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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
To Think Tank Or Not To Think Tank?
Paul Hayes, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Littleton | NH | USA | Posted: 3:30 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> How many people out there use the Think Tank belt systems and why? And how many have tried it and stopped using it? Just trying to get a feel for how practical these things are. |
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Andrew Nelles, Photographer
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Chicago | IL | usa | Posted: 3:37 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> I love the Skin system. I frequently use that belt with 1-3 pouches. |
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Bob DeChiara, Photographer
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Burlington | MA | USA | Posted: 3:40 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> Love the TT belt system as well. Use it with two additional components. I don't think I would ever stop using it. |
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Matthew Jonas, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Evergreen | CO | USA | Posted: 3:59 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> I love my belt system. It has saved my back and shoulders from a lot of pain over the years. The nice thing about the system is it allows you to carry as much or as little as you want by swapping out components. |
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Arthur Spragg, Photographer
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San Angelo | TX | USA | Posted: 4:00 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> Used a Speed Demon for two-three years and wouldn't think of using anything else, unless it's the Skin System... |
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Jesse Jones, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Gainesville | Fl | USA | Posted: 4:17 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> I use a Think Tank Skin System. These days I usually only have to have one or two bags on the belt but they are by far the best ones I have used. I had Lowepro and Tamrac systems previously. |
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Stan Cochrane, Photographer
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Charlotte | NC | USA | Posted: 4:21 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> 1+, its great, versatile, and light. |
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Butch Miller, Photographer
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Lock Haven | PA | USA | Posted: 5:11 PM on 08.01.11 |
->> I bought the modular system and a Belly Dancer harness and haven't looked back ... all TT products are well made from top materials that are well-designed and superbly supported after the sale ... you can't go wrong ...
For field sports coverage, outdoor trail events, weddings and other jobs, it just can't be beat ...in fact, had they developed the system 20 years ago, my back would be in much better shape ... |
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Israel Shirk, Photographer, Assistant
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Boise | ID | US | Posted: 5:14 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> Hope this doesn't hijack too far - how well do their belts work when you're in a tux/strictly dressed? |
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Dan Powers, Photographer
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Appleton | WI | USA | Posted: 5:31 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> Lowe Pro also makes a belt system in case you want to compare the Think Tank to another option...Dan. |
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Corbey Dorsey, Photo Editor
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Cozad | NE | USA | Posted: 5:31 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> The Think Tank system bags, belts and accessories are excellent. Their service is second to none. Plus the products are built for us, working shooters |
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Dino De Pillo, Photographer
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Huntington Beach | Ca | U.S.A. | Posted: 5:48 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> I agree with Matthew's post. I wore a photo vest for years, switched to the Think Tank belt system, and really saved a lot of wear and tear on my neck and back. Also, I feel it is easier to switch out lenses and equipment, on the fly. I recommend it whole heartedly! |
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Michael Granse, Photographer
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Urbana | IL | USA | Posted: 5:59 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> If you are shooting something that requires a tuxedo, then you are probably in the territory of an assignment for which you can hire an assistant to carry the extra gear. |
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Daniel Malmberg, Photographer
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Huskvarna | Sweden | Sweden | Posted: 6:19 PM on 08.01.11 |
->> I don't have any experience with the Think Tank belt system.
But with The Lowepro belt and harness.
I just love it. Really practical. And it also saves my back and shoulders.
I guess that Think Tank is just as good, at least.
In any way, i can really recommend to use a belt together with a harness. |
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Ian L. Sitren, Photographer
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Palm Springs | CA | USA | Posted: 6:19 PM on 08.01.11 |
->> It is a great system and works as advertised. It does make things convenient and really saves your back!
The only reason I stopped using it is because I no longer do that type of work where I need to be carrying my gear. Tomorrow I will put my system up for sale here. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 7:03 PM on 08.01.11 |
->> I use the Skins pouches for a lot of things.
The Speed Demon is what I use most of the time and I have added a few pouches to hold more gear.
Modular is the way to go whether it's a straight belt system or "accessorizing" a belt bag like I do. |
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Geoffrey Bolte, Photographer, Assistant
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Thompson | CT | USA | Posted: 7:15 PM on 08.01.11 |
->> I have the Modular system, been using it for the last 2 years and love it. Its easily customizable for use when I need to hold one lens or more, water, etc. Been very happy with it!!
Also use the Double Black Rapid strap for my cameras as of early this summer and it works great with that as well. Can move the pouches out of the way of the straps and they work very well together!! |
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Paul DiSalvo, Photographer
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Highlands Ranch | CO | United States of America | Posted: 7:49 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> I like the Change-Up with 4-5 different sized Modular Pouches added in as needed. I can wear it like the Belly Dancer harness (gear in front) or the Pixel Racing Harness (gear in back), or shoulder pouch (man-purse) option. Could be the coolest bag I've ever owned and I've tried a lot. |
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Kevin M. Cox, Photographer, Assistant
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Galveston & Houston | TX | US | Posted: 7:51 PM on 08.01.11 |
->> I have been using the Think Tank modular system since they sent me a "test drive" unit when it was first announced and really like it. It has held up very well and only shows some fabric wear in a few places.
Previously I had been using a generic waist pack and got almost immediate relief from lower back pain when I switched to the TT that allowed me to spread the weight out better.
I actually haven't been using it as much this year simply because the batteries in the Mark IV last forever. Last year I was still using Mark IIN and needed to have multiple spares on me all the time.
As others have mentioned it is great being able to mix and match pouches to carry only what you need for a given assignment. |
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Michael Coons, Photographer
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Camarillo | CA | | Posted: 8:34 PM on 08.01.11 |
->> I used a Lowepro Slideline Shooter for 10 years but switched to the Think Tank modular system last year. The modular system allows me to add or subtract different pouches depending on the assignment. I usually carry two cameras on my shoulders so the TT belt saves my back from carrying around extras like lenses, flashes, CF cards and batteries. I highly recommend it over a shoulder bag or backpack for general assignments, wedding or sports.
FYI: Think Tank is currently having a sale on their Modular/skin components.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/categories/modular-component-systems.aspx |
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Max Waugh, Photographer
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Bothell | WA | USA | Posted: 9:02 PM on 08.01.11 |
->> It's a much more comfortable alternative to the Mountainsmith waist pack I used to use, thanks to the shoulder mount of the Pixel Racing Harness.
I not only use my Skin System on game day, but will also load it up when I travel overseas and carrying on multiple bags doesn't make sense. The whole set of pouches has always been counted as one carry-on item, and it takes up a lot less space in the overhead than most rollers. |
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Mike Doran, Photographer
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Petaluma | CA | U.S.A. | Posted: 9:09 PM on 08.01.11 |
| ->> I've been using the Think Tank since I read about it in PDN. For my motorsports work it is the best way to carry multiple lenses and assorted other pieces of my trade, There quality and there ability to listen to our suggestions as professional sportsshooters is awesome. |
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Gabe Souza, Student/Intern
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Boston | MA | | Posted: 11:21 PM on 08.01.11 |
->> I use the Speed Demon most of the time. Sometimes I wear it as part of the belt system (I have a few extra pouches for the 70-200 etc.) but sometimes I also wear it as a shoulder bag.
The usual set up is shooting with two bodies and wearing the pack around the waist or over my shoulder stuffed with flashes, pocket wizards, a TC, CF cards, etc. I've been eyeing something like the speed changer or the bum bag because sometimes there just isn't enough room for everything.
But all in all, a good system and definitely saves the back on a long day of shooting. |
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Francis Specker, Photographer
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Riverside | CA | USA | Posted: 12:23 AM on 08.02.11 |
| ->> +1 for TT belt systems. You can customize them for any job, they even have multi-media pouches too. |
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Al Diaz, Photographer
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Miami | Fl | USA | Posted: 12:07 PM on 08.02.11 |
| ->> Many moons ago I used to wear Domke bags on my belt. Then the Kinesis Photo Gear belt system. Now I use the Think Tank Photo Modular belt system. By far superior. I also use an individual modular bag that I put on my belt depending on the job. Think Tank Photo is having a sale! With this sale, you can buy the hallmark six-piece Modular Set and five-piece Skin Set (which are already discounted 20%), or any of the individual Modular or Skin components for 20% off. http://bit.ly/ModularSet |
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Melissa Macatee, Photographer
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Dallas | TX | | Posted: 1:59 PM on 08.02.11 |
| ->> I use the TT belt system, I keep everything I need in the main section so I know when I grab the belt and go I have my necessary items for almost every situation. I select the other components depending on my needs and lens choices, great way to carry a water bottle in this heat too. Each section has its own water proof cover that just pulls out and slips over the opening, which is great when you find yourself in that iffy weather, rain(if we ever see any again). |
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