GOING MODULAR: THINK TANK MODULUS BELT SYSTEM AND THE AIRPORT ADDICTED BAG
by Nikonian Jason Odell

tell a friend about this article

FIELD TESTING: AT THE 5TH ANPAT

I took the Modulus Speed Set to the 5th Annual Nikonians Photo Adventure Trip in South Dakota. Getting used to a belt system took me some time, but by the end of the trip I really enjoyed the flexibility. On a typical shoot, I carried the three Lens Changers and the Speed Changer. Rarely did I need the Lightning Fast for the landscapes of South Dakota. This configuration meant that I had two lenses on the belt and one attached to the D2x around my neck. Hiking with my tripod over my shoulder was not a problem, even on rough terrain, as I had a fairly low center of gravity because of the belt system.

The Think Tank Modulus Belt System

I really enjoyed not having to take off my pack to access my lenses. In the afternoon heat of the Badlands, not wearing a backpack was a blessing. I still had to figure out how to carry my 500mm lens, but I found an old daypack that worked well enough for that. I usually positioned the Speed Changer case right in the front of the belt. When open, it was deep enough to work out of and not lose anything. I had easy access to my TC-14E and CF cards. Because the “Pixel Pocket Rocket” wallet was on a leash, I didn’t have to worry about dropping it. In Custer State Park, we had some misty, foggy weather. I deployed the rain covers to see how well they worked. They were fairly easy to use, and when I needed a lens, I could take the cover off without repacking it because the covers were attached to their respective pouches with a nylon leash. This feature made the rain covers very simple to use, and their internal elastic band secured them to the pouches well.

In the Badlands, we found ourselves on some serious “clay” outcrops which dropped off in several directions. Usually, there was just enough room to set up a tripod. The vastness of the Badlands really had me changing lenses. I used my Sigma 10-20mm, my Nikkor 17-55 DX and my Nikkor 70-200 VR. Each time I wanted to change lenses, I was able to do so from a standing position. I put the lens caps into the little mesh pockets on the Lens Changers, all the while thinking to myself how easy it would be to lose a cap down a 30 meter embankment, especially in fading light! While others were rummaging through their bags, I was able to continue shooting. This experience, I think, is the reason why I will continue to use my Modulus Speed Set.

The only component I really missed was having a place to store my D2x body on the belt. I got around this issue on the ANPAT by wrapping my camera in an OP-Tech Soft Wrap and wearing the camera on my neck. However, in the future, I will be looking into a modular body case for my Modulus Set.