Though I have given up on the idea of the "perfect" camera bag, I am nevertheless always on the hunt for a better bag for my different needs. I have large roller bags and backpacks to accommodate both my photographic and audio gear, but I have been in need of a smaller bag since the one I have been using for over 10 years was in desperate need of last rights. My research led me to the Think Tank Storyteller 10 bag.
My need for a smaller bag included the ability to carry either a small mirrorless or DSLR body and one or two lenses, as well as my iPad mini. This bag would serve me for both a day of street photography or when on assignment. Using a backpack or roller bag was fine when traveling to and from my destinations, but when I was actively shooting I needed a bag that I could carry on me and provide me quick and easy access.
In the past month of using the Storyteller 10, I have found that this bag has helped meet my needs whether I am using my DSLR or mirrorless kit. Not only does it easily store either body-type, I can also include one or two lenses. With my DSLR kit, the bag easily accepts the body with a moderate zoom attached to its lens hood as well as a fast 85mm lens. With my mirrorless system, I am able to pack 2-3 lenses along with the body.
Weighing in at just 1.5 pounds, the bag helped keep weight to a minimum, which was a concern for me. I have long-avoided the use of shoulder bags because of the strain they produce on my neck and shoulders. However, I found that the bag with a modest bit of kit did not produce the usual discomfort. This was helped greatly with the adjustable padding on the shoulder strap.
The bag is designed with a flip-top lid that bends away from the body providing easy access to the bag's contents. The flip-top itself features a small compartment for batteries as well as two pockets for memory cards. The bag includes a front-facing compartment that includes both a mesh and a zippered pocket when stowing away my phone, notepad. This is also the compartment where the rain guard is stowed, which further protects the bag whose brushed and ballistic polyester includes a water-resistant coating. The bag also includes a rear-slip pocket and an expandable side-pocket for a water bottle or flash.
The interior of the bag which measures 11"x9.8"x4.9" is easily divided using removable closed-cell foam dividers, which allowed me to customize the bag for any combination of kit that I was using. Having a built-in pocket for my tablet has been an essential feature for me as I am downloading images to it while in the field as well as sharing my portfolio with people that I meet during my shooting sessions.
Having used a variety of ThinkTank bags over the years, I found the Storyteller 10 build quality to be as good as all their bags that I have used and continue to use. I use ThinkTank bags that I purchased over a decade ago and they are still holding up beautifully.
On days when I do not need to tow my laptop, the Storyteller 10 has quickly become my go-to bag when I want to carry more than just a single camera body and lens. This bag will be especially important to me when traveling as I will be able to easily compress the bag and stow it in my check-in luggage and later use it for my day-shooting when traveling around the country and abroad.
The Storyteller 10 is a solid bag that provides great versatility for anyone looking for a modest-sized bag that doesn't compromise on design and construction.
Jacque Rupp is a documentary and fine-art photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. A visual storyteller, Rupp uses the camera to challenge and question, offering a unique perspective on the world around us. In her most recent work, Rupp focuses on womanhood, using herself and experiences. As the subject matter, Rupp ventures off into the imagined, exploring issues of identity and purpose. Her new book is The Red Purse.