Thinktank Shapeshifter V2
Laurel resters are fools. Silly, silly fools. They sit there all day, resting on them like crazy people.
Thankfully, the people at Thinktank can be seen jogging around these sedentary eejits as is clearly demonstrated in the new Shapeshifter V2 camera bag.
Continuing in the tradition of the hugely successful Shapeshifter, the latest incarnation has just enough tweaks and surprises to make it a great step forward while retaining all the good stuff.
One big change is in the creation of two different sizes of bag. The light traveller can opt for a 15" model, while those who carry a camera store on their backs can choose the 17", which is the same dimensions as the original version. I opted for the big boy.
The image below shows the V2 on the left and my battered old V1 on the right. Note the extra pocket on the top.
Starting with the features that have been retained, the V2 has the same ingenious compaction system for when the bag is empty, the same thickly-padded straps and (mostly) the same drawstring neoprene pockets inside the main body of the bag.
However, even these have been changed as they definitely seem to allow my lenses and bodies to be removed with more ease. I'm assuming from this that they must have made the openings slightly wider so there'll be no more fighting to get your gear out when you're racing against time.
Two little loops on the side of the bag have been added that can hold the included drawstring pocket. It makes a perfect bottle holder, or is handy for extra accessories that you may need to access quickly.
Continuing with the differences, the biggest one has to be the clever new "modular" body pocket. Previously, the lower of the two body pockets inside the main section was identical to the top pocket. In the remixed version, we've been gifted with a velcro-flapped system where we can choose how tight or loose the strapping is, depending on the size of the item we're carrying. It's certainly different and unlike anything I've seen before but I think it will be a good feature to develop. I wouldn't want every pocket to be like this but one or two makes sense as I'll sometimes just lay a camera in the gap, rather than slotting it into the pocket.
All of the pockets have a reinforced neoprene base to prevent holes forming in the bottom of the dividers as they rub on knurled lens caps of the lenses below, an issue that did occur in the very first incarnation of the Shapeshifter.
Outside the bag, the pockets have been redesigned too with some moving, some being added and some disappearing altogether. Inside the rear pocket, a divider has been added allowing you to keep things separate from your tablet or laptop. It's a handy addition to save your device from scratches and scuffs. Extra padding also adds to the protection on offer.
Having used the bag for a few days now, the only question I have is something that also bothered me about the original version of the Shapeshifter; padding on the base. If I place my bag down in the street when it's fully loaded, there's only a piece of neoprene and the outer material to protect my 70-200mm and 14-24mm lenses. For the previous version, I've cut a piece of foam that runs along the bottom of the bag so when it stands upright, the equipment in the lower part of the bag is sitting on this strip.
However, there is a slight workaround. A rainproof cover is provided with the bag that, when packed up within itself, can be slipped into the gap at the bottom (see the mentioned gap below), doing a similar job to the foam that I'd previously used. It's not as good as the foam strip but it adds protection where I think it's needed.
CONCLUSION
Thinktank have taken the bag that 90% of the press photographers I know own and given it just enough of a polish to make it a worthy upgrade. As is the case with the V2 of anything, a company can easily lose track of the benefits of the original product but, thankfully, Thinktank have made sure to respect the V2s predecessor.
The clever design means that I can comfortably carry two Nikon D4s bodies, a 14-24mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses, as well as a 17" laptop and all the associated chargers, card readers and gubbins. As with all of the Thinktank products, it's clear that the company is run by working photographers who know how we work and what we need.
The Thinktank Shapeshifter V2 bag should be available in mid-late August and will have retail prices of $249.75 for the 15" model and $279.75 for the 17" model. Looking at prices in the US, that pretty much equates to the same price for the 17" model so prices should be the same as the V1 model in the UK.