To keep my camera gear safe and sound and in tip top shape, I keep each main part (body, lenses, chargers and so on) in airtight containers (with a desiccant bag in each) and under lock and key. When I have a project, I gather all the appropriate equipment together (I have a checklist for each) and then carefully back all the gear into a backpack - usually. I do have a hard shell case for Big Camera which can then go in the cargo hold on aircraft quite safely (and it's lockable).

But despite searching for millennia, I've yet to find the perfect case for carrying camera and video gear. Every time I think I have, I find a flaw some time down the track - it's not big enough, it's too big, not accessible enough, not enough pockets, not waterproof enough, too fragile to put in a plane's cargo hold, weighs too much, the straps cut into me, can't get it open fast enough - the list is endless.

Scouting around

And what's good for one is not good enough for the other. My dSLR kit needs a different case than my baby video gear. Big camera needs more requirements than my in-car stuff. Sometimes I need mics, radio mics or even a boom mic. What about my underwater housing or Cokin filter kit... and then there are chargers, adaptors, cables and dozens of other bits of paraphernalia.

So I've succumbed to the fact there is no single perfect bag. It won't stop me looking. I've had a fascination for kit bags, backpacks and rucksacks since my Boy Scout days, but I don't think I'll ever find one that does everything.

To assist in this quandary, we did a check around to see what was available. We stayed clear of manufacturer's cases (as sold by Sony etc) and stayed with the third party makers that we could obtain easily and actually have a physically look at in a shop before purchasing (I can't think of anything worse than buying a camera bag sight unseen over the 'net).

This is a few of what we came up with. We'll re-visit this topic from time to time as needs are always changing in this wonderful world of video and this usually means a change of carry case!

Lowepro Clip

Shoulder based, each of the series (Clip 100, 110, 120 and 140) has a pivoting main compartment to allow reasonably quick access to a camcorder. An exterior pocket has a specially lined compartment to keep tapes, SD cards and even blank DVDs. Each back has a reversed zipper for dust minimisation and the outer fabric is waterproof. In the larger models (110 and above) the internal padded divider is adjustable. There are two colours available, blue and black.

Prices vary between $35 and $45 depending on size.

Lowepro Impulse

The Impulse can be carried one of three ways - over the shoulder, across the body or by the handle. A magnetic closure allows the bag to be shut quickly. Inside is a dustproof zipper system. As well as the main compartment that has an adjustable divider, there are front and side pockets for extra items.

Two colours are available, black with burnt orange interior and chestnut brown also with a burnt orange interior.
There are two models in the range, the 110 and the 130. The larger of the two is big enough to fit a camcorder and a dSLR camera with an attached lens. Prices are $59 and $65 respectively.

Lowepro Magnum

There are two models in the Magnum range; the DV4000 and the DV 6500. As expected, the 6500 is the larger of the two and as well as the features of the 4000, also has a protective compartment for a laptop.

Standard features include a thick base, dual winged lid with double zips and quick release buckle and hook/loop enclosure, an all weather cover, shoulder strap, side handles and padded main handle. There is a main section with moveable dividers, a removable video accessory pocket, two side pockets and the rear has a trolley sleeve.

The DV 4000AW is priced at $309 and the DV 6500 AW at $349.

For all Lowepro bags, go to www.maxwell.com.au

Crumpler Million Dollar Range

The good folk at Crumpler (whose products are Australian made we understand) tell us they don't specifically make bags for camcorders, however their Million Dollar range has been successfully used to transport camcorders quite successfully. They range in price from the 1 Million Dollar range ($58) to the 8 Million Dollar range ($220).

There is a range of colours for each type (up to four colours). The bags are water resistant with numerous configurable compartments plus exterior pockets.

Crumpler makes many more bags for differing purposes - most with very odd and downright weird model names such as "Cork and Fork" or "Men's Eggbeater Undies" which hardly give a clue as to their use. Sadly their website which aims to be 'quirky' is a nightmare of navigation so some persistence is needed.

www.crumpler.com.au

HPRC cases

My own hard case, an Amre 2500 is from HPRC. A more familiar name may be Pelican which is the most well known maker of this type of case, but I've found the HPRC to be durable, strong, adaptable and even "stylish". It holds my Big Camera easily along with all the necessaries such as charger, spare batteries, Rode Videomic and dead rat, Azden radio mics and there is even a pocket designed to take the manuals for these products! As well as black, available colours are green, yellow, blue and red.

The price of the Amre 2500 is around $275.

www.hprccases.com.au

By David Hague

David Hague is the owner and publisher of AusCam Online. He has a background in media dating back to 1979 when he first got involved with photojournalism in motorsport, and went from there into technology via a 5 year stint with Tandy Computers. Following that, he ran a software distribution company on the Gold Coast and was one of the first to recognise the potential of Microsoft Windows.

Moving back to WA, David wrote scripts for Computer Television for video training for the just released Windows and Office 95 among others, and was then lured to Sydney to create web sites for the newly commercial Internet in 1995, building hundreds of sites under contract to OzEmail including Coates Hire, Hertz Queensland, John Williamson, the NSW Board of Studies and many, many more.

He went back into full time journalism as the Managing Editor for Channel 7's 'Gadget Guy', Peter Blasina's publications VideoCamera and Pixelmag, before starting Australasian Camcorder magazine when these publications were shelved. He now lives back in WA (Mandurah) on the ocean front with dog Budweiser and in his spare time is a nut for motor sport, road safety (he is on the Roadwise committee for Mandurah City Council), fishing, science fiction - especially Dr Who - and technology.

David can be contacted via david@auscamonline.com, vbthedog@gmail.com via Twitter via @vbthedog. or