Digital Holster 150, from Think Tank Photo - designed to hold an ultra-long lens attached to the camera for a quick grab. Photo courtesy Think Tank Photo. Camera holsters are designed with one aim: to hold a DSLR with attached lens ready for a quick grab. The design concept makes sense – for a small outfit. But what about a camera with a humongous lens attached?
Let’s cut to the chase. The Digital Holster 150, from Think Tank Photo, is big for its ilk. This bag will carry a DSLR with 150-600mm zoom lens (or equivalent) attached. So how well does it serve that purpose? Read on...
Let’s cut to the chase. The Digital Holster 150, from Think Tank Photo, is big for its ilk. This bag will carry a DSLR with 150-600mm zoom lens (or equivalent) attached. So how well does it serve that purpose? Read on...
| What the Digital Holster 150 Holds As noted, this bag will carry a DSLR with 150-600mm lens attached. Alternatively, according to Think Tank, the bag will accommodate any long lens, such as a 200-500mm f/5.6 or 300mm f/2.8. I also found I could carry the bag with a Tamron 100-400mm zoom attached, leaving room at the bottom for a compact flash, namely the Nikon SB-700. When attaching the Tamron 150-600, I used a Nikon D610; for the 100-400, a D500. What else can it carry? There are several small outside pockets, one of which holds the included rain cover, with another (made of mesh fabric) serving to hold a small water bottle. Aside from the water bottle pocket, these pockets are too small to be of practical value for anything other than lens caps or other compact items. An interior pocket should hold a suitably sized filter, although the manufacturer points out that one of the outside pockets was designed for this task. I don’t own any filters of the size discussed, so I couldn’t test in either case. To carry it all, the bag features a padded, non-slip shoulder strap. There’s not much more one can say about the bag, except that it is big and tall. I should point out that the product page for this bag states it will carry a monopod or small tripod on the side of the bag. I couldn’t see doing that, given the already cumbersome load. | Who Should Use the Think Tank Photo Digital Holster 150? Wildlife photographers Where can I get more info and order this product? (By using this link you are supporting this website. You will also receive a free gift and free shipping.) Think Tank Photo Digital Holster 150 Manufacturer: Think Tank Photo Think Tank Photo Digital Holster 150 - How much is it? $109.75 |
You heard of the expression, getting all your ducks in a row? Well, that's exactly what this female Wood Duck managed to do when taking her ducklings out for a swim. I captured this moment with the Nikon D500 and Tamron 100-400mm lens. While I did carry the D610 and 150-600 in the Digital Holster 150 on one outing, I opted for the shorter zoom much of the time, which made room for a small flash (when needed). Photo ©2019 Jack Neubart. All rights reserved.
Final Evaluation
I approached this digital holster intending to use it regularly, but I soon realized that was not to be. First, I had to use a Think Tank accessory belt to help support the weight. Not a problem there, since I already had the belt (see my earlier review). But, even with the non-slip strip on the underside of the shoulder pad, the strap kept sliding off my shoulder. And wearing the shoulder strap sling-style simply proved too much for my neck: While well padded, it was not contoured for this task.
Granted, the sliding shoulder strap might have been less of a problem without the belt, but then it would have been a very uncomfortable load. The belt helped take much – if not all – of the load off the shoulder. The situation could conceivably have been improved if I’d locked the bag in place on the belt using one of its many slots and the plastic tab built into the bag, at the back, where the oversize Velcro-style loop is. Many of Think Tank’s lens cases have this feature, which, I might add, is a very sensible touch.
I also would have preferred a more rigid outer shell forming the three sides of the bag (excluding the side that rests against the body). It would have facilitated returning the camera to the bag. I also found the bag a bit too roomy and had to find ways to cushion the camera so it wouldn’t bounce around. The bag was obviously designed for a pro grip-style DSLR. Perhaps a slimmer design with a built-in extension to allow for a grip would have worked better.
So, would I recommend this bag? Yes, but with some reservations, as noted.
I approached this digital holster intending to use it regularly, but I soon realized that was not to be. First, I had to use a Think Tank accessory belt to help support the weight. Not a problem there, since I already had the belt (see my earlier review). But, even with the non-slip strip on the underside of the shoulder pad, the strap kept sliding off my shoulder. And wearing the shoulder strap sling-style simply proved too much for my neck: While well padded, it was not contoured for this task.
Granted, the sliding shoulder strap might have been less of a problem without the belt, but then it would have been a very uncomfortable load. The belt helped take much – if not all – of the load off the shoulder. The situation could conceivably have been improved if I’d locked the bag in place on the belt using one of its many slots and the plastic tab built into the bag, at the back, where the oversize Velcro-style loop is. Many of Think Tank’s lens cases have this feature, which, I might add, is a very sensible touch.
I also would have preferred a more rigid outer shell forming the three sides of the bag (excluding the side that rests against the body). It would have facilitated returning the camera to the bag. I also found the bag a bit too roomy and had to find ways to cushion the camera so it wouldn’t bounce around. The bag was obviously designed for a pro grip-style DSLR. Perhaps a slimmer design with a built-in extension to allow for a grip would have worked better.
So, would I recommend this bag? Yes, but with some reservations, as noted.
| Think Tank Photo Digital Holster 150: What I Liked
What I Was Not Thrilled With…
| Capsule Comments Despite my strongest desires and most fervent hopes, it turns out that the Digital Holster 150 is not my cup of tea. It’s too bulky and cumbersome for my taste. That said, you may have a different take on the matter, especially if you’re looking for an alternative to either a conventional shoulder bag or backpack. Either way, I strongly recommend adding a belt to the bag. And I can only reiterate my request that Think Tank add a belt loop to all their shoulder bags. It does make a difference. |
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