Options - Lots of Them!

I have been using the new Rotation360 backpack from one of our sponsors, Think Tank Photo, for the past month.  I challenged myself to only use the "1" bag over this time frame.  For all you bag junkies out there, you know how hard this can be.  "Only one bag, how will I get thru?!"  Well, I honestly have to say it was a pretty easy month.  I firmly believe that if you are a dedicated Travel Photographer, which most of us are, this is just about the perfect bag. 

Several years ago I traveled to India and walked the streets of Calcutta trying to build up my portfolio.  It turned out to be a horrible trip and I came home with zero pictures, my gear bag was stolen.  Boy do I wish I would have had this during that trip.  The lockable zippers are a simple and very effective deterrent if you know you are going to be in some sketchy areas.  Being able to access gear and change lenses without having to set a bag down, yet still have it comfortably resting on your shoulders and hips, is a huge benefit.  I am able to easily swing the beltpack portion around and access gear with minimal effort. 

I titled this article "Options" because that is exactly what this bag gives you. Being able to attach Modulus Components, get to an area, remove the gear you don't intend to use all the time, and travel light is exactly what a traveling photographer needs. I was able to have a spare body in the top compartment, a 70-200 2.8 on the side, and my main gear in the belt-pack. This is a perfect combination for me, and I would think many photographers. You can fly into an area with your full complement of gear, minimize to a belt-pack, leaving the heavy stuff in the hotel, and have a blast shooting all day!

The backpack is comfortable enough to wear all day, standing in an airport, or walking a trail in the woods. For me, I keep my Modulus waist belt and individual lens bags in a container in the back of my car. Combine this with the Rotation 360, and you have quite a few carrying options. I can attach whatever gear needed to the backpack and be on my way in a flash. In the belt-pack, I carry a Canon 20D with a 17mm fixed lens, a 50mm lens, a pixel pocket rocket, cell phone, wallet and a ND Grad filter. This has worked incredibly well as a simple and effective system. You can customize the belt-pack for yourself, with whatever is your "Go-To" lens, and some other gear to have close.

One of the things that shows you how much attention Think Tank puts into their products is the camera strap. I thought it was ingenious to put circular metal about half way thru the strap. This allows you to mount the camera on the front of your chest, not hanging off your neck, putting the weight of the camera and body on your shoulders. I have used these little clasps several times, namely being able to attach the camera to a climbing harness while shooting a climbing wall at our local gym.

The only tip I would mention for Think Tank in the future is to make the strap in another option, maybe a bit wider to absorb the weight if you do have to wear your camera on your shoulder all day. That is about the only improvement I could remotely come up with for this incredible bag and system.

Make sure to visit www.thinktankphoto.com and take a tour of the Rotation 360. They have some excellent videos that demonstrate all this bag has to offer. I just wanted to relay some real world experience for everyone here at The Travel Photographers Network. I hate to say it, but this could be the last bag you would have to buy, and that is coming from a "Bag-Addict"!! (Just ask my wife!)

About the Author

More of Dave Uhlig's work can be seen on his web site at www.photoomaha.com