The Best Photography Hard Case (and Other Accessories)
- The Case for Using a Photography Hard Case
- An Awesome Example of a Photography Hard Case
- Excellent Alternatives for a Photography Hard Case
- Finding the Right Camera Strap
- Other Methods for Protecting Your Gear
- You travel by bus, rail, or air with cameras, lenses, and other gear.
- You carry a lot of photography gear.
- You require extreme protection for the gear.
- You need an easy way to carry the gear while traveling.
- You want to have protective storage outside of travel issues.
- What to Look for in a Good Camera Strap
- How to Pack Your Camera Gear
- Camera Safety Tips for your Next Trip
Traveling with photography gear brings up some major concerns, such as having adequate protection and ease of transport. A photography hard case is a much-needed item for any photographer who routinely travels, whether by your own vehicle or through some form of public transport.
Here is a look at the features and benefits you want in a photography hard case, a great example of one, and some alternatives to a hard case for photography equipment. I’m also including some excellent accessories that often get overlooked by on-the-go photographers.
Table of Contents:
The Case for Using a Photography Hard Case
Here are some reasons why you would be using a photography hard case in the first place:
A photography hard case fulfills all of the above and adds in some extra benefits, such as simple access to the gear with padded inserts or pre-cubed foam. An easy-to-use photography hard case may also include some convenience factors such as roller wheels and handles for carrying the case in different ways.
An Awesome Example of a Photography Hard Case
One of my favorite photography hard cases is the Manfrotto Pro Light Reloader Tough-55 that you can find at your favorite local photographic retailer or online at Amazon. I like this hard case for photography equipment so much, I made a video about its features and benefits. Check it out!
This photography hard case is 21.7 x 13.8 x 8.9 inches and weighs just under 10 pounds empty. There are four layers of pre-cubed foam included, or you can choose to use padded hard plastic dividers.
This photography hard case was designed to meet the specifications of both checked luggage or carry-on for the major airlines. It fits under most seats and offers the strength to withstand being in a cargo hold. You can attach a keyed or combination padlock for security.
The roller wheels operate very smoothly and are quiet, they can be rolled across tile or carpeted floors, concrete sidewalks, or an unimproved rough driveway or path. The carrying handle is supplemented by a heavy-duty extendable handle for maneuvering with the roller wheels.
On top of everything else, this photography hard case is surprisingly budget-friendly!
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Excellent Alternatives for a Photography Hard Case
There are some excellent alternatives for a photography case that also offer a lot of protection but in a more elegant package, if you prefer that style of a hard case for photography equipment.
The Indestructible Briefcase from Holdfast is a beautiful leather case with an abundance of strength and good looks.
The exterior dimensions of the Indestructible Briefcase are 11-3/4" tall x 15-1/2" wide x 4" deep and it is constructed from thick, hard-wearing bridle leather and secured with 97 hand-hammered copper rivets for incredible strength and durability.
You can customize the roomy interior any way you see fit, and it also has a comfortably wide bridle leather strap that is adjustable from 43 to 60 inches in length. The bridle leather and copper rivets wear beautifully with age and use, making each example of these made-to-order Holdfast bags unique to the end user.
Finding the Right Camera Strap
Holdfast Gear makes a lot of fine leather goods for photography that discerning photographers will enjoy. A prime example of this is what may be the perfect camera strap - the cross-body holster-style MoneyMaker Dual Camera Strap, the best way I’ve found to carry two cameras for an active photoshoot.
This camera strap is also made from fine leather and is as beautiful as it is functional and practical. You can use it with just one camera and a lens quiver if that’s your preferred method. HoldFast even makes special limited editions of these straps from time to time.
Other Methods for Protecting Your Gear
You don’t want to overlook the protection of your lens’ front element while taking photos. A hard lens hood is an awesome tool since it prevents flare from side light and protects the front elements from unintended bumps and scrapes. But that’s while taking the pictures…
To hold and transport your precious cargo of cameras and lenses from place to place, check out the photography hard cases and hard case alternatives from Manfrotto and HoldFast Gear.
