[VinnyP]

If it gets uploaded I will write a review for this bag but it will be a long one since it just keeps surprising me with how much it can do and the number of features. But here is a flavour.

The title of this thread says it all. Like most photographers over the years much to the disgust of whichever lady is lucky enough to be in my life at the time, especially the current and final I have owned dozens of bags and am constantly on the look out for something a little bit better.

I still have 5 bags all of them fill different roles and all of them are very good in their own way. (Crumpler Loyal chap, Lowepro Stealth Reporter AW600, Slingshot 300, Nature trecker AW II and Lens trecker) Whilst I think I may well keep most of them this will get a hell of a lot of use and will quickly become my bag/system of choice. I like backpacks for how they are to carry but want to be able to access the kit without taking the bag off and I want it to be as stealthy as possible. I also want to be able to use it as a photo bag and occasionally as a trecking bag that can also carry a nice general purpose outfit. I also like versatility so it can overcome the big enough is too heavy and light enough is too small whilst being travel and carry on friendly. Well now I have found by miles the best solution so far.

I knew a little about the Thinktank range and had seen a few people with them but was never a fan of harness and belt packs no matter how practical since they always looked a bit too rambo and showy for me. This is the Thinktank 360 backpack, it's so good it has website complete with videos all to itself which will do a better job than me explaining how it works. All I can say is it that it's the best made best designed and closest thing to perfection I have found (If you add the right accessories). I can have a really comfortable day pack that holds all I need for a day in the hills or town together with a single body 2/3 lens combination with batteries cards etc. which looks like a conventional day sack but lets me access all the photokit and a bottle of water and snack bar whilst it stays on my back. I can add a flash Tcon and 70-200 zoom and a tripod/monopod to the party and it loses some stealth factor but still easy to carry and all the photokit except the pod is quick access. But if I like I can carry a whole load of stuff including 2 bodies half a dozen lenses (including a 70-200 hood attached and a 300MM 2.8 hood reversed 2 flashes grips and a monpod or tripod and whilst it gets a bit like scuba diver it's not too uncomfortable. There are so many configurations so as I said it will be a long review. Finally for now one last great feature it also lets one or 2 camera bodies with lenses be carried attached to the shoulder straps instead of around the neck, this works really well and it's comfortable as they help to counter balance the bag, it's also much more secure since it is secured in 2 places so cut and snatch is much more difficult. I might seem easily pleased but I really think this will make a huge difference to me.

[silkstone]

Thanks for the review. The idea of being able to access the gear in the backpack without removing it has got to be good - the Slingshot is an attempt at that but for me it doesn't quite work. This one sounds ideal if you need to carry a lot of kit.

[Markulous]

Was a problem I faced a few years ago when I started hiking - was finding I just wasn't stopping to take my rucksack off to take pics/change lenses.

Solved it (and the space problem I had as well) by hanging a camera bag off the shoulder attachments at the front. Now I have everything permanently to hand and enough space to get water, food and spare clothing into my backpack - and hang my camera off the front instead of around my neck.

Secondary advantage is that I keep my camera in the camera bag - and just take that if I'm just local

[stepheno]

Thanks Vinny - the rotation 360 is now uploaded and can be seen in the Equipment Reviews section

[simpbow]

Looks like a good piece of gear.

[VinnyP]

Originally Posted by stepheno

Thanks Vinny - the rotation 360 is now uploaded and can be seen in the Equipment Reviews section

Review now up there thanks.

[Stormbringer]

Oh bother! Christmas is over so I'll have to wait a year! What a nice piece of gear that is.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by VinnyP

Review now up there thanks.

Now thats what I call a review. Tx for going the extra mile Vinny.... much appreicated

[Rob Barron]

Vinny, can you tell me please, is it possible to use the belt pack section on its own if you are going out with only a small amount of equipment, ie the camera and standard lens?

Thanks,
Rob

[VinnyP]

Yes it is Rob. With or without a shoulder strap (supplied) and with room for one large or two small extra modular packs on the belt.

[Rob Barron]

Thanks Vinny, that sounds fantastic. I have put that on my list of 'sometime this year' purchases It's on the list that starts off '24-105mm lens, Sekonic L-308S light meter....'

Anyone know where I can get some overtime?

Cheers,
Rob