Keep your rig built! What case do you use?

benhuddleston

benhuddleston

Well-known member
It seems like with the growing number of camera/rails-baseplate/adapter/matte-box/follow-focus units there are out there, there would also be some innovation in transporting your rig without breaking it down.

I'm sure all of you have slid a built rig into the back seat of your Ford Escort too, but I'm tired of buckling it in. Click it or ticket, here in SoCal....

So, I'm off to find a case that will fit it all, assembled forever. I saw this at Zacuto, lusted, and then gaped at the price.

http://store.zacuto.com/product.php?productid=285&cat=72&page=2

We're talking over 5 bills for that get-up! Nice, as all their products are, but 'spensive!

What other solutions are out there, already thunk up, tested, loved...? Ideally you can even leave your matte box and FF on, so you can just open case, yank, shoot.

Anyone?
 
I'm thinking about the exact thing. However, the Zacuto is way too expensive for me. I'm currently thinking about the Storm Case im2975. The only problem is this case does not have custom foam cut for my unit/rig.
 
I have 2 German Army cases (used for radio equipment). Bullet proof (pun intended) super thick polycabon, water proof, floating, you can hulk 600 pounds on them before they start cracking, build in hydrostat and valve - surplus $25 each.

Compared to them, a Pelican case looks like a cheap China toy.

I bet the american Army/Surplus stores have something like that.

Frank
 
Ben:

Frank's idea is a good one if you can locate something like that.

If not, you can purchase the Storm IM-2975 with pick and pluck foam for around $200.00. I just purchased one for my HVX-200/Letus rig and have been very happy with it. I looked at the Zacuto foam but they told me that it was designed for their Letus setups which all feature the "camera low/Letus high" mounting whereas since I have the Letus rails, my setup right now is "camera high/Letus low" so they could not guarantee that my rig would fit their foam correctly.

I picked and plucked the foam myself, other than the main camera cutout for which I used an electric knife that I bought at Target, works like a dream. The Storm IM-2975 is a great case with built in casters and five layers of foam so you can hide some of the lesser used accessories on lower layers and put all of the most used stuff up near the top.

Same deal, I was sick of transporting the rig, then always having to build it and then tear it down. Having it all in the case is so much better.

Dan
 
That´s what I´m talking about:

7074512.jpg


Serious stuff!

http://web.govliquidation.com/auction/endecaSearch?Ntt=hardigg&Ntk=P_Lot_Title&Ntx=mode+matchall&N=0&Nty=1&Ns=Lot%20Number|0&words=hardigg&cmd=keyword

Here are the German Maibach Boxes I use.
The small one goes for 49 Euros:
http://cgi.ebay.de/GFK-BOX-KISTE-BUNDESWEHR-60x60x50cm-aehnl-ZARGES-SOLIDE_W0QQitemZ380009851730QQihZ025QQcategoryZ37415QQcmdZViewItem

Or google for Hardigg or Maibach cases.

Good luck, Frank
 
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No doubt! Those look perfect; exactly what I'm looking for. That link you sent is an auction for a lot of 12 of those cases.

I might try to be the winning bidder. If anyone else is interested in this specific solution, PM me. Maybe we can all split the cases up and share the savings!

Unless someone else has a better/different solution?
 
I had a hardcase before, but I wanted something I could strap on my shoulder and carry easily. But, as you stated, I wanted the whole thing assembled.

I picked up a KATA CC 195 for $150 at B&H. It carries my HVX and Brevis or SG, mounted on cinevate 18" rails with followfocus, nebtek tucked to the side with a z-american arm. You can even leave a lens on if you like. If you shoot with a mattebox, this bag will not accomodate it assembled to your rig, though I do fit a cinevate mattebox in there loose (separated from the rig with padding). Even have extra space for batteries and filters. Best case I've had yet. Very practical and airline friendly.

FYI, This case probably isn't high enough to accomodate a flipped adapter rig.
 
Nice cases. Man, I would get one of those in a minute if I still needed one. The only thing that wouldn't be as cool is that you would need a dolly whereas the Storm has built in handle and casters.

You are right, I have seen those cases up at Vandenburg AFB, they are the real deal and bulletproof.

Dan
 
PaPa said:
problem with cases too big is that they don't fit in cars.
Click to expand...

Not only that, I bet those cases are much heavier than the Storm Case or Pelican...especially when it does not come with caster wheels.
 
Huy Vu said:
Dan, where did you buy the 2975 for $200? I've only found them for around $260. The 2950 is $200 though.
Click to expand...

The one I found is $222 something and that include the shipping. Is yours include shipping or just the case?
 
Postmaster said:
Depends on your car :beer:

They come in many different sizes.

Dan, I solved my lugging problems with that: http://www.multicart.com/

Makes a nice emergency dolly too ;-)


home_01.gif
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Hi Frank:

I own one of these and two Rock and Roller Minis. I will say this, I had the older gray version of the Rock and Roller Max that I owned and abused for ten years. The thing was bulletproof, it traveled all around the world with me and never let me down. Then some numbnut at my old production company ran over it with their truck, it was mangled.

So they bought me a new one, the one in your picture. Keep in mind that the card, the Max, is rated at 500lbs capacity. I usually loaded it up with about 200 to 250lbs of gear. The first thing to go was the front plastic wheels. The old one had metal hubs with a rubber wheel, the new one has the yellow hard plastic hub. The front wheel literally collapsed. So I called Rock and Roller (Dana B. Goods) to ask what they could do for me. For free, they shipped me two of their heavy duty front wheels, they are much heavier and better quality than the stock wheels. Good service, nice people.

Since then, I was toting another heavier load down the street to a shoot in Santa Monica. As soon as I took off with the cart, both rear wheels exploded. Keep in mind that the cart is rated at 500lbs and I had no more than 300lbs loaded on it and I did check tire pressure that day. After replacing the rear wheels (which are a none-standard hub size - Home Depot and Harbor Freight wheels do not fit at all, I tried all of them), the next time I used the cart, the handle bent about four inches when I was pulling a heavy load. The grip tape on the rails which are supposed to keep loads from slipping off pulled off the first time I used it.

The Rock and Roller Max cart, which I used to LOVE, now seems to be a shoddy knock off version of the old cart. The new cart, obviously in order to keep manufacturing cheap, is not a very good cart anymore. It literally has fallen apart on me.

The Rock and Roller Minis have been much better. No wheel issues, no tire issues. I fly with the Minis, you can bring them on the plane as on-board luggage.

Just wanted to give my experience with the Rock and Roller Max. I used to be thrilled with my old gray version, never had an ounce of trouble with it, nothing bent or broke. With the new one, not nearly as good or reliable. It has left me stranded three times where I had to hand carry gear back to my truck, then upstairs to the client by hand.

Dan
 
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I hear you Dan,
I knew the older gray version from our local PA/Light rental guy and loved it.
When I orderd my own Roller I thought thats what I get.

Ha! Day and Night!

I still like and use it much and I´m happy caus it´s so versatile, but every time I meet that rental guy I´m on his nerves to sell me 2 of the gray ones he got.


Frank
 
I recently bought a Pelican 1610 for this very purpose.

I plucked in layers for hidden storage.
Layer 1.
Anton Bauer Elipz Battery and charger.
1610case01.jpg


Layer 2.
Camera and lens cutout begins. Plus spot for stock Canon AC adapter/charger.
1610case02.jpg


Layer 3.
Camera/Letus rig, Mattebox, 4 lenses, 2 stock batteries.
1610case03.jpg


Then I fill in some of the gaps with tapes, filters, mic, flags, etc.
1610case04.jpg


The only downside is the pluck and pull foam is flimsy and care must be taken to remove camera rig without destroying foam.
Other than that, works great!
 
Room 39:

Thank for taking the time to post the individual layer pictures, I am sure that they will be helpful to those trying to decide how to lay their camera case out. When I have time to shoot and post, I will put up some images of mine, it was a very involved process, trying to lay it all out.

Dan
 
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