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When it comes to transporting valuable photographic gear, making the journey from Point A to Point B can be as complicated as setting up a shoot. You need to worry about how to get your equipment through airport security in the face of increasingly stringent travel regulations, making your photographic arsenal inconspicuous to avoid theft, and keeping your gear safe from the elements once you actually arrive on location.
This is where a trusted bag or case can prove invaluable-and once a photographer finds a carrying vessel he or she trusts, it's hard to instigate brand defection. So what should you be looking for?
Of course, the basics rank high on every photographer's wish list, including portability, durability, and innovation, all backed by a manufacturer's promise that the bag will deliver on its carrying claims. "There's no perfect bag-guess that's why there are so many case makers!" comments Gary Pond, president of Porter Case. "No perfect case-and you must work within a given volume of space. Because our cases are a working tool for the professional, our trend [therefore] has been aimed at giving the best quality and warranty support possible."
Its ultimate purpose of getting your gear from one place to the other is probably the most important factor-which means the bag or case should be easy to handle. "The trend I see (it's always been around, but it's becoming more and more important) is the desire to have wheels on the case," says Donald Cronkite, sales manager for Seahorse Protective Equipment Cases.
Pond concurs regarding transport. "Our Porter Case and new PCX cases have a patented built-in CART (trolley) system," he explains. "Our cases help [photographers] to protect, carry, and organize their most expensive and delicate items. The airline carry-on allows them to roll their best on board...and check the rest."
Another trend that photographers may be seeing more of in the bag and case marketplace is actually an estrogen-driven one. "The biggest trend that Delsey has seen are more women coming into pro photography," says Aaron Altman, director of sales and marketing for Delsey Camera Bags. "These women are talented, with great photographic feel, [and they] want equipment that they feel comfortable with-especially bags and cases. The Delsey design works very well for them, especially our new Corium and Cortex collections."
What the cases are made of is also important. "Our growth over the last five years shows us that hard-sided cases are gaining [in popularity]," says Seahorse's Cronkite. Porter Case has also been analyzing their materials usage and bag construction. "Our newest material change has been to go from ABS plastic shells to a tougher Mil-Spec HDPE high-impact plastic," says Pond. "[And] the cut-and-sew bags are trending toward more pouches, pockets, and zippered areas."
Keeping up aesthetically appealing appearances has impacted Delsey's manufacturing mission. "The Corium line, for example, is made in a soft-pebble leather that's buttery soft and holds pro gear, with a subtle design that's similar to a designer bag or case," explains Altman.
Safety First
Even if your bag is the envy of the every fashionista photographer, however, a careless baggage handler can wreak havoc on your traveling studio, while a larcenous looter can pilfer your gear in the blink of an eye. This is why manufacturers have implemented tough security features into their products to help you keep your equipment safe.
"Pros who travel frequently are constantly having to open their bags and cases to go through security, and then close their cases properly so that they are securing their gear," says Altman. "Delsey cases are designed for easy open and close, with built-in magnetic strips to keep them secure."
"Probably the biggest buzzword in cases and luggage over the last few years has been TSA locks-which in my opinion are kind of a joke," adds Pond. "I've heard too many stories about equipment being stolen after checking. We offer a TSA padlock for our Stowaway shipping cases, and several companies like Master Lock offer a web belt with TSA combination that can go around a case and though the strap handle. There is no good solution for personal property protection when many people have access to the special TSA ‘Pass Keys.' The locks may help airline security, but they sure don't do anything positive to protect the traveler's personal property. Our hard-side carry-on cases come with a combination lock that's useful for gate-checking or working on-site. We're thinking of offering a bicycle-style wire or chain with a combination lock to help secure the case to a pole or other structure. Locking a soft-sided case is only making the owner feel safe-until someone twists off the zipper lock or they get the case back slashed open. They really offer no protection from theft."
Cronkite concurs. "We've just introduced new locking latches being pioneered on our featured aircraft carry-on case," he says. "Because not everyone has or wants to use TSA padlocks, our twist-and-stay-closed latches provide safety, especially during aircraft luggage handling, while allowing access to TSA operators who find the need to open cases for examination."
Of course, bringing your equipment into the passenger cabin is the ultimate way to ensure its safety. "Delsey has been in the luggage business for decades and knows how to make bags and cases geared for travel-our bags and cases are designed to fit in most overhead airline compartments," says Altman.
Cronkite adds, "All of our cases, except our very largest, can be carried aboard aircraft and stowed in the overhead bin of most major airlines. The larger the case that's allowed means carrying more gear that doesn't have to be relegated to baggage handling. Our aircraft carry-on case, for example, provides interior room of over 2,579 cubic inches, yet it fits into these bins. This is the best way to keep equipment where it's the safest-with you."
Read on for some new products...
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Adorama |
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Avenues in Leather |
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Billingham/RTS |
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BODA Lens Bag |
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Booq |
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Case Logic |
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Crumpler |
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Delsey |
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Denny Manufacturing |
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Domke |
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GoBEE Bags |
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Hardigg Storm |
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Kata |
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Lightware |
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Lowepro |
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Mountainsmith |
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M-Rock |
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Naneu Pro |
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Neil Enterprises |
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Norris Clipper Carts |
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OP/TECH USA |
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OtterBox |
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Pelican |
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Photogenic |
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Photographer's Warehouse |
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Porter Case |
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Seahorse |
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Slappa |
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Tamrac |
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Tenba |
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Think Tank Photo |
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Tutto |
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Underwater Kinetics |
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Photographer Testimonials |
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Adorama "I've vowed never to use shoulder bags anymore; I can't get everything for my shoot into a fanny pack, and I don't want to schlep around a wheeled duffel, either. But now I use a Joe Farace Reporter backpack. After reconfiguring the inner, movable dividers, I packed my spare camera (Canon EOS 5D), two Canon Speedlite 580EX [units], two Canon battery packs, a variety of clamps, gaffer tape, reflectors, an umbrella bracket, an umbrella, and one light stand, and I slung that puppy onto my shoulder. It worked like a charm. I may even buy another one from Adorama."-Barry Staver, www.barrystaver.com |
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Hardigg Storm "The versatility and protection I get with my Storm Case makes it a winner for me. As a location shooter, I need to be agile and self-contained. We move around a lot and often wind up in some harsh environments. I use several different strobe systems, and the adjustable dividers make it easy for me to adapt the fit. One compact case holds an entire lighting kit, along with accessories like grids and speed rings. I feel confident that my gear is secure."-Dave White, www.davewhitephoto.com |
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Lowepro "Working with Lowepro gives me the assurance I need for every type of job. Last year on assignment in Bangkok, shooting Muay Thai kickboxing, I worked effortlessly and efficiently out of the Commercial AW. This year, traveling very light through Cambodia and Vietnam, I worked out of the Fastpack 350 and was able to carry all I needed for my digital captures and computer downloads. The versatility and design of their bags definitely make them my first choice."-Greg Gorman, www.greggormanphotography.com |
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Naneu Pro "As a photographer I specialize in adventure travel, but I also shoot all aspects of destination travel and often must shoot both on the same trip. This always means packing a wide range of lenses and being able to carry them easily and comfortably for long distances. I've owned and tested many camera bags and packs, and my search has led me to the K4L from Naneu Pro. This photo backpack hits the right-size sweet spot by holding two Pentax DSLRs, six lenses from 10mm to 300mm, a big flash, filters, plus clothes, food, water, and my 15-inch MacBook Pro. I actually carried this gear set on a multiday hike into the Grand Canyon, staying at Phantom Ranch. The K4L's superbly padded back pads, shoulder straps, and hip straps made carrying this weight as comfortable as one can be on 20-plus miles of rough vertical hiking trails. It was the best my shoulders have felt after a trip like this that I can ever remember! Add in a fitted rain cover and being able to carry a complete travel photo gear set that fits in airline overhead, and you've got a pack you'll take on most every trip, as I am. Simply put, the K4L's intelligent design lets me carry the gear I need into rough places, and to do so in comfort. All the right features, well made for the long haul, a great-looking design-these make the K4L a delight to use. This year, I'll be in Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Costa Rica, Panama, wherever the stories lead me."-Kerrick James, www.kerrickjames.com |
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Pelican "I have been a commercial photographer for 20 years and have logged many airline miles carrying my equipment to various locations. In the past, I've always had to carry on two cases for all of my equipment, but with new laws prohibiting two carry-ons, traveling became a challenge: Which camera do you sacrifice to the baggage handlers, your $10,000 or $30,000 camera? With the new Pelican PCS283 RSV case, I can carry all my equipment in just one compact bag. In addition to its ample main storage area, the case has a removable computer compartment that holds my 17-inch laptop. There are many other features I appreciate about the Pelican RSV Series case. The look of the bag is appealing. It looks like a suitcase and, therefore, does not 'advertise' photo equipment. The extra-large wheels make this case easy to maneuver because it rides smoothly on all surfaces. The leather handles are sturdy and reliable for carrying when necessary. All-in-all, I'm pleased with my Pelican PCS283 RSV case. It has become a standard piece of equipment for my work."-Charlie Mayer, www.charliemayer.com |
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Tamrac "Tamrac's Big Wheels Rolling StrongBox LP2 is nothing short of spectacular. Of course, this should come as no surprise, as Tamrac bags have kept my cameras safe and secure since way back in the Dark Ages before digital. Since I'm on the road more than a third of the year, nothing is more important to me than keeping every piece of my equipment safe and easy to access. Nothing, that is, except making it easy to move. Tamrac cases are by far the easiest to maneuver!"-Doug Gordon, www.patkenphotographer.com |
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Think Tank Photo "My Think Tank Photo bags have seen more countries than a lot of people will ever see. Everyone knows there's no such thing as one perfect bag, but my combination of Airport Security, and Digital Holsters is as close to ideal as it comes. These bags have carried, stored, protected, and organized my gear from Mongolia to the Sahara. Brilliantly built and without gimmicks, my gear is always right where I need it, when I need it."-David duChemin, www.pixelatedimage.com |
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