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Brad Mangin - Sports Illustrated Freelancerwww.manginphotography.com www.sportsshooter.com/bradWhile product designer Mike Sturm looks on, Brad Mangin tests the first prototype of the Airport Security outside of an Extended Stay America hotel in Fremont. “I have had the pleasure of using a prototype of the new Think Tank roller case since April of 2005. Since that time the roller has become the number one method of transporting all of the camera gear I need to shoot assignments both locally and on the road. I am able to comfortably fit my standard kit for covering Major League Baseball and National Football League games: 400 2.8 with hood, three professional digital camera bodies, 70-200 2.8, 16-35 2.8, 1.4x teleconverter, 2x teleconverter, flash, AC adapter, battery charger, and monopod. Over the last six months I have used the roller at approximately 60 Major League Baseball games in San Francisco and Oakland, as well as the World Series in both Chicago and Houston. Throughout the World Series I flew with the roller case and had no problems getting it into the overhead compartments of both Southwest and Continental jets as my main carry on. This was huge for me as in the past I have never been happy taking my old roller onto the planes as it was technically too big for the airline standards and I was always worried about getting hassled at the gate. With the new Think Tank roller my problems are over. I can use this case for my everyday local shooting and continue using it when I travel, making my life much, much easier.” Brad Mangin, 12/28/05 |
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Deanne Fitzmaurice - Photojournalist/San Francisco Chroniclewww.sportsshooter.com/fitzmauriceDeanne Fitzmaurize checking in on her way to the Women in Photojournalism conference, 2005. “The Airport Security has been great. It is holding up perfectly and I really love the locking mechanisms as I can lock it in hotel rooms and stadium workrooms with my equipment safely stored inside. It is still a little heavy to lift into the airplane overhead compartment with a 400 2.8 and all my other stuff, but I can usually rope someone to help me haul it up. I have probably been on about 20 flights with it. The few times it didn’t fit overhead I spun it around so the handle was in the back and that made the difference. It’s rolling fine and is nicely balanced.” Deanne Fitzmaurice, 12/27/05 |
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John G. Mabanglo - Photojournalist/European Press Agencywww.epa-photos.comJohn Mabanglo doing a demo of his Airport Security in the media room at the World Series, 2005. “In 2005 I put in over 50,000 flight miles, and almost all those flights were with my demo Airport Security roller, even when I went on vacation, I wanted to test the different planes overhead compartments for fit. Most of the planes the AS would fit with wheels in first, sometimes I would have to put handle in first. Some of the smaller planes (overhead compartments) United has such as the Airbus 320, and I believe the 757's, the AS would have to go in length-wise. When traveling with the AS, I try not to put anything bulking in the outside stretch compartments. This way it keeps the lines clean, and not look as big. The great thing is that it does not look like a camera bag. A great feature that I am glad the guys at Think Tank did was make a simple shoulder backpack strap available when needed. This is handy when covering an event such as Alpine Skiing when you have to check in two luggages. When you get to the airport, you can pull out the backpack straps, carry the AS, and drag along the two check-in luggage to the ticket counter. The AS roller is great when carrying long glass for sporting events, such as baseball and football. I keep the AS roller down to one configuration, so when I cover an event that doesn't need the 400, I drop in the 300 instead. Basically, I load up the AS roller with a Canon 400mm f2,8 lens with hood and lens boot, two Canon MKII n's, 70-200, 16-35, 1,4, and 2x converters, 24-70, battery charger, 580 strobe, extra MKII camera batteries, and pixel pocket rocket and credentials. Sometimes I will swap out the 24-70 to put in a third body or the 28-300 lens. When covering news out of the car, the AS roller makes it easy to grab gear as needed.“ John Mabanglo, European Pressphoto Agency |
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Robert Hanashiro - Photojournalist/USA Todaywww.sportsshooter.com/bert www.sportsshooter.com/bert/bopentry/Looking down into Robert Hanshiro’s Airport Security roller. “I’ve used the roller pretty regularly for the past several months, taking it to various events including sports’ “Big Three”: baseball, football, and basketball. The case is very versatile and easily configured and re-configured. I usually have two or three different bags and cases I use throughout the year for various sports and other events I cover. With your roller, it has been basically just one. The photo I sent you is how I usually have the roller packed for basketball and I love it because it allows me to pack all of the cameras (3 bodies) and lenses (6) I need PLUS my remote gear. The most important feature for me with a roller is that it must fit a 400 2.8 PLUS at least two digital SLR bodies and 3 other lenses, which the Airport Security does easily. The second most important feature is that it must fit easily in the overhead baggage compartment on flights, which it does as well. In addition to its versatility, the other things I like about the Airport Security are its sturdy construction and components (the material, zippers, wheels and handle are top notch) and its built-in security elements, including the locking zippers and security chain (it doesn’t look like a photo equipment case which says “steal me” to thieves).” Robert Hanashiro, USA Today, 12/28/05 |
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Kurt Rogers - Photojournalist/San Francisco Chroniclehttp://www.thinktankphoto.com/about_ttp.htmlThe Airport Security roller was tested by Kurt during two trips to France, once on a boat trip down the La Saone River, and the other en route to Visa pour l’image Perpignan, the international photojournalism festival held in Perpignan, France every year. During two trips to France, Kurt Rogers had a chance to test out the Airport Security in a wide variety of settings: airplanes, boats, taxis, subways, trains, stairs, and even cobblestone streets. Flying on United and American airlines, he experienced no problems going through security or storing the roller in the airline overhead compartment. Using the subway in France, the crowds were so thick that Kurt had to carry the bag down the stairs using the extra large handles on the top and side. They helped him get it through turnstiles that were designed to prevent people from carrying things or climbing over the top. He was able to pull the roller up several flights of stairs while boarding the TGV trains and then was able to fit it with no trouble inside the closet on the train. Had the need arisen, he could have used the security cable to lock to the roller inside of the closet to prevent theft. Kurt had a chance to test out the wheels on a wide variety of surfaces, including wooden docks and cobblestone streets. He reported that the wheel and handle system worked well. The handle system itself was long enough that it did not hit his foot when he walked. (This is often a problem when the handle system is too short). Says Kurt, “Actually the only problem I have ever had with the roller is when my wife Deanne (Fitzmaurice) accidentally left a pair of scissors in the roller, and then security had to dig through the bag to figure out where they were. Other than that, no problems.” |
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Doug Murdoch/Think Tank Photowww.thinktankphoto.com/about_ttp.htmlDesigner Doug Murdoch putting the Airport Security in the overhead on his way to the Women in Photojournalism conference, 2005. “Security has become a key issue for photographers, especially given the recent increase in stories of photographers getting their gear ripped off. With photographic equipment, the value of the gear is so high relative to their actual size, making them tempting targets for thieves at weddings, sporting events, or any other photographic location. The first security layer is simply to keep your gear with you at all times. We designed the Airport Security as carry-on size so that you do not have to check it in at the airport. The roller has a very deep bottom section that allows you to put in very large lenses like a 400 2.8 with the lens hood and leather cover reversed, or lenses like a 70-200 2.8 straight up. Unfortunately, at many events a roller has to be left behind during active shooting. This is why we incorporated a built-in wire cable so you can lock it to an immovable object, such as a post or tree, as a deterrent. We also added combination locks to the main zippered openings to the bag. When all of these security features are added up, the Airport Security helps photographers do a better job protecting their livelihoods – not just protecting gear during storage and travel, but also protecting it from theft. The last and simple truth is that photography gear is HEAVY. A roller is a huge plus in protecting your back from pain or injury. But, just for those special situations when you need to hoist and carry your equipment (e.g. a long flight of stairs, gravel, or snow), we built in removable “emergency” shoulder straps on the bag.” Doug Murdoch, Dec. 30th, 2005 |
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