My first experience of ThinkTank Photo products is the Big Stick monopod bag which I’ve just received. I thought it would make a better storage bag for travel and use out in the field than the standard one supplied with my Gitzo 3551. Well, if this little bag is anything to go by I’ll certainly be buying more ThinkTank products in the future…
ThinkTank Photo Big Stick
Lets not get too carried away
I won’t ramble on too much about this bag as it is after all just a bag and only for monopods, so not much in the way of flexibility, although it does have a couple of nice little touches and is built very well. The stitching, padding and finishing is all of a very high standard and is completed with YKK zips.
YKK Zips
Expanding size
The Big Stick has one great little trick up it’s sleeve…and that is, the top half can be unzipped and expanded.
Top half zip
What does that mean in practical terms? It means your favourite ball head can comfortably stay on the end of your monopod even when stored away!
Top section unzipped
Fold and store
Once your monopod/ball head of choice are safely inside the bag, you simply fold the remaining empty top section over on to the back of the bag and use the two Velcro tabs at the very end of the bag to safely strap the excess material down…very neat and tidy!
Front of bag in use
Back of bag in use
Belt loops
Last of all, as you may be able to see from the image above, the Big Stick has belt loops running all the way down the back of it. That means you should have no trouble attaching it to your favourite bag, the ThinkTank Pro Speed Belt…or…even your own belt, if you are just going light. With the bag on your belt you simply undo the Velcro tabs and open up the top of the bag to get quick access to your monopod.
Easily worn
I like it!
ThinkTank products are designed by photographers, for photographers, and it shows! Just the nice little touch of being able to expand the top half to allow ball heads to be kept on shows the little details are thought about. I’ll be keeping an eye out in future to see if they release suitable bags for my 600 and 200-400, as if this monopod bag is anything to go by, they’ll be great!
Visit ThinkTank Photo’s website with this link to get a free bag at checkout with any purchase over $50.
unnecessary IMO.
A monopod can take a bit of rough love quite easily
Thanks for the comment Adam.
No denying the Gitzo (and many others) can take some knocks, this isn’t really to protect from that. It simply makes transportation and carrying that bit easier as it free’s it up from your hands when not in use, which can make all the difference when out for a full days shooting on foot – especially over long distances.