I love Think Tank products. Like many photographers, I often feel that the perfect camera bag doesn’t exist. My gear is varied, and I have a selection of Think Tank bags suited for every type of outing: the Airport International V3.0 for long trips, the Streetwalker Pro V2.0 for birdwatching and daily outings, the Airport Commuter for specific adventures, the Secure Pixel Pocket Rocket card holders, and finally the Mindshift MP-3 V2 for safaris. But when the Think Tank Mirrorless Mover 18L arrived, I thought it would be perfect for our road trip. After all, our main goal was to capture every moment of our journey – between vineyards, landscapes, and close-ups. So, I prepared my gear: a Nikon Z8 camera body, a 105mm f/2.8 macro lens, a 14-24mm f/2.8, a 100-400mm lens, and a versatile 24-120mm lens, not to mention a few batteries and my MacBook Pro. Everything fit perfectly in this bag, which is both compact and remarkably well-organized.
The trip was carefully planned with friends. In our three convertibles, we headed to our first stop in Speculator, New York – a quiet spot by the lake. The twilight light was magical, perfect for a photo session around a campfire and a memorable shot of my friend Mario under the Milky Way.
The next day, we set off for Watkins Glen in the Finger Lakes region. We explored the stunning gorges of the national park, had a beer at a local pub, and visited several vineyards. We stopped at Watkins Glen International Speedway to photograph our cars. Unfortunately, the NASCAR series was arriving soon, and we couldn’t take any laps.
Next, we headed to Niagara for a vineyard tour. We stayed at the Cave Spring vineyard estate, which allowed us to fully enjoy the experience, with free access to the vines and a day of grape harvest. Of course, we explored several other vineyards in the area.
This convertible road trip was a real success. I was thrilled to have this latest Think Tank camera bag, a model that is practical, ergonomic, and stylish. It provides excellent protection for my gear. Comfort is also a strong point: the straps are designed to balance the bag with my body at the shoulders and waist. This really helped me cover the miles in the gorges of Watkins Glen National Park, where I was fortunate to admire and photograph beautiful landscapes.
The bag’s design is definitely a plus. Its external dimensions of 11” W x 16.5” H x 9” D (28 x 42 x 23 cm) were perfect for our hikes. It’s not too bulky, making it practical in tight spaces. The elegant orange colour is both distinctive and subtle, allowing me to use it in the city without looking like a photographer on a mission. Plus, it’s a great colour for easily spotting the bag in a crowd or on a trail.
Another very useful aspect is the ability to customize the internal organization of the bag. The removable dividers allow for the creation of compartments of various sizes, perfect for accommodating different types of gear. When I go hiking, I can adjust the dividers to ensure everything is secure while I walk. The rain cover is a really handy addition in case of bad weather. My gear was safe on particularly rainy days.
I appreciated the front pocket, perfect for storing small items like memory cards, a notebook and pen, my phone, and my MacBook Pro. The external pockets allowed me to carry my tripod on one side and a water bottle on the other.
In conclusion, the Think Tank Mirrorless Mover 18L was a valuable ally during my road trip. It perfectly combines protection, comfort, and functionality, giving me the assurance that my gear was safe throughout the journey.
Text and Photos: Jacques Dumont | Product Photos: Daniel Mallard
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About the Author – Jacques Dumont
Jacques Dumont is among the best-known personalities in the Canadian photographic industry with over 40 years of experience.
In 1980, he launched PHOTO SÉLECTION magazine, which later became PHOTO SOLUTION. He also contributed to the field by launching PHOTO DIGEST Magazine in 1990, which was renamed PHOTO LIFE after its acquisition. After selling his photography magazines in 1994, Jacques continued to engage with the photography community in Canada and the United States. He held various roles, including editor of PHOTONews, the most widely distributed photography magazine in Canada until 2022.
As a professional photographer and passionate traveler, Jacques has expertise in a variety of photographic genres. He brings a comprehensive set of management and creative skills to many projects. In 2022, he joined the World Photographic Cup (WPC) as a curator for Team Canada.
Congrats. Very good report on this products. I use Think Tank product and I am very satisfied.
Bonjour Robert, merci pour ta réponse, moi aussi je suis un utilisateur de Think Tank depuis fort longtemps. Très bon système et vraiment fait pour des photographes comme toi et moi. Le nouveau sac Mover 18L est intéressant. Pas très gros, mais parfait quand tu veux voyager léger. J’ai bien aimé le format – idéal pour les appareils mirroless. Vraiment! Dans le canyon, je n’ai pas embêté les visiteurs et ce qui est bien, le matériel est à l’horizontal au lieu de vertical. C’est différent, mais quand tu pars avec 2-3 objectifs et un boîtier, il est parfait. Je songerais à l’utiliser pour un voyage en Europe par exemple. Au plaisir de se voir à un moment donné.