Think Tank Photo: NEW Modular Components & Guide (part 1)

Think Tank Photo launched their new range of Modular Components at the end of last year, and we were very excited to give them their first major showing at Focus on Imaging 2012.

You can see the full new range by clicking here:
NEW Modular Components.

As well as the individual items two sets are available – a Modular™ Component V2 Set and a Modular™ Skin V2 Set – and the price of these will provide you with savings in comparison to buying each item in the set individually.

Modular™ Component V2 Set

Modular™ Skin V2 Set

What is a modular component system and who uses it?

Think Tank Photo’s Modular Component System Guide gives some excellent advice on their integrated workflow system for professional photographers worldwide.

It covers: key features of the Modular, Skin and Multimedia components, storage vs. active shooting, set ups for different categories of photography, how to choose the correct belt, harness or components for you.

You can download a PDF of it here:

Please note that while the Modular Component references in this guide are those of version 1 products, the replacement version 2 products will provide you with the same quality that you expect from Think Tank Photo, but with some added features and some new sizes!

Part 2 to follow next week…

My gear’s too heavy: how can I spread the weight? part 1

‘The photo kit I have is heavy! It is too heavy to be supported around the neck!’ (customer feedback 2010)

Wearing camera gear around your neck and over your shoulders for prolonged periods, may cause you aches and pains and eventually damage your neck and, or back…

For times when you need to carry camera equipment on your body a one good solution is to spread the weight across your body using a combination of belt and harness with pouches attached for your camera equipment.

For those of you who need a light weight solution with minimum bulk, the Think Tank Photo belt, harness and pouch system could be what you are looking for.

Think Tank Photo Modular System

There are three options to choose from with the belt:
Thin Skin – webbing only, so very lightweight – great for hot countries, times when you need to travel light or carrying a few small pouches
Pro Speed Belt – lightly padded, for more support and comfort, and to carry an average amount of gear
Steroid Speed Belt - double rail, padded, extra wide for support and comfort and to help spread the weight of heavy gear, especially good for those with back problems

Pro Speed Belt with Speed Changer & Whip It Out

Two harness options:
Pixel Racing Harness v2 – Harness affixes to all three styles of Think Tank Photo belt & helps spread the weight of the gear across the torso, not just the waist or hips
Belly Dancer Harness – is a one size fits all belt and harness that clips at the back & helps spread the weight of the gear across the torso, not just the waist or hips

Pixel Racing Harness with belt & Lens Changer 50 & Whip It Out

Pixel Racing Harness attached to Pro Speed Belt (rear view)

Belly Dancer Harness

Lightly padded pouches for three typical zoom lenses:
Lens Changer 50 or Large Lens Drop In = Canon 16-35 f2.8 OR Nikon 14-24 f2.8 (in each case with lens hood in position)
Lens Changer 35 or Lens Changer 50 = Canon 24-70 f2.8 OR Nikon 24-70 f2.8 (in each case with lens hood in position)
Lens Changer 50 = Canon 24-70 f2.8 OR Nikon 24-70 f2.8 (with lens hood inverted)
Lens Changer 75 Pop Down = Canon 70-200 f2.8 OR Nikon 80-200 f2.8 (can fit lens with hood in position or inverted AND tripod collar in place)
Whip It Out = Canon 70-200 f2.8 (with lens hood in position BUT no tripod collar)
Lightning Fast = flash / strobe / speedlight or battery pack

Modular Pouches

Lens Changer 75 Pop Down

Non padded pouches for your specific lenses:
Skin 50 = Canon 16-35 f2.8 OR Nikon 14-24 f2.8 (in each case with lens hood in position)
Skin 50 or Skin 75 pop down = Canon 24-70 f3.8 (latter pouch with lens hood in position)
Skin 75 pop down = Canon 70-200 f2.8 OR Nikon 80-200 f2.8 (can fit lens with hood in position or inverted AND tripod collar in place)
Skin Strobe = flash / strobe / speedlight or battery pack

Skin pouches

Pouches for the camera bodies:
The Chimp Cage – for pro DSLR body
Skin Chimp – for pro DSLR body or holds a semi pro body with up to a 24-70 lens on it (also has pop down feature so can accommodate lens hood in position AND inverted)

Chimp Cage

Chimp Cage interior

All the Think Tank Photo pouches come with a fully seam sealed rain cover, for the times when it is bucketing down!

Look out for Part 2 next week for more techniques to spread the weight…