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MillimeterProtecting the Investment
Oct 1, 2003 12:00 PM, By Tom Patrick McAuliffe
Equipment bags safeguard your audio and video production gear against the hazards of the road.
 At least one Porta-Brace case can be spotted on almost every professional shoot. The Hiker-Pro Backpack (HKP-2) is designed to carry a Canon XL1. |
These days, video businesses small and large are challenged to control costs and show a profit. Critical production equipment needs to be protected like the investment it is. Often that's easier said than done.
It's also increasingly difficult to find USA-made protection, as most bags and cases are made overseas. Manufacturing has moved to other countries largely because consumers just don't want to pay higher prices for the more expensive labor of those made here. The exceptions are Porta-Brace and Pelican, perhaps the best-known creators of A/V production bags, cases, and covers. But most of the well-known brands (Tumi, Calzone, Anvil, Zero Halliburton, etc.) are now made in the Far East. The good news is that the quality that the leading bag manufacturers demand (and get) from contractors is every bit as good as that of American-made products — but it costs at least 30% less.
I've used all sorts of bags, hard and soft. When it comes to selecting a bag or case, there are three main aspects to consider: functionality, durability, and, perhaps most importantly, protection level. “Second only to equipment protection, easy-access compartments are critical, and not every company designs video cases with quick access in mind,” says Jay Gonzalez, product manager for camera, video, and DVD cases at Targus. “When shopping for a case, users should think about the components and hardware they'll need to access in a hurry. Look for cases with separate access compartments that fit each of those items.”
A primary question is, should you protect with a hard shell or soft shell? A main factor that will determine this is whether you'll be sending your equipment via shippers and the airlines. “The Airline Transportation Association (ATA) has set a specific standard that ensures that the hard-shell case you just purchased will be accepted for shipment by the airlines and shippers,” says Doug Donohoe, marketing director at hard case manufacturer Anvil Cases. An ATA-certified case must be within weight limitations and have protected edges and corners (choose bubble corners for more protection), plus recessed handles and latches.
“Of course, hard cases will generally offer the most protection for transport and shipping, and are generally the only sensible choice when you must check an equipment case as luggage,” explains Michael Hess, president and CEO of RoadWired, a manufacturer of soft bags. “However, for a working case, soft bags are typically the way to go for obvious reasons. They are far lighter and easier to carry and offer much easier access to contents.
“As for sturdiness, our experience is that most really good bags outlive their use,” Hess continues. “The owners usually move on to a different sized bag or a different design long before the bag shows any real signs of wear.”
With the obvious protection advantages of hard shells come the limitations of weight and bulkiness. But innovations like retracting handles and wheels have done much to make the bulk manageable. At the same time, soft-shell bags have started to borrow from their hard-shell cousins — elements like new covering materials, frames, and wheels. This has made soft bags acceptable for all but the most extreme situations and, of course, airline travel.
“While some applications require a hard-shell case, nothing beats a soft shell when it comes to portability and easy access when you're on location,” says Gonzalez. “Look for cases with dense, closed-cell foam padding around the camera compartment and design features that locate the bulk of the hardware centrally in the case. That way the surrounding compartments, which hold film, memory cards, cords, and other less fragile components, will serve as an additional buffer between the camera cushion and the outside of the case. Just beware of too much padding material, since it'll add additional weight.”
Today's cases offer unique styling and unusual fabrics, texture, trim, and hardware treatments. There are two significant trends in the equipment case business. The most important is known as consolidation: the need to carry more gear or a changing variety of gear in fewer bags and cases. This is partly because of the current restrictions imposed by airlines, and partly because for many techno-travelers, there's simply too much to carry. A dedicated case for each piece of gear is just not practical.
The MegaMedia Bag from RoadWired and The Traveler from Porta-Brace are good examples of flexible cases that function in a variety of ways. These larger yet compact conveyances are designed to carry not only a compact digital video camera, but also a computer laptop, an MP3/audio player, a wireless phone or two-way radio, a PDA, and all the cords and accessories that need to travel along. And the bags are still sized to fit under any airline seat.
 The RoadWired Photo/Video Pro bag contains more than two dozen pockets and compartments. Just be sure not to overload your bag because that reduces the protection factor. |
The second trend, a consequence of the first, is toward maximizing transportability and carrying comfort. This is reflected in the explosion of tech-oriented rolling cases and backpacks over the last few years, as well as a more serious focus on the design and construction shoulder pads, hand grips, and other “user interface” elements. “These are design areas on which we spend a lot of time, and the user feedback clearly validates the effort,” said RoadWired's Hess.
Whether you use a small DV camera or a large Betacam SP unit, there's a bag for every camera and piece of gear. Ask yourself, “How much camera gear will I actually use, and where will I go with it?” Digital cameras vary greatly in shape and size, so be sure to bring yours along to the store to test the bags you have in mind. See how a loaded bag feels on your shoulder. Check the shoulder straps; look for good hardware and padding. Buy more bag than you need and test it before you purchase, and your equipment will survive the rigors of the road.
Tom Patrick McAuliffe is journalist, entertainer, and video creator. Reach him at reelcom1@comcast.net.
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