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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
rolling bag recommendation
Daniel Putz, Photographer
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Jefferson | MD | USA | Posted: 10:36 AM on 08.19.09 |
->> I need a replacement bag, preferably rolling, to house my 300 & 400 2.8 lenses.
Would the ThinkTank AirportSecurity be large enough? Any there any others I should take a look at?
I'm sick of lugging around those stupid cases... |
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Brian Tietz, Photographer
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Fort Myers | FL | USA | Posted: 10:54 AM on 08.19.09 |
| ->> Think Tank Airport security is an amazing bag. I tried everything from Tamrac to Lowepro, and nothing was as well designed for packing and protecting the most amount of camera gear in the smallest amount of space. The thing that separates it from other rollers is its interior depth. The photo on their website show Mangin's bag with 400mm plus plenty of other gear. |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 11:08 AM on 08.19.09 |
| ->> +1 on the Think Tank. Lovin mine. |
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Andrew Knapik, Photographer, Assistant
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Lincoln Park | MI | USA | Posted: 12:24 PM on 08.19.09 |
| ->> Another recomendation for the TT Airport Security. Best bag I have ever owned. |
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Andrew Carpenean, Photographer
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Laramie | WY | USA | Posted: 12:27 PM on 08.19.09 |
->> This model from Lowe Pro caught my eye the Pro Roller x300 case, due out this month. I've used Lowe Pro products my entire career and have been a happy camper. Although I am not so sure about packing in a 400 f2.8 in this model.
Think tank may have better wheels.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=lowe+pro+roller+300&N=0&InitialSearch=yes |
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Tim Vizer, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Belleville | IL | USA | Posted: 12:44 PM on 08.19.09 |
->> Hi Dan:
TT Airport...I use it for either a 300 or a 400 no problems. Built exceedingly well. It's just like a photographer designed it (oh wait, they did!).
Tim |
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Steven Ickes, Photographer
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Mechanicsburg | PA | USA | Posted: 2:41 PM on 08.19.09 |
| ->> Another vote for TT Airport. As previously mentioned the interior depth of this thing is simply amazing. I've had three bodies, a 400, a 300, a few other lenses, and other accessories easily packed into this thing. Beyond that the attention to detail and quality is unmatched. |
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David Seelig, Photographer
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Hailey | ID | USA | Posted: 3:42 PM on 08.19.09 |
| ->> I had a lightware roller piece of junk. I have a think tank roller great roller |
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Daniel Putz, Photographer
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Jefferson | MD | USA | Posted: 4:12 PM on 08.19.09 |
| ->> Good to know it's large enough for both a 300 & a 400. I have an AIv2 and love it! Thanks! |
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Brian Cripe, Photographer, Assistant
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Palm Beach | FL | USA | Posted: 4:17 PM on 08.19.09 |
| ->> I've used the thinktank and the new LowePro x300(buddy was test driving it for LowePro) and they are both good bags, but I think the quality of the ThinkTank was a little higher. The ThinkTank also weighed less. I've been using mine for several years and it's been rock solid - even put a 400 and 600 in with other lenses. You get a full football setup, basketball with remotes, etc in one bag. Awesome. |
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D. Ross Cameron, Photographer
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Oakland | CA | USA | Posted: 4:25 PM on 08.19.09 |
| ->> Yet another endorsement here for the Think Thank Airport Security. Fits my 400 perfectly, along with myriad other equipment. |
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Ivan Pierre Aguirre, Student/Intern, Assistant
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El Paso | TX | United States | Posted: 4:39 PM on 08.23.09 |
->> Hey guys,
Q. So do you guys take this ThinkTank AirportSecurity rolling case on daily sporting assignment or is it mainly designed just for travel? Im looking for something to hold a 400mm f2.8, bodies etc when I go on daily assignments.
Also, Is there a "slot" to hold a laptop in the case? |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 5:18 PM on 08.23.09 |
->> If I am taking more than my "basic gear" ---meaning hauling long glass --- the Thank Tank Airport Airport Security is what I use for sports assignments.
In the past few months I have used the TTP Airport Security for several baseball games, basketball games, soccer matches, a football game in addition to several portrait shoots. All local assignments.
When I travel the Airport Security is usually my carry on bag.
There are lots of choices and options out there obviously. Packing gear and choice of bags/cases is a sort of personal deal. Take a long look at your options...if there's a good local pro shop, put your choices side-by-side to compare. |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 7:25 PM on 08.23.09 |
| ->> If anybody has used both the Think Tank Airport Addicted and Airport Security can you give me some feedback on the pros and cons of each. Which one would you choose? Does the Airport Addicted still meet domestic carry-on regulations? I ask because I'm currently using a Tamrac roller that I love but is a bit small for my needs when I need to carry a 400 f/2.8, and a fellow shooter local to me has an Addicted for sale for half of what the Security would cost me new. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 8:21 PM on 08.23.09 |
->> Biggest difference is the Aiport Security is a roller and the Airport Addicted us a backpack.
According to the company's website, dimensions of the two products:
Addicted:
Internal Dimensions:
20” H x13.5” W x 6.5” D
Security:
Internal Dimensions:
13” W x 7-8” D x 21” H |
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Mike Doran, Photographer
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Petaluma | CA | U.S.A. | Posted: 8:31 PM on 08.23.09 |
| ->> There is only one bag to have the Think Tank Airport Security or Airport International. |
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Stanley Leary, Photographer
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Roswell | GA | USA | Posted: 8:33 PM on 08.23.09 |
->> Lowepro roller 1
I have had it before Thinktank made theirs. Since it works, I haven't replaced it. |
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Brian Tietz, Photographer
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Fort Myers | FL | USA | Posted: 8:42 PM on 08.23.09 |
| ->> Brian, Stay away from the backpack and get the Airport Security Roller, your back will thank you. I used a Lowepro Computrekker Plus backpack (similar size to Airport Addicted) for a few years and the roller is way better, Plus the Airport Security includes backpack straps if you really need a workout. Again the absolute best part about the Airport Security is its depth, at 7-8 inches deep there is nothing else out there that compares. |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 9:04 PM on 08.23.09 |
| ->> Robert, Mike and Brian, thanks. As it turns out, you're right, I was mistaken. I was under the impression that the Addicted was a roller too. Darn, I knew that price was too good to be true. I'll fork over the extra cash for a new Security since it's coming so highly recommended here. Thanks guys. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 9:11 PM on 08.23.09 |
->> Unless there is a reason, price I guess could be one, if you are hauling around long glass (400mm, 600mm) a roller is the way to go.
I have both the TTP Airport Security and the Addicted and my back and shoulders appreciate the roller.
But back to Mr. Putz's original topic: You should be able to get a 400mm in the Airport Security without a problem. In the past week I have covered a football game and a soccer match, and the 600mm fit fine, For the football game this is what I had packed in the roller:
2 - Nikon D3 bodies
600mm f/4
70-200mm f/2.8
24-70mm f/2.8
TC-14
TC-17
2 - spare batteries
Card wallet
Aquatech collapsible lens hood
Misc "stuff" (Sharpies, cleaning cloths, screwdriver set)
(There is a small photo of the packed roller on an entry at my "don't-call-it-a-blog" test site: http://rhanashiro.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/new-season/) |
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Chris Large, Photographer
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Okotoks | AB | Canada | Posted: 9:47 PM on 08.23.09 |
->> I can't say enough good things about Think Tank Airport Security .......except....I've been challenged a few times about the weight, not the size. I've had to pull out a couple of bodies and or long glass and have them on my shoulder to get by the weight restrictions,or I've begged and pleaded and the gate agent looked the other way, and one time they happily agreed to tag it as "gate checked" meaning that as you board you leave it with the strollers and car seats at the end of the breeze way - funny thing...the tag "fell off" as I walked to the plane and I proceeded to put the bag in the overhead compartment.
Link to a story I did a couple of years ago about traveling with the roller bag.
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1710 |
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Rafael Agustin Delgado, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Pasadena / Fullerton | Ca | USA | Posted: 10:54 PM on 08.23.09 |
->> Another node for Think Tank Airport Security
It made my recent road trip a breeze. If it did not fit in the bag, it did not go. Its hard to beat there warranty for the original buyer. |
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Andrew Wheeler, Photographer
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Capitola | CA | USA | Posted: 11:12 AM on 08.24.09 |
->> As I travel Internationally a lot these days I went on a search for the Airport International V2 roller and found one! They're pretty rare in the US right now.
I *used* to use a Lightware Digital backpack and it served me well for the last 5 years, except with the obvious aggro of having to hump around all that on my back. Plus, the words "bag check" became synonymous with security checks..
So I purchased the the AI V2 before I left for Brno to cover GP the other week and through umpteen security checks not a peep or "bag check" from anyone...plus I splurged on a new briefcase, the airport check in and was happy as a clam just rolling through airports.
Oh, and it even fits into any sizer without an issue.
Andrew
http://www.automotophoto.com |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 2:53 PM on 08.24.09 |
->> Lowepro made a wonderful roller a few years ago that is now, unfortunately, discontinued.
I got the Lowepro Roadrunner AW before the Athens Summer Olympics and at the time, felt it was the best out there.
Well designed and constructed and held a lot of gear (including a 400mm f/2.8). I am not sure why it was discontinued.
As everyone above have written, there are lots of options...with more coming I think. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 11:24 AM on 08.27.09 |
->> Ivan --- There are a couple of ways to pack a laptop in a TTP roller. There is a large external pocket that will easily accommodate a laptop in a sleeve.
What I do is use the Low Cut Dividers and place my laptop in a TTP laptop sleeve on top of my gear.
The only "disadvantage" of the Think Tank Photo rollers is the tendency to pack them with so much gear that it becomes too heavy. |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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102 Yards From The Beach | CT | | Posted: 11:36 AM on 08.27.09 |
->> I know I'm late to the game here, but the Think Tank Airport International & Think Tank Airport Security bags are some of the best (if not the best) bags currently available.
The ability to tear apart the bag and use the 5-sides of Velcro with the supplied dividers (or others you have) make them ideal platforms for completely customizing a bag. I used the Airport Addicted (backpack) for years and was astounded by the gear I could pack in there, which has included a 400f2.8 & 500f4, along with 3 bodies and 3 smaller zooms and two monopods. The only problem I really had was carrying the bag on my back for extended periods of time...with a roller than is not really an issue.
Tenba make an OK roller, but it won't do what you want and LowePro did make an excellent roller which I think was discontinued in 2006.
The smaller Airport International should be able to hold the 400f2.8 & 300f2.8 with two bodies and smaller lenses with some creative (yet safe and reliable) packing techniques. The Airport Security will hold more and is easier to to pack a laptop with. Personally I don't tend to like packing my laptop with a roller bag for a few reasons, however for your needs you should be OK with either Think tank rolling bag.
Happy Flying! |
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