Think Tank Photo's Change Up Video Review.

Here is a quick look of the latest incarnation of my bag/carring option for my kit. I hope it informs a little and helps any of you wondering how to carry that load of lenses while you are shooting.

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFbKahzs5jY

For more information on the Change Up click the image below.

Visit Think Tank Photo HERE.

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28 Comments

  1. Johannes

    Thanks for the video, a great help.

    You don’t use a bag to protect the camera while you are out shooting? (Like a Digital Holster).

    /Johannes

    Reply
  2. Johannes

    Thanks for the video, a great help.

    You don’t use a bag to protect the camera while you are out shooting? (Like a Digital Holster).

    /Johannes

    Reply
  3. Matt

    Johannes, No I don’t use a Digital Holster, David D does. But I just haven’t really found a real reason to. Not that you shouldn’t. But for me, my camera stays out and ready to shoot most of the time. I guess if i was riding a public bus I might want something to put it in. But even riding the subways of Delhi I just keep it out. I also really don’t want anymore “bags” hanging off my waist.

    Reply
  4. Serge Van Cauwenbergh

    Matt, thanks for this helpful video. I’m already familiar with Think Tank products but I’m still hesitating to buy a new system.

    Reply
  5. Joe L.

    This bag is great! I use it, but with different mods.

    Got one of those thick stretchy rubber shoulder straps, to lighten the load even more. And often use a lens changer 15 that came free with it as a water bottle holder (when I don’t use it for small lenses).

    My 10″ netbook fits inside too! Great for going to uni…

    This bag has made running around during photo shoots, especially over difficult terrain, much much much easier! SO comfortable with the waistband.

    Plus, it converts back to something like a regular shoulder bag (abeit geeky), once you wanna look a bit more discrete while say, in the city.

    Fits most film and crop/DX bodies well too!

    Reply
  6. David duChemin

    hee hee…you said BUM BAG! 🙂

    Agreed, great little bag.

    Reply
  7. David duChemin

    hee hee…you said BUM BAG! 🙂

    Agreed, great little bag.

    Reply
  8. Mark F

    Thanks Matt, that was really helpful. I have a progressive muscular disease that makes moving back and forth to “the bag” very difficult. I’ve been looking for a light, small solution to carry 3 different lenses on me. Your inclusion on the last “skin” for the 70–200 may have just solved my dilemma. Thanks for taking the time to do that.

    mark

    Reply
  9. Matt

    Mark- I am really glad I could help. This is the kind of feedback that makes doing these reviews worth while.

    David- Better “BUM” than the “F” word!

    Joe – I guess one of those ultra small 10 in notebooks would fit in it. Unfortunately not my 13 MBP 🙁

    Reply
  10. Gavin

    Very useful stuff. Like you, I’ve not taken to using holsters for cameras. They seem to get in the way too much.

    When we get to Delhi, with all our belts, bags, buckles and straps, we’ll be all rigged out for a duel.

    Reply
  11. Johannes

    Thanks Matt and Gavin,

    “But for me, my camera stays out and ready to shoot most of the time” – does that not imply that you have somewhere else to store the camera while out shooting?

    You do not find it necessary to protect your gear from dust or water sometimes?

    Reply
  12. Johannes

    Thanks Matt and Gavin,

    “But for me, my camera stays out and ready to shoot most of the time” – does that not imply that you have somewhere else to store the camera while out shooting?

    You do not find it necessary to protect your gear from dust or water sometimes?

    Reply
  13. Adam

    Thanks for the review. I love this bag. It should also be noted that the Think Tank Skin system isn’t necessary to carry around the 70-200. That lens fits snugly in the Change Up with the standard hood reversed. I regularly fit my 70-200 as well as a 16-35 on top of a 1.4x TC in its leather pouch and a flash side-by-side-by-side in the Change Up. The stretchy side pockets also provide additional carrying space for other stuff like batteries, keys, glasses case, or even two additional flashes. I use the bag as a shoulder bag (one strap), “bum bag” (no straps), or even like you use the belly dancer (bag in the front and two straps crisscrossed on my back.) I find the latter style works best when attaching skin bags to the sides for optimal support. The front and back zipper pockets hold memory cards, biz cards, lens cloths, and all the other small knickknacks photographers like to carry around. Great bag, endlessly versatile, highly recommended for all types of shooters!

    Reply
  14. Jeffrey Chapman

    Oh, sure, great, another bag to buy! 🙂

    I love the Belly Dancer with Skins, but it does look a bit suicide bomberish. This setup looks slightly less intimidating. And, yes, please, let’s not use that “F” word.

    Reply
  15. Matt

    Johannes- If it is really raining hard then I get out of the rain or put a sleeve on the camera to shoot. As for dust, well, I don’t really worry about it. The fact is you will always get dust on your gear, it is the nature of the work we do. I don’t baby my gear. I buy pro level gear and treat it like it is the tool it is. It was designed to do a job. For the most part I don’t even use front lens caps whilst out for the day. I just stick the lens (with a UV filter on the front) in my bag ready to use.

    Adam – Thanks for the clarification. You are right the 70-200mm does fit in it. Thanks for the extra info for the person on the fence.

    Jeffrey- Yes it does and sometimes that is not the look you want. Like shooting downtown NYC. 😉

    Reply
  16. Mike Mahaffey

    Great video Matt! I’ve used the change up for years for the same reasons. I was wondering what you use the caribiner for that was attached to the left side?

    Reply
  17. Bernard

    Matt – If you wanted to, would a 5D w/ grip and, lets say the 85 fit inside the Change Up? Perhaps with lens unattached?

    Reply
  18. Matt

    Bernard- The 5D with the grip and and the 85 1.2 w/ lens hood attached does fit in nicely. I was once on a small commuter flight and had to gate check my Airport Security. Not taking any chances, I took out two skins cases and attached them to my Change Up. I then packed my 5DMK2, 70-200, 17-40, 85 and my 24-70 all either in skins attached to the Change Up or in the bag it’s self. It was heavy, but was allowed as carry on on the small turbo-prop plane.

    Mike- the carabiner is normally for my hat. If I go in a restaurant or while sitting on a plan, I take off my hat and hook it in. I am forever loosing hats and this has been a big help. In fact, the hat I was wearing in this very video, I just left it yesterday in the cinema. I am rather scattered brained. Comes with being ADD.

    David- Shame on you, and to think, you hold a British passport! Tisk! Tisk!

    Reply
  19. Doug Murdoch

    Hi Matt, great review! Since there is a discussion about putting your camera in the bag or not, the new Wired UP 20 is tapered from the bottom to the top so that you can put a Canon 5D MK2 with a 24-70 attached on the inside, hood reversed, with a 70-200 next to it.
    The Change Up is smaller, more slim, and closer fitting to your body. The Wired Up 20 has a front pocket, is slightly wider (for 3 lenses), but has a number of features similar to the Change UP. Because the Wired UP 20 has a front pocket, it smacks more like a regular belt pack, but has some other cool things like ports for cables etc.
    I need a carabiner for my jackets – I’ve lost 3 so far on the plane, I just forget them.
    Cheers, Doug

    Reply
  20. Matt Brandon

    Doug- Great to have you drop by and fill us in on the details of the new Wired Up 20. I think I am going to get to put it through it’s paces in the next few weeks while in India, can’t wait! Sounds like a perfect size.

    FYI to everyone reading this post: Think Tank Photo has a new website. Very cool looking, quite the eye candy. Click on the link above, same ole URL. Well done Doug and others at TTP!

    Reply
  21. John Batdorff

    Great information…I’m sold on ThinkTank. It’s top quality stuff.

    Reply
  22. Bernard

    Matt, hope you can update your bag thoughts since you’ve come back from your Lumen Dei trip. Thanks!

    Reply
  23. Matt

    Bernard- I did get to use the new Multi Media bags that Think Tank has released and I hope to review them soon. Things are in a major flux right now till I get back in in Oct. But once back I hot to get some reviews done as well as post some podcast posted.

    Reply
  24. Jim McLin

    Matt,

    I really enjoyed the video and thanks for sharing. I too use Think Tank.

    I am courious what camera strap are you using in the above video? I like the idea of a single attachment to camera and sling over shoulder. Could you please give the make.
    Thanks,

    Jim McLin
    Fairhope, AL.

    Reply
  25. Jim McLin

    Matt,

    I really enjoyed the video and thanks for sharing. I too use Think Tank.

    I am courious what camera strap are you using in the above video? I like the idea of a single attachment to camera and sling over shoulder. Could you please give the make.
    Thanks,

    Jim McLin
    Fairhope, AL.

    Reply
  26. Matt Brandon

    Jim – It is a R-Strap by Black Rapid. http://www.blackrapid.com They are becoming quite popular these days. I love mine, I also I have the double version. Nothing better.

    Reply

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