Think Tank Hoster vs Lowepro Toploader

DogdotsDogdots Registered Users Posts: 8,795 Major grins
edited February 2, 2011 in Accessories
I have a Lowepro Toploader Pro and was using it to carry my 40d with the 70-200 IS attached to it. Only problem I had was it was a tight fit. I was always having to turn my hood around in order to put it in and just felt it needed more room in it.

So .. I bought a Think Tank 50 V2.0 holster. I can fit my camera, lens and 1.4 tele on it with no problem at all. The extending end to keep the hood in postion is wonderful.

My issue is padding. Lowepro seems to win in the padding department. Always had this comfort zone when using a Lowepro product. Since the ThinkTank is new to me and the padding is 1/2 of what Lowepros is .. I'm out of my comfort zone ... should I be concerned? Anyone out there use the product I just purchased? Any issues? Are my concerns over thickness of padding a concern? Tags and such are still attached. Just received it today.

Granted I'm not going to be throwing it around, but I do want to know that what padding they use within the Think Tank is sufficient.

If I'm in the wrong thread .. move me please :D
Mary
www.Dogdotsphotography.com

Comments

  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2011
    Your concerns are what have kept me a LowePro user (for more than 20yrs now)....I have handled think tank, M-rock and other brands that the shops have lauded as better than LP and when I placed them side by side....I stayed with LP...it is not that much of a time los to have to attach your hood is it???

    Personally I want the protection I get with LP....they may not be the most stylish but they build with one thing in mind PROTECTION.......
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • DogdotsDogdots Registered Users Posts: 8,795 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2011
    Art Scott wrote: »
    Your concerns are what have kept me a LowePro user (for more than 20yrs now)....I have handled think tank, M-rock and other brands that the shops have lauded as better than LP and when I placed them side by side....I stayed with LP...it is not that much of a time los to have to attach your hood is it???

    Personally I want the protection I get with LP....they may not be the most stylish but they build with one thing in mind PROTECTION.......

    You are right ... so right. I went with the Think Tank because of size for the tele attached. Can't get it into the Lowepro Toploader even with the hood reversed.

    Hood can be reversed without problem .. that I could deal with. I just liked the fact that the lens wasn't sitting on the bottom of the bag, but the hood was.

    Seems to be a 1 issue problem with the Lowepro .. just to darn short.

    Don't know what I'm going to do???? Wish Lowepro made one big enough. Wonder why they don't????

    Lowepro if your reading this ... build one for me please rolleyes1.gif
    Mary
    www.Dogdotsphotography.com
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2011
    Look at the LP 75AW.....I get a D300 with grip + 70-200 or 50-500 with hoods reversed....if I want to carry a flash in the main compartment I can with either it is tight but it works...in the outside pocket I can stuff my 2x extender and other goodies...in the bottom small compartment I carry extra batts for cam & flash..........
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • DogdotsDogdots Registered Users Posts: 8,795 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2011
    Art Scott wrote: »
    Look at the LP 75AW.....I get a D300 with grip + 70-200 or 50-500 with hoods reversed....if I want to carry a flash in the main compartment I can with either it is tight but it works...in the outside pocket I can stuff my 2x extender and other goodies...in the bottom small compartment I carry extra batts for cam & flash..........

    I'm going to return it ... just has me to worried.

    Thanks Art :D
    Mary
    www.Dogdotsphotography.com
  • rwellsrwells Registered Users Posts: 6,084 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2011
    Hey Mary,

    I see that you've decided that your just not comfortable with the ThinkTank bag. You should always have confidence in your gear, if not, get rid of it.

    That being said...

    I have used ThinkTank bags (4) for some years now, and have never had any issue. As a matter of fact, I've been so impressed with them, seems like I keep adding different ones to my collection thumb.gif. I baby my gear, but not my bags, and they have yet to let me down in any way. That's why I use ThinkTank bags!

    There are many, many working pros that rely on ThinkTank bags for convenience and protection, I don't think that's a fluke deal.gif

    Anyway, hope you find something that you have confidence in and works for you thumb.gif
    Randy
  • DogdotsDogdots Registered Users Posts: 8,795 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2011
    rwells wrote: »
    Hey Mary,

    I see that you've decided that your just not comfortable with the ThinkTank bag. You should always have confidence in your gear, if not, get rid of it.

    That being said...

    I have used ThinkTank bags (4) for some years now, and have never had any issue. As a matter of fact, I've been so impressed with them, seems like I keep adding different ones to my collection thumb.gif. I baby my gear, but not my bags, and they have yet to let me down in any way. That's why I use ThinkTank bags!

    There are many, many working pros that rely on ThinkTank bags for convenience and protection, I don't think that's a fluke deal.gif

    Anyway, hope you find something that you have confidence in and works for you thumb.gif

    Howdy ...

    Oh I so wanted to keep it. It fit perfect. Only the uncertainty stopped me from doing so. The comparison between the thickness of padding really was a noticeable difference. Not saying the Think Tank wasn't good enough, but I just wasn't sure.

    My biggest concern was using it when out during the winter. Falling down seems to be part of the 'winter experience' up here along with slipping and grabbing something quickly rolleyes1.gifI didn't want to risk the chance of it bumping into something if I fell or grabbed onto something quickly. Also too the thickness of the padding for cold protection is important to me -- the more the better.

    Lowepro discontinued the bag I wanted -- Toploader Zoom AW. I have one already, but wanted two of them. So I had to get the next size smaller (by 1/2 inch). I'll just have to get some lens holders and attach them to my Toploaders.

    Life was simpler with a point and shoot rolleyes1.gif

    Thanks Randy for letting me know you like your Think Tanks. They certainly have the ones that seem to 'fit' what is needed. When I move to the sunny south I'll pick one up then. Darn it .. I could of kept it for summer use ... I'm so slow sometimes in thinking out a situation/solution.
    Mary
    www.Dogdotsphotography.com
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