Need a new camera bag, suggestions?

Bartman

Bartman

Welcome to MultiRotorForums.com!!
Hi everyone,

As the operation continues to grow I've got to find a better way to carry my camera gear around with me. In the line up are a couple of DSLR's, a small (maybe inoperative) handicam, some GoPro's, maybe another DSLR, lenses, batteries, chargers, cleaning gear, etc. and a bag that can carry everything while not driving me mad would be a welcome addition. The local camera shop went out of business and the local big-box electronics store doesn't sell anything that can carry more than a single camera.

What have you guys been buying recently? What works or doesn't work? My current bag drives me crazy because flaps don't stay open and it seems like everything is a three step process to get into.

Would love to be introduced to a bag i could have a long term love affair with. :)

Thanks
Bart
 

kloner

kloner

Aerial DP


DucktileMedia

DucktileMedia

Drone Enthusiast
I have a Canon dslr backpack and an Osprey from REI which pretty much do the job when a pelican turns into a pelicant. :)
 

O

onlocation

Member
Pelican Storm IM2500 with top organizer zipper pockets, the padded Velcro divider, and backpack conversion.

+Easy to configure to suit different gear
+Extremely tough
+Easy to handle
+Ready for any type of travel including airline carry-on
+Lockable, secure, low profile

-Heavy
-Expensive

I use a couple Pelican Storm IM2500 cases for a range of gear. They are nearly identical to the Pelican 1510 case except they use a nicer latch that is just as secure but easier to operate. They are absolutely bomb proof. The first job I took the case on there was a kid who was working grip for the film crew, he was unloading the snow machines we rode in on and was dropping the gear down a 10 foot snow bank onto the rocks below as we all watched from a few hundred feet away (too far to yell at him). Luckily everything important was in Pelican cases, and everything survived without a scratch (he didn't survive that job). I've owned half a dozen Pelican Storm cases of different sizes since then. I dropped one in a river off a raft and watched it float down the river for about 2-3 minutes before we could catch up. I checked one into airline baggage and later from inside the airport I watched it fall off the very top of the loading ramp going into the airplane. The ramp guy picked it up and threw it 15 feet back up into the airplane from the ground below!

You can configure it to transport gear to a shoot, like all of the cameras, lens, and sensitive electronics, then transform it to be a day pack to have on location. The padded dividers work a lot better than the pluck and pull foam layers for this reason.

I converted a high quality expedition style backpack to carry it. You can remove the wheel/handle system from the case and bolt the backpack directly to the case, which saves weight and gives a pretty manageable backpack for long hikes. You can hike into a location with everything you need on your back and both hands free to handle the helicopter. You can also attach the backpack with straps while the wheels and handle are also attached, making it perfect for traveling airports. The extendable handle is strong enough to pile on other luggage and drag it behind on the wheels, which is nice when your also carrying 10 5000mah 6s packs in a metal ammo can.

I have a Lowepro sling style pack, Lowpro backpack, Canon camera backpack, KATA laptop/DSLR bag, Timbuk2 messenger style camera bag, and a few others I can't remember. All of them combined don't get used half as much as the Pelicans. I think there are some professionally made backpack conversions available now for them too.
 
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jfro

jfro

Aerial Fun
I use 1 of these, it's great plus carries a 15" laptop. They are discontinued, but can still find em new and used. I scored a deal on e-bay for a new one @ 25 cents on the dollar. Crazy deal.

http://www.amazon.com/Tamrac-Black-...m_sbs_p_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1ABYRP6E6SBJKQP42E6J

I also use 2 of these... Lowel Pro. Nova 200

http://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-Nova-...F8&qid=1403141617&sr=8-1&keywords=nova+200+aw.

Lens, cameras, radios, lcd's, etc etc. Fit a ton of stuff in there. The Tamrac is a back back and the lowel pro's are slung over the side. I've worn it as a fanny pack with extra strap.

Both of these are configurable with velcro dividers.
 

SMP

SMP

Member
Samsonite carry on 4 wheel spinner and divider inserts. Fits everything, doesn't hurt my back hauling it, doesn't standout and scream "camera gear in here, take me!" Bart I've got a huge backpack, a bunch of small and medium backpacks and a full think tank system I can either trade or sell if you decide to go that route.

Remembered the Insert brand - Calumet ( Around 40 bucks)
http://www.amazon.com/Calumet-Inserts-Rolling-Camera-Case/dp/B001GEVF5S/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt

Oh what does it fit? 3 Bodies w Grips, 70-200 w 1.4/2X, 24-70, 16-35, 24, 50, 85, 100, 17TSE, 15 Fish, LCDVF and 580ex2 plus a bunch o crap in the lid.

We use 7-8 of these and in the off chance we need the bag to put clothes in, we pull the insert. Have used hard cases and the sheer cost/inconspicuous/convenience of this set up just makes more sense for us. Plus, its a carry on! The spendy stuff rides in the tray overhead not down below.
 
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JoeBob

JoeBob

Elevation via Flatulation
Bart, we gotta talk you out of soft cases.

Being a photographer since 1976 means that I've tried almost everything; LowePro, Tamrac, and other brand name bags.

Soft Bag Pros:
Portable on location. Sling it over your shoulder and go.
Smaller storage footprint
Less wasted space inside the bag. Configuration options.
Soft Bag Cons:
Soft. Does not protect from bang, drop, theft and water as well as a hard case.
Wears out. Gets ragged after a few years, and starts to look un-professional.

I finally discovered Doskocil, made a bulk purchase, and haven't needed to change since.

Assembled gear ready to pull and shoot:
View attachment 18735

Components wrapped for protection:
View attachment 18736
I quit wasting my time with custom cut foam inserts. Different shoots, different gear. Equipment changes over the years, so will configurations. Now I wrap lens, cameras and laptops with neoprene protectors and pack them in.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=16164&is=REG&Q=&A=details

Small parts go in a tray that gets secured by closing the lid:
View attachment 18738

Do these cases look like they've been crammed into student photographers' trunks, stuffed under stages, survived international air travel, and shipped around the Southeast by UPS? For 25 years?
View attachment 18739

XL Inside Dimensions - 18-7/8" x 14-1/4" x 8-1/2" $180:
L Inside Dimensions - 17-1/4" x 12" x 7-1/4" $120

http://www.markertek.com/Digital-Video-Production/Equipment-Storage-Cases/Doskocil-Cases/65400.xhtml

Oh, and an XL holds a DiscoPro if you break off the props:
View attachment 18740
 

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Bartman

Bartman

Welcome to MultiRotorForums.com!!
interesting post JoeBob and it gets me thinking that I have a plastic padded RC transmitter case in the basement that might be big enough to hold what I have, I'll have to give it a look and see if it would work. what's nice about the soft cases is that they'd go into the back of my car without much fuss and that's how i get to most all of my jobs. you're right though that the hard cases will look better longer and do more to keep everything safe. i'll see what i can fit in the plastic case i have and go from there.

thanks again to everyone for the comments.

bart
 

Mojave

Mojave

Member
SMP said:
Samsonite carry on 4 wheel spinner and divider inserts. Fits everything, doesn't hurt my back hauling it, doesn't standout and scream "camera gear in here, take me!" Bart I've got a huge backpack, a bunch of small and medium backpacks and a full think tank system I can either trade or sell if you decide to go that route.

Remembered the Insert brand - Calumet ( Around 40 bucks)
http://www.amazon.com/Calumet-Inserts-Rolling-Camera-Case/dp/B001GEVF5S/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt

Oh what does it fit? 3 Bodies w Grips, 70-200 w 1.4/2X, 24-70, 16-35, 24, 50, 85, 100, 17TSE, 15 Fish, LCDVF and 580ex2 plus a bunch o crap in the lid.

We use 7-8 of these and in the off chance we need the bag to put clothes in, we pull the insert. Have used hard cases and the sheer cost/inconspicuous/convenience of this set up just makes more sense for us. Plus, its a carry on! The spendy stuff rides in the tray overhead not down below.
Click to expand...

Wow SMP are these still available. Amazon page announces: "Currently unavailable. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock." They look really good with the stealth of any 'carry on case' built in and just what I would like.

Bart - good thread starter THANKS
 


Bartman

Bartman

Welcome to MultiRotorForums.com!!
Mojave said:
Wow SMP are these still available. Amazon page announces: "Currently unavailable. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock." They look really good with the stealth of any 'carry on case' built in and just what I would like.

Bart - good thread starter THANKS
Click to expand...

my pleasure :)

the best advice i've seen so far was to ditch the pre-cut slots and just wrap stuff and pack it all in. i could probably get my dear old mum to make a few fabric bags to put stuff in which would work out great.

:)
 

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