Think Tank Shape Shifter 17 v2 and Perception Pro backpacks review

Accessories

As can be seen from the way the Shape Shifter bag is designed, Think Tank puts a strong emphasis on modularity and customizability. Numerous belts, straps, lens pouches are available but the company also offers smaller and more discrete accessories. Some of these are well adapted to fit inside the internal pockets and pouches of the Shape Shifter, Perception Pro and many other bags.

For instance, the Cable Management cases, coming in various formats, are useful grab bags where one can leave a charger, cables or any other items for quick access. Having a small pouch with all necessary items ready for a quick departure is useful.  We took a look at the V10 version, which is the smallest available.

Just as its name implies, the Cable Management case is meant to carry cables, chargers, and small items. The idea is to keep the case loaded with whatever is desired or necessary, and just toss it inside a camera bag upon departing.

The back of the case is plain but includes a sleeve meant for a business card in case the case is lost.

In typical Think Tank attention to details, the front is transparent which makes finding items easier. Included with the case are also three elastic bands meant to loop around cables.

The Cable Management 10 is the smallest option but still manages to carry a lot of equipment. Without any particular effort, we managed to insert a Pentax D-BC90 charger (for D-LI90 batteries, used in the K-3 and K-1 among others), a lensPEN, a Think Tank Battery Holder 2 (see below) with room to spare.

The case’s dimensions make it easy to slip in most camera bags. It fits well inside all the pouches of the Shape Shifter, and only the Perception Pro’s smallest pouch is too small. The case can also go at the bottom of either bag or in a front pocket.

The Battery Holder 2 is an even smaller case. Its purpose is simple: carry DSLR batteries safely. While it may seem easier to simply toss a spare battery at the bottom of a camera bag, using a case make the spares easier to find and prevent their electrical contacts from touching anything conductive.

Think Tank’s battery holders can store either 2 or 4 batteries depending on the size. The case appears small but is a perfect fit for Pentax’s D-LI90 batteries. Smaller formats such as those found in the K-S2 or K-70) will also fit. The case can be folded if so desired, otherwise it lays flat.

As can be seen on the picture above, the Battery Holder can be used to store other items in addition to batteries. The size of the sleeves means that a camera remote, memory card (in a case) or other tiny items can be inserted to avoid losing them. This makes the Battery Holder a versatile little case.