mini-review: Thintank Photo's Airport 4-Sight rollercase

[Ellis Vener]

I've been using TTP's new Airport 4-Sight roller case for about a week now. No flights with it yet - that comes next week - but I don't forsee any problems with it as the size looks right for overhead bins even on commute turbo-props, but I've been using it as I work around the city and in clients' spaces.

What makes it it especially different from other camera cases is that it has 4 independently pivoting wheels on the bottom which makes it very easy to move in and through narrow spaces, or it can be tilted to use as a wide stance standard push or pull roller. It  also rolls well over wet grass and uneven ground & broken up sidewalks. I'm tall, six foot five, and the handle is long enough to be comfortable whether pulling /pushing it on two wheels or steering it using all four wheels.

I've been using it loaded  with three bodies ( D800, D800E, D4), three lenses ( 24-70mm f/2.8G Nikkor, 24-120mm f/4G VR II Nikkor, & 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II - the last attached to either the D800 or D800E), three PocketWizard MUltiMAX transceivers, misc. cables, two TTP PocketRocket media wallets, extra batteries , a Hoodman 3.0 Loupe, and odds and ends like an Xrite ColorChecker Passport and a medium size (5x7?) WhiBAL G7 target, extra batteries, & other small etc. items.  

When working out of it I like the way it unzips three quarters of the way around with the hinge on the long side when the bag is lying down. The inside of the flap has two nicely sized zippered flat mesh pockets good for documents and things like the WhiBal.

The exterior is a very clean design with no external pockets, except on the top for business cards and maybe a passport.  On the other hand that also means there's not any attachment points  to bungee cord or strap a tripod to it  unless you cinch it to the handles.

Construction seems to be up to Thinktank Photo's usual standards. After a week's use I like it more than I thought I would and believe it to be a great design for a working photographer who doesn't carry a huge camera kit with them.

[Ellis Vener]

Link: http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/airport-4-sight.aspx

[Ben Rubinstein]

What's the difference between this and the airport international?

[Ellis Vener]

I have the Airport International v1. The big difference is having four wheels instead of just two. This means a couple of things: you don't have to tilt the case to roll it  and you can wheel it sideways (narrower profile forward) or at an angle to your body as you move with it. The  "box" feels a bit sturdier as well.

[Ben Rubinstein]

Is the size similar Ellis? It looks like it would hold less than the Airport International?

[Ellis Vener]

It's a little smaller. Specs for the Airport 4-Sight are at http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/airport-4-sight.aspx and those for the Airport International V2.0 are at http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/airport-international-v2-roller-camera-bag.aspx 

[JohnBrew]

Ellis, you said there was no way to bungee cord a tripod to the case. How do you transport your tripod on an airplane? I have an Hakuba which will collapse enough to fit into a carry on bag, but what if I wanted to take the big gun RRS? Your thoughts are appreciated.

[Ellis Vener]

Ellis, you said there was no way to bungee cord a tripod to the case. How do you transport your tripod on an airplane? I have an Hakuba which will collapse enough to fit into a carry on bag, but what if I wanted to take the big gun RRS? Your thoughts are appreciated.

A) I was talking about carrying a tripod around on public transportation, from your car, and once you are on location.

B) for big tripods I use a Lightware flip lid tripod case or if I've got a lot of grip gear and stands in Lightware 40" cargo case. If I am flying without a lot of equipment I reconfigure a TTP Logistics Manager to be my suitcase and put either of my Gitzo's in their as well. You could also ship via FedEX, UPS or etc.