The "New Gear/Willy Waving" thread

[Greebo]

Lol yeah, 10kg is a lot of weight! Yes, thanks, from what you said it seems the 7L will be big enough.

You said you're upgrading to the magnetic clip. I just called Photospecialist and got put through to the Netherlands. He said he didn't know about the Fidlock magnetic clip nor is it mentioned on their website, but he would find out and email me.

Also, they're temporarily out of stock of both sizes (I just noticed it on their pages) and he will let me know in a couple of days when new stock is due in. Did you order yours before it went out of stock? And have you ordered the Fidlock clip directly from Wotancraft in the US?

I had looked at ordering from them but havent ordered yet. I think it was the main manufacturers website where I had seen the £134 price with the clip. On looking last night I couldn't see many options on photospecialist so I have specced up a bag on the main website in tw. Prices are the same is you assume you will be hit for 20% VAT when it arrives anyway. Only delay is the 18 days shipping time (or 9 days if you for fast shipping)

So far I have added the magnetic strap and the two clip on pouches which are on special offer if you buy two on their website - $25 each as opposed to the normal $40 each if buying single. Plus the filter/lens cap/coin zipper bag.

£18 each (plus vat potentially) seems a good deal for option pouches.

Total price now is $232 so £170 (plus VAT potentially).

Last two things i got from TW came with no vat to pay though so I may get lucky. I got my thinktank 7 from there directly as well. Came quicker then they stated as well.

 

[Merlin5]

Wotancraft is base in Taiwan.

Ah ok, thanks, thought it was USA.

I had looked at ordering from them but havent ordered yet. I think it was the main manufacturers website where I had seen the £134 price with the clip. On looking last night I couldn't see many options on photospecialist so I have specced up a bag on the main website in tw. Prices are the same is you assume you will be hit for 20% VAT when it arrives anyway. Only delay is the 18 days shipping time (or 9 days if you for fast shipping)

So far I have added the magnetic strap and the two clip on pouches which are on special offer if you buy two on their website - $25 each as opposed to the normal $40 each if buying single. Plus the filter/lens cap/coin zipper bag.

£18 each (plus vat potentially) seems a good deal for option pouches.

Total price now is $232 so £170 (plus VAT potentially).

Last two things i got from TW came with no vat to pay though so I may get lucky. I got my thinktank 7 from there directly as well. Came quicker then they stated as well.

Right, understood. I'll go to the Wotancraft site and price up and decide if I want to add the extra pouches.

I'll wait a couple of days though to see what photospecialist comes up with. One good thing he told me is that there's a 14 day cooling off period where if I'm not happy with the bag they'll refund me and also refund the return shipping cost which is about £25.

Just fyi, Mark Galer did an extensive review on YouTube which I watched last night, on the 7L and 10L. He said he recommends the zipper pouch as he struggled to get certain things in the pullstring pouch.

 

[Raymond Lin]

One of you guys should buy one and report back, I don't want to wear out my Ryker as fast

 

[Greebo]

Ah ok, thanks, thought it was USA.



Right, understood. I'll go to the Wotancraft site and price up and decide if I want to add the extra pouches.

I'll wait a couple of days though to see what photospecialist comes up with. One good thing he told me is that there's a 14 day cooling off period where if I'm not happy with the bag they'll refund me and also refund the return shipping cost which is about £25.

Just fyi, Mark Galer did an extensive review on YouTube which I watched last night, on the 7L and 10L. He said he recommends the zipper pouch as he struggled to get certain things in the pullstring pouch.

yeah i watched that as well hence I am going for two zipper pouches and not getting a pullstring pouch. There is already a pouch on one end for a drinks bottle, thats good enough for me.

Just realised that earlier in the week when i looked the bag was £6 cheaper from TW but the exchange rate must have shifted since then sadly.

Let us know what photospecialist say as if they can get the accessories I will buy from them I think. it will be quicker.

 

[Merlin5]

One of you guys should buy one and report back, I don't want to wear out my Ryker as fast

Hopefully we can let you know soon.

yeah i watched that as well hence I am going for two zipper pouches and not getting a pullstring pouch. There is already a pouch on one end for a drinks bottle, thats good enough for me.

Just realised that earlier in the week when i looked the bag was £6 cheaper from TW but the exchange rate must have shifted since then sadly.

Let us know what photospecialist say as if they can get the accessories I will buy from them I think. it will be quicker.

Will do, although I think your deal on the pouches from TW is better.

 

[Greebo]

Hopefully we can let you know soon.



Will do, although I think your deal on the pouches from TW is better.

Yeah £18 each sounds cheap for what they are bearing in mind they come with a shoulder strap so you can use them as a separate bag if you want.

 

[Merlin5]

Yeah £18 each sounds cheap for what they are bearing in mind they come with a shoulder strap so you can use them as a separate bag if you want.

Yep, very useful as a separate shoulder bags.

I just got an email back from photospecialist customer services saying "We have contacted our supplier and have been informed that the current delivery time is approximately 1-2 weeks. I hope to have imformed you sufficiently."

But he didn't mention anything about the magnetic clip which I specifically asked him to find out about and the cost to have it pre-installed. I don't know if it's easy to remove the default locking clip ourselves and install the Fidlock? I'll email him back but it might be better just buying from TW. The only issue with TW could be returns if we weren't happy.

 

[Greebo]

Yeah returns is really the only concern, shipping will probably be the same. I think Ill push the button tonight and order from TW. Just making sure in my head i can cope with the bag being 2cm less wide than my current one. I tend to carry my body attached to a lens in the middle sideways and two spare lens at each end. If I have to turn the camera body lengthways to fit it in, I maye want the extra length of 6cm the 10l one is over my current bag. Plus the extra 2cm height might come in handy for bigger lens like my 135mm f1.8 prime.

Hmmmm decisions. I wish I code go see both in a shop somewhere...........

 

[Raymond Lin]

If the quality is anything near the Ryker, £150 is a bargain. The Ryker is double that. If the difference is different leather and plastic vs brass hardware.

 

[Greebo]

If the quality is anything near the Ryker, £150 is a bargain. The Ryker is double that. If the difference is different leather and plastic vs brass hardware.

Not leather its waxed canvas

 

[Greebo]

Yep, very useful as a separate shoulder bags.

I just got an email back from photospecialist customer services saying "We have contacted our supplier and have been informed that the current delivery time is approximately 1-2 weeks. I hope to have imformed you sufficiently."

But he didn't mention anything about the magnetic clip which I specifically asked him to find out about and the cost to have it pre-installed. I don't know if it's easy to remove the default locking clip ourselves and install the Fidlock? I'll email him back but it might be better just buying from TW. The only issue with TW could be returns if we weren't happy.

Dead easy to fit yourself

https://www.wotancraft.tw/en/product/fidlock-magnetic-buckle

 

[Raymond Lin]

Not leather its waxed canvas

That explains the price and weight.

 

[Greebo]

That explains the price and weight.

Indeed but nothing wrong with waxed canvas and at least its waterproof unlike the Ryker

 

[Raymond Lin]

Indeed but nothing wrong with waxed canvas and at least its waterproof unlike the Ryker

My Crumpler backpack is wax and my Barbour messenger bag which I just use to keep my laptops in (which looks like the same build as the Wotancraft but bigger and cost twice as much), I like it as a material but a bitch to clean….as in i've never cleaned it!

 

[Merlin5]

Dead easy to fit yourself

https://www.wotancraft.tw/en/product/fidlock-magnetic-buckle

Ah excellent, that is easy. Because of returns, I'm thinking of waiting until photospecialist get their stock delivered. I guess I could order the Fidlock doom TW if photospecialist don't stock them.

Yeah returns is really the only concern, shipping will probably be the same. I think Ill push the button tonight and order from TW. Just making sure in my head i can cope with the bag being 2cm less wide than my current one. I tend to carry my body attached to a lens in the middle sideways and two spare lens at each end. If I have to turn the camera body lengthways to fit it in, I maye want the extra length of 6cm the 10l one is over my current bag. Plus the extra 2cm height might come in handy for bigger lens like my 135mm f1.8 prime.

Hmmmm decisions. I wish I code go see both in a shop somewhere...........

Same here, it's hard to know and would be nice to try it in a shop. It might just be best to go for the 10L.

 

[Merlin5]

Greebo, I received another email with good news about the Fidlock, so I think I'll now wait for Photospecialist to get their bags and the magnetic buckle, then order both knowing I can return them easily if I don't like it or decide to exchange the 7L for the 10L.

"Thank you for your response. We have asked our purchasing department whether it is possible to order this item for you. They told us that is not a problem! It only takes a while before the article is visible on the website. We expect it to be online this evening. The price of this article is €9.95 and the delivery time is about a week after ordering.

Angely | Customer service
Photospecialist "

 

[Greebo]

Yeah good plan. I think since i cant make my mind up on the size I will also buy from Photospecialist.

Then once I decide to keep either size I can then buy the pouches for $25 each direct from the manufacturer.

Best of both worlds then.

I might even just buy both sizes at once and then return the one I dont want.

 

[Merlin5]

Yeah good plan. I think since i cant make my mind up on the size I will also buy from Photospecialist.

Then once I decide to keep either size I can then buy the pouches for $25 each direct from the manufacturer.

Best of both worlds then.

I might even just buy both sizes at once and then return the one I dont want.

Indeed, that's also a good idea buying the pouches from TW and something I'd like to do if they don't add too much extra weight. But the bags look nicer with them attached.

If we buy the pouches directly from taiwan, there's possibly shipping charges, import tax and vat to make it as or more expensive than from Photospecialist. But you said you got away with not paying vat from TW orders in the past, so maybe we'd get lucky.

 

[Greebo]

Indeed, that's also a good idea buying the pouches from TW and something I'd like to do if they don't add too much extra weight. But the bags look nicer with them attached.

If we buy the pouches directly from taiwan, there's possibly shipping charges, import tax and vat to make it as or more expensive than from Photospecialist. But you said you got away with not paying vat from TW orders in the past, so maybe we'd get lucky.

Even with vat they are cheaper. £21.60 inc vat. I dont think photospecialist sells them for anywhere near that price?

 

[Merlin5]

Even with vat they are cheaper. £21.60 inc vat. I dont think photospecialist sells them for anywhere near that price?

Yes you're correct, their price is about £33. I thought there might be an import tax as well as vat but apparently import tax is vat. So even if there's a shipping charge from TW, it should still be cheaper than Photospecialist.