ISSUE 127
54 / GEAR
TESTED: THINK TANK DIGITAL HOLSTER 150 V3
Smart carry for long glass
£129
thinktankphoto.com
Think Tank’s Digital Holster 150 V3 is a cost- effective way to haul preciously expensive kit into the great outdoors
Specifications
Type Sling holster Colour Black Carry options Shoulder strap, belt loop, carry handle Closure YKK zips
Verdict Overall rating 8/10 A large bag to fit a large lens and camera, ideal for fast deployment in the field. It’s not a do-everything bag but offers a great-value solution to a specific problem faced by long lens users Xpand’s risers are available in 25, 50, 75 and 100mm, allowing you to create clearance for accessories or build multi-tier rigs. Each riser becomes a structural element in the rig, opening up options for mounting monitors, wireless receivers, battery plates or audio gear. The 70mm Xpand Base also provides a clean interface with dual mounting slots and a stainless steel camera screw. It also has an Arca-Swiss fitment. The system works with industry- standard accessories thanks to its thread options. That means you can still use magic arms, clamps, rods and third-party gear without locking yourself into a closed ecosystem. All the components are made from aerospace-grade magnesium alloy with stainless steel hardware. And more components are set to be released soon. Verdict Overall rating 8/10 A modular rig-building system that works, is scalable as your kit needs grow and won’t break the bank Think Tank also specifies YKK RC Fuse zippers and water-resistant materials. It’s a bag made for regular use rather than weekend duty. Its limitation is also its strength as this is a specialist solution. If you need to carry multiple bodies, lenses or other gear, a larger bag will be required. But for dedicated wildlife and sports shooters, it’s a smart, practical option that does exactly what it sets out to do. Of course, it won’t fit all super- size lenses so you need to carefully check the size you need. The 150 is the XXL version that we tried and is sensible for popular wildlife and sports combinations. It’s also a bit of a bargain at £129.
Wildlife or sports shooters who often use a large camera and
Interior type Padded Rain cover Included
long lens will know the dilemma of carrying and protecting gear while needing fast access to it. Backpacks offer protection but slow you down, while a simple shoulder strap is quick but less reassuring when lugging round expensive kit. The Think Tank Photo Digital Holster 150 V3 is designed to sit between those extremes. Purpose-built for a gripped or standard body with a long zoom attached – up to around 30.5cm – it is aimed at serious field use. Typical combinations include a Nikon Z 9 with a 200-500mm or a Sony body paired with a Sigma or Tamron 150-600mm. In testing, it accommodated a Sony A1 with battery grip and a 300mm f/2.8 lens, a set-up that often doesn’t fit in the standard supplied Sony lens case. This isn’t a general-purpose bag, and it doesn’t pretend to be. At 0.8kg, it prioritises structure and protection over weight. Top-loading access is quick and the lid opens away from the body for easier handling in the field.
Carrying options are flexible, including a top handle, shoulder strap and belt loop. A rain cover is included – a welcome touch for outdoor shooters. Protection is well considered, with a soft internal divider preventing the camera strap from rubbing against the rear screen, plus durable materials and water-resistant zips. Where this holster stands out is speed. If you work with one camera and lens combination, it’s far quicker and more convenient than repeatedly unpacking from a backpack. Materials DWR and polyurethane- coated fabrics, high-density nylon, closed-cell foam Exterior dimensions (wxhxd) 42x20.5x20.5cm Interior dimensions (wxhxd) 38x18.5x18.5cm Weight 0.8kg
HIPSTER HOLSTER The Think Tank bag sits nicely on the hip for treks into the field
Storage is practical rather than excessive, with a large front pocket, a zip compartment on the lid and an internal section for smaller accessories. There is also a rear attachment point for Think Tank belts and some backpack waist belts, plus an attachment rail for compatible modular pouches.
TESTED: 3 LEGGED THING XPAND
Xpand your camera kit
From £10
3leggedthing.com
When you make the move to shooting video with your mirrorless camera, or just want to add on a larger field monitor to help the composition of your stills, you realise you need something solid on which to attach accessories. Often that’s a rig made up
from component parts but most people end up mixing plates, arms, clamps and brackets from multiple brands, hoping everything lines up, threads match and nothing works loose mid- shoot. It’s functional, but rarely elegant. The 3 Legged Thing Xpand aims to fix that problem with a fully integrated approach as it’s designed as a complete ecosystem, where every component is built to work with each part. Xpand is a modular rig-building platform made up of cheese plates, risers and connectors. Every Xpand component uses an axis slot system, allowing parts to be connected quickly and securely using dedicated connectors that bolt down in place with hex head screws. Plates can be stacked, offset or extended in multiple directions
EXPOSURE BRACKETING The 3 Legged Thing rig kit is customisable to suit lots of set-ups
without the usual guesswork of aligning threads or adding extra brackets. You can adapt it to suit the shoot, rather than forcing your workflow around the limitations of your kit. The Xpand has cheese plates available in four sizes: two square (50 and 70mm) and two rectangular (90x50mm and 140x70mm). Each is packed with mounting options, including 1/4in-20 and 3/8in-16 threads, Arri-style 3/8in mounts with locator pin holes and QD ports. The plate comes with an Xpand connector and screws, so you’re not forced to buy additional parts just to get started.
Specifications
Colour Black or orange Material Magnesium alloy, stainless steel hardware Cheese plates 50x50mm, 70x70mm, 90x50mm, 140x70mm Baseplate 70mm Risers 25, 50, 75, 100mm
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