Review: Think Tank Spectral 15 camera bag

Friday 23 February 2018, 11:55 by Fabian Viester | 6,197 views | 3 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

The ThinkTank Spectral 15 is a smart and spacious camera bag from the Spectral series by ThinTank. During this review, I mainly used the bag while travelling and photographing concerts. Read how I got on with it in this review.

I used to be a fan of backpacks. And I still have a bit of a preference for them. Perfect carrying comfort, plenty of space, including for additional items such as a coat, drinks, food, memory cards, a mini tripod and all the other stuff you normally have nowhere to put.

When the opportunity came up to review the ThinkTank Spectral 15 shoulder bag, I was excited. A spacious, fashionable and functional shoulder bag that does not look like a real camera bag. Unless you look at the bag's features.

A world of space

The ThinkTank Spectral 15 is a very spacious shoulder bag. According to the manufacturer's specifications, it can hold a standard body with a 24-70mm lens attached, 2-4 extra lenses, a flash, a 70-200mm lens, a 10-inch tablet and a 15-inch laptop.

Nothing could be further from the truth. I can easily fit my Nikon D750 bodies and 14-24mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses in the ThinkTank Spectral 15. And there is still room at the front and back for a laptop, tablet and accessories.

With a base weight of 1.1 kilograms, it is not too heavy and is easy to handle.

Advantages of the ThinkTank Spectral 15

Fidlock magnetic system
Internal zip, under the flap
Waterproof base layer
Padded shoulder strap
Lifetime warranty

Technical specifications

Space for DSLR + 1 to 3 lenses, flash and accessories
Space for a 15-inch laptop and a 10-inch tablet
Adjustable dividers
Tripod straps on the bottom of the bag
Luggage strap on the back
Waterproof rain cover
Handle and shoulder strap
Separate compartments for accessories
Magnetic Fidlock Clasp Flap Closure
Interior dimensions: 39 x 25 x 13 cm
Exterior dimensions: 41 x 28 x 16 cm
Weight: 1.1 kg

First use

Even with a D750 + Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 lens attached inside the camera bag, the extra zip inside the flap still closes. But while photographing, the Fidlock magnetic system is already enough. It closes automatically when you fold the flap back.

When you first use the bag, ThinkTank's Fidlock system takes some getting used to. I am used to a physical click system on my Lowepro camera bags, but I have to say that after getting used to it, the Fidlock system works more efficiently and I no longer have to check whether the camera bag is really closed.

So once you get used to it, it is a more pleasant way to close and open your camera bag, if you ask me.

Carrying comfort

When it comes to carrying comfort, something that can still be an issue with shoulder bags, I have to say that I find the shoulder pad of the ThinkTank Spectral 15 very comfortable. The strap is made from the material normally used for car seatbelts, so it is incredibly sturdy.

You can also see the manufacturing and choice of materials made by ThinkTank in shoulder bags from brands such as Peak Design. But I find the shoulder pad on the Peak Design camera bags disappointing because of its stiffness.

The balance between stiffness, sturdiness and comfort is exactly right on the Spectral 15. The strap of the Spectral 15 also has a non-slip section, allowing you to adjust the strap in the way that is most comfortable for you.

The Spectral 15 has a handle on top, which is slightly on the small side. If you have filled the camera bag completely with heavy camera equipment and accessories, it is a little awkward to carry. Especially for people with large hands.

Design and features

Looking at the design and features inside the Spectral 15, the dividers stand out most. As you would expect from a shoulder bag, these can be adjusted to the size and width that work best for you.

The dividers can be positioned in any direction you want. This means you can fit a huge amount in a bag that is not particularly large. The tablet compartment has a second section with its own closure. Safe and spacious enough.

Unlike this, your laptop has to be stored on the inside of the camera bag. I could easily fit my 15-inch MacBook Pro in the laptop compartment. It seems well protected there.

If you want to go larger than 15 inches, and have a 15.6-inch Windows laptop, for example, it becomes a tight fit.

It is a shame they did not make this compartment slightly larger. That would have made people with a 15.6-inch Windows laptop a little happier.

The small details

The zips and tabs are made from sturdy materials. I would have preferred the zip pulls to be a little larger. With gloves on, it can sometimes be awkward to open the zip correctly in one go.

As someone with a backpack fetish, I also think it is a shame that the Spectral 15 does not have a reinforced base.

When I have put my lenses and bodies in the bag, I still have to consciously think about it when putting it down. You should always be careful, of course.

As a solution, I reinforced the base with some extra pads, which are supplied in sufficient quantities with the Spectral 15. But it is still a shame. When it comes to protecting camera equipment, I do not want to make any compromises.

Unlike the reinforcement I feel is missing, the bottom of the ThinkTank Spectral 15 is waterproof. The rest of the bag is made from water-repellent material. Every part of the camera bag deserves the same quality, right?

I also think it is a shame that the top of the shoulder bag, the slip-over, is not made from a thicker protective material. If you travel with the bag or rest your arm on it for a moment, it presses directly on your camera equipment.

In my opinion, they could have made this a little sturdier. Of course you are careful with your camera equipment, but I also see a camera bag as something you use and as an accessory that should protect the camera equipment inside it perfectly.

Another small disadvantage is that the entire shoulder strap cannot easily be removed from the Spectral. This is different from my current Lowepro ProTactic SH 200 AW, which is attached with carabiner clips.

A well-fitting rain cover is also supplied separately with the camera bag. This means it is not awkwardly built in, and when it rains, you can easily pull the protective cover over the bag. Very nice!

There is also a slot on the back of the bag, which we know from ThinkTank bags and trolleys. This allows you to attach the bag to the top of a suitcase or trolley. For example, when you are travelling, at an airport or elsewhere.

A big plus that makes travelling much more pleasant, with a good camera bag.

The stitching on the Spectral 15 is neatly finished, with a red accent. This finish gives the bag a luxurious look.

In terms of appearance, the Spectral does not look like a camera bag either. You therefore often carry a lot of valuable equipment in it without it showing. Handy when you are walking through a large city, for example, and do not want people to know straight away what you are carrying.

The ThinkTank Spectral 15 also has a mesh pocket on the right-hand side, which can be used for a water bottle, for example.

Conclusion

Compared with my Lowepro ProTactic SH 200 AW, the ThinkTank Spectral 15 is just a little larger, which means I can fit my extra body with a lens attached inside it.

That is what won me over at first. And it is something I cannot do with my current bag.

The convenience of the rain cover, the many extra storage options and the ability to attach a tripod mean that it has replaced my Lowepro shoulder bag.

Pros and cons

+ Space
+ Appearance
+ Locking system
+ Additional storage space
+ Water-repellent front
+ Rain cover
+ Base weight
+ Shoulder pad
- Waterproofing
- Laptop storage
- Manufacture of flexible parts
- No harness protection on the bottom

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About the author

Marketeer bij Online Media Advies. Professioneel concert en evenementenfotograaf onder de noemer Fabian Viester Photography.

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3 comments

rob wrote on Friday 23 February 2018 at 13:20 | reply
I'm missing a photo of the entire bag...
Translated from Dutch.

Elja Trum wrote on Friday 23 February 2018 at 13:50 | reply
@Rob; We’ve also added a little product photo at the top. For more photos, you can also have a look on ThinkTank’s website.
Translated from Dutch.

guest wrote on Friday 23 February 2018 at 19:31 | reply
Clear story, but without photos of the (filled) inside, the bag is still rather difficult to assess for usability.
Translated from Dutch.

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