Think Tank Camera Backpacks - which?

I'm off to Indonesia/Bali in a few weeks for my honeymoon, and will be indulging in 5-6 dives while I'm there. The wife to be will even be doing a try dive! I wasn't going to bother taking my underwater camera gear until she brought it up - suggested that I'd probably regret it if I didn't and that we might not be back that way for a while- hence it would be worth taking. In the UK I pack it all away into a large Peli case which stands up nicely to hardboats/car travel etc, and have a nice AO cooler bag for use on the RHIBs.

Neither of these will be suitable for safely (and discretly) transporting gear around the world due to weight/insufficient protection.

I'm looking at either a Think Tank Airport Essentials Backpack, or a an Airport Commuter to carry the majority of my gear. I'm liking their stuff as I have a mirrorless mover for the camera itself on land and think its very well thought out.

I'm traveling with

Nauticam EM-10 housing + flexitray/twin handle

2 x 5 inch arms, 2 x 3" arms

6 clamps

2 x inon z240 strobes

small box of tools/filters etc

9-18mm port + gear

9-18mm WA lens

14-42mm lens + gear

60mm macro lens

150mm lens

EM-10 Camera + charger etc

I'm considering breaking some of this down so that the

arms, tools, clamps and tray/handles all travel in my main checked baggage - they are all solid/not delicate so no risk of damage. The camera and the lenses will travel in the mirrorless mover (as a separate camera bag appears allowable in addition to your cabin baggage). This leaves

Nauticam EM-10 housing

2 x inon z240 strobes

9-18mm port + gear

14-42mm port + gear

According to Garuda (who I'm travelling on for some internal flights, my baggage size can't be more than 7kg, 56cm (L) x 36cm (W) x 23cm (D). Think tank states that either of the two bags fits within these limits, although there is a bit of a weight difference and having been stung before, I've no wish to pass weight limits.

Do people think that I can get away with the essentials bag? or the commuter might be a better option? Opinions from owners will be most welcome.

Though I'd like to be, I'm not a Think Tank owner (they're not available where I live). One thing I have learned about carrying gear is to always buy a bigger size than I think I will need. Gear collections evolve and expand, and its always nice to have the space to carry other other stuff when you need to do so, such as longer lenses and speed lights when on land or outerwear and a snack when hiking.

FWIW, I have nearly the same setup as you, and have been using a Case Logic SLR backpack for the past couple of years. The one i use will fit everything you list, but it will be tight, and they do have larger models. I find their stuff to be well made (mine has survived a lot of trips in boats and small planes and a safari in South Africa). They are also about half the price of the TT backpacks.

Flying in Indonesia I have never had a problem with my carry-on. I use a Think Tank International, it weights over 40 lbs with 2 bodies, lens, computer, external hard dives and dive computers. The problem with be in overhead space in the smaller planes. I can make my Think Tank fit the 7 inch high and 14 inch deep overhead by taking out my laptop and turning the backpack side ways.

Elmer

Hey smk82,

did you finally pick any of Think Tank Airport backpacks ?

What are your thoughts?

Hi,
i used a TT Antidote ( hope thats the right Name ) for the last trips.
Camera was a Oly OMD5 mk 1 in a Nauticam housing, ports for Macro and FE,
lenses 12 - 50mm, 60mm, 8mm, 12mm and the 45 - 200mm, SubSee +10 lens,
2 Inon D2000, Gopro 3+ 3D Setup, SSD for backups, some cable ;-)) and batteries...
A Apple Mac Book pro 13"
Arms where transportet in the dive luggage. Clamps in both...

Worked well, was excactly in the weight range...

For the next trip it will be something else, i changed to a Dslr rigg...

Regards,
Wolfgang