My lighting kit has grown over the last couple of years and I'm looking for cases to organize things better and make it easier to transport. I'm usually traveling by car, but occasionally by air, and I'm thinking about buying one or two of the large rolling Lightware cases, possibly a Cargo 32 or MultiFormat 1629. I took a workshop with an architectural shooter in Santa Fe a couple years ago, and he had about six of the 1629 cases and swore by them. That's when I started thinking about those. You can put a complete kit, including small stands, in these cases.

No one keeps these cases in stock in Canada where I live, so it will have to be mail order from the states and they are very expensive to buy without seeing them first. I currently own a Tamrac Rolling Studio 660, which is very similar to the Lightware 1629, but just exceeds the dimensions for air travel. I have my hot light kit in this case, but need another case for 4 Elinchrom monolights, small stands, umbrellas, softbox, cords, and other miscellaneous stuff.

I'd like to eventually have two reasonably self-contained rolling kits for strobes and hot-lights.

So what are other people using for cases? Has anyone seen or used the Lightware cases above? Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Andrew

Personally I gave up on soft-sided cases years ago--after experiencing regular damage after each travel assignment. For the past few years I've been using ABS plastic cases that have been customized with high-density foam for my gear. They're sold in home centers and department stores as "footlocker" type cases and measure 16"x32"x13". They have an accordian hinge on the back and a handle and two buckle closures on the front.

I've customized my cases by adding a sturdier handle and two web straps with buckles. Theses cases meet airline requirements for size and are extremely light-weight, yet provide excellent protection. I travel about 30,000 air miles each year with these cases. My total investment for each case is about $60.

I pack a compact handtruck in one of the cases to transport all three ABS cases through the airport and on location.

One more thing, I transport my light stands and tripod in a hard-sided "golf club" case. It has built in wheels and handles and is made from fiberglass. It too meets airline requirements. Cost for this case was about $100.

An added benefit to the cases that I use is that they don't scream "photography equipment". I believe this makes them less of a target for theft and airline abuse.

Best,
Alan

Sounds like a great solution Alan, but I'm having trouble visualizing the case. I don't know if I've ever seen something like this. Any chance you could post a picture?

Cheers,

Andrew

I've attached a couple of quick shots of one of my ABS cases. You'll also notice that I have a piece of paper attached to the lid each case that lists every item contained in the case. This is helpful when packing to ensure that nothing is left behind, but also to help airline security make sense of what I carry. Security people can make life very difficult for the traveling photographer; anything one can do to ease the process is worthwhile.

Alan

Andrew,

Sorry to arrive a bit late here........

My solution was to build cases myself lined with 1" high density foam. I can transport (ground) most equipment ever needed.
One case has my Speedo 2400 with four 102 heads, stands, boom and related wires. The other case includes barn doors, extra reflectors, more stands, gels, 2 medium Chimera Softboxes, a 7' Octobank, another Speedo pack (800), clamps of all kinds....the list goes on. The only down side is that the are heavy, but I prefer to travel on location with as few cases as possible. They have been in use for many years now and have not failed me yet....my back has however.






Regards,
George