In my never ending search for the perfect case, I have been using the Think Tank Airport Airstream for the last few weeks for transporting my camera kit around the country. Needing a larger case for the Speedlights than my old filter case, I have tried the Think Tank Urban Disguise 60, then opted for the Think Tank Airport Ultralight V2.0 backpack. The airstream is for me the perfect case while the Antidote is 90% there.

A real test came the other day when I was shooting in Central Queensland in a trip that took 2 hours on a big plane, 2 hours on a small plane, then 2 1/2hours driving on roads that gradually reduced from normal road, single lane bitumen, to gravel track with big patches of fine bulldust and plenty of cattle grids, heading to find drilling crew so I could shoot their truck for a calendar. You know you are getting remote when the landscape starts to resemble a sci fi movie.

The test was this was the first time my Airport Airstream had to be put through the hold of the small plane and then through to the luggage carousel and I have to say it performed fantastically. It is a soft bag with a stiff deep frame that protects the gear very well from every angle. I was watching the luggage handlers and because the bag has handles on 3 sides, I saw it was easy for them to lift and there wasn’t a “swinging throw” which I have seen being used on my Pelican cases.

I have caught about 10 flights and not once has it been asked to be weighed, there is real benefit to having a case that doesn’t look like a camera case. Fully loaded, it is double the weight (14kg) allowed for carry on luggage (7kg).

A few things missing for me on the Ultralight are, it would be great if it had slip pocket to safely sit in the Airstream’s handle, if the backpack straps folded away or could be removed completely, if it could be 1-2 inches shorter, and if it could have subtle lateral compressions straps to keep the outside pocket thin, it would be perfect. Otherwise it holds my 7 speedlights and David Honl accessories, Elvis Parr softbox brackets brilliantly.

Think Tank Airport Airstream with my Nikon D3, D3x, 14-24mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, 35mm PC, CF Card holders and a Lacie 320GB Rugged hard drive

Think Tank Airport Airstream with my Nikon D3, D3x, 14-24mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, 35mm PC, CF Card holders and a Lacie 320GB Rugged hard drive

TThink Tank Airport Ultralight2.0 with 4 x SB800s, 3 x SB900s, 2 x SD8As, 1 x SU800, and David Honl Speed Grid Light Modifiers

David Honl Cutters, Snoots, Velcro Straps and Gels are kept under control in this handy bag that I keep in the outside pocket of the Ultralight

After 6 hours travelling.......still not at the location but I found a very volcanic looking hill