TAMRAC LENS CASES + HASSELBLAD 50C II + BATTERIES IN CASE #MX5341
TAMRAC LENS CASES
LENS CASES:Â MX5341, MX5347, MX5375, MX5378, MX5380, more.
I am pretty set regarding backpacks and gear, and Tamrac makes the best lens cases for my needs.
Over the years, I have learned what works when lugging gear into the landscape. Many bigger and stronger photographers can pack a large backpack and go with it, but not me, as I am a petite female and require a smaller bag.
The Think Tank Retrospective 15 (20-liter) backpack is large enough to carry just what I need and small enough to prevent overpacking. What I need the Retrospective to take is one system.
An example is my Hasselblad three-lens system, which comprises a camera body, a film or digital back, a viewfinder, and various accessories.
Even though the Retrospective 15 has rear access, I prefer to go through the top of the pack to retrieve what I want, and this is where the Tamrac lens cases outdo those of other manufacturers.
HASSELBLAD KIT IN RETROSPECTIVE 15 + TAMRAC & STONE PHOTO CASES
HOW I PACK A BAG
In the above photo, we see my Hasselblad three-lens kit.
The (#2) Tamrac lens cases fit snugly in a row at the bottom of the pack. Next, the (#3) Pro shade lies across the top of the 60 and 100 lenses, creating a shelf for the (#1) blue case, which holds the camera body, magazine, and viewfinder. Then, the (#5) cord & tool bag is placed in the front pocket’s zippered compartment, and finally, the (#6) film and (#4) Lee filter case are in the front pocket above the Retrospective’s rain shield.
The pack is not too heavy, is comfortable to wear, and is not unwieldy.
Regardless of the backpack I use, the first thing I do is remove the manufacturer’s internal dividers. I then place them in a bag, seal it up, and write where they came from, so that later, if I decide it is time to sell the backpack, I will place the new dividers inside for the next owner.
I want an empty pack that I can fill with gear protected in its case. Something as simple as a handle, as shown on the top of the Tamrac cases, made a significant difference in my lens case preferences. When I reach into my Retrospective backpack, I want to grab the handle on top of the gear case to pull it out.
I was surprised how many lens case manufacturers do not include a handle on top of their cases.
TAMRAC MX5431 | DIY DIGITAL BACK CASE
NOT JUST FOR LENSES
Lens cases are not just for lenses. I use lens cases to protect my Fujifilm X-Pro3 and XE2 camera bodies, my ALPA SK 35/5.6 lens, mounted on a square box, which goes into a Tamrac case, and my Linhof Multi-Format Viewfinder.
When I needed a case to fit my Hasselblad digital back and extra batteries for road trips, I considered what Tamrac lens cases had to offer. After I made the modifications (DIY INSTRUCTIONS), I found that the Tamrac MX5431 lens case supports my Hasselblad digital back and batteries very well when it is inserted into my Retrospective pack.
I use an ALPA rear lens cover to fit three batteries into the bottom of the case.
Then I took two Think Tank bag dividers, placed foam board between them, and sewed them together to make a sturdy divider between the digital back and the batteries. It fits securely in the MX5431 and is easily accessible from the backpack via the top handle.
Tamrac offers a generous selection of cases that help me stow my gear how I want.