The BEST Wedding & Event Camera Bag - ThinkTank Airport Navigator
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- Опубликовано: 21 авг 2024
- A great mix of compact size and high capacity, with 2 ways to access your gear, ThinkTank's awesome rolling design and a whole lot more. Check out a very in depth look at what may be the best bag for wedding & event photographers (and more!)
TIMELINE:
Bag Overview 0:55
My Thoughts 8:02
What Fits 13:59
Get a free gift with your purchase if you use these links! :)
ThinkTank Airport Navigator (affiliate): bit.ly/2HZ6ObL
ThinkTank Airport International (affiliate): bit.ly/2wdcfAV
ThinkTank Signature 13 (affiliate): bit.ly/2vlTc4r
More ThinkTank Reviews: goo.gl/44aXCj
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This is my first visit to your channel. The review is very well thought out and outstanding overall.
I have the Airport Security and I’m looking for a smaller roller. I’m glad you put the International next to this one. I wish it had the locks like the larger bags. The Tenba Roadie 18 does have the locks but not the access like this bag.
Top notch review Scott - no nonsense and to the point.
Thanks so much! :)
Thank you for a great review. I am one step closer of buying this bag. Great video as well.
Really well done ! Couldnt do it better. For the small bag I am thinking for lights and the larger, perhaps the Airport Security for the rest of my gears for stills and video, (D5 IV and S5,conv.,Beactech,mic) including tripod.
Thanks for the great review, Scott. I've always traveled with my LowePro backpack. For three weeks following our trip to Iceland, Hungary and Germany, I was in lots of pain due to the weight of the backpack. So I'm seriously thinking about getting this roller this week for another major trip. Thanks again!!
Thanks for watching! I think you'll love it, it's become one of my main bags for traveling and things like weddings :)
Excellent review, thanks!
Thanks so much! :)
A very thorough review!!
Another great bag review. You've actually touched on items that other reviewers have completely missed. Like the hide-away pockets for the front flap straps. It's a super little detail. But a great one! The elastic and removable straps for longer slots for lenses. No one has talked about that. It's a nice touch. I also like that you've touched on the issue of carrying lightstands. Yes, they would just wobble around too much without the extra straps of the International. I tend to carry stands in a separate shoulder bag as I'm clumsy and bang into objects with the stands mounted on the side of camera bag!
I have a Panasonic mirrorless system so I'll have a little extra room. Which is good because I always have two flashes and use Gary Fong Lightspheres. The Lightspheres tend to take up a good deal of space. But totally worth it. I also bring a Blackrapid Double Breathe strap system for two cameras. So I have more accessories to bring as you do.
It's awesome that you reviewed the bag even though it's been out for several years. Because gear changes, it's good to see if the bag is still relevant. I think you've proven that the design of the Airport Navigator, after all these years, is still a fantastic bag to use especially for event photography. I've played with the bag and the quality is fantastic. Like all ThinkTank products.
Hey thank you so much! I'm glad you appreciate that :)
Off topic a bit, but I'd love to hear more about your experience with the lightspheres. I've always debated if they'd be worth it or not but haven't had a chance to try them myself. Thanks in advance for any insight! :)
Scott Dumas The Gary Fong Lightspheres are the only on-camera flash modifiers I’ve used for the last 5 years or so. Fashion and portrait photography are my specialties so I’m incredibly picky about how light falls on my subjects. IMO, the Lightspheres provide the most flattering light. I’ve heard many photographers say “But you lose power because the light is not directional”. I think this is WHY the Lightspheres are so great. The more direction, the smaller the source looks, the harsher the light and shadows becomes. And if you shoot close to your subject with the Lightsphere, your subject is lit with the background a bit darker which creates a nice vignette. But I’ve also used it for big group shots without issue. I’ve NEVER had an issue with of not having enough power. Ever.
Really really appreciate that info, you've got me hooked haha. With smaller rooms/low white ceilings I tend to just bounce the flash at events but that definitely doesn't always work perfectly so this could be a great solution. I considered the similar MagMod product too but still not sure how I feel about having to keep the huge magnetic rubber band on the flash all the time.
Anyway, thanks again! I really appreciate it.
Scott Dumas Anytime. It’s the least I can do with all the great information you’ve put out there. If you want to see examples of images used with the Lightsphere, go to my commercial site at ricardogomezstudios.com/portfolio/events/parties. I also tilt the flash head up about 45 degrees from horizontal when using it. They’ve changed the design slightly by using a velcro strap to tighten it around the flash head. Before you had to squeeze it on which takes some work but I prefer it. No way that sucker is coming off. 😉
The Best bag camera !
do you have an idea for a bag that you can put over it for the clothes and other things you want to have with you on a journey?
I'm guessing you mean slide onto the extended handle? I've used it with a few photo bags that I re-purposed into general travel bags like the Thinktank Retrospective or Peak Design Everyday Backpack... worked great although I'm a light traveler :)
I like your hoodie. Where did you get it?
Hey thanks! Honestly not sure haha. Most likely a store called GU here in Japan.
Awesome bro! I have a think tank backpack that’s pretty roomy but I think I’m gonna upgrade to this bag! One day do a video without the beanie 😂😂
Hahaha, I don't think I've gone out in public without a hat more than a handful of times since I graduated high school... a receding hairline is one of my big hangups haha. I may be brave enough to do it someday :-P
Glad to hear you're liking this bag though! With this much gear it's absolutely amazing to be able to wheel it around and get the weight off your back/shoulders too :) Let me know if you pick it up!
Scott, you are talking about airport friendly bags in this video and point out that a tripod can be strapped to the side quite nicely on the larger bag. But do you actually check-in your bag with the tripod strapped to the side? It seems like the tripod would be an easy target for theft and/or get easily damaged. I would also be a bit worried about putting expensive gear inside the bag and then being forced to check-in the bag. Here in Japan on domestic flights it might be fine, but on international flights or traveling in the US (where I've seen baggage handlers throw bags with all their might onto hard surfaces), it would be a concern. I'm not a professional photographer who has flow with a lot of expensive gear, which is why I am curious how you handle it. Thanks.
Hey, thanks for watching! Like you said, I personally wouldn't put a tripod in here when traveling, but the bag is great for traveling by bus or car or even just bringing to a local shoot as well thanks to the large capacity and really nice wheels. You can lock it down once you get to a location too if you're shooting in a busier area which is nice, so for those situations it can be convenient to strap a tripod on just during transport.
I would panic if they asked me to check this bag haha... I'd be happy to pay extra to bring it on instead of checking it but even with the larger International v3.0, I was totally fine on everything from smaller local planes in Japan to traveling from Japan to the US and back, even on full planes. It seems you can never predict the airlines though, so if I was really worried I'd probably go with the Navigator since the smaller size is more likely to make it through, or opt for a SKB hardshell case (ideally with the insides designed by ThinkTank) so that if it needs to be checked, I'd feel a whole lot safer. Either way, making sure to detach lenses from the body during flight is always a safe bet even when carrying it on.
Even when taking buses in Japan I won't let them put it underneath most of the time, I'll sacrifice my leg space to keep the bag near me haha. I did throw it under once though last month and it was fine but a little nerve wracking to let it out of my sight and put it in the hands of someone I don't trust. The bags are very protective though and I think most of the time the worry isn't totally necessary, but a lot of people do treat bags unnecessarily roughly.
Hope that helps! :)
Awesome video, addressing some real issues. I have the Think Tank Airport International and yes often they ask me to check it in when the flight is fully booked or close. It’s getting annoying to say the least. I just found this Airport Navigator and your video helped a lot.
I have a question: do the Canon 600ex flash fit standing on its own pocket? I mean not laying down with the 70-200mm like in your video. Much appreciated.
Hey thanks so much! As for the flash, I assume you mean standing the tall way from the opening of the bag to the back? It's a close fit (I'm judging based on the Godox flash which is around the same size I believe). If you don't have a laptop it should be fine because the front of the bag isn't super rigid, but it is a close call. Laying down from the top to bottom direction of the bag you should be able to fit a couple stacked, depending how you have the bag laid out. Hope that helps! :)
Yes, that's what I meant. Many thanks for the feedback! I think I'll give it a try.
Thank you! That was a great review. What do you do when you are asked to check the Airport International bag?
Thanks so much! :) To be honest, I never have been asked. If I was asked I'd probably argue a bit, asking them if they'll pay for any damage to the expensive gear inside. If I couldn't get away with that I'd just take as much care as possible for nothing breakable to be close to the outside corners likely to get bumped, nothing in the outside pocket in case stuff gets piled on, all lenses detached from bodies OR taken out and stuffed inside my carry on lol. I'd be one nervous passenger though, with any case being checked besides maybe a hard case from SKB.
@@ScottDumas LOL. I would too! Thank you for the information!
I has been wonder about why no one (of you "you tubers") never has neither light or mics or cages with things conected as ex. mattebox. How do you manage ? Okey, I has seen some super-specialized wedding photographers with several gears filled up in their cars but very seldom in some reviews. It would be intresting to see how you would put a complete "set up" in a review.
I have the Airport 3.0 for events but will buy the Navigator just for a S5 with Nitze cage, a small light , mic, lavallier, Ifootage Crabs to hold the light and ex. Beach Tek DXA. Headphones. And then out a Vision 15 from Think Tank above over the handle with the other camera, type for smaller more portable jobs. Tell me 😉 ... how do you
manage you jobs without mics and lights ?
I think I and most others are looking at it for wedding photographers, not necessarily videographers. If I was doing video, I'd definitely have multiple bags to deal with all those extras.
I really like your videos 😉 and thanks for the answer 🤗 but just to understand your work .... from where do yo get the sound except buying non royalty music ? I mean the ambient sound for the presence feeling ? With the best and thanks for your strait forward in your videos.
are u live in japan ?
I do! :)
@@ScottDumas Great!!! i saw ur Amino Supli drink
Haha yep! I drink it every day :) Do you live in Japan?
@@ScottDumas I drink that too! yes I'm from in Japan! I really like ur wedding movies!
@@ss-tx4wm Oh thank you so much! :)
I do not want to see men polite. Please forgive me, but can you please tell me why you are wearing that sock hat.
Overpriced.
I can see how it seems that way, but honestly it's so very worth it. The materials, the ruggedness and overall functionality. The smoothness of the wheels and ability to replace parts yourself if necessary. I get that not everyone needs a bag like this but for those that do, I wouldn't say it's overpriced at all.
5 years of heavy use and it still looks new! I say worth every penny!