Anyone ever heard of Vanguard cases?

I was at our local camera shop today and came across a Vanguard UP-Rise 16Z. I remember owning a Vanguard tripod way back, but it was a pretty budget branded tripod.

I've been looking for a holster style case for just a body and lens. I've looked at a few, but this one looked really well built. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this case or the 15Z.

I'd like to get a gripped 5D II with 24-105 and hood on in the case. I'd also like another holster for the same body but with 70-200 2.8 with hood on.

I've only seen the cases on their online catalog and while looks aren't everything I wasn't too impressed by them. Their tripods are much improved and more recently a model from their CF range was highly awarded by a coalition of 25 of Europe's leading technical magazines. That said, I'm still dubious about the overall design of their tripod heads.

Have you had a look at Think Tank? I imagine it's tough to find better.


Cheers

I own a Vanguard tripod and am plenty happy with it. Strong, sturdy, durable, and the price was right.

The store I work at carries Vanguard hard cases, and they certianly seem like a quality product. When I demo the large ones I even stand on it to show it's durable (I'm a 6'4" 350lbs...) and it doesn't flinch. While they might not be made to the same specs and quality of something like a Pelican I'd feel more than safe putting my gear in one. I'd say they're at least 95% the quality of a Pelican.

I have looked at Think Tank, but I actually thought the Vanguard was better constructed. Also, the expansion zipper was closer to the top of the case than at the bottom where the hood goes where I think it is more likely to fall or get damage.

SunTsu wrote in post #11238371
I have looked at Think Tank, but I actually thought the Vanguard was better constructed. Also, the expansion zipper was closer to the top of the case than at the bottom where the hood goes where I think it is more likely to fall or get damage.

You got me there friend.

My experience of the Vanguard pan n tilt head ( it won't accept gripped bodies ) and buying experience of tripod and head with a certain UK dealer has almost put me off the brand.

I think Vanguard generally offer good value. The tripod legs I purchased were fine and as MSI Guy said, strong, sturdy and durable though it marked fairly easily.

So you've examined the Vanguard case then I take it?


Cheers

It doesn't look big enough to fit a 5dm2 gripped.