Cambags

Firstly some important background info.

I've got a couple of trips planned this year and I was trying to get my head around a practical solution for carrying a substantial amount of gear with me in one bag. The deciding factor would be its ability to hold a 400mm f/2.8L lens.

Ideally it would also be a bag that would have a reasonable chance of staying with me on a flight as carry-on luggage... and, if I was forced to check it in, then it would still offer the kind of protection that the kit needs.

It would also need to give me a sense of security. Firstly by not looking too much like a camera bag... and secondly it would have top notch build quality, solid zips and locks etc.

I didn't want or need a backpack. I'm not a landscape photographer, so I wouldn't be taking the kit on a hike or lugging it around for prolonged periods of time. My requirement was for something that I could get in and out of sporting venues with reasonable ease - ideally a roller, but with carrying options as well. I wanted integrated wheels so that I wouldn't have to carry separate ones. I didn't want straps/flaps and any other dangling nasties that could drag in the mud 

Less is more. One bag to hold plenty of kit. Rolling. Carrying. Safe and secure.

So, after a couple of months of research, I arrived at this product: The Think Tank Airport Security. I took delivery of it today.

FIRST LOOK: Here it is in standing position. The bag is made primarily from ballistic nylon - this looks and feels as if it will stand substantial wear and tear:

CONFIGURATION: I've only had the bag an hour or so, so this is my first attempt at configuring the dividers. What have I managed to get in so far?

1. Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS
2. Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM
3. Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM
4. Canon Extender EF 1.4x
5. Memory cards in wallet
6. Canon EOS 1D mk II body
7. Canon EOS 1D mk II body
8. NP-E3 batteries x 2
9. Gossen Variosix F lightmeter
10. Canon CP-E2 battery pack
11. Pocket Wizard Plus set
12. Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye
13. Canon 580EX Speedlite
14. Off-camera shoe cord 2
15. OP/TECH USA Camera Straps x2
Also... Sony laptop (see later picture)

There's still room to spare. This configuration is quite nice though as everything is easily to hand - nothing is on top of anything else. Also, I could easily squeeze in another reasonable size lens if I removed the Wizards for example. There is also room around/under the 400mm for things like a battery charger and rain cover.

The depth of the bag is a huge plus. It will hold the 70-200 vertically as well as accommodating the 400mm's sizeable lens hood. There is a small raised section in the base of the bag which allows for the handle - but there should still be room for another reasonably long lens to be positioned vertically if needed.

The padding is excellent. This isn't a completely rigid bag but the padding around the sides and base is around 1 inch thick. There is slightly less padding on the top but enough nevertheless.

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SECURITY: Cleverly designed locks add a sense of security to both main zipped compartments. The zippers are of industrial standard. It would also be possible to use a padlock to secure the zippers if you wanted to.

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LAPTOP: Not a problem - the laptop fits nicely in the front compartment and I have a fairly chunky 15" machine. I'd probably remove it if the bag was checked in as it might be a little bit vulnerable, but for travel to and from a venue it's fine. A thin neoprene cover might come in handy. I wouldn't think that a 17" machine would fit though.

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ACCESS: It's possible to gain access to your gear without opening the main compartment. If you want to whip out a camera and a lens then it can be done with minimum fuss. Importantly, the bag can remain in the vertical position when doing this - so you don't have to lay it down if you don't want to.

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HANDLE: I'm fairly tall at 6'0" - so I was pleased at the overall length of the handle. It would suit a taller person as well. The handle has three positions, so that you can adjust it for your height. It is hidden under a zip flap and is raised/lowered/locked via a simple button on the top surface.

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BACKPACK: If you want to carry it on your back, then you can. The shoulder straps are tucked away under a small flap on the rear of the bag. The harness isn't a huge, chunky padded affair, but is quite adequate for carrying the bag up stairs or over uneven ground if necessary. I tested it up and down the stairs at home - using just one strap over one shoulder  The bag is heavy when fully loaded but it worked just fine as a temporary measure. Like I said before, this isn't a hiking bag - but it's a useful feature.

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MORE SECURITY: Hidden behind the backpack harness is a security cable - great for securing your bag if you leave it unattended - e.g. in a media centre. This 'hidden' compartment could also be useful for storing valuables.

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MORE HANDLES: Another view of the bag showing some of the carry handles. As you can see there is a handle for horizontal carrying and one for vertical. There is also a handle on the corner of the bag and one on the base. I assume these are to make it easy to pull the bag out of a storage compartment - another very nice touch.

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ANOTHER VIEW: of bag loaded up.

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DIVIDERS: Plenty. These are the dividers I had left over after configuring the bag.

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This is a well thought out and high quality product. It appears to have been designed by and for photographers. I hope this quick review has been useful.

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WHEELS: The wheels make very little impact on the internal dimensions of the bag - a nice, low-profile design, very small but they seem very robust.

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POCKETS: This one is on the side.

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MORE POCKETS: Inside the top flap - a nice touch is that all the pockets are transparent so you can locate items speedily.

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FLAP: The inner flap with a large mesh pocket for storage.

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FLAP AGAIN: The other side of the inner flap - again sporting a couple of see-through pockets.

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MONOPOD ATTACHMENT: Via one simple (and suitably long) cinch strap and a flexible pouch on the side of the bag.

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TRIPOD ATTACHMENT: Large or small tripods can be attached via these additional, supplied straps/accessories.

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LABELS: All the straps are labelled for easy identification- another very nice touch.

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RAIN COVER: Supplied in a handy little bag that is attached inside the front pocket - bit like a 'pac-a-mac'

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ALL-OVER PROTECTION: The rain cover is quickly and easily fitted and provides coverage for all the important parts of the bag in a downpour. It is secured tightly via an adjustable elasticated fastner so it won't be troubled by the wind.

thanks to Gavin (gmen)  for photos and review.