Think TankParent Firstlight Camera Backpack for Adventure Travel - Black/Grey, gray, Firstlight 46L
B**N
This is a MONSTER camera pack. Bravo. Full stop.
Let me just get this out of the way: There's a reason Think Tank bags are not the cheapest. But wow, this is a monster camera backpack.I have a similar sized Tamrac pack that I have used for at least ten years. But this one surpasses it easily.Similar to the Tamrac there are zipper pouches opposite the camera compartments. There are a BUNCH of extra dividers, so there was myriad ways to set this thing up. There are also generous pockets all over it, and the top removable "fanny pack" is a novel idea. I like very much that you can use it to stow a jacket, etc.The "reversible" belt-strap is also a fantastic and novel approach, getting the carrying straps out of your way when you're carrying it like a piece of luggage at the airport. Great idea.The tripod stowing options are also very nice, and I like the side-stow approach. My Tamrac bag has a similar approach, but it's front only, and that can be awkward if you just want to put the pack down and start shooting. The Think Tank bag makes accessibility easier.I worry a little about the buckles on the removable top section. They're awfully small. The good news is, if you had to replace them, any number of options exist. But being Think Tank, I imagine a set of replacements would be in the mail immediately if something failed. I've been carrying one of their briefcases for about ten years, and it has held up like gangbusters. Still looks new, and I do not baby that thing a bit, regularly overstuffing it with all kinds of heavy stuff.The separate front section will hold a laptop with ease. There are also rigging loops in two rows on the front of the pack.And a special shout-out for the zippers. I just reviewed another pack where the quality of the zippers scared me. Not these. They move with ease thanks to the pulls and their oversized quality. I can't imagine them failing.So...this thing ain't cheap. But neither are my cameras, lenses, and all the gear I depend on. This will definitely be my new #1, and I'm repurposing my Tamrac to hold gimbals and video gear. I like to keep my pack loaded for bug-out at all times, and I have smaller bags to just pull out a camera and a couple of lenses for casual shooting.So, although I was tempted to ding it one star for Value, ultimately I couldn't make myself do it. Some things are expensive because they are worth it, and so it goes with the FirstLight 46L. If you load this thing up full, it might be quite heavy, but it's built to take it, and the carry system is absolutely up to the task. I look forward to putting some miles on it.
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