Camera gear cases...

[bigsarg7]

Well i'm going to be the owner of not just 1 camera body now but 2. With 4 or 5 lenses, an sb800 flash and multiple CF memory cards and leads and chargers etc. I'm finding that I need a bigger case to lug all my gear around for all the events etc that I take it all to. Currently I have one of these : http://protog.com.au/large-professional ... p-139.html
I find by the time I get my d200 and mbd200 attached, flash, and current lenses in, that I've run out of room and I can't access things as easy as I used to. I love this bag but find it too small and i think with another body and a lens or two it's going to be too small.

I've got a wedding in Townsville on the 7th of may, which i have been asked to be their photographer, so i need to get it all and a reflector up there in one bag that I can carry onto the plane, i had been thinking of getting a TENBA roadie small or universal case, but not sure if they'll fit everything and or if it will fit on the plane etc. I'll be putting the tripod in my traveling bag which i will be checking in, but i'd rather have my actual cameras inside the plane with me.

So basically has anyone got something that they can personally suggest or do you know of something that I don't, or does anyone have one they no longer need and want to offload etc. I'd rather invest in something now that will last a while and that I wont out grow again in any hurry.

Thanks for looking hope to hear from some other users out there.

bigsarg7

[tommyg]

The Kata Bumblebee is pretty good for fitting in a couple of bodies and lenses, or their bigger HB-207 fits quite a lot in it - although the size might be questioned when trying to get onto a plane.

Their website (www.kata-bags.com) has some good images of these bags, and shows what they can fit.

Cheers
Tom

[aim54x]

Dont forget to check out the Lowepro's...Flipside 400AW (couple of very happy owners here), Pro Runner 450AW and the Vertex 200 AW (although these two getting towards the upper limit of carry on though)

[bigsarg7]

excellent thanks guys, i've been searching when i get a chance (rare with my 3 kids on a weekend) to check a few out. Came across Vanguard....don't know much about them so i'm about to look into them as well as your suggestions too. So thank you so much, does any one have any other suggestions? i rarely fly, so can i put something under my seat? or only in the above seat compartments? As my concern is the weight of most cases are 5 - 6 kg's and the limit is like 7 or 10 so with all my gear in it i think it will be too heavy? what do you think? new at all this flight issue stuff.....but i need something i can use in everyday times as well, eg Weddings I do locally....can't really say a back pack will look nice on me! lol

[radar]

In terms of how much gear it can take, the Kiboko by Gura Gear is an amazing bag. It is airline carry-on regulation size. Also, is weighs very little, probably the lightest in its class. Yet, the gear is well protected. If you don't want to use it as a backpack, you can put away the harness and it looks like a luggage case. Mine has been around the world and multiple flights, never a problem. They aren't cheap but worth it if you travel and want to have your gear on the plane with you.

With the AUD$ doing so well, certainly better price now then when I bought mine a couple years ago

Have a look at http://www.guragear.com/

André

[who]

Buy a vest and wear your gear.

Seriously - they rarely weigh bags, if you don't make them look heavy anyway.

My backpack (a larger Tamrac) with D200 + L plate, 80-400VR, 28-70 2.8, SB800, misc cards, batteries, and Dell laptop (say 3kg with charger) usually weighs about 13kg.....

That bag really only fits the D200, SB800, 80-400, 10-20, 28-70 & 50 lens nicely, plus laptop and odds & sods, its not a 2 body bag.

Only on one Dash8 flight (4kg limit then) was it weighed..... and by removing the D200 and "wearing it" with the 28-70 + SB800 + pocketing all batteries, cards, 50 f1.8 lens etc, I did get the bag to be ~4kg and allowed to baord without checking any of it in.....


Other option is to get a Pelican case and kit it out well then check it in...... between the foam insides and the hard shell it should be a match for the baggage throwers.

[Mr Darcy]

Funny you should raise this.
I am travelling at the moment. I Have the following:
Kata 3n1-33
I am carrying
Nikon: D200, D300, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 105VR, Teleconverter (TC20EMk3), SB900, Sigma 10-20USM, Extra batteries, cards etc.
And a 15" MacBookPro
Total weight about 15Kg.
No problems with it all
I did get weighed at El Calafete (5kg limit for carry on) and they wanted to reject me. I told them I had a camera and computer in it and they waved me through.
Then Murray who I am travelling with went through the same procedure. His bag came in at 22kg (Carry on!!!)
Even after the camera and laptop statement they were still saying "too heavy - It must be checked in" He resisted & they finally asked him to open it. They looked at each other and waved him through too.
His bag:
Thinktank International 2.0
D3s & D3
300 f2.8, 85 f1.4, 180 f2.8, 105 f2 50 f1.4 14-24 f2.8 & TC20E Mk3, Chargers, 3x Portable HDDs, 17" Sony Laptop, extra batteries
Plus miscellaneous extras.

I am also using a Scottie Vest for all the extra paraphernalia, but I admit I don't like it much. I also admit to being in the minority here. I have had them recommended from various sources.

As an aside, one of the people - Martin Bailey, a professional wildlife photographer- we met on our travels recommended that all lenses and bodies be separated for travel as a knock can easily damage the camera and/or body at the mount. He also claims they take up less space this way.
I am not taking this precaution & so far have not had any problems.

I very much like my setup & I know Murray likes his too.

[aim54x]

I did get weighed at El Calafete (5kg limit for carry on) and they wanted to reject me. I told them I had a camera and computer in it and they waved me through.
Then Murray who I am travelling with went through the same procedure. His bag came in at 22kg (Carry on!!!)
Even after the camera and laptop statement they were still saying "too heavy - It must be checked in" He resisted & they finally asked him to open it. They looked at each other and waved him through too.

I'm sure most people who see that sort of gear would be like....hmmm lets let them pass. You would be crazy to ask someone to check it in, and you also dont want to be held responsible. Although, at 15kg and 22kg you boys are pushing the friendship to the extreme

Back to the OP's question. With your current gear, do also have a look at the Lowepro Stealth Reporter range, they are really useful for event/wedding work and can eat a surprising amount of gear.

[muzz]

I have been hearing a bit about these f-stop camera bags lately on some blogs. They have some interesting points of difference including the opening being against your back (so you don't get wet/dirty after putting it on the ground to get gear in/out), and also a thing called an ICU (internal camera unit) which can be removed and carried separately for instance on a plane although the bags themselves are apparently airline compliant. These ICU's come in different sizes also. Another point is it doesn't scream "camera bag" at you so will go a little more un-noticed as such. They have a few different sizes and styles to choose from.

There is an Australian agent now - Rod Thomas.

[aim54x]

I have been hearing a bit about these f-stop camera bags lately on some blogs. They have some interesting points of difference including the opening being against your back (so you don't get wet/dirty after putting it on the ground to get gear in/out), and also a thing called an ICU (internal camera unit) which can be removed and carried separately for instance on a plane although the bags themselves are apparently airline compliant. These ICU's come in different sizes also. Another point is it doesn't scream "camera bag" at you so will go a little more un-noticed as such. They have a few different sizes and styles to choose from.

There is an Australian agent now - Rod Thomas.

These look interesting!

[photomarcs]

I have been hearing a bit about these f-stop camera bags lately on some blogs. They have some interesting points of difference including the opening being against your back (so you don't get wet/dirty after putting it on the ground to get gear in/out), and also a thing called an ICU (internal camera unit) which can be removed and carried separately for instance on a plane although the bags themselves are apparently airline compliant. These ICU's come in different sizes also. Another point is it doesn't scream "camera bag" at you so will go a little more un-noticed as such. They have a few different sizes and styles to choose from.

There is an Australian agent now - Rod Thomas.

These look interesting!

Had a customer come in with one at Macarthur... well not this model.. but an F Stop bag.. i couldn't help but notice the quality.