I'm a bag junkie… what can I say. I think it's a condition that plagues most photographers. But I'm utterly bored with bags that are the same black or dark color and soulless bulletproof material. Certainly there's a place for bags like that, but when I'm walking the streets of Paris, I'd rather have something gorgeous hanging off my shoulder.

ThinkTank, one of my favorite camera bag brands, has just announced something special though — their all new "Retrospective Leather" bags. I don't have one in my hands yet, but ooooh they sure are purrrty!

ONA Bags, which I'm sure you've seen, are really, really nice… but also really, really expensive. And while I've never owned one, I've fondled them in many stores and always came away feeling that they too were somewhat over designed, likely weighing more than the cameras I'd be putting in them. These new ThinkTank bags on the other hand have leather "accents", which translates to "we saved money and weight by putting leather where it counts, and letting the rest of the bag be a beautiful canvas material which weighs and costs less, and is thinner, too". At least that's how I read between the lines!

(FYI, buying through my affiliate link will get you a free gift on checkout… kewl)

Here's the official press info and statistics…

Think Tank Photo Releases Leather-Accented Versions of Its Popular Retrospective® Photography Shoulder Bags

Santa Rosa, Calif. – Expanding on the success of its renowned Retrospective photography shoulder bag line, Think Tank Photo has released the Retrospective® 5 Leather, Retrospective® 7 Leather, and Retrospective® 30 Leather. These upscale, rugged shoulder bags maintain the Retrospective’s casual, form-fitting design. A new Dual Cross buckle on the front flap provides an extra measure of security.

The new shoulder bags are designed to hold tablets and laptops in dedicated zipper pockets. The Retrospective Leather 5 holds an 8” tablet; the Retrospective Leather 7 holds a 10” tablet or 11” laptop; and, the Retrospective Leather 30 holds a 10” tablet or 11” laptop.

Additional Features

Hook-and-loop “Sound Silencers” eliminate the noise of front flap hook and loop
High quality YKK zippers, metal hardware, leather accents, premium build
Adjustable cushioned nonslip shoulder strap for all day comfort
Easily accessible front organizer with key tether
Stiffened, padded removable dividers
Inner zippered pocket for important documents
Removable carrying handle for grab and go convenience
Business card slot under the front flap for identification
Webbing attachment points to accommodate modular pouches or a carabineer
Seam-sealed rain cover included

What Fits

Retrospective Leather 5

1 standard size DSLR with 1–3 lenses and accessories
A complete mirrorless camera system with 3–6 lenses and accessories
8” tablet fits in rear zippered pocket
Examples: 5DMIII with 50mm f/1.8 attached, 24-70mm f.2.8, iPad Mini Sony a7MII with 24–70mm f/4 attached, 16-35mm f/4, 55mm f/1.8, iPad Mini

Retrospective Leather 7

1 standard-size DSLR with 2-3 lenses and accessories
10” tablet /11” laptop fits in rear zippered pocket
Examples: Accommodates a Nikon D700 w/ 24-70 f/2.8 attached, 70-200 f/2.8 detached + SB-900 Speedlight 5D MIII, 24–70 attached, 70–200 unattached, flash, iPad or 11” MacBook Air

Retrospective Leather 30

1 gripped DSLR with standard zoom lens attached and 1-3 additional lenses, including a 70–200mm f/2.8
2 gripped DSLRs (bodies only) in front pockets and 2-4 lenses in main compartment, including a 70–200mm f/2.8
10” tablet /11” laptop fits in rear zippered pocket
Examples: 2 Canon 1DXs, 70-200mm f/2.8 unattached, 24–70mm f/2.8 attached, 16–35mm f/2.8 or wide angle, iPad, 2 Nikon D4s, 70-200mm f/2.8 unattached, 24–70mm f/2.8 attached, 14-24mm f/2.8 or wide angle, 11” MacBook Air

Materials

Exterior: All fabric exterior treated with durable water resistant coating while fabric underside is coated with polyurethane for water resistance, full-grain Dakota leather, sand-washed 100% cotton canvas, antique plated metal hardware, high quality YKK® zippers, polyspun & nylon webbing, 3-ply bonded nylon thread.

Interior: 210D silver-toned nylon, polyurethane-backed Velex liner and dividers, closed-cell foam and reinforced PE board dividers, 2x polyurethane coated nylon 210T seam-sealed taffeta rain cover, nylon binding, 3-ply bonded nylon thread.

Specifications

Retrospective Leather 5

Internal Dimensions: 9.5” W x 7.8” H x 4.5” D (24 x 19.5 x 11.5 cm)
Exterior Dimensions: 10” W x 8.5” H x 6.3” D (25.5 x 21.5 x 16 cm)
8” tablet compartment: 8.9” W x 6.5” H x 0.7” D (22.5 x 16.5 x 1.8 cm)
Weight: 2.3 lbs (1.0 kg)

Retrospective Leather 7

Internal Dimensions: 12.5” W x 8.8” H x 5” D (31.8 × 22.4 × 12.7 cm)
Exterior Dimensions: 13.5” W x 9.5” H x 7” D (34.3 × 24.1 × 17.8 cm)
Laptop compartment: 11.8” W x 8.2” H x 0.7” D (30 × 20.8 × 1.8 cm)
Weight: 3.0 lbs (1.4 kg)

Retrospective Leather 30 Internal Dimensions

15” W x 9.5” H x 6” D (38 x 24 x 15.2 cm)
Exterior Dimensions: 16” W x 10.5” H x 7.5” D (40.6 x 26.7 x 19 cm)
Laptop compartment: 13.4” W x 8.7” H x 0.7” D (34 x 22 x 1.8 cm)
Weight: 3.8 lbs (1.7 kg)

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About Think Tank Photo

Headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, Think Tank Photo is a group of designers and professional photographers focused on studying how photographers work and developing inventive new carrying solutions that meet their needs. They are dedicated to using only the highest quality materials and design principles, and employing materials that are environmentally benign.