Think Tank Photo's Vision 15 shoulder bag. Courtesy Think Tank Photo. Photo backpacks aren’t for everyone or every occasion. Even hardened backpack users find themselves turning to a shoulder bag or sling bag to carry their precious camera gear. And if you’re looking for a modestly priced shoulder bag that also delivers on quality, then a good starting place is Think Tank Photo. And you might want to consider the new Vision series.
| Vision 15 You can look at the Vision 15 as an economical alternative to MindShift Gear’s Exposure 15. Generally, MindShift-branded products are designed for the rough-and-tumble kind of photographer who expects to put his or her gear through thick and thin. Think Tank bags are aimed more at the person who doesn’t expect to encounter treacherous or even mildly adverse conditions, except for maybe the occasional downpour. | Manufacturer: Think Tank Photo How much is it? $139.75 |
| Inside and Outside The Vision 15 reflects good workmanship, from the fabric used and the stitching that holds it all together to the hardware and overall design. The fabric, in fact, has an appealing look and feel to it. The bag is not heavily padded, which makes it lightweight, but it will do the job of protecting your gear in everyday situations, and keeping it organized. A clever anti-theft device that the bag uses is a zippered internal flap (similar to the Signature 13). Keep it zipped to keep prying hands out; leave it unzipped to keep the bag at the ready. There is of course a top flap covering the entire bag. The only thing missing are the end flaps found on the Exposure series – that helps keep rain, snow and dust out without resorting to the rain pouch (which is also included with the Vision 15) under mildly annoying weather and wind conditions. The interior features a cradle design, which allows you to store the camera lens down and ready for immediate retrieval. Of course, this arrangement does limit the height of the adjacent lenses you can store. As is, I did find the height of the Vision 15 inadequate to holding my Nikon D500 with attached Tamron 100-400mm zoom. The fit was a bit too tight for my comfort without worrying that fabric would rub against the back LCD panel. Had the underside of the zipped flap been made with a non-abrasive fabric, I would have had no qualms. One thing I’d like to point out regarding that zipped flap. Ever find it difficult to store a sling strap in your shoulder bag? Granted, the Vision 15 has some nice, roomy pockets on the outside, but you don’t necessarily want to store a strap there. Simple solution: use the space between the inner and outer flaps. The main flap, by the way, uses a singular buckle fastener for quick one-handed operation. My Pet Peeve The one thing I did not care for was the shoulder pad. The gripping undersurface is way too small to be of practical value. And the pad itself is too stiff should you want to carry the bag sling-fashion over your neck and across your chest. | Where can I get more info & order this product? Click here to view the product or order. When you use this link, you'll receive free shipping and a free gift. Who Should Use the Vision 15? Travel & street photographers and weekend snapshooters. Capsule Comments This bag will go where you need it to go, provided you’re not roughing it outdoors, and will even carry a 15” laptop and tablet. There’s even a water bottle pocket to see you through the day. And if you insist on carrying a lightweight tripod, it’s there for you (but keep in mind the tripod goes on the bottom, which makes for an awkward situation when planting the bag on the ground). And this bag is priced right. You’ll feel your gear is well protected; you’ll even feel stylish; and you’ll feel you’re getting your money’s worth in the Vision 15. (Other sizes available.) |
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