{"id":16126,"date":"2018-12-08T22:46:37","date_gmt":"2018-12-08T21:46:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=16126"},"modified":"2026-03-24T13:23:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T12:23:47","slug":"review-thinktank-retrospective-5-and-7-shoulder-bag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-thinktank-retrospective-5-and-7-shoulder-bag\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Thinktank Retrospective 5 and 7 shoulder bag"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h1>\n
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Retrospective 5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Camera bags. We are all looking for the perfect one that is bigger on the inside than the outside. Over the years I tried a whole lot, but when it comes to shoulder bags I always come back to the Thinktankphoto Retrospective Series. So find out why this is the perfect shoulder bag for me.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Disclosure:<\/strong> I never received anything from Thinktankphoto for free, ever.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Why I like this series so much<\/h1>\n

Look<\/h2>\n
 <\/div>\n
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Thinktank Retrospective 5 (pinestone) and 7 (black)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This bag just looks like a normal messenger bag and nothing like a camera bag. No zippers, no big logos, very subtle and unobstrusive design.<\/p>\n

Caution:<\/strong> just recently there was a Retrospective V2.0 series introduced. They have a few nice additional features but personally I think they ruined the subtle design with those useless metal rings on the front. At the moment you can find many V1 models (the ones I am talking about here) at a discounted price. Go for it! There is nothing wrong with V1. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a “Retrospective Classic” or “V2.X” version with the original design (and full price) again rather sooner than later.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
Retrospective V2.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There have also been two leather series of these bags, Leather Pinestone and Leather Sandstone. The Leather Pinestone has dark brown leather and that greenish canvas, the Sandstone has dark brown leather with a slight tint of red and a yellowish beige canvas.
\nTo my utmost surprise the weight difference is minimal and was only 50g when I compared a Retro 5 leather with the non leather version.<\/p>\n

Comfort<\/h2>\n

The shoulder strap is really well padded which helps a lot when you carry it for a longer period of time. Furthermore the bag is soft and will adjust to the shape of your body. I usually have the camera with lens in the middle and additional lenses to the left and right. So when I take the camera out to shoot the bag will adjust to that and be closer to your body, which makes it more comfortable to carry.<\/p>\n

Accessibility<\/h2>\n

This is really important for me. I need to get to my camera fast and I need to be able to change lenses fast. Some bags (like the dreadful Incase DSLR Sling) need two hands to open and close, I can’t have that.
\nSome Thinktank bags (Retrospective leather series or Urban Approach) use an additional plastic clip on the flap to secure it, I am not a big fan and it seems the average customer isn’t either as this is already gone on the newer bags.
\nEvery Photokina I tell them to use magnets instead, no luck so far (scroll a bit down to see my magnet modification for these bags).<\/p>\n

Adjustability<\/h2>\n
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Sony A7rII + L-bracket in front pocket of Retrospective 5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The front pocket is quite adjustable in terms of size. If you don’t use it it will just be flat and not take up any space. If you need it it will hold even a second camera body (without lens attached).
\nOn the side there are loops than can be used to attach some of Thinktank’s modular pouches or a filter bag. This often saved me from needing a bigger bag.<\/p>\n

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Thinktank Retrospective 5 with filter pouch attached to sideloop<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clever design<\/h2>\n

Throughout the whole bag you will notice that this series was designed by people who are actually photographers themselves, as there are some clever features.<\/p>\n

\"review
Sound Silencer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One I would like to introduce here is the “Sound Silencer”. This feature allows you to cover the velcro to make the bag opening and closing operation silent. This is very helpful when shooting weddings and concerts.
\nI even modified my bag to use magnets instead, so it is always silent and the flap stays in place.<\/p>\n

\"review
Sound Silencer modified with magnets<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Durability<\/h2>\n

I am using these bags a lot and the only issue I ever encountered was the rubber pads from the should strap coming off. I sent the customer support an email and the bag was exchanged for a new one no questions asked.<\/p>\n

Weather resistance<\/h2>\n

Every bag comes with a raincover, but you will only need it in really heavy rain and to be honest I never carry it with me (if you are looking for a weatherproof bag have a look at Mindshift Gear Exposure and Photocross series instead). The weather protection the bag itself offers is good enough for me.<\/p>\n

Models<\/h1>\n

Over the years there have been several Retrospective bags, I will only talk about the really notable ones here (I owned all of these at some point, I still own 5 and 7):<\/p>\n

Retrospective 5<\/h2>\n
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Thinktank Retrospective 5 (pinestone)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Weight:<\/strong> 1.0 kg
\nExterior dimensions:<\/strong> 10″ W x 8.5″ H x 6″ D (25.5 x 21.5 x 15 cm)<\/p>\n

Fits a fullframe mirrorless camera with medium sized lens attached and 2 small additional lenses.<\/p>\n

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Thinktank Retrospective 5 with Zeiss Loxia 21mm 2.8, Voigtlander 35mm 1.7 and Zeiss Loxia 85mm 2.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Typical gear setup I am using this bag with:<\/strong>
\nSony A7rII + L-bracket
\nZeiss Loxia 21mm 2.8<\/a>
\nVoigtlander VM 35mm 1.7<\/a>
\nZeiss Loxia 85mm 2.4<\/a>
\nAccessories: Mini tripod<\/a>, spare batteries, lenspen, polarizer, extenstion tube<\/a>
\nYou can still exchange one of the lenses for a bigger one, the Sony FE 85mm 1.4 GM<\/a> instead of the Loxia 85 will still fit for example.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong> 100-150$
\namazon.com<\/a> | B&H<\/a> | ebay.com<\/a> | amazon.de<\/a> | ebay.de<\/a> (advertisement\/affiliate links)<\/p>\n

Retrospective 7<\/h2>\n
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Thinktank Retrospective 7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Weight:<\/strong> 1.2 kg
\nExterior dimensions:<\/strong> 13.5\u201d W x 9.5\u201d H x 7\u201d D (34.3 \u00d7 24.1 \u00d7 17.8 cm)
\nLaptop compartment:<\/strong> 11.8\u201d W x 8.2\u201d H x 0.7\u201d D (30 \u00d7 20.8 \u00d7 1.8 cm)<\/p>\n

Fits one or two fullframe mirrorless cameras with a total of 3 bigger lenses or 4-5 small to medium sized lenses.<\/p>\n

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Thinktank Retrospective 7 with Canon TS-E 17mm 4.0 L, Sony A7rII with L-bracket and Sony FE 85mm 1.4 GM and Zeiss Jena Visionar 169mm 1.9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Typical gear setup I am using this bag with:<\/strong>
\nSony A7rII + Sony FE 85mm 1.4 GM<\/a>
\nSony A7s + Voigtlander VM 35mm 1.7<\/a>
\nZeiss Loxia 21mm 2.8<\/a>
\nZhong Yi Mitakon 50mm 0.95<\/a>
\nAccessories: spare batteries, lenspen, ND filter<\/p>\n

This bag will also hold the three f\/2.8 zooms (16-35mm 2.8, 24-70mm 2.8 and 70-200mm 2.8) but your camera won’t fit in with the 70-200mm 2.8 attached (see Retrospective 20 for that).<\/p>\n

The 7 also features a laptop compartment (it was the first Retrospective that did) that will hold a 12″ laptop. Personally I am not the biggest fan of carrying a laptop in this bag, as it ruins one of the main features of the bag: adjusting to the shape of your body. You can also use this compartment for carrying a tablet obviously.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong> 100-160$
\namazon.com<\/a> | B&H<\/a> | ebay.com<\/a> | amazon.de<\/a> | ebay.de<\/a> (advertisement\/affiliate links)<\/p>\n

Retrospective 10<\/h2>\n

Weight:<\/strong> 1.3 kg
\nExterior dimensions:<\/strong> 13\u201d W x 10.5\u201d H x 7\u201d D (33 x 26.7 x 17.8 cm)<\/p>\n

Fits one or two fullframe mirrorless cameras or a gripped DSLR with a total of 3 bigger lenses or 4-5 small to medium sized lenses.<\/p>\n

This one was in the first series of Retrospective bags. The exterior dimensions are similar to the 7. It is a bit deeper to accomodate a gripped DSLR and there is no laptop compartment. For Sony users I rather recommend the 7.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong> 120-170$
\namazon.com<\/a> | B&H<\/a> | ebay.com<\/a> | amazon.de<\/a> | ebay.de<\/a> (advertisement\/affiliate links)<\/p>\n

Retrospective 20<\/h2>\n

Weight:<\/strong> 1.4 kg
\nExterior dimensions:<\/strong> 13\u201d W x 12.5\u201d H x 7\u201d D (33 x 31.7 x 17.8 cm)<\/p>\n

Fits one or two fullframe mirrorless cameras or a gripped DSLR with a total of 3 bigger lenses or 4-5 small to medium sized lenses.
\nFits a camera with 70-200mm 2.8 attached.<\/p>\n

As far as I know this one was introduced together with the 10. It has the same exact footprint but is a bit taller to accomodate a camera with 70-200mm 2.8 attached. If that is your application this is the right bag for you, if not rather have a look at the 7 or 10.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong> 120-180$
\namazon.com<\/a> | B&H<\/a> | ebay.com<\/a> | amazon.de<\/a> | ebay.de<\/a> (advertisement\/affiliate links)<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The first Retrospective bags were introduced in 2010 and remained unchanged for almost a whole decade and for a good reason: these were perfect from the start.
\nIf there was something negative to point out it would be that they are not super lightweight (they reduced the weight in the V2.0 version), and while I tried other bags (Think Tank Urban Disguise: access not so great, Think Tank Urban Approach: strap not as comfortable, Think Tank Suburban Disguise: too stiff, F-Stop Millar series: just bad) I always keep coming back to this series.
\nAs I think the V1 is the better bag, true to the original idea of a subtle, unobstrusive camera shoulder bag, it was about time for this article, so you still have the chance to get one of these and for a good price.<\/p>\n

Find Thinktank Retrospective bags on amazon.com<\/a> | B&H<\/a> | ebay.com<\/a> | amazon.de<\/a> | ebay.de<\/a> (advertisement\/affiliate links)<\/p>\n

Other Articles<\/h1>\n