Best cases for portable lights

[chefpete69]

I have recently got a 3 head studio light kit, and am wondering what bags/cases members use for storage/transport. any links to case manufacturers would be appreciated....what type of case do you use?

[Hermes]

What brand are your lights? the best cases are usually the manufacturer's own as they will be shaped to hold the lights firmly.

[RichNY]

Lightware makes an excellent line of high end bags and cases. I own a few and a very pleased with their construction.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/4522/Lightware_Lighting_Cases_Accessories.html

[sfaust]

I use Lightware, and Tenba, both very well made. I also have a couple Calumet cases which also seem reasonable. I think all in all, I have about 15 of those cases and they all hold up very well.

I use two of the Tenba CCxx (CC15, CC17, etc) for my monolights. They will hold 6 lights in each case, basically three down each side. The middle is left open and holds a set of grids, speed rings, ac cords, etc. I can grab a case and know I have everything I need for a 6 light setup with the exception of the stands and softboxes. Those are carried together in a Calumet STC46 case. each STC46 has 3 stands, softboxes, and umbrellas.

[DavidPhoto]

Just took a look at the Tenba. The Tenba CC17 says it will hold 2 monolights. You can fit 6?

[highbarger]

I have one of these (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/304721-REG/Photogenic_915378_Soft_Wheel_Kit_Case.html). It looks small but holds quite a bit of kit. Mine has two monolights, three stands, a boom arm, reflector holder, snoots, grids, cords and umbrellas in it. The wheels make it easy to move around.

[sfaust]

I lied :oops: I just bought a bunch of new cases and thought it was the CCC17.

I thought they measured it in height, but they measure it in width instead. The CC17 is a tad smaller, the one I have is 17"H, 22W, 13D. I couldn't find it listed as a CCxx case. It was actually designed for a 4x5 monorail camera. I just flip the two two dividers over, and position each about 6" from each side.

At that size, it will take a white lightning strobe from front to back when lying on the floor of the case. You can stack three of them on the left, and three on the right using the dividers provided with the case. That leaves about 10"Wx13"Dx17"H between the two dividers that I use for the grids, speed rings, A/C cords, etc.

Looking at the CC17, it can hold 3 White Lightnings if standing vertical, with some space for grids, cords, and speedrings. It might fit 4 with a/c cords, but not rings/grids.

Sorry for the confusion.

[sfaust]

I found it here. Its a CCV45.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/165048-REG/Tenba_634405_Car_Case_CCV45.html

[DavidPhoto]

I lied :oops: I just bought a bunch of new cases and thought it was the CCC17.

I thought they measured it in height, but they measure it in width instead. The CC17 is a tad smaller, the one I have is 17"H, 22W, 13D. I couldn't find it listed as a CCxx case. It was actually designed for a 4x5 monorail camera. I just flip the two two dividers over, and position each about 6" from each side.

At that size, it will take a white lightning strobe from front to back when lying on the floor of the case. You can stack three of them on the left, and three on the right using the dividers provided with the case. That leaves about 10"Wx13"Dx17"H between the two dividers that I use for the grids, speed rings, A/C cords, etc.

Looking at the CC17, it can hold 3 White Lightnings if standing vertical, with some space for grids, cords, and speedrings. It might fit 4 with a/c cords, but not rings/grids.

Sorry for the confusion.


ha! I thought you had some kewl mini lights or something.

Is it this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/165048-REG/Tenba_634405_Car_Case_CCV45.html)one? How does it compare to the Lightware cases?
That would be pretty handy for me too. There are a lot of case options but finding one that will hold grids and reflectors too would be nice. Now if only it had a beauty dish pocket!

[DavidPhoto]

I found it here. Its a CCV45.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/165048-REG/Tenba_634405_Car_Case_CCV45.html


you beat me to it! Thanks.

[sfaust]

It compares to Lightware very well. I have both and find them of nearly equal quality.

Tenba has a case that might fit the Beauty Dish also. I've been looking at it myself, and If it fits I'll probably get one. I haven't measured my Beauty Dish and grid to see if they will both fit.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/264314-REG/Tenba_634502_Car_Case_CC22.html

[sfaust]

I just went and measured. The White Lightning beauty dish is 23" across. The depth is fine, but the diameter is about 2 inches too large to fit.

I wonder what Tenba they was thinking? They state the inside dimensions are 21" x 21", yet they say it will fit a 22" circular beauty dish. Where does that extra inch come from? ;)

[DavidPhoto]

Too bad. My beauty dish is a little smaller so it will work for me. Fairly expensive case though considering how much the dish costs.

[sfaust]

Your's fits! I hate you :) :D

I thought the same about the cost. The only saving grace would be that the depth would have also fit the $150 grid. So at least the case wouldn't cost more than the beauty dish :)

[DavidPhoto]

Your's fits! I hate you :) :D

I thought the same about the cost. The only saving grace would be that the depth would have also fit the $150 grid. So at least the case wouldn't cost more than the beauty dish :)

LOL, I don't have a $150 grid but I do have some diffusers (not sure they would fit) so the case would cost more than the dish. What grid costs $150 anyhow?

Sorry for the thread hijack.

[Double Negative]

I'm probably going to start off with a snowboard bag (I have several) as it's similar in size to the Lightware case, has rollers and is plenty long enough for everything. The only downside is the lack of straps on the inside to keep things organized... But it's basically free for me. :D

[sfaust]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/133204-REG/Speedotron_14630_22_Honeycomb_Grid_35.html

[RichNY]

Tenba and Lightware are both top of the line bags. I have a few Lightware bags for my lighting kit and Tenba bags for grip equipment and my portfolio case.