Photography News Issue 63

Photography News | Issue 63 | photographynews.co.uk

39

First tests

ThinkTank Spectral 15 £133

Specs

Price

£133

Key features • Fidlock’s magnetic latch auto-locks for one handed

opening and closing • Internal zipped flap

provides a weather barrier and protection from theft • Dual side slip-in pockets • Front zip compartment with inner pockets • Tripod straps on bottom of bag • Top handle and padded shoulder strap • Rear strap luggage pass- through • Waterproof tarpaulin base and rain cover Capacity • One standard-size DSLR with 24–70mm attached • 2-4 extra lenses • Flashgun • Exterior treated with durable water-resistant coating. Underside is coated with polyurethane for superior water resistance • YKK RC Fuse (abrasion resistant) zips • 420D velocity nylon • 400D cordura/polyester blend (vintage) Interior • PE board reinforced removable closed cell foam dividers, 200D liner • PU backed nylex liner Internal dimensions (wxhxd) 39x25x13cm External dimensions (wxhxd) 41x28x16cm Laptop/tablet compartment (wxhxd) 32x19.2x2cm Laptop compartment (wxhxd) 36x24.5x2.5cm Weight 1.2kg Contact snapperstuff.com • 10in tablet • 15in laptop Exterior materials

Today’s bags have to be flexible and multi-purpose and the Spectral series certainly fits the bill in this respect. These smart, shoulder bags are ideal for image-makers on the move who need a capable DSLR camera outfit with laptop and tablet support. Three Spectral models are available and the 15 is the largest, big enough for a 15in laptop. The top protective foldover flap features a carry handle and a single magnetic clasp that suits one-handed operation. With this flap folded over you can access the main compartment, but there is an extra layer of security in the form of a zipped cover to keep out stray hands as well as dust and rain. This flap when unzipped is usefully held out of the way with a round patch of hook and loop fastener on the main flap. The main compartment is deep, deep enough to have a standard DSLR with a standard zoom attached pointing down. I got in a Nikon D850 with a 24-70mm f/2.8 plus a 16-35mm f/4 and 70-200mm f/2.8. I usually have an L-grip on the D850 but taking it off made the fit more comfortable. The front zipped pocket has storage for a tablet and a couple of thin pockets can take spare batteries, stationery and a filter or two. There are two more slim pockets, one small one for

ThinkTank LilyDeanne Mezzo £280

Verdict

Specs

The Spectral 15 is a fine- looking bag, perfect for the photographer about town who needs a versatile camera outfit as well as admin support in the form of a laptop and a tablet. It’s also comfortable to carry when fully laden and protection levels are high. Highly recommended. Pros Stylish, impressive capacity, high protection levels, great value for money Cons Tripod straps slightly fiddly in use, tripod stashed on the base is not always convenient

Price Lily Deanne Mezzo £280, available in chestnut brown or black licorice Key features • Dakota leather flap and accents • Metal hardware with chrome finish • Robin’s egg-blue liner • Rare-earth magnetic closures on the main flap and front pockets • Trolley handle pass-through • Twin, exterior front pockets • Zipped front pocket • Dual, expandable side pockets • Cushioned non-slip shoulder pad Capacity • One standard-size DSLR with mid-range zoom attached • Two to three additional lenses • 10in tablet or 11in laptop inside a dedicated compartment Exterior materials Full-grain Dakota leather with water-resistant coating, chrome- plated metal hardware, neodymiummagnets, YKK zips, 420D velocity nylon, 420 high-density nylon, nylon seatbelt webbing Interior polyurethane coated nylon 210T seam-sealed taffeta rain cover Internal dimensions (wxhxd) 31x24x13.5cm External dimensions (wxhxd) 35x25x15.5cm Laptop/tablet compartment (wxhxd) 30x22.5x2cm Weight 1kg Contact snapperstuff.com 210D turquoise-toned RC stripe nylon lining, polyurethane-backed Velex liner and dividers, closed- cell foam and reinforced PE board dividers, 2x

ThinkTank’s Deanne shoulder bags were designed by women photographers for women. They come in three sizes – the Lucido is the smallest and the Tutto is the largest with the Mezzo slotting in the middle – and in two colours, chestnut brown and black licorice. A foldover flap covers the zipped main compartment which is held with two magnetic studs and this can be left folded over for quick access to the bag’s interior. The Mezzo’s egg-blue interior has room for a full- frame DSLR fitted with a standard zoom and an extra two or three lenses. A selection of dividers gives plenty of internal set-up options and two elasticated pockets at either end suit accessories. Two front pockets, also with magnetic fastenings, offer further storage of accessories, pens and other small items. There’s a padded pocket for a 11in laptop or 10in tablet. In fact, with a large zipper-sealed pocket too, you can get both in if you want. There’s an external back pocket and a trolley handle pass-through for use with a roller case. Lily

pens. An elasticated pouch for a water bottle is also available at one end of the bag. Tripod straps are supplied with the bag and these work with four loops on the bag’s base. The attachment clips are stiff to use and that helps with security but having a tripod hanging from the base is not convenient if you have to put the bag down. I really enjoyed using this bag – it became my work bag for a couple of weeks. It has more than enough carrying capacity for my day to day needs, and there’s no problem with flexibility either. WC

I was testing the Spectral 15 (right) alongside the Mezzo and side by side the former is significantly larger, mostly in height. Yet I got the same core camera outfit into the Mezzo, ie a Nikon D850 with a 24- 70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8 and 16-35mm f/4, so capacity is impressive. Of course it’s a tighter fit but access to gear is perfectly fine and getting the camera out ready to shoot in a hurry is no issue at all. WC

Verdict

The Lily Deanne Mezzo is a premium product, made from quality materials. It performs really well, providing good gear protection with fast access to contents. It looks fab too.

Pros Build quality, good looks Cons Price

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