This thread reminds me about the problems i have with using backpacks to switch lenses. Was switching lenses when i dropped my 70-200 2.8L IS into the sand, mostly due to the fact i had to juggle between it, the camera body and the 2nd lense. It's a tough lense but i rather get something that helps me out here.

I looked at the Lowepro series of modular belts and harnesses, but i wasn't confident due to the reviews, and heck they looked flimsy. Also looked at Tenba and Vanguard, but they didn't offer anything modular. So it came down to Thinktank, all was good except for the fact it was freaking expensive.

Question to people here. Anyone use Thinktank before? How is their quality like? I put my stuff through alot of abuse, so everything else goes after raw build quality.

I believe this man has the right idea.

One doesn't really need fancy padded bags for most intents and purposes. Kind of regret overspending on stuff i shouldn't have spent on

Only using my Lowepro to stuff my camera in when going on trips, most of the time i just use a simple sling bag.

Emp's mini review of the of the Thinktank Urban Disguise 20.

Price : 100 USD
Purchase site : Thinktank Photo Direct
Shipping : 50 USD for 2 bags, 3 days arrival


Backstory.

I seriously have a problem with my Lowepro fast pack, it's not easy to access, it's large and it's only good for travelling long distance or over rough areas. In an urban or semi urban environment, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Worst of all is that you have to take it off if you want to take something out. So i figured out that a new bag was in order.

My Criteria was

- Easily accessible (sling or belt pack, sling preferred)
- Tough, very tough
- Some measure of water proofing
- High quality build
- Small, but big enough to carry a camera and 2 lenses, a flash, memory cards and other small niknaks


My housemate recently purchased a 40D, so he wanted to get a bag, jumping at the chance to save on shipping, we looked around for a good bag, checking out lowepro, kata and the gang. That was until i remembered Thinktank from researching it some time ago. We took the plunge aftering reading some reviews and good comments. Shipping by thinktank was incredibly fast and we got our stuff in 3 working days, emails from them were quick and prompt. The buying experience was good.

First Impressions



holy f***, this is seriously well made, the body is made tough and flexible with a soft interior liner. The side pockets are purposely made soft and flexible to keep small things like memory cards in. The zippers are large, pull well and don't jam easily. The zips themselves have thick lines attached to them for easier access and are end sealed. The seams inside the bag aren't evident and the seams for the zippers are tighly sewn in an covered up. Everything is sewn down, even the shoulder guard of the strap.

The links and clips for the straps seem like coated steel and are extremely strong. Like most i've used a lot of bags throughout my life, but i used to have a Fujitsu bag that i absolutely loved due to it's robustness, the links and clips here remind me of it alot and that bag served me for a good 5 years (heck i still have it at home lol). The standard carrying handles look small, but they're very well made and sewn down tighly to the near point of inflexibility.

Carrying capacity



This is a small bag. Thinktank makes them in 6 sizes, so there's always something that fit your needs. But for a small bag it's pretty good and flexible, the main compartment can fit a gripless semi pro DSLR with a small lens, the great part is that like a lowepro you can configure the insides of the bag using velcro attached panels. Thinktank goes a step up in this respect by including thinner and less padded panels for those who want more space with the original larger padded panels. All of the panels can be removed, even the side padding can be removed. You can even remove the bottom padding if you want lol. It fits my 70-200 2.8L IS, a 50mm lense, my flash, a blower and a bottle of Zeiss cleaner inside it without issue.

For those who have pro sized SLRs or BGed SLRs, don't fret, there's a front pocket that'll fit it (note : body only). The front pocket has it's sides folded, so it can expand to fit even the fattest of DSLR bodies. It fits my mark snugly without issue. The front DSLR pouch can be be secured via 2 methods, a strong clip (REALLY HARD TO OPEN) or via two velcro fasteners. I like this because it gives me the option to choose between speed and security.



In addition to the main pockets, there are two smaller side pockets where you can stick memory cards and other small stuff. The top of the pocket is secured via elastic, so you can put small stuff in without the fear it'll jump out as you're running around. Nice little feature as i often find myself swapping memory cards as i shoot RAW.


Other

The Urban Disguise comes with a Raincoat. Yeap, a raincoat. It is conveniently included in a pouch inside the main body. So when it rains you can just pull it out of it's pouch and cover your bag up. The rain seal itself have an elastic waistband, so it fits snugly over the bag. Now, i've a dislike for small features like this because sometimes you can forget to put it back into the pouch and misplace/lose it. Well, thinktank thought of that too. They've included a velcro fastener that attaches to a point inside the pouch so you generally will find it hard to lose the weather cover. If you don't want the rain cover because it stuffs things, up you can easily remove it from it's velcro attachment.

Cool.


Conclusion

Lol it's up to you to come to your own conclusion, but so far i like this bag very much and i feel it augments my lowepro pretty well. Sure, it's small for the money you pay, but the build quality is impeccable.

I use the UD20 (i now use it for generally everything, from stuffing it with HEAP ammo to putting snacks in), and it will fit all of the above, so the UD 30 should do just fine.

You can fit the camera body and it's attached lense into the main bay, the 70-300 beside it with the 35mm, the flashpak can go into the side pocket, and the other side pocket can take in a bottle of water easily.

Anyways i use a new MOLLE style carrying rig for my camera gear into the bush, since the PALS webbing allows for the attachment of nearly any compatible accessory on the fly, it's bloody easy.