in multiple ways.
First: you can use this bag just like a regular shoulder bag, hanging it from the strap either around your neck/chest, or hanging on your shoulder. Simply swing the bag around to the front, unzip the top which by the way opens away from your body, allowing easy and quick access to the contents inside.
Second: you can use the very nice hip straps that turns the bag into a fanny pack, or of course, you can wear it around front when actually working an event. I find that while wearing the hip straps & I throw the strap across my chest, I can wear this bag loaded down all day without issue. While wearing the bag with the strap across your chest and the hip straps on, to access the bag simply loosen the belt (very easy to do) and rotate the bag to about your front pocket. Zip the top open and get what you need. This also gives you sort of a "shelf" to use while changing lenses, etc.
Third: you can do like I did & order the optional harness system that actually goes with the Urban Disguise series. (I originally purchased this for my Urban Disguise 60) This allows you to turn the Speed Racer into a backpack. The only thing you need to accomplish this is a nylon strap, the same kind as any backpack has on its side.
With the harness in place & the hip straps around you, the bag is very stable. It also now has a nice "shelf" that I bungee my light stands onto, or you could put your tripod there as well.
The bag will hold a 5DMkII w/grip and a 70-200L f/2.8 IS w/hood reversed mounted and ready to go. You can have two bodies with lenses mounted in the bag if you don't have grips on them. Note: The bag comes with a rain coat for itself hiding inside the bag.
I normally have a:
5DMkII w/grip w/17-40L mounted -- 70-200L f/2.8 IS non-mounted -- 1.4TC -- 30D w/grip or 5D w/grip non-mounted -- (2) 580EXII -- (2) Stofen diffusers -- (3) PocketWizard Plus w/cables -- ExpoDisk -- PocketRocket CF card holder (10 cards) -- CP filter -- (8) batteries -- Charger for 5D2 -- Charger for 30D -- Remote shutter release -- (3) DIY snoots -- bungee cords
I'm sure I've forgotten something, but that gives you a pretty good idea of what the bag can hold & how user friendly it is.
Just noticed that I didn't take a picture of the front pockets open. They hold a good amount of gear up front.
1)
Front view of bag happily protecting everything
2)
Back view of bag. Hip straps tucked in, out of the way.
3)
Back view with the hip straps pulled out.
4)
Both hip straps have the accessory loops for other ThinkTank items.
5)
Opened up. Notice that the top opens away from your body, making it easy to get to the contents.
6)
The main camera taken out, you can see the 70-200L f/2.8 IS w/hood reversed on the left. 30D w/grip body on the right. 1.4TC fits under main camera body as does ExpoDisk, CP filter & (2) Stofens, (8) batteries. -- 5D2 & 30D chargers are hiding in an area between the 70-200 and the top.
7)
Here is all the stuff I normally carry. Of course I change the items as the assignment dictates. And here is the harness also --- This small bag holds an amazing amount of gear!
Hope that helps...
Randy
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