Think Tank have just started shipping the first three of seven new soft-sided camera cases for shooters looking for a lightweight bag to store and transport their camera and accessories. The new cases look to be strong, lighter than traditional hard cases with plenty of storage space. The idea is to give shooters the ability to hit the ground running by allowing them to leave their cameras fully assembled. This is key for run and gun, news and documentary shooters: there’s nothing worse than turning up on location and having a client or talent stand around while you put your camera together.
Site editor Dan Chung caught up with Think Tank last month at NAB to get a sneak peek at the new range:
The bags range from smaller shoulder strap solutions for DSLR and mirrorless cameras, all the way up to roller cases that can accommodate large ENG rigs and cameras like the Arri Alexa. All the bags have padded inserts that can be moved around and customised depending on your needs.
There are seven new bags in Think Tank’s video series and they are listed below from biggest to smallest in capacity:
Video Rig 24
Holds a fully or partially assembled video camera rig up to 24” (61cm), which could include camera body, lens, monitor, viewfinder, 4K recorder, audio recorder, rails, follow-focus, matte-box, shoulder mount, top handle, stabilizer handles, shotgun mic, and counter-weight. The case fits a Canon C-series, Sony FS700, FS5, FS7, F5 or F55, Red Epic/Scarlet, Black Magic Cinema Camera, Ursa or Ursa Mini, Aja Cion, Arri Alexa, as well as many ENG cameras.
Video Rig 18
Fits a fully or partially assembled video camera rig up to 18” (45.7cm), which could include camera body, lens, monitor, viewfinder, 4K recorder, audio recorder, rails, follow-focus, matte-box, shoulder mount, top handle, stabilizer handles, shotgun mic, and counter-weight. The case fits a Canon C-series, Sony FS700, FS5, FS7, F5 or F55, Red Epic/Scarlet, Black Magic Cinema Camera, Ursa or Ursa Mini, Aja Cion, as well as many ENG cameras.
Video Transport 20
Holds a video camera body, four to six lenses (detached), shotgun mic, small monitor, 4K recorder, audio recorder, additional accessories, and up to a 17” laptop in a padded sleeve. The roller bag fits a Canon C-series, Sony FS700, FS5, FS7, F55 or F56, Red Epic/Scarlet, Black Magic Cinema Camera, Ursa or Ursa Mini.
Video Transport 18
Fits a video camera body, three to five lenses (detached), shotgun mic, small monitor, 4K recorder, audio recorder, additional accessories, and up to a 15” laptop in a padded sleeve. The roller bag holds a Canon C-series, Sony FS700, FS5, FS7, F55 or F56, Red Epic/Scarlet, Black Magic Cinema Camera, Ursa or Ursa Mini.
Video Workhorse 25
Holds professional camcorders or video camera rigs up to 25” (63.5cm) long and 9.1” (23cm) tall, which could include a camera body, lens, monitor, viewfinder, 4K recorder, audio recorder, medium LED lightpanel, shotgun mic, lavaliere mics, rails, follow-focus, matte-box, shoulder mount, top handle, and cables. The shoulder bag holds a Canon C-series, Sony FS700, FS5, FS7, F5 or F55, Red Epic/Scarlet, Black Magic Cinema Camera, Ursa or Ursa Mini, or a DSLR/Mirrorless rig such as the Sony a7sII, Panasonic GH4, or Canon 5DMIII.
Video Workhorse 21
Fits a professional camcorder or video camera rig up to 21” (53.3cm) long and 8.7” (22cm) tall, which could include a camera body, lens, monitor, viewfinder, 4K recorder, audio recorder, medium LED lightpanel, shotgun mic, lavaliere mics, rails, follow-focus, matte-box, shoulder mount, top handle, and cables. The shoulder bag holds a Canon C-series, Sony FS700, FS5, FS7, F5 or F55, Red Epic/Scarlet, Black Magic Cinema Camera, Ursa or Ursa Mini, or a DSLR/Mirrorless rig such as the Sony a7sII, Panasonic GH4, or Canon 5DMIII.
Video Workhorse 19
Holds a professional camcorder or video camera rig up to 19” (48.3cm) long and 7.5” (19cm) tall and accessories, which could include a camera body, lens, monitor, viewfinder, 4K recorder, audio recorder, medium LED lightpanel, shotgun mic, lavaliere mics, rails, follow-focus, matte-box, shoulder mount, top handle, and cables. The shoulder bag fits a Panasonic PX270, X1000 or DVX-200, Canon C-series, Sony FS700, FS5, FS7, F5 or F55, Red Epic/Scarlet, Black Magic Cinema Camera, Ursa or Ursa Mini, or a DSLR/Mirrorless rig such as the Sony a7sII, Panasonic GH4, or Canon 5DMIII.
If you fly a lot, the Video Workhorse series looks to be a better solution for carrying on as hand luggage. While the Video Transport meets most airlines carry on requirements when it comes to physical dimensions, jut how heavy you can make the bag will depend on the individual airline. The Video Rig series are too big to take on board and would have to be checked in.
It is good to see Think Tank offer a large range of sizes and choices for carrying your camera kit. Whether you own a small DSLR or mirrorless camera or a large ENG camera, there is a bag that will probably meet your needs. A nice touch that I like on the Video Workhouse series is that they all have a trolley insert sleeve on the back so if your bag is too heavy to carry on your shoulder you can always wheel it. Another nice thing to know is that Think Tank guarantee and warrant their products against any defects in material or workmanship for as for long as you use the product.
The Video Workhorse series will start shipping this month, and the Video Rig and Video Transport series will be available soon. Prices are listed below in $US:
Video Workhorse 19- $229.75
Video Workhorse 21– $259.75
Video Workhorse 25–$289.75
Video Transport 18– $399.75
Video Transport 20– $429.75
Video Rig 18– $479.75
Video Rig 24– $519.75
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (*Lowest weight reflects all accessories removed)
Video Rig 24
Interior Dimensions: 13.5” W x 24” H x 15-16.5” D (34.3 x 61 x 38-42)
Exterior Dimensions: 16.3” W x 28.3” H x 18” D (41.4 x 71.9 x 45.7 cm)
Front Pocket: 13” W x 22” H x 1” (33 x 55.9 x 2.5 cm)
Weight: 16.1-19.5 lbs (7.3-8.8 kg)
Video Rig 18
Interior Dimensions: 13.5” W x 18” H x 15-16.5” D (34.3 x 45.7 x 38-42)
Exterior Dimensions: 16.3” W x 22.3” H x 18” D (41.4 x 56.6 x 45.7 cm)
Front Pocket: 13” W x 16” H x 1” (33 x 40.6 x 2.5 cm)
Weight: 14.3-17.8 lbs (6.5-8.1 kg)
Video Transport 20
Interior Dimensions: 13” W x 20” H x 7–8” D (33 x 53.3 x 17.8–20.3 cm)
Exterior Dimensions: 14” W x 22” H x 9” D (35.6 x 55.9 x 22.9 cm)
Laptop Compartment: 11” x 18” x 0.8” (28 x 45.7 x 2 cm)
Weight: 11.0-13.7 lbs (5.0-6.2 kg)
Video Transport 18
Interior Dimensions: 11.6” W x 18” H x 5.9 – 7.1” D (29.5 x 46 x 15–18 cm)
Exterior Dimensions: 14” W x 21” H x 8” D (35.6 x 53.3 x 20.3 cm)
Laptop Compartment: 11” x 15.5” x 0.8” (28 x 39.4 x 2 cm)
Weight: 10.2-11.7 lbs (4.6-5.3 kg)
Video Workhorse 25
Interior Dimensions: 24.8” W x 9.1” H x 10.6” D (63 x 23 x 27)
Exterior Dimensions: 28” W x 12.6” H x 14.2” D (71 x 32 x 36 cm)
Weight: 6.2-8.0 lbs (2.8-3.6 kg)
Video Workhorse 21
Interior Dimensions: 21.3” W x 8.3” H x 9.8” D (54 x 21 x 25 cm)
Exterior Dimensions: 24.8” W x 11.4” H x 13” D (63 x 29 x 33 cm)
Weight: 4.5-6.9 lbs (2.0-3.1 kg)
Video Workhorse 19
Interior Dimensions: 19.1” W x 7.5” H x 8.1” D (48.5 x 19 x 20.5 cm)
Exterior Dimensions: 22.8” W x 11.6” H x 10.2” D (58 x 29.5 x 26 cm)
Weight: 3.7-5.8 lbs (1.7-2.6 kg)
