PhotoPlus 2016 Gadget Report–Day 3

Friday October 21 was my last day at PhotoPlus 2016, but it was a big day with lots of great products. While I can't fit them all here, I thought I'd go over some of the ones that I liked the most for consideration for future blog articles.

BlackRapid

Double-locking hook

If you think you know BlackRapid, think again, as they've updated their entire line to include big improvements in comfort and safety. As you can see from the image above, the locking mechanism across the board ensures that your gear can't come out with this double locking system.

Below is the new design for the shoulder straps that allows for better breathing and feels much lighter and comfortable in person:

BlackRapid Breathe Strap Design

Improved fasteners

Everything in the line up is improved and better, so if you've had or heard of issues with their stuff in the past (and I've only heard one which I think was user error), then it's time to look them up again.

Click here to learn more about the new BlackRapid Breathe products.

Mindshift Gear

I've been a long-time fan of ThinkTankPhoto bags so when I heard some of the same great people were going to go off and form a new company with lighter bags for hikers, I supported them on Kickstarter. I was one of the first to get and review the MindShift Gear Rotation 180°, and I still have it to this day, but it's evolving and improving as shown above.

They are also making more sizes and colors than when I last reviewed the MindShift Gear Panorama. As a result, this show was a wake up call for me that this is no longer a company that just makes a couple bags, and that I should start reviewing them more in the near future.

I loved my Digital Holster, so these lighter versions are likely to be where I start...

Nikon

The all new 70-200mm from Nikon

I already talked about the new lenses in this article, so check that out if you haven't already.

In addition to the lenses, I spent most of my time talking about the new Action Cameras.

This discussion warrants its own article, so come back later this week for more details. I've got lots of pictures and hopefully some new info so if you are as excited about these very well built cameras as I am then you'll really enjoy this article.

Epson

Epson always has the most amazing art display at PhotoPlus, and this year was no different. So many images were breath taking, but on the gear side there wasn't much new news. They did have one of the P20000 beasties which is fun to see as it's as big as a small car!

Tether Tools

I haven't caught on to the tethering fad, but the crowds around the demos by great photographers like Peter Hurley suggest that I'm the exception, and not the rule.

Peter gave an awesome demo using the Flex light panel from Westcott and showed near live results via Lightroom for this very impressive demo of studio photography in 2016.

Check out more about Tether Tools current line up here.

AquaTech

AquaTech is well known for making create underwater housings, but their rain cover looks pretty good so I might be checking that out in the near future. If you've got one and want to share feedback, then leave me a comment here. Please note that comments are approved manually due to massive bot attacks, so you only need to post once and you won't see your comment right away.

Westcott

Westcott Flex Continuous Light Source was definitely the star of PPE 2016!

It was clear at this show that Westcott wanted to make a big impression with its Flex LED mat products as they were all over the show. Either they are that good or they spent a bunch of money to create that perception, but there's no doubt that they are both very cool and worth giving a closer look. Definitely look for a review of this very promising, but very expensive, continuous light source in the future.

In case it isn't obvious, what makes these so great is that they have a ton of light in a mat that can literally roll up like a blueprint. No more bulky flashes as what you see is what you get, and they don't run hot or take up a lot of space. Perhaps the only down side is that they are so bright that having that much light in your face can be pretty annoying. Videographers are likely to love them and photographers will certainly benefit from them.

Learn more about Flex here.

RapidBox reminds me of my Elinchrom 39" Rotalux Deep OctaBox
in terms of performance, but at much friendlier price

SkyLux LED Lights aren't new, but definitely were a popular choice at several booths at the show

LUMAS Opens New York Gallery with a WhiteWall.com Showroom

I had a chance to check out the new LUMAS gallery where WhiteWall.com is the as part of a show related event for the media, and let's just say I'm a huge WhiteWall fan now. If you haven't heard of them it's because they are a major fine art print service in Germany, but they are just landing on our shore in the heart of the New York SoHo district.

As a print master, NEC Color Visionary, X-Rite Coloratti, successful eBook author on printing, and the success of my printing series certainly qualifies me as someone who knows a good print when he sees it. After touring other galleries in New York and seeing WhiteWall's best work, I can assure you there's nobody in the US printing business right now has impressed me more than they did.

I'll be talking a lot more about WhiteWall, but in the meantime you can get a discount and learn more about how much I loved my HD Metal print here.

The studio in the basement gave us an opportunity to see everything they make on all of the different media, so if you get a chance then stop by or book an appointment with them as it's very helpful in deciding what you want to do for your next print.

Other print services should take notice that it's time to up your game as no print company in the US that I've seen prints from can touch them, so prepare to lose market share from photographers who care about quality as they switch to a company that I think is the best in the business.

Conclusion

PhotoPlus New York is always a great way to see the best of what everyone in the camera business has to offer, so while it's a bit expensive to get out there it's worth the trip. I had fun getting see what's new and what's coming from my blog partners, so I can't wait to get you some fresh reviews this coming year based on what I've learned.

Other Articles You Might Enjoy

NOTE: More gadget reports to come about PhotoPlus very soon!

If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy these:

• PhotoPlus Expo 2016 Day 1 Gadgets Report
• PhotoPlus 2016 Gadget Report–Day 2
• Black Rapid RS-7 & RS-Sport
• GoPro HD Hero 2 Motorsports Edition
• MindShift Gear Rotation 180° - Hiking Camera Backpack
• MindShift Gear Panorama - Smaller Day Hike Backpack
• ThinkTankPhoto bag reviews & special offer
• Whitewall Metal & Acrylic Frames - Discount
• Discount Coupon Codes Page
• Printing Series 
• Ron’s Recommendations 

Disclosure

If you make a purchase using links found in this article, I may make a commission.

MindShift Gear: SidePath & TrailScape

MindShift Gear has released two cool new camera bags for hikers that I think you are going to love, so I wanted to share the details of what I know about them with you.

Click here to learn more about or order the SidePath

One of the greatest challenges outdoor photographers face is how to carry their smaller, and yet still sophisticated and expensive camera gear in a backpack of sufficient quality to endure the rigors of the wilds. To meet their needs, MindShift Gear has released the SidePath, a lightweight outdoor photography backpack that features superior materials and construction.

The Sidepath’s contoured back panel with lumbar support, air-channel, lightweight harness, and adjustable sternum strap provide all day comfort. The backpack is constructed with P600D and 420D nylon, high quality YKK zippers, 420D high-density nylon with re-enforced stress points for long-lasting durability and strength.

At one-and-a half-pounds, the SidePath is a great grab-and-go bag that can be used for landscape, travel, a day out, or anything in between. Rear panel access keeps gear secure and the harness clean. A roomy zippered compartment fits a 10” tablet and all the supplies needed for a one-day adventure.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Soft-sided design looks like a daypack and not a bulky camera bag
• Integrated tripod/monopod/trekking pole mounting system on sides
• Two oversized stretch water bottle pockets
• Fits a DSLR, compact DSLR, and Mirrorless camera systems
• Adjustable dividers enable multiple camera case configurations
• Seam-sealed rain cover included for downpour conditions
• High quality YKK zippers, 420D high-density nylon with reinforced stress points for long lasting durability and strength
• Zippered interior pocket to organize small items
• Highly breathable three-layer shoulder straps for all day comfort

GEAR CAPACITY

• Holds 1 large (un-gripped) Mirrorless body and 1-2 standard zoom lenses or primes
• Holds 1 compact DSLR (Rebel, 3300 or 5300 series) and 1-2 lenses
• Holds 1 DSLR (5DMIII or D750) with 1 standard zoom or 2 primes
• Fits up to a 10” tablet
• 8 liters of capacity for personal gear
• Maximum lens size: DSLR: 24-70mm f/2.8 attached to a D750 or 6D

MATERIALS

Exterior: For superior water resistance, all exterior fabric has a durable water-repellant coating, plus the underside of the fabric has a polyurethane coating. The backpack also has high-quality YKK® RC-zippers, 420D Velocity nylon, 600D poly, 320G UltraStretch mesh, 350G airmesh, nylon webbing, 3-ply bonded nylon thread.

Interior: 200D poly, high-density nylex, high-density closed-cell foam, 3-ply bonded nylon thread.

SPECIFICATIONS

• External Dimensions: 10.6” W x 19” H x 5.9” D (26 x 47 x 15 cm)
• Camera Compartment: 9.1” W x 6.7” H x 5.5” D (24 x 15 x 14 cm)
• Tablet Slot: 8.3” W x 9.8” H x 0.6” D (22 x 25 x 2 cm)
• Total Volume: 14L
• Weight: 1.6 lbs (0.7 kg) (includes rain cover)

Click here to learn more about or order the TrailScape

MindShift Gear’s new TrailScape backpack balances outdoor photographers’ desire to have access to their essential photo gear while maintaining a slim and compact profile. The TrailScape fits a complete camera system, including a 70-200mm f/2.8 attached with hood in the shooting position. With its multiple lash points, photographers can carry extra gear, such as a light jacket and lunch. And, its laptop and tablet slots allow them to use this as their “go to” backpack while in transit.

“At MindShift, we are focused on meeting the needs of outdoor enthusiasts who are often carrying sophisticated and expensive electronics deep into the wild. What they seek are protection and comfort,” said Doug Murdoch, MindShift Gear’s CEO and Lead Designer. “The TrailScape’s removable webbing waistbelt helps stabilize the bag while active and its contoured back panel with lumbar support and robust harness provide for all day comfort.”

ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Dedicated quick access smartphone/sunglasses pocket
• Tripod/monopod/hiking pole mounting system on sides
• Two large water bottle pockets with cinch cord

• Seamless rain cover included for downpour conditions
• Side compression straps for additional lash points
• Adjustable dividers to customize the interior for DSLR or Mirrorless kit
• Interior zippered pockets for batteries, cards, filters and other accessories
• Easy-grip zipper pulls for wet or cold conditions
• Organizer pockets for pens, flashlight and business cards

GEAR CAPACITY

• Holds 1 standard-size DSLR and 4-6 standard zoom lenses
• Holds 2 large mirrorless body and 5-7 lenses plus a flash
• Maximum lens size: 300mm f/2.8

Examples:

• Nikon D810 with 70-200mm f/2.8 attached to a body and the hood in the shooting position and 2-3 additional lenses
• Canon 5DMIII with 24-70mm f/2.8 attached and 4-6 additional lenses
• Sony a7mII with 70-200mm f/4 attached and 5-6 additional lenses

MATERIALS

Exterior: For superior water resistance, all exterior fabric has a durable water-repellant coating, plus a polyurethane coating on the underside of the fabric. The backpack also features the highest-quality abrasion-resistant YKK® RC zippers, 420D velocity nylon, 600D poly, 320G DuraStretch mesh, 350G airmesh, nylon webbing, and 3-ply bonded nylon thread.

Interior: P200D lining, high-density nylex with stiffened backing, hexa-mesh pockets, high-density closed-cell foam, PE board reinforcement, and 3-ply bonded nylon thread.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Exterior: 9.8” W x 18.1” H x 7.1” D (25 × 46 × 18 cm)
• Interior: 9.4” W x 17.3” H x 4.8” D (24 × 44 × 12 cm)
• Laptop: 8.9” W x 14.2” H x 1.2” D (22.7 × 36 × 3 cm)
• Tablet: 8.5” W x 9.8” H x 0.8” D (21.5 × 25 × 2 cm)
• Weight: 2.8 lbs. (1.3 kg)

About Mindshift Gear

MindShift Gear (www.mindshiftgear.com) is a group of committed professional photographers and product designers who support conservation and protection of our natural resources and planet. Founded by the creators of Think Tank Photo and conservation photographer Daniel Beltrá, MindShift is dedicated to building carrying solutions for those who are passionate about experiencing the natural world. Their slogan, “Engage with nature,” challenges people to not only become involved in outdoor activities, but to create a conversation about nature and our relationship to the environment.

Other articles you might enjoy

• ThinkTankPhoto Bag Reviews Index & Special Offer
• MindShift Gear Rotation 180° - Hiking Camera Backpack
• MindShift Gear Panorama - Smaller Day Hike Backpack

Disclosure

If you make a purchase using links found in this article, I may make a commission.

Mindshift Gear Panorama Backpack, Filter Hive & Ultralight Camera Cover (Corrected 8/2/16)

MindShift Gear Rotation180° Panorama Backpack

MindShift Gear has a cool rotating day hike backpack called the lightweight rotation180 ° Panorama that is available for order here.  Designed for those who want quick access outdoors to their cameras, binoculars, GPS devices, nature identification books, maps, iPads, and more, the rotation180° Panorama’s belt pack rotates to the front for quick gear access and without first having to take off the backpack or even stop hiking.   Its upper compartment has room for a 3 liter hydration bladder, jackets, food, and the like.

In addition, MindShift has some great accessories for outdoor photographers:

• The Filter Hive (review) is the first case designed for quick access to round, square, and rectangular camera lens filters.  The Filter Hive solves organizational and functional problems of conservation, landscape, outdoor action, and wildlife photographers who need quick access to filters of different shapes.  The filter case resembles a bee hive with padded, felt-lined slots that protect delicate glass and resin filters.
  
• The UltraLight Camera Cover is the lightest, most compact camera cover for outdoor photography.  Available in three sizes, this “skin-style” camera pouch/cover is designed for outdoor, nature, and action photographers who wear a normal or pro DSLR camera with small to medium lens out on their chest, ready to shoot. Its adjustable shock-cord on lid allows the cover to fit multiple camera and lens combinations. 
  

All products are available and ready for shipment today!

Compared to the Rotation 180

Front View - Panorama (left) Original Rotation 180 (right)

Side View - Panorama (left) Original Rotation 180 (right)

Back View - Panorama (left) Original Rotation 180 (right)

Video Walkthrough

Here’s a quick overview of this bag as it arrived. If there’s enough interest, I’ll do another review later after I’ve had some time to use it and that will feature camera gear.

Conclusion

I got one of these bags to review and it’s a pretty cool bag. I like the size much better than the original back because this seems better suited for the day hike whereas the original is more for the long and/or overnight hike. Both are extremely well made and very light, so I think people who try these bags out are really going to love them! It's also a big plus for outdoor adventures who need a lightweight bag for their gear but also one that can carry their hydration bladders.

Where to order

Click here to learn more or order at the MindShift Gear web site.

Other articles you may enjoy

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy these:

• MindShift Gear Rotation 180° - Hiking Camera Backpack (larger version)
• MindShift Gear House of Cards Memory Card Wallet & Filter Hive & Filter Nest Mini Review
• ThinkTankPhoto Bag Reviews Index & Special Offer
• Photographers Gift Guide / Recommendations
  
• Things You Need AFTER You Buy Your New Camera - Must Have Photography Accessories
  

Disclosure

If you make a purchase using links found in this article, I may make a commission. It doesn’t cost you a penny more, but it does help to support future articles like this. I was provided with a review version of this bag.

MindShift Gear Reviews: House of Cards and Filter Nest & Hive Mini

My friends at MindShift Gear make some super durable and lightweight camera bags for hikers, but they also make some great accessories. Even if you are a couch potato, you can appreciate the value in having accessories that help you keep track of your stuff while still being super lightweight. In this article and the video below I discuss some of the accessories I’ve tried and love from my friends at MindShift Gear.

Check out the video above to see these products in action, but don’t forget to read the article for a special offer!

House of Cards Memory Card Wallet

MindShift Gear House of Cards (Closed Front View)

This is a super lightweight and compact memory card holder that holds up to 6 CF cards and 3 SD cards at the same time as shown below:

Holds 6 CF and 3 SD cards

If you’ve used the Think Tank Photo Pixel Pocket Rocket then this is basically a super lightweight equivalent that is a row smaller and uses an elastic band instead of Velcro to keep itself closed. It’s pretty self explanatory and works great in real life applications. The handy tether shown below is great for clipping this inside your back so you can get to it quickly. The orange colors also make it super easy to find.

House of Cards Business card/identification window (back)

Special Offer

In celebration of spring, between now and May 15, 2015 when you order one of their award-winning rotation backpacks you will receive for free a House of Cards CF/SD card holder.  To partake of this special offer, click on the backpack of your choice and look for the headline reading “Purchase any MindShift Gear backpack and receive a free House of Cards via mail-in form!” Order your backpack, click on the link, follow the instructions on the form, and MindShift will mail you the House of Cards.

Click here to learn more about the House of Cards and get a link to the rebate form!

Don’t care about weight for your memory card holder? You can also get any of the following FREE for a limited time with your order of $50 or more from ThinkTankPhoto when you use my blog links:

Modular Pixel Pocket Rocket

Limited Edition Pixel Pocket Rocket

Pixel Pocket Rocket™

Filter Nest Mini

Filter Nest Mini

A variable neutral density filter and circular polarizer are the main filters that no landscape photographer should be without, but the cases these come in can be kind of bulky. What’s more, these things are expensive and it’s kind of common to have a set for two different filter rings (77mm and 82mm for me).

Wouldn’t it be great if you could keep all these filters together and do it in a way that both protected them and didn’t add much weight to your bag? MindShift Gear thought so and created this handy case with color dividers that helps you do just that.

Of course, when I first heard about this I thought – why on Earth would I use that? After a moment I stopped and thought about the fact that my polarizer cases look nearly identical to each other as do my variable neutral density (VND) filters so the common mistake I seem to always have is grabbing the wrong size at the wrong time. What’s more, my polarizer cases are more fragile and a pain to open than my VND’s (which from Singh-Ray are effectively a single filter version of this), so I found myself liking having them all together with fast access.

I realize this might not be for everyone, but if you are the type of person that likes to keep your stuff organized and easy to access, then you’ll enjoy this product.

Click here to learn more.

Filter Hive Mini

Filter Hive Mini

In addition the filters above, I’m still one of those rare landscape shooters who carry’s gradient neutral density filters to deal with those situations where I really new two exposures in the filed and I want to do it right in-camera rather than relying on HDR after the fact. I also know plenty of photographers who swear by Lee Filters for all their neutral density needs, so given their premium price and fragility you definitely need something that both organizes and protects – ideally without adding much weight. The Filter Hive Mini does just that with a lightweight design that accommodates up to four square/rectangular filters (up to 4 x 6 or 100 x 150 mm).

My Cokin case was bulky and the gray sleeves they provide are dust magnets, so this was a no brainer for me. I also have trouble telling which ND filter is which in the case so I used a system where orange is the lightest color to hold the brightest filter (my ND2) and the blue is the darkest (my ND8), so it’s easy to know which is which without hunting for the tiny 8pt text!

Click here to learn more.

Other MindShift Gear Products & Reviews

Mindshift Gear rotation180° Professional

If you are into heavy duty mountain climbing then this is the perfect camera bag for you. CLICK HERE for my MindShift Gear Rotation 180° Review.

MindShift Gear rotation180° Panorama

This is for the hard core hikers who want great functionality with the minimal weight possible. CLICK HERE for my MindShift Gear Panorama Rotation 180° Review

Two new bags for less than $200!

I haven’t had a chance to review the two newest bags from MindShift Gear below, but they are both crazy light and affordable.

rotation180º Travel Away (Only $199!!!)

 

rotation180° Trail (Only $179!!!)

 

Conclusion

You might not have heard of MindShift Gear before, but they are a spin off from Think Tank Photo. From my experience they offer the same great quality and service with a fraction of the weight, so they are perfect bag for hikers, cyclists and anyone who wants a lightweight gear.

These accessories might not be for everyone, but while you are here I encourage you to check out their backpacks if you haven’t before. They are pretty sweet bags that offer fast access to you gear without having to take your bag off, so I find them extremely handy.

MindShift Gear has a bunch of products and accessories made for hikers. Click here to learn more.

Where to order

Click here to learn more or order today.

Don’t miss the special offer in the House of Cards section above too!

Other articles you may enjoy

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy these:

• MindShift Gear Rotation 180° Review
• MindShift Gear Panorama Rotation 180° Review
• Think Tank Photo Reviews and Special Offer
• Lightweight Tripod & Monopod Recommendations 
• HOW TO: Drastically Improve Your Handheld Shots
• Selfie Stick Reviews
• Ron’s Recommendations
• Things You Need AFTER You Buy Your New Camera - Must Have Photography Accessories

Disclosure

If you make a purchase using links found in this article, I may make a commission. It doesn’t cost you a penny more, but it does help to support future articles like this.

REVIEW: MindShift Gear Rotation 180° – FINALLY A Proper Hiking Backpack (Special Offer)

Anyone who has followed this blog for a while knows that Think Tank Photo makes my favorite camera bags, so outside of Kelly Moore Bags I’ve been reluctant to spend much time reviewing bags from other makers. This isn’t because I haven’t used other bags, but more because I’ve been so disappointed with others that I’ve tried that it hasn’t been worth my time to write about something that I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommending to my readers. My camera insurance article explains why I take my camera bags so seriously, so when I first heard about this new company called MindShift Gear (which is actually a spin off of Think Tank Photo), I was a bit skeptical.

The Problem

I wondered, why would ThinkTankPhoto mess with a winning formula? They make bags that are brilliant for travel and rough and tumble photojournalist, so what’s there to improve upon?

North Cascades, Washington State 2007 – Ron Martinsen

I live in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest where I can literally drive 5 minutes away from my house and take beautiful mountain hikes, so I can relate with the numerous complaints I get about gear and camera bag weight. Personally when I hike these days I just take my X20 (or a camera I’m reviewing like the X100s) because I don’t want to be bogged down with a heavy bag and gear. However, some of the best photo opportunities happen on those hikes so often I really wish I had my 5D Mark III or a camera like the D600. Given the conditions under the forest canopy, a tripod like my Gitzo GT1541 is handy to have too, but things add up quick so who wants to do that? Well, from what I hear from my friends – pretty much everybody wants to! This leads to people doing silly things like putting their gear in their hiking backpack where stuff bangs against each other and gets scratched, and finding what you need can be a mess. This has caused me to get asked NUMEROUS times if there was a good hiking backpack that could also hold camera gear, but still hold things like water, a change of clothes, food, etc… that you’d typically want on a long hike.

The Solution

Here’s what they mean by Rotation 180
Get to your camera and basic gear without taking off your backpack!

It turns out the folks at Think Tank Photo got this question so much that they decided to do a Kickstarter Campaign to gauge the interest in them forming a new company dedicated to making camera bags for the outdoorsman instead of the traveller or photojournalist. This different focus would place weight, comfort, and ample storage above all others – yet there would still be the things we love about TTP bags – like durability! The result of that campaign was that people gave an overwhelming YES by contributing over $100,000 more than the $30,000 they needed to form this new company and develop this new bag in just 30 days! This extra funding resulted in the hikers dream bag becoming a reality with all the bells and whistles you could hope for! Based off the old Think Tank Photo Rotation 360 Camera backpack design, this bag offers a small bag to hold your camera, and some basic essentials. The photos below show some possible configurations that I think cover most photographers real world configurations when going out for a hike:

Camera and a 70-200mm? – No problem

Camera & lenses or a flash? Sure, no problem!

While the mini-bag isn’t huge, it covers about as much gear as most people would want to carry on a hike. If you keep your camera on something like a BlackRapid RS-Sport, then you can carry even more like up to 5 standard size lenses as shown above. For me the configuration on the far right most accurately represents how I plan to use this bag.

Yeah, but what about my other stuff?

Way more than a camera bag, this bag is ready to hold gear that can save your life

My blog readers literally scale mountains on the weekend here in the Northwest (example), so sometimes the extra stuff in the bag can literally save your life. The photo above shows that this bag is designed with serious outdoor hiking in mind. Of course, MindShift Gear realizes that there will be other times where you just want a camera bag and ideally you want one investment that can serve both needs. This is where this handy insert comes in to make your big compartment a full-on camera bag like you are used to from Think Tank Photo:

Insert this into your main compartment to convert this bag into a traditional camera bag

Water Anyone?

Store up to a 3 liter water bladder in a dedicated hydration pocket

that includes a tube pass-through where you see the water drop graphic Long hikes require water and typical hiking bags keep this in mind by having a place to store your water bladder. This bag was designed this this in mind, so there’s a dedicated compartment just for your water that also works to hold things like your Rogue XL Pro Lighting Kit when you aren’t scaling mountains.

What about that darn tripod?

One of the most frustrating things when you are hiking is trying to carry a tripod because do-it-yourself solutions end up beating you to death with the tripod, and holding it in your hand gets old QUICK. As a result, many people leave the tripod at home for an activity where the tripod is often needed the most (for long exposure landscape shots).

Easily hold a Really Right Stuff BH-55 head with a Gitzo GT1541
in any of the three ways shown here

Mindshift Gear thought of this too by offering three ways to hold your tripod without having it beat you to death! The photo above shows three possible configurations. The far right offers the most stability, but I prefer the middle configuration the most for my BH-55 head with a Gitzo GT1541 combo. However, there’s also times when you have the tripod already out and you need to trek around the trail a bit for some additional shots. This scenario was covered to in this awesome tripod extended configuration:

Tripod Suspension Kit
I literally shouted out BOOYEAH when I saw this feature on my bag!
I want this on EVERY bag I own from henceforth!

But wait, there’s more… (sorry, no Ginsu knives included)

A wealth of accessories available (some sold separately)

These guys literally thought of everything, so unlike a normal bag there’s a crap load of accessories (some included, and some sold separately). I’m sure this is just the beginning too as readers like you are probably thinking “yeah, but what I need is…”.

Video Walkthrough

This bag has so much to show that a video is really helpful to appreciate it all. Even though I didn’t go into all the details I still ended up with two videos that are over 8 minutes long each! My bag has all of the accessories on it when I start the video so you can see how they work. I start with my video review which just goes over the bag itself with no gear inside:

Next up I have a video with a bunch of stuff inside including clothes, keys, flashlight, and more...

Hopefully my videos give you a better idea of what this bag has to offer. It's my understanding that MindShift Gear will stand behind these bags the same as Think Tank Photo, so if you are dissatisfied for any reason just contact them so they can make things right or issue a refund.

Conclusion

When I read about this bag I knew I wanted one, but more than anything I knew A LOT of my readers would want one too. As a result, I contributed $500 to the Kickstarter Campaign with the no gift option because I wanted to see this bag happen. I never imagined that so many people would give away their money to see this product happen, but they did (many receiving nice gifts for their donation). Of course this prompted some people to say “hey, what the heck does Think Tank Photo need donations for – those guys are probably super loaded and driving Ferrari’s!”. Well the reality is that Think Tank Photo is still only a small 30 person company that reinvests heavily in itself, so Kickstarter donations were the only way to make this new bag and company happen. They were also generous enough to send me a bag to review so I could bring this article to you. I’m really loving what I see with this bag and I can’t wait to put it to heavy use this summer. I’ll report back if I see any issues that give me cause for concern.

Where to order & SPECIAL OFFER

Click here to order today and enter the discount coupon code RONMART to get FREE SHIPPING.

Other articles you may enjoy

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy these reviews:

• Think Tank Photo Reviews & Special Offer
• Tripod & Monopod Recommendations (includes head recommendations too)
• Things You Need AFTER You Buy Your New Camera - Must Have Photography Accessories

Disclosure

If you make a purchase using links found in this article, I may make a commission. It doesn’t cost you a penny more, but it does help to support future articles like this. I was given a bag to review for this article, and I contributed to the KickStarter campaign for this company. This is NOT a sponsored review (in fact, it’s just the opposite) and I’m NOT an investor or part owner in this company.

Think Tank Photo Large Lens & Mindshift Gear Special Offers

Think Tank Photo Glass Taxi

Using a long lens for sideline shooting or birding this fall?  My friends at Think Tank Photo just announced a special offer on their two long lens backpacks, the Glass Taxi and the Glass Limo.  Should you order one of these backpacks between now and September 30^th, you can select to receive for free from among the following lens cases and pouches:  a Slim Changer, Lens Changer 25 V2.0, Lens Changer 50 V2.0, Lens Changer 75 Pop Down V2.0, or a Strobe Stuff.  When you place your order, a popup will show the Free Gift options.

The Glass Taxi holds up to a 500mm f/4 lens, 300mm f/2.8 lens with DSLR attached, or a DSLR with 70-200 attached with hood in position. I was one of my first and long time favorite bags until I got my Streetwalker Pro.

Think Tank Photo Glass Limo for up to 800mm f/5.6

The Glass Limo carries up to an 800 f/5.6, 600 f/4.0 unattached or a  500 f/4 with Pro body attached,  or an 800 5.6 with aftermarket neoprene lens cap , or a 200 - 400 f/4 with Pro body attached, or a standard pro kit with pro DSLR and 5-8 lenses.

I recently stuffed a 200-400mm into my Streetwalker HardDrive bag, but I think this bag might offers another choice for big lens shooters.  

Both backpacks are designed to hold these heaviest of lenses with stability and comfort. I can attest to this too because I’ve carried as much as 40 lbs in my Glass Taxi all day at a Formula One race, but it was comfortable (as 40lbs of gear can be <g>) and held up great.

Mindshift Gear Giveaway Kit (my review)

My friends at Think Tank Photo also just alerted me to a fun promotion their sister company, outdoor backpack company MindShift Gear, just announced.  MindShift is sponsoring free, on-fire random drawing called “Pack It In” where one lucky winner scores a rotation180° Professional Deluxe backpack loaded with cool covetable stuff, such as a Wimberley Head, an REI gift card, a Camelbak hydration bladder, and more. Here's your chance to score this mega-prize package valued in excess of $1,100!

Click here to enter the giveaway contest!

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• ThinkTankPhoto Bag Reviews Index & Special Offers
• MindShift Gear Rotation 180° - Hiking Camera Backpack
• Tripod Recommendations
• Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS vs 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 DO
• Canon 200-400mm f/4L IS with 1.4X Extender

Disclosure

If you make a purchase using links found in this article, I may make a commission. It doesn’t cost you a penny more, but it does help to support future articles like this.

The Coolest Photography Backpack Ever – The Rotation 180 by Mindshift Gear

The Coolest Photography Backpack Ever!

My friends at Think Tank Photo have launched a new brand called MIndShift Gear which aims to meet the needs of outdoor photographers. Their first new bag looks like it belongs on the shelves of REI!

I’m testing this bag now and will report back with a review soon, but in the meantime I wanted to share a photo and video courtesy of Mindshift Gear.

I’ve got one in my hands as I write this and I can tell you it is so much cooler in real life and YES it’s light for its size! This thing is like the Swiss Army knife of photography backpacks.

Click here to learn more about this bag when it is released!

Disclosure

I was so excited when I found out about the KickStarter campaign to make this bag happen that I tossed in a decent chunk of cash – with a request for nothing in return – just so I could see this bag become a reality. Apparently I wasn’t alone as the funding was many times more than what was requested, so there seems to be a lot of excitement about this idea.

This bag is not currently for sale so I don’t have a mechanism for earning a commission, but I will in the future.