Toolbox to carry gear?

At a recent superbike meeting I saw a chap pulling one of those plastic toolboxes with wheels behind him.
Got me thinking about if I could use one to caarry my camera gear in?

Thinking along the lines of packing all my gear in its usual rucksack and then placing the rucksack into the toolbox.

Has I can see the advantges are easier to pull gear then carry a heavy bag all day, a handy seat for when you want it and a nice platform to stand on if you need the extra height to shoot over fences etc.

Disadvantages:- not so easy to pull over grass or rougher ground, bulkier?

A bit concered with the rough ride all my gear might get?

Any opions/suggestions please

tdm900 said:

Any opions/suggestions please

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How about a rolling backpack? Quite a few of the established camera bag manufacturers have product offerings including Tamrac and Lowepro. Personally, I am partial to the ThinkTank products.

Have looked at them and very tempted, but the price put me off a bit. suppose I'm being a tight git, but a with the toolbox I could just use my existing backpack.

Could well end up getting a rolling backpack.

It's a good idea, but you can buy cases that are specific to the camera world rather than a tool box.

http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1620-Watertight-Roller-Pluck/dp/B001P63TLU

tdm900 said:

Have looked at them and very tempted, but the price put me off a bit. suppose I'm being a tight git, but a with the toolbox I could just use my existing backpack.

Could well end up getting a rolling backpack.

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I can't believe what you wrote!

How much have you invested in your camera kit and you're whinging about a couple of hundreds $ £ for an appropriate transportation case.

Think Tank Photo are the Dogs Do-Dah's when it comes to safely and securely packing and transporting your camera gear. They've even sussed out your laptop requirements too. Don't be a 'skin-flint' protect your investment, that is unless you have serious insurance, well do you??

Believe me, you won't go wrong with TTP bags and cases and if you do drop a couple of tons on your bag, perhaps you'll get a stool or chair to stand on instead.

Enjoy your photography!
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PRL

So these cases come with foam to cut to what you want to fit inside.

I like the idea o9f placing a camera rucksack inside the case, so it gives me the choice of just carrying the rucksack or taking the case.

i know I don't have to use the insert, but then it starts you wonderind do I need a case that good (with the price) while a simple and cheaper toolbox will do what I need it do?
Am I missing something here or just a case of me being stupid.

Thanks for the link though I hadn't seen cases like that before must be the bee knees if you transporting camera stuff any distance.

Fair point

The only thing That has put me off a rolling backpack, is that they all seem designed for getting gear to a location (via airline etc), while I am more intrested in using to shoot out of ( does that make sense)

Has anyone used one for everday shooting?

tdm900 said:

The only thing That has put me off a rolling backpack, is that they all seem designed for getting gear to a location (via airline etc), while I am more intrested in using to shoot out of ( does that make sense)

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Like any backpack, it's a pain to take it off, remove gear, take a shot, and then put it all back.

But I certainly use my ThinkTank Airport bag at events; easy access to lots of gear. It works best if you have an assistant or family member available to guard the bag while you're actually shooting (assuming you're in a public or semi-public place). Then it's perfect because I have easy access to all of my gear.

The ThinkTank bags as ideal for travel or as described above. I do not think they're the best choice for serious hiking (where other features like the weight of the bag, how it distributes the load, hydration packs etc. are more important).

So do ou use a rolling backpack or a normal backpack?

if you have a rolling one, what are they like to wear as a backpack?

tdm900 said:

Fair point

The only thing That has put me off a rolling backpack, is that they all seem designed for getting gear to a location (via airline etc), while I am more intrested in using to shoot out of ( does that make sense)

Has anyone used one for everday shooting?

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Your observation is right on the money. Rolling cases and backpacks are great for moving your gear to locations, similar objective to what you would achieve with your toolbox solution.

Backpacks are a real PITA, because of the unpack/repack scenario. Manufacturers have made attempts to resolve/ease by deploying one strap solutions. This works, but at the end of a long day at location, one of your shoulders is numb and aching.

So now on recommendation of my fellow pro, I just got the TTP modular belt system, and you know what, although I haven't tried it yet, I think I'm onto a winner cause its designed to shoot out of, which is what you want right?

Of course if your lugging a 200-400 f4 or an exotic lens around, this will need to be on your back along with a tripod, but you can still use the belt system at the same time.

Have a look http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/modular-set-component.aspx

This one is even lighter http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/skin-set-belt-packs.aspx

Enjoy your photography!
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PRL

A long duffel bag. I keep all my camera, lens, flash, etc in the backpack. The duffel bag has my light stand (to long for a backpack or roller case) reflectors, clamps, bungy, sandbag, small folding stool, etc. I find it works great.

tdm900 said:

Disadvantages:- not so easy to pull over grass or rougher ground, bulkier?

A bit concered with the rough ride all my gear might get?

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try mounting larger wheels like from a childs bike, it will take some engineering but it seems like you already have a creative mind. the larger wheels will allow to roll over rough landscape and smoother ride.

Now that is a idea>

The thought of being to pull the gear does appeal. I thought that if I did this i would use quality lowepro rucksack ihave to protect the gear. Going even further I could put a layer of foam into the bottom of the toolbox.