I love my Think Tank Photo Streetwalker HardDrive V2.0 Backpack . It’s perfect for hauling around absolutely everything I own for my camera. It’s large and in charge. But sometimes, you just want to grab your camera, an extra lens and go do some shooting. For those times, I love having a should bag handy. A couple of years ago, I reviewed the Spectral 15 Shoulder Bag from Think Tank Photo. It’s been a great option for the quick on-the-go essentials, but I thought it was time for an upgrade. So, I turned to Think Tank Photo once again and have been testing out the Vision 15 Shoulder Bag for the past couple of weeks. After a series of family road trips, it’s without a doubt the best bag for that type of job.
DETAILS
The Vision Shoulder Bag Series of products includes three different sizes of bags — Vision 10, Vision 13, and Vision 15. Each bag size is designed to hold different equipment.
- Vision 10: Fits one standard size body with a wide or short zoom plus 1–2 small extra lens, 10” tablet. Fits a 24–70mm f/2.8 detached. Or, Fits a Mirrorless kit with 3–4 lenses including the 50–140mm
- Vision 13: Fits one standard size body with a 24–70mm f/2.8 attached plus 1–3 extra lenses, a 10” tablet and a 13” laptop. Accommodates a 70–200mm f/2.8 detached
- Vision 15: Fits one standard size body with a 24–70mm f/2.8 attached, 2–4 extra lenses, flash, a 10” tablet and a 15” laptop. Accommodates a 70–200mm f/2.8 detached.
Since my main equipment includes a 15” laptop, a Canon 5D Mark IV and 3 lenses, I thought the Vision 15 would be the best fit for me. The shoulder bag features an internal zippered flap that provides a secure closure, weather barrier, and theft protection. It conveniently tucks away when it’s not in use. The bag is made with a waterproof tarpaulin base and has tripod attachment straps included. The Vision Shoulder Bag series is sized for professional lenses and provides extra capacity for hoods. In addition to the laptop pocket, there is also enough space for 10” tablet in the front pocket.
SPECS & FEATURES
- Phone pocket sized for today’s large phones
- Highest quality materials (YKK RC Fuse zippers, metal hardware, 500D 2-tone polytech weave) and proven high-quality construction
- Expandable water bottle pocket fits all sizes of bottles or gear
- Luggage handle pass-through
- Padded non-slip shoulder strap for all day comfort
- Reinforced top grab handle
- Customizable internal layout with extra dividers for stacking short lenses
- Secure zippered pocket holds batteries, card wallets, and other accessories
- Seam-sealed rain cover included
- Exterior Dimensions: 17.3” W x 10.6” H x 6.3” D (44 x 27 x 16 cm)
- Interior Dimensions: 15.3” W x 9.8” H x 5.1” D (39 x 25 x 13 cm)
- Laptop Compartment: 15” W x 9.8” H x 1” D (38 x 25 x 2.5 cm)
- Tablet Compartment: 11.4” W x 7.9” H x 0.5” D (29 x 20 x 1 cm)
- Phone: 5.9” W x 7.9” H (15 x 20 cm)
- Weight: 2.6 lbs. (1.2 kg)
IMPRESSIONS
“With the Vision Shoulder Bag Series, you can get all the right gear to the right place, so you can turn your vision into a great photo.” (Think Tank Photo’s website) With that sort of introduction, I thought that the Vision 15 would be ideal for my uses. I love the quality and design features of Think Tank Photo bags so I was thrilled to test out this bag. One of the best opportunities for a quick easy-access shoulder bag came into play when a family member came to visit recently. Within the span of three days, we traveled approximately 800 miles around the area.
The first day of regional road trips, we drove three hours to see a civil war museum. I packed up the Vision 15 with my Canon 5D Mark IV, 70-200mm detached, some accessories, and a 24-70mm attached. I did include my camera flash, too, since I wasn’t sure what we would be encountering. During that trip, I did not put my laptop in the bag because I knew I wouldn’t be doing any on-site editing. The size of the bag is a lot more compact than my camera backpack so it was much more convenient for car travel. Walking around inside the museum, I felt the bag get a little heavy. I wasn’t getting in and out of it too much, but I certainly felt the weight on my shoulder as I hauled it around. Because of this experience, I would recommend using a backpack instead of a shoulder bag for outings such as this — when you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Something else that contributed to the added weight was the fact that I had a travel tripod attached to the bottom of the bag using the provided tripod straps. They were functional enough, but the tripod did still move around quite a bit. I didn’t have a problem with it sliding away from the bag completely, but it was a little cumbersome to pack around since it moved around so much, but again, with a shorter trip, it’s great to be able to include the tripod easily.
On another outing, I went to a local horse racetrack and to take photos of the horses as they ran. I was actually going to take a picture of a specific horse so I got to the track about 15 minutes before the race started, pulled the Vision 15 from my car, and found a spot close to the track to watch the race. I switched lens and then set the bag aside. When the race was over, I slung the bag on my shoulder and walked back to my car. I then stowed my camera in the bag again and drove home. It was a very quick shoot and didn’t involve a lot of walking around. For that, the Vision 15 was perfect. It kept my gear secure and in that environment — with lots of dust and dirt in the air — I didn’t worry about my extra lens getting ruined since the internal zippered flap kept out those elements.
In a few weeks, I will be shooting a wedding and while I plan on keeping the majority of my gear in my ThinkTank Backpack, having the Vision 15 available so that I can be efficient while moving from spot-to-spot with just the essentials is a wonderful benefit to having the bag. I can add just a few items to the bag and be quicker on the move rather than hauling the backpack around the venue every time I need to move.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I find the Vision 15 Shoulder Bag to be ideal for photographers when they have to carry some gear for short distances. Because it’s a shoulder bag by design it’s not meant to be for hiking adventures, but it does provide a comfortable way to carry your camera gear while keeping it safe from the elements. There is tons of space for all the essentials and even a portable office. Accessing contents of the Vision 15 is very easy and I found the bag helped to keep clutter in check.
The review from: https://macsources.com/think-tank-photo-vision-15-shoulder-bag-review/
LATEST INSTAGRAM POSTS
Tony - December 15, 2019 @ 08:22
I absolutely love this camera bag! it is the perfect size with the greatest comfort. I was able to fit my DSLR with lens attached and a 50mm and 10-24mm Sigma lens and a few memory cards and batteries. Absolute perfection and very stylish. Will definitely continue to buy Think Tank.
I absolutely love this camera bag! it is the perfect size with the greatest comfort. I was able to fit my DSLR with lens attached and a 50mm and 10-24mm Sigma lens and a few memory cards and batteries. Absolute perfection and very stylish. Will defin
John - December 15, 2019 @ 14:08
This would be an ok bag for an occasional shooter and with a single camera and an additional lens. Packing two SLRs into this bag and a lens is a tight fit and with the thin shoulder strap creates a heavy and painful counter weight. After a few long days of walking my shoulder/arm was numb and the fabric strap was beginning to look worn. The material is a dust and pet hair magnet and I understand why the rain cover is provided as the cloth this bag is designed with would become a soggy sponge in the rain. Based on the reviews I was hoping this would be a better designed and more durable messenger camera bag, in my opinion: 2 stars max.
This would be an ok bag for an occasional shooter and with a single camera and an additional lens. Packing two SLRs into this bag and a lens is a tight fit and with the thin shoulder strap creates a heavy and painful counter weight. After a few long
Thomas - December 18, 2019 @ 12:56
I have experimented with many bags and could not find one that would accomodate 2 camera’s and a couple lenses that was both comfortable and easy access. This bag covers all the bases.
The shoulder strap pad is awesome, son and grips well.
The material is a loose canvas that holds well enough and offers a high degree of protection along with a level of discreetness from targeted theft.
The straps are thick and sturdy
The depth of the bag accommodates long lenses and two cameras comfortably, with an additional section for another lease or two.
Overall I am completely pleased with this bag, it does everything I need it to well. The quality is top notch but loose. So if your looking for a more rigid bag I would push you elsewhere. Everything is speculative on personal preference, that is a given, but I cannot say enough about this bag.
I have experimented with many bags and could not find one that would accomodate 2 camera’s and a couple lenses that was both comfortable and easy access. This bag covers all the bases.
The shoulder strap pad is awesome, son and grips well.
The
Dylan - December 19, 2019 @ 07:23
I bought this product used and it mine as well of been brand new. The description said it was only used 2x and I can tell that was 100% the truth. The product included all supplemental documents. I also received the product very quickly. I love it!
I bought this product used and it mine as well of been brand new. The description said it was only used 2x and I can tell that was 100% the truth. The product included all supplemental documents. I also received the product very quickly. I love it!
Simon - December 19, 2019 @ 23:12
This is a large camera bag, well constructed, with plenty of adjustments possibilities. And… you can carry a water bottle!
I own literally all sizes of ThinkTank bags, but this one is large enough to carry my Mamiya RZ67 with plenty of accessories, laptop etc… but not a tripod.
I particularly like the green fabric that does not attract attention, neither shows dust or dirt, and the large carrying straps that really help when you carry heavy gear. I still like my Domke bags but this one is my go to bag.
This is a large camera bag, well constructed, with plenty of adjustments possibilities. And… you can carry a water bottle!
I own literally all sizes of ThinkTank bags, but this one is large enough to carry my Mamiya RZ67 with plenty of accessor
Steawe - December 22, 2019 @ 01:47
Overall, this is a nice backpack. The boxy, rectangular shape makes maximum use of space and it holds a lot of stuff. The attached cable lock is kind of useless as it’s connected to a nylon loop inside the pocket on the bag. While it may prevent a quick grab-and-run type of theft, anyone with a small knife or scissors and maybe three seconds to spare will make off with the bag. The padding seems adequate, but I’ve seen better.
One complaint however is that the velcro attachments inside the bag seem pretty weak. Everytime I get something out, I can hear the velcro coming a little more loose. With other backpacks and bags I have, the velcro attached dividers absolutely stay put.
Overall, this is a nice backpack. The boxy, rectangular shape makes maximum use of space and it holds a lot of stuff. The attached cable lock is kind of useless as it’s connected to a nylon loop inside the pocket on the bag. While it may preven
Alan - December 23, 2019 @ 12:52
I just purchased a new camera body with the battery grip. The camera bags (notice the plural) I already have couldn’t accommodate the camera with the grip attached. I already had a Retrospective 30 for my DSLR but this bag was just too big for my mirrorless system. The Retrospective 7 fit my needs size wise. Add to that the new zippered closure, room for a 13 inch laptop inside the bag, and the luggage strap and we have a winner!!
I just purchased a new camera body with the battery grip. The camera bags (notice the plural) I already have couldn’t accommodate the camera with the grip attached. I already had a Retrospective 30 for my DSLR but this bag was just too big for
Corry - December 24, 2019 @ 13:18
This bag was brought with the ThinkTank My 2nd Brain 13 MacBook it fits everything that I need for my cameras and lens and extra gear and then some. I have been using it for a month now while I am trevaling in the middle east. keeps sand and first out and stays pretty clean.
This bag was brought with the ThinkTank My 2nd Brain 13 MacBook it fits everything that I need for my cameras and lens and extra gear and then some. I have been using it for a month now while I am trevaling in the middle east. keeps sand and first ou
Kevin - December 25, 2019 @ 12:49
I got this for a photo trip. I had to look at 4 different ones as they all had some sort of asymmetrical stitching going on, even the one I ended up with does, but I didn’t see it till I used it. Very sloppy stitching but a well thought out and discreet looking bag that’s light and no nonsense.
I got this for a photo trip. I had to look at 4 different ones as they all had some sort of asymmetrical stitching going on, even the one I ended up with does, but I didn’t see it till I used it. Very sloppy stitching but a well thought out and dis
Birdie - December 27, 2019 @ 02:49
I traveled with this recently and it worked well. It held one camera body, an 18-300 lens, a 50mm lens, and a 150-300mm lens. It also holds all of these with a second camera body, but only one body can have a lens attached. Very nice though that it will fit the 150-300 lens attached to the camera body with the lens hood in place. I only gave 4 stars because I have a Ruggard Thunderhead that has more convenient pockets and is more comfortable to wear, but the Ruggard is slightly larger than airline requirements.
I traveled with this recently and it worked well. It held one camera body, an 18-300 lens, a 50mm lens, and a 150-300mm lens. It also holds all of these with a second camera body, but only one body can have a lens attached. Very nice though that it w