Think Tank Shape Shifter 17 v2 and Perception Pro backpacks review

Internal design, Shape Shifter

On the inside, the Shape Shifter hides a truly unique approach to storing camera gear.

Unzipping the bag lets the top fall almost flat, giving a wide access to the camera storage area.

The top itself includes numerous pockets. In a pinch, they could be used to store strobes or even lenses, especially if some extra protection is added. Cables, chargers or accessories can of course be placed there. The higher section is one large mesh sleeve and the bottom is made of two identical pockets.

Those pockets are not padded but each is large enough to accept a 60-250mm F4 lens. Using a padded lens pouch or case inside these pockets makes a viable solution if extra lens storage is required.

The main feature of the bag is of course the camera storage section. Here is where Think Tank really tried to shake things up.

Instead of a grid of dividers, the Shape Shifter offers an array of neoprene pouches. There are four such pouches (plus one “wrap” for the camera), each with a different size and shape.

The pouches are permanently attached to the back of the bag. Think Tank also offers a “Naked” version where users can select and attach whatever pouches or accessories they want.

On the Shape Shifter 17, the pouches are large and clearly meant for full frame equipment, including large zoom lenses and flashes. They are all made from thick neoprene which offers a good level of protection against shocks in addition to the protection offered by the bag’s externals. The pouches close by pull tabs, letting them adjust somewhat to the size of the item inside.

In the bottom left is a wide and shallow pouch. It can easily carry a flash or a medium-sized zoom lens or prime, such as a DFA 100mm macro WR.

To the bottom right is the longest pouch.  This one is intended for a long zoom lens. We had no problems placing a 60-250mm F4 lens in there and a 70-200mm F2.8 would fit as well.

To the top right is a deep pouch of medium width. This one offers some flexibility: it can carry a secondary body (with a pancake prime mounted), a large lens if it’s not too long, or a flash. Lenses as wide as the DFA 15-30mm F2.8 can fit there.

The last pouch, at the top left, is the widest. This one can also be used for many purposes. Among other things, it can fit two flashes face to face, although there is nothing to prevent them from bumping into one another.

In the center of the bag is the “wrap” meant to carry and protect the camera. In corporate pictures, Think Tank always shows only a camera here, without any lens. With the largest bodies on the market, it might be necessary to separate camera body and lenses before using the wrap, but with a small full frame camera such as the K-1, or with any APS-C body, the wrap is fully able to hold the camera with a lens attached.

The wrap works by piling three layers of neoprene which attach to each other via large Velcro pads. Lifting all three layers releases the camera. The volume of the “compartment” can adapt to the camera’s size by stretching and by attaching the Velcro more or less loosely. We were easily able to store a K-1 with 16-85mm lens in there. Smaller lenses or bodies present no challenge. Larger lenses would have to be tested on a case by case basis but our example is close to the realistic limit.

Once the size of the compartment is properly adjusted, lifting just the first layer lets the user remove the camera, making for a quick and easy access.

The use of pouches instead of dividers offers a few advantages. The first is not immediately obvious: since there is a small gap between the lower pouches and the bottom of the bag, the equipment is better protected against accidental drops. Extra protection can even be added, by placing the rain cover or any other soft material there. Second, with no needs to reconfigure anything, the bag can adapt to the shape and size of the equipment. Pouches are also more versatile than dividers and can carry other items apart from cameras and lenses. Random items, like spare clothes or snacks can be place in front of, or even between, the pouches. Larger objects can be placed in the pockets of the front flap without too much worry. Last, the bag can be carried and opened in any orientation and the fragile photo gear will not fall off.

The downside is that the pouches cannot be reconfigured the way dividers can. Users are stuck with what the people at Think Tank judged was best. The manufacturer also did not include subdivisions for the larger pouches. This can be corrected with lens or accessory cases but as a standalone solution, the Shape Shifter is not well suited for carrying a large number of small lenses.

Verdict

On the inside, the Shape Shifter 17 v2 is a solid product with a truly different approach. It is well suited for carrying and protecting larger photography cameras and lenses. The pouches system works well and is flexible. The bag can also hold a good amount of non-photographic items. The one downside is that, except if one selects the Naked version of the Shape Shifter, the pouches cannot be reconfigured.