I'm looking for a good quality roller-bag I can use for domestic travel and local shoots. I'm interested in the Think Tank Airport International 2 or the Airport Security 2 vs the new Lowepro Roller x200 (or x100) series. How do the two compare? From specs it looks like the Think Tank line is a bit smaller but more likely to be trouble-free as a carry-on. However, the LowePro rollers have a built-in pack that can be zipped out of the shell to allow you to carry-on the gear instead of gate-checking (for small regional jets). Would you be comfortable gate-checking either of them? I imagine a hard-case like a Pelican would be a safer bet for gate-checked gear..
If you have experience with these bags or other helpful suggestions I'd love to hear it!
I don't have any experience with the Lowepro(s) you are looking at but I did just buy the Airport Security v2 to replace a Tamrac 692 LP2. The one thing I love about the Airport Security v2 is that I can fit the Canon 70-200 f/4 in the bag standing up. That gives me a lot more space to carry other gear. I was told by a sales person in a camera shop that the Tamrac would but it didn't. I dealt with it for a year but finally sold it and bought the ThinkTank.
I haven't flown with it yet, so I don't have anything to add on that front but it's been a great little bag for jobs around town and fits a good amount of stuff.
Anoop Shah wrote:
I don't have any experience with the Lowepro(s) you are looking at but I did just buy the Airport Security v2 to replace a Tamrac 692 LP2. The one thing I love about the Airport Security v2 is that I can fit the Canon 70-200 f/4 in the bag standing up. That gives me a lot more space to carry other gear.
Good to know - my largest lens at the moment is the 70-200 f/4 IS and that would save a lot of space to be able to carry it that way. Any complaints about the AS v2 bag?
No complaints: it is very stable when you are wheeling it or when you park it. I like how intleeligently it lets you use the space, I've never had a problem with the zippers or any of materials on my Thinktank Photo rolling cases (3) or backpacks (2) and belt system (1) , and the built in security cable is a big plus on the Airport Security. if you think you'll be flying on smaller planes the International works well.
The bag is downright GOOD and unless you need the international size I'd highly recommend it. The only complaint I have really isn't a complaint. It's a feature that some people like and some people dont...
I'm in the don't like it camp regarding the front pocket or the main flap. I wish the whole thing was one big pocket with a zipper instead of a small zippered pocket and a open pouch. I know why they did it... it's so you can slide a laptop in and out fairly easily but I'd just rather have a big pocket that I can secure.
Also, I don't think I'd have a problem gate checking it for a short 1/2 hr -1 hr. hop.
I use the Think Tank International. I have had to gate check it several times. It was an anxious moment when I saw it get thrown out of the regional jet onto the baggage cart. But, everything was fine inside. The gear is well protected.
Howard
cswinton wrote:
Good to know - my largest lens at the moment is the 70-200 f/4 IS and that would save a lot of space to be able to carry it that way. Any complaints about the AS v2 bag?
Just curious but why are you looking at some big over $300 rollers if your biggest lens is a 70-200 F4 ?
I've got the Airport Security V2 and its an awesome bag and its amazing how much you can hold (400 2.8, 2 or 3 bodies, 70-200 2.8, wide angle, batteries, speedlight, TC's, various cords, laptop etc, but unless your hauling 40lbs of gear its a bit overkill.
millsart wrote:
Just curious but why are you looking at some big over $300 rollers if your biggest lens is a 70-200 F4 ?
I don't have BIG gear, just lots of little gear Basically I have outgrown my current backpack style bag and the thought of carrying more than that on my back over long distances isn't appealing. I'm hoping to fit 2 bodies, 5-6 lenses, 2 flashes, filters, batteries (for camera & flashes), battery chargers, and various other accessories. I don't NEED a roller-bag for this but I think my back would thank me!
I use ThinkTank and love it. You can fit even a 300 f/2.8 if you reconfigure the original set-up. I bought the optional lower dividers so I can throw in my laptop. I haven't tried to fit the 300 and the MBP together but I think it might work. I match this set-up with the TT UD-35 so it can slide into the handles easily.
I had a Lowepro RoadRunner and a ThinkTank roller...the Lowepro was a better made bag, better zippers, better nylon, better wheels, by far a better pull-out handle. The TT handle was a turn off. I do a lot of travel and if you do, you know the pull handle and the wheels are the two most important things over time. I sold the TT. For this thread, it is hard for me to comment because I don't have the Lowepro you ask about...but since so many others don't have a Lowepro and are talking TT, will join in. TTs are fine, Lowepro better...not by leaps and bounds, but it is clear when you have them side by side which is better. I've owned both, and at the same time...you are better off trying them yourself and making up your own mind.
All good comments - I appreciate it! I'm going to have to try to find somewhere nearby that stocks them both and take a look. The other possibility I'm entertaining is a Pelican case like the 1510. The one reservation I have with both the LowePro and the TT is if I'm asked to gate-check the bag I'm not confident any soft-sided case would provide much protection.
cswinton wrote:
All good comments - I appreciate it! I'm going to have to try to find somewhere nearby that stocks them both and take a look. The other possibility I'm entertaining is a Pelican case like the 1510. The one reservation I have with both the Lowepro and the TT is if I'm asked to gate-check the bag I'm not confident any soft-sided case would provide much protection.
I have the TT Airport Security V1 and love it. The case is well built and well designed. The one thing I love is the built in cable. Not only does it let you secure it at the airport when you are at the food court or gate, but when you are on site and shooting you can lock it down so it does not walk off.
Now like some have mentioned it is a big bag. I have traveled to Europe a couple summers to shoot soccer and taken my 400, 70-200 2-D bodies and other lenses, chargers and extras with no problem. It did weigh a lot but because it is on wheels nobody questioned it. The only issue I had was some small flights over there and I am sure here the bag would not fit under or over. I would talk with the flight attendant and told them what it was and they usually stored it in their closet.
I liked this bag so much I wanted to get a small kit bag when I was not traveling but shooting indoors and would not need my 400. I went with the Airport Acceleration V2 and like its big brother is a work of art. These bags are designed by people who use them and it shows. ( Engineers are great but my big joke was a mini van to hold 7 with 3 cup holders..they did not have kids)
As far as pelican cases go, I have a big one to hold strobes and what not and it is bomb proof. If you were always going to check gear that would be the choice. If you get a 1510 (had one but would not hold 400) they have zero give and sometimes getting them over head or under is hard. Also it "looks" heavy too so that could red flag you.
Only Lowepro I have is the sling100 and that was cuz it was really marked down at a costco for 39.00 bucks and I could not pass it up. It is a one body 1 to 2 lenses or my camcorder only.
I got a Peli 1510 because most of the flights out of my airport are in a smaller regional jet. I don't always have the time to get rental gear for a shoot if my stuff broke in-flight because it was in a non-hard case. I break down all my soft bags into the flap of my checked luggage.
Basically I have outgrown my current backpack style bag and the thought of carrying more than that on my back over long distances isn't appealing. I'm hoping to fit 2 bodies, 5-6 lenses, 2 flashes, filters, batteries (for camera & flashes), battery chargers, and various other accessories. I don't NEED a roller-bag for this but I think my back would thank me!