Metal cases

[arigram]

I am looking for a good quallity case to house my Hasselblad gear but also carry it to "clean" locations. Sturdy and stylish is what I am looking for.
I looked at the british Alluminum Case company and they seem really wonderful with all that customising but I can't think of a case going for less than 700 euros if take advantage of the options.

What do you suggest?

 

[NikoSperi]

Like anything photographic, it exists in the "normal" world too, and costs a fifth of the price. Just look what an opaque tupperware costs when it's called a daylight tank!

While I could suggest Amabilia, I sincerely doubt they will meet the budget constraints. I have found a well known brand: DIY. On my last stint to the local DIY store to buy stuff to make drying racks... I found the aluminum cases, and some foam all for about $40.

 

[rogueish]

Same deal for me as NikoSperi. Found a reasonable quality aluminum case at one of the local big hardware store. $30CDN, bright shiney, locking latches and cubed foam for easy cut outs. Also has a removable holder in the lid that is perfect for 120 film. Holds my Nikon and my TLR, with light meter and filters. Been abusing it for over a year now and it still looks good and shiney.
The paper label under the wrap showed it filled with tools (like any self respecting construction worker would show up with this HA!).

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Zero Halliburton is the classic aluminum case. Once they were really seen as easy targets for theft, but I don't know that that's so true anymore, now that they make conventional luggage and briefcases of the same design, and there are imitators out there.

 

[mark]

This will sound blunt but it sounds like you are about to write STEAL MY VERY EXPENSIVE CAMERA all over yourself. If you want something stylish look into a nice shoulderbag that you can put foam pads into, or some other everyday type multipurpose case. The shiny metal cases are nothing but advertisments. The best field case I ever saw a "pro" using was one of those big lunch bags. Looked like he was carrying around his lunch until he opened it and whipped out the Mamiya 645. JMO though.

 

[Loose Gravel]

Hasselblad made a nice metal case. I just sold a bunch of Hassie gear for a friend. I threw in the case to the person that bought the most stuff. Nice metal case with dividers and things for storing all the little goodies. Maybe you can find a used one of these.

 

[rogueish]

This will sound blunt but it sounds like you are about to write STEAL MY VERY EXPENSIVE CAMERA all over yourself.

Your right of course, no point in drawing extra criminal scrutiny than one can get away with (pun intended of course).
But I find these days, most thieves don't need an excuse to steal just about anything. I even had guys checking out my stained, duct taped, beatup back pack with glints in their eyes. I once had a garbage bag of dirty laundry stolen out the back of my car.
But it is nice to have something that looks good and is convenient to carry around.

 

[blaze-on]

I bought an older style suitcase from an antique mall for $22.00. Brown leather, had some side pouches in it, a divider flap for top compartment. Add foam, voila!

 

[arigram]

I already have a leather shoulderbag which only has space for the camera with one back and lens. I have a cheap metal one which I use for storage which is good lookin but kinda small. I will be expanding my system so I will need a new case which is bigger.
The reason I am looking at a stylish one is to give a good impression for potential subjects/clients. I will not be carrying it on the street or in the countryside. For most of my shooting I will be using a Lowepro backpack.

 

[rbarker]

Get the $30 case at the hardware store, and then carefully paint Hasselblad logos on the sides. Then, drive up in a Yugo, cleverly disguised to look like a Testarosa. It helps to have a beautiful, 20-year old Italian fashion model working as your assistant, too.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

It helps to have a beautiful, 20-year old Italian fashion model working as your assistant, too.

I think you mean, "a 54 year old overweight guy with bad skin and a combover who hasn't taken a bath for a week cleverly disguised as a 20-year-old fashion model."

 

[rbarker]

I think you mean, "a 54 year old overweight guy with bad skin and a combover who hasn't taken a bath for a week cleverly disguised as a 20-year-old fashion model."

Gosh, David, the disguise shops in New York must be very well stocked. I've never seen a disguise that good out here.

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

NikoSperi, it's like that with most things these days..

I like military ammunition cases from surplus military stores..
Not fancy looking and they sink in water (atleast the metal ones) but they are reasonably cheap..

 

[BradS]

If you want style and don't mind drawing **a lot** of attention, get a brushed aluminum case from zero haliburton. They've long been the standard for "stylish metal" camera cases. Not fun to carry in the airports though. I bought one long ago for my 35mm kit. I was more concerned with protecting the gear than looking good. I actually bought a big, non-discript canvas bag last time I was flying with it. Now, I carry the zero case in the canvas bag when travelling. It is invisible.