Thinktank Rolling Camera Bag - Vendors?

[sapearl]

After reading glowing reviews earlier on Thinktank's Airport Security rolling camera case I've decided to place my order. Initially I considered Tamrac and Lowepro, but Thinktank's product seems to have a better feature set as well as very high build quality.

Has anybody had a preferred vendor for this bag? A lot of places don't sell it and it's not sold locally so I will have to go mail order from either Penn Camera Professional, Roberts or Allen's Camera & Video. They seem to be focused on the East coast and Midwest. For a while this item was on backorder until December for some reason; thanks in advance.
- Stu
- Cleveland, Ohio

[Mike K]

After reading glowing reviews earlier on Thinktank's Airport Security rolling camera case I've decided to place my order. Initially I considered Tamrac and Lowepro, but Thinktank's product seems to have a better feature set as well as very high build quality.

Has anybody had a preferred vendor for this bag? A lot of places don't sell it and it's not sold locally so I will have to go mail order from either Penn Camera Professional, Roberts or Allen's Camera & Video. They seem to be focused on the East coast and Midwest. For a while this item was on backorder until December for some reason; thanks in advance.
- Stu
- Cleveland, Ohio

You can call Doug Murdoch at Think Tank, in Santa Rosa CA and he will set you up. they very recently moved to a new location. Doug is very helpful over the phone, I have visited him a few times. Yes, I believe there was a shortage of supply for a month or two.
Mike K

[sapearl]

Thanks for the info Mike - I had the impression though that Thinktank gear was only sold through the listed distributors/links. Are you saying that they will now sell direct? - Stu

You can call Doug Murdoch at Think Tank, in Santa Rosa CA and he will set you up. they very recently moved to a new location. Doug is very helpful over the phone, I have visited him a few times. Yes, I believe there was a shortage of supply for a month or two.
Mike K

[JBillings]

I bought mine thru Samy's. It is a GREAT bag.

[sapearl]

Always nice to hear a good endorsement - thanks. I'd heard Samy's was good, but I'll likely be buying mine in the states.

I see you have bogen and gitzo tripods. Did you get the telescoping bazooka tripod "cylinder" that straps onto the side of the Airport Security for either of these, or do you just strap it in bare? Also, did you purchase any of the other Thinktank products? - Stu

I bought mine thru Samy's. It is a GREAT bag.

[sunbeast]

Here's a link to the Think Tank website and their "To Buy" page. Lists retailers, including their own direct site. Enjoy the bag...looks like a winner.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/purchase/to_buy.php

[Mike K]

Thanks for the info Mike - I had the impression though that Thinktank gear was only sold through the listed distributors/links. Are you saying that they will now sell direct? - Stu

Yes, they will also sell direct.

[sboerup]

Tempe Camera is great, but they are AZ.

[JBillings]

Always nice to hear a good endorsement - thanks. I'd heard Samy's was good, but I'll likely be buying mine in the states.

I see you have bogen and gitzo tripods. Did you get the telescoping bazooka tripod "cylinder" that straps onto the side of the Airport Security for either of these, or do you just strap it in bare? Also, did you purchase any of the other Thinktank products? - Stu

Stu, Yes, I've bought other ThinkTank bags... specifically the Airport Addicted. Wouldn't you know it they'd announce the Airport Security (AS) bag about 2 months after I'd bought the Airport Addicted (AA) bag:(

I've used both bags in backpack configuration, and I'ved used the included tripod straps. But I don't do it often.

My bag when loaded weighs about 45 lbs and it's not often i want to pack that much around. I primarily use the bag for traveling to different photo shoots. I've used the AA bag for a winter trip in Yellowstone. I was able to get thru airport security and get the bag on board, with no questions asked. But having a bad back, it wasn't hard to convince me I didn't want to do this often. Hence my upgrade to a wheeled bag.

I've sinced used the AS bag for a Winter trip to Haines, AK. The wheels are a great bonus for me. The bags holds almost as much as the AA.

Both bags have excellent construction, and have more dividers than you'll ever use. It gives you a tremendous amount of options.

[Pinto]

Always nice to hear a good endorsement - thanks. I'd heard Samy's was good, but I'll likely be buying mine in the states.

??? Samy's is in Los Angeles. I know this is the People's Republic of Kalifornia, but I think it is still considered by most people to be in the states :lol:

[sapearl]

I'm not real sure about that - I called them yesterday and left a call back message, which was returned pretty fast.

He said they are not really set up to sell direct, and that it would be the same if I just went through one of the regular stores.

Yes, they will also sell direct.

[sapearl]

Just another note about inventory, which is slim at this point probably in every U.S. store. I'd talked to Alvin at Thinktank who was extremely pleasant and seemed very customer focused. His demeanor reminded me a bit of Bob Newton of "NewtonBrackets.com" another top quality vendor.

We discussed a few features of the bag, the fact that all the stores would be getting fresh inventory about the same time....... turns out that this item is manufactured in Viet Nam. "Much of your high end luggage and camera bags like this are made there." Well, you learn something new every day.

I placed the order with Penn Camera since they had some of the lower UPS rates per my address. I'm told it should be 4-6 weeks. - Stu

[Mike K]

I'm not real sure about that - I called them yesterday and left a call back message, which was returned pretty fast.

He said they are not really set up to sell direct, and that it would be the same if I just went through one of the regular stores.

Yes it would probably be the same price. But they are more likely to have stock.

[sapearl]

Those were my initial thoughts too, but he is also out of stock right now. Oh well, it's winter and the slow season so I can survive a few weeks with the old Haliburton case ;) .

Yes it would probably be the same price. But they are more likely to have stock.