Think Tank Photo Mirrorless Mover 20 Review

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
I recently purchased the Think Tank Photo Mirrorless Mover 20 camera bag to use with my Nikon 1 V1 system. Below is my review of the bag – including some ideas that I’d like to see in the next version! (I know, it just came out but everything can be improved, right?)

The most important aspect of a camera bag is build quality IMHO. The construction of the bag is excellent. Below is a comparison of the size of the Mirrorless Mover 20 to my most frequently used D300 bag, the Lowepro Event Messenger 250.

ThinkTank-1.jpg

While we talking about quality, the strap is just “okay”. I realize at this price point and what is supposed to be a small footprint, that you don’t want the strap to overwhelm the bag. This strap is a little too basic for my taste and I will most likely use something different. At least the strap is detachable.

Below is my basic kit that I hope to put into this bag. It consists of:

  • Nikon V1 with Fotodiox Pro grip and mounted Nikkor 18.5mm lens
  • Nikkor 6.7-13mm and 30-110mm lenses
  • SB-N5 Speedlight
  • GP-N100 GPS
  • ML-L3 Wireless Remote
  • Extra EN-EL15 and wall charger
  • Circular Polarizer and Neutral Density filters
  • Tripod

ThinkTank-2.jpg

Let’s load the bag. Below is how I would configure the bag for transportation and/or storage of my kit.

ThinkTank-3.jpg

Remember that kids game of “one of these things doesn’t fit”? There is nowhere for my tripod unless I lay it across the top and risk scratching the camera.

I wish the bag were one half to a full inch wider. As it is now, I had to slightly offset the lenses with shades attached to fit them into the bag. Below is a cropped image showing the snug fit.

ThinkTank-4.jpg

I like the front pocket design. The rain hood takes up one of the sleeves. In order to not remove the rain hood, I stored the spare battery in the side pockets. My first real complaint is with the side pockets. They are pretty useless. If I were to revise the bag, I would put side zippered pockets similar to what is in front. My Tenba Messenger Daypack is a perfect example of useful zippered side pockets. On the Tenba I store my spare battery and filters in them.

ThinkTank-5.jpg

While you’re looking at the side pocket with the battery, you can observe a pass through belt pocket/loop on the right. I honestly can’t see anyone using this as a belt bag. Much more useful would have been a strap to fit over a roller board suitcase. The bag is wide enough and even a simple elastic design as shown below would be great. The ideal would be a design that zips at the bottom as a pass through or can be used for storing paper when zipped.

ThinkTank-6.jpg

Let’s get practical. How does the bag work in the field? I won’t carry the battery charger and would have the GPS installed on the V1. I would want to be able to easily take the V1 into and out of the bag. In order to facilitate that, I will stack the 6.7-13mm and 30-100mm on the side as shown. This is workable.

ThinkTank-7.jpg

I’m encouraged to see Think Tank create a bag geared (bad pun intended) at the needs of mirrorless shooters. I think this bag is a great first start and will meet my immediate needs. As I pointed out above, there are areas for improvement. I’ll be watching to see if version 2 incorporates some or all of my recommendations – especially regarding the tripod. Until then, I’ll be using the Mirrorless Mover 20.
 
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Phillydog1958

Senior Member
Your review is well done and thoughtful. I agree with your sentiment, especially the portion on the useless side pockets and the lack of a rear pass-through that would allow for carrying on a roller bag. Who on earth, in their right mind, would attach this bulky, unbalanced thing on their belt? As far as the strap goes, they should've included one of those attached shoulder pads for comfort. For this premium price, they could do that. Overall, it's a nice attempt by Thinktank and perhaps the next version will fulfill all of our needs. So, let me make sure I have it correctly, you were able to get ALL of your gear in photo 1, into the bag, at once? I just upgraded my refurbished J1, to the V2. I missed having a viewfinder. Shooting in direct sunlight was difficult. With a lens attached, the V2 is a slight bit more bulkier than the V1. The body is smaller, but the new grip does add a little bulk. I'm a little concerned about how much extra space it might take up, when compared to the V1. Also, my other thought is to consider the larger Mirrorless Mover 30. The only problem is that it's almost too big. It's more bag than I need. Once again, great review, Eduard.
 
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Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
So, let me make sure I have it correctly, you were able to get ALL of your gear in photo 1, into the bag, at once?

Everything EXCEPT the tripod. The 3rd picture from the top shows it - the lenses are under the small bag for the GPS and the wall charger. The last picture shows how I will actually use it. I wouldn't need to carry the charger around and the GPS would normally be on the V1. I stacked the lenses to make it easier to take the body in/out.

I just upgraded my refurbished J1, to the V2. I missed having a viewfinder. Shooting in direct sunlight was difficult. With a lens attached, the V2 is a slight bit more bulkier than the V1. The body is smaller, but the new grip does add a little bulk. I'm a little concerned about how much extra space it might take up, when compared to the V1. Also, my other thought is to consider the larger Mirrorless Mover 30. The only problem is that it's almost too big. It's more bag than I need.

Congrats on the V2!! How do you like it so far? I don't think it would be much "taller" than the V1 with the GPS installed.

According to the Nikon website the dimensions of the V2 are Width 4.2 in. (107.8mm) X Height 3.2 in. (81.6mm) x Depth 1.8 in. (45.9mm)Excluding projections while the V1 dimensions are Width 4.4 in. (113mm) x Height 3.0 in. (76mm) x Depth 1.7 in. (43.5mm) Including projections. Remember I also have a Fotodiox grip which probably makes the V1 larger than the V2.

You are thinking exactly along the same lines as I did regarding the Mirrorless Mover 30.
 

Phillydog1958

Senior Member
Everything EXCEPT the tripod. The 3rd picture from the top shows it - the lenses are under the small bag for the GPS and the wall charger. The last picture shows how I will actually use it. I wouldn't need to carry the charger around and the GPS would normally be on the V1. I stacked the lenses to make it easier to take the body in/out.


Congrats on the V2!! How do you like it so far? I don't think it would be much "taller" than the V1 with the GPS installed.

According to the Nikon website the dimensions of the V2 are Width 4.2 in. (107.8mm) X Height 3.2 in. (81.6mm) x Depth 1.8 in. (45.9mm)Excluding projections while the V1 dimensions are Width 4.4 in. (113mm) x Height 3.0 in. (76mm) x Depth 1.7 in. (43.5mm) Including projections. Remember I also have a Fotodiox grip which probably makes the V1 larger than the V2.

You are thinking exactly along the same lines as I did regarding the Mirrorless Mover 30.

I like the V2. I would've settled for a V1, but I couldn't find one anywhere. There are a few benefits -- The grip, the mode-dial wheel and the flash and a few others are nice. I'm glad to hear that you're able to get everything in the bag. I might just spring for it. Thinktank make a classy bag. I prefer the 20 over the model 30. You're right about the grip. It does add more bulk than the V2's grip does. I forgot about that. Thanks for your response:)
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
I'm glad to hear that you're able to get everything in the bag. I might just spring for it. Thinktank make a classy bag. I prefer the 20 over the model 30.

I'm thinking the 18.5mm might look good in the new bag too? Just trying to save you money on shipping. :greedy_dollars:
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
I had an opportunity to use the Mirrorless Mover this week-end. It worked exactly as I had hoped. I used the strap that came with it for the first outing. . . I'm still leaning towards using something more substantial.
 
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Phillydog1958

Senior Member
My Mirrorless Mover 20 arrived today. I've always been a Lowepro guy until the end. I will continue to be a Lowepro guy. I also must say that I can't testify to the quality and design of any other thinkTank bag, but the Mirrorless Mover 20 is well designed and well crafted. I think it's not a perfect bag, and how many of us ever do really find the "Perfect bag of bags?" But, thinkTank made a good bag. It's perfectly suited for my V2, lenses and accessories. I'm sure that I probably could've found a Lowepro bag that is comparable. The bottom line is that thinkTank is great for the free market. Competition not only keeps the market innovative and inspiring, but it also keeps the market properly priced, based on market value. That's to our advantage, as consumers. I'm extremely content with my Mirrorless Mover 20.
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
Now that I have a J3 I've been looking for a bag. Options are somewhat limited and this looks like the one to get. Closest Lowpro is the 110 and it's too small.
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
It is a great bag Rick. My normal kit is currently the V1, 10-100 (non-PD), 18.5 and 6.7-13. I have to stack the 18.5 & UWA while the 10-100 is mounted but otherwise no complaints.
 

Phillydog1958

Senior Member
It is a great bag Rick. My normal kit is currently the V1, 10-100 (non-PD), 18.5 and 6.7-13. I have to stack the 18.5 & UWA while the 10-100 is mounted but otherwise no complaints.


Nice kit, Eduard. How's that 10-100? It looks like a heckuva telephoto lens. Didn't you once own the 30-110? If so, how does the 10-100 compare to it. I'm assuming it's got a better IQ than the 30-110. It also seems to have a slight advantage in build.
 
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Phillydog1958

Senior Member
Now that I have a J3 I've been looking for a bag. Options are somewhat limited and this looks like the one to get. Closest Lowpro is the 110 and it's too small.

My entire Nikon 1 kit is comprised of my 4 lenses plus the SB-N7 Speedlight and the ME-1 Microphone, for video. Whenever I carry the entire kit, I use a Lowepro Rezo 170 AW bag. I alternate between that and the Thinktank Mover 20. Whenever I don't need to carry my Speedlight and my microphone , I use the Thinktank Mover 20, which is a tad bit too small for all of my lenses plus the flash and mike. I got the Lowepro Rezo for free. Bestbuy included it when I purchased a D3100 for my wife, several years ago. It was too much camera for her, so I sold it and kept the bag.
 
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Rick M

Senior Member
Think the mover 20 will do it for me in the foreseeable future. I'll probably end up with 3-4 lenses, but the flash and mic is unlikely. This really is a neat little system, a very nice compliment to my D600.
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
Nice kit, Eduard. How's that 10-100? It looks like a heckuva telephoto lens. Didn't you once own the 30-110? If so, how does the 10-100 compare to it. I'm assuming it's got a better IQ than the 30-110. It also seems to have a slight advantage in build.

I posted a quick review with some sample images in a separate thread. I'm very happy with it and find it pretty close to the 30-110. Very convenient.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
Bag arrived today! Another quality thinktank product!!

Nice that the J3 fits in with the leather body case on.
 
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