Think Tank Photo Glass Limo Review

For years, I've carried my larger-than-Canon 300mm f/2.8 Lenses in full sized backpacks (the 300 f/2.8s fit nicely into a much smaller Think Tank Photo Glass Taxi) even when I didn't need the additional capacity. Shooting sports is one such time when I seldom need that additional space these large packs afford.

When the Think Tank Photo StreetWalker Pro was released earlier this year, I had a high quality solution to carry the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 IS II USM Lens with a pro body mounted.

When reviewing the next-sized-up Canon EF 500mm f/4 IS II USM Lens a short time later, I wished for a longer StreetWalker Pro to compactly hold this lens with a pro body mounted. And I discussed this wish with Think Tank Photo.

About 5 months later, a Think Tank Photo Glass Limo showed up on my doorstep. And sure enough, the Glass Limo is sized just large enough for the 500 f/4 mounted to a pro body to compactly fit inside:

The Glass Limo will also hold a Canon EF 600mm f/4 L IS II USM Lens without a camera.

Or, remove the big-lens yoke-collar and support ring (protects objective end of large lens) and use the customizable padded dividers in the case and use it to hold various assortments of cameras and lenses as exampled below.

If you haven't figured it out by now, I think that one can never have too many camera cases. Having the right case for each need does make life better. Of course, when I'm planning to carry a $17,000 camera and lens combo in a case, my minimum acceptable quality level for that case is very high. And fortunately, Think Tank Photo has never disappointed me in this regard.

With the Think Tank Photo Glass Limo, you get a huge array of quality features. Let me list some of them.

Starting at the top, you get a rugged, padded, comfortable-to-hold top handle. This pack easily sits upright on a relatively flat surface, placing the top handle right where you need it. This top handle is always the first touch when picking up the pack - even when ultimately using the backpack straps.

The highly-adjustable contoured backpack straps are also rugged and very comfortable. Provided on the straps are attachment points for accessories including rings for a camera strap. A stretch-fit pocket sized for up to an approximately 2.5 x 5" smart phone (my Motorola Droid X is a tight fit) is located on each strap. The sternum strap is height adjustable over a 5" range to perfect the fit to your body.

Provided is a removable light waist belt. Optional is to add a more feature-filled Think Tank Photo Camera Belt.

The back of the Glass Limo is very well-padded with a great airflow channel in the middle. The backpack has a rigid material in the less-padded airflow section of the back - to protect you from your gear and to retain shape.

The sides of the Think Tank Photo Glass Limo are modestly padded - and are identical to each other. A large elastic pouch at the bottom can hold your tripod, monopod, water bottle, etc. Straps are provided to support the tripod or monopod. These straps and many other attachments can be added to the many attachment points on the side of the pack - or the back of the pack - including three Modular rails.

Attachable of note are up to 3 Think Tank Photo Modular Components. A wide array of Modular cases are available to greatly extend the versatility of this backpack.

The back of the pack includes a zippered pocket with organizer pockets for small items including pens. I am currently storing the included rain cover in this pocket (it would be nice if the rain jacket had a hidden storage pocket somewhere).

The Think Tank Photo Glass Limo's main zippers are very smooth and rugged. If I open the zipper far enough to get a finger inside, I can then pull really hard in any direction on the zipper and zipper pulls without the zipper opening. Same if the zippers are more significantly opened. A tug on the nice zipper pulls easily opens the zipper while the risk of a zipper accidentally opening remains very low.

You have seen the configurable case inside in the pictures above. Here is what the lid inside looks like:

You get two zippered mesh pockets. When closed, the metal part of the zipper tucks under elastic material to prevent the zipper from opening - and from scratching your gear.

Think Tank Photo lists the Glass Limo Backpack's materials as:

External: All fabric exterior treated with a DWR coating while fabric underside is coated with PU for superior water resistance, YKK® RC Fuse (abrasion resistant) zippers, 1680 ballistic nylon bottom panel, 600D brushed polyester, 420D velocity nylon, 420D high-density nylon, 250D shadow rip-stop polyester, Ultra Stretch mesh pockets, 3D air mesh, 3-ply bonded nylon thread.

Internal: PE board reinforced removable closed cell velex foam dividers, 210D silver-toned nylon, PU backed velex liner, 2x PU coated nylon 210T seam-sealed taffeta rain cover, belly-o mesh pockets, 3-ply bonded nylon thread.

I prefer the appearance of the StreetWalker Pro slightly better, but the differences are of little practical value.

As I indicated in the beginning of the review, size is one of my favorite Think Tank Photo Glass Limo features. Here are the specs:

Exterior Dimensions: 9” W x 20” H x 9.2” D (22.9 × 50.8 × 23.4cm)
Interior Dimensions: 8.7” W x 19” H x 8.3” D (22.1 × 48.2 × 21.1cm)
Weight: 2.6-3.9 lbs (1.1-1.8 kg)

Comfortably and compactly carry up to a 500mm f/4 lens mounted to a pro body through a crowd - or through a dense forest. The airline-carry-on-compatible Glass Limo will protect your gear while you navigate the obstacles around you.

While the Think Tank Photo Glass Limo does not have my name on it, I feel like it was made just for me. Thanks Think Tank!