Suggestions for Film Holder Carrying Bags

[Michael Gaillard]

I'm heading out to a desert climate and am concerned about walking around in the heat with my loaded film holders… Does anyone have any suggestions for bags that would work for carrying about 8-10 8x10 holders, ideally with a shoulder strap? I've seen some camera bags that might be boxy enough for this purpose, but I have a feeling there are some that aren't originally intended for camera equipment that might actually work better.

Suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[vinny]

Softside cooler bags.

[Michael Gaillard]

Of course!! Thanks

Something like this looks about right: http://www.polarbearcoolers.com/product/12_pack_soft_coolers/PB120.html

Any experience with specific brands?

[Tin Can]

I bought this for 4X5, they also make 8X10, but I find the 4X5 size too hard to use, the holders are very difficult to remove. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-3S-KangRinpoche-4x5-Film-Holders-Bag-10-Pack-/191528471838?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c97fc8d1e

From the same company at the same time I bought the 5X7. I find it works way better. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-3S-KangRinpoche-5x7-Film-Holders-Bag-5-Pack-/191369394281?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c8e813869

I want to try this, but I am worried the advertised slots are too small for my RR 11x14 holders. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-3S-KangRinpoche-11x14-Film-Holders-Bag-5-Pack-/201277074933?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2edd0c6df5

I have not tried the 8X10 model.

But none of these are dust proof and even the 5X7 which I like could not hold the holders inside necessary zip lock bags.

The bags work for me to use on clean locations, primarily inside, in Chicago, which is obviously not the desert.

Ziplocks in a cooler is my suggestion.

[Leszek Vogt]

These, Randy, look rather pedantic. My Ultra by arctic zone is not...and it cost me about 1/2 as much. I think I could squeeze 2 small kids into this thing :>). But, the credit goes to Ken.

Les

[Tin Can]

These, Randy, look rather pedantic. My Ultra by arctic zone is not...and it cost me about 1/2 as much. I think I could squeeze 2 small kids into this thing :>). But, the credit goes to Ken.

Les

Pedantic?

I didn't think my review was positive...

Coolers do work well.

I find tripods the biggest problem, unless you have an Ansel truck.

[N Dhananjay]

The best stuff I have seen are the RPT fim holder bags designed and sold by photobackpacker.com. Thoughtfully designed. Cheers, DJ

[vinny]

The best stuff I have seen are the RPT fim holder bags designed and sold by photobackpacker.com. Thoughtfully designed. Cheers, DJ
Those only hold 3 holders, offer no insulation from the heat, and don't have shoulder straps.

[N Dhananjay]

Actually they do have shoulder straps. They can be put into the cooler for protection from the heat. One set of 3 holders can be hung from the tripod when working. And they have little areas to scribble notes like film that has been loaded etc.

[angusparker]

The best stuff I have seen are the RPT fim holder bags designed and sold by photobackpacker.com. Thoughtfully designed. Cheers, DJ

+1 They come in 4x5 too. Very compact. Not a lot of compression protection though. I put my film holders in a ziplock bag and then in the RPT holder.

[Vaughn]

I bought three cooler bags a long while back...zippered, insulated (padded) and hold 5 to 6 8x10 holders -- strap, but not a great one. I put them into a hard-sided ice chest in the car. from these folks http://www.californiainnovations.com/coolers.html but nothing on the site quite the same. Good luck!

[Michael Gaillard]

Thanks everyone. I wound up buying this: http://www.polarbearcoolers.com/prod...ers/PB120.html

I read great reviews that these kept ice from melting for 44 hours.

Now, I don't think I want to put any ice packs in the outer pockets, though, for fear of any condensation occurring when I take them out into the dry hot air. Right? I'm assuming if they are that good at insulating, it should be fine.

Oh, and I got the light gray one, thinking that would be best.

[StoneNYC]

What does the heat do? I mean, the holders won't melt, the film won't melt.

I'm not being condescending I'm trying to learn.

I just use a zippered briefcase for my 8x10 holders. But I'm dealing with snow, freezing hands, and static filled air, not blistering heat. This is for non-long walking trips, long hikes I would use a backpack.

[John Kasaian]

I'd think heat would tend to effect color emulsions more profoundly than B&W, but that's just a guess oh my part.
However, Ansel Adams wrote that he preferred painting his gear boxes white in order to reflect heat.
I would assume he knew a thing or two, LOL!.

[John Kasaian]

Thanks everyone. I wound up buying this: http://www.polarbearcoolers.com/prod...ers/PB120.html

I read great reviews that these kept ice from melting for 44 hours.

Now, I don't think I want to put any ice packs in the outer pockets, though, for fear of any condensation occurring when I take them out into the dry hot air. Right? I'm assuming if they are that good at insulating, it should be fine.

Oh, and I got the light gray one, thinking that would be best.
No ice packs. Please.
Save the ice for coolers containing the beer:cool:

[Michael Gaillard]

Right. Got it.

[Kirk Gittings]

Thanks everyone. I wound up buying this: http://www.polarbearcoolers.com/prod...ers/PB120.html

I read great reviews that these kept ice from melting for 44 hours.

Now, I don't think I want to put any ice packs in the outer pockets, though, for fear of any condensation occurring when I take them out into the dry hot air. Right? I'm assuming if they are that good at insulating, it should be fine.

Oh, and I got the light gray one, thinking that would be best.

that looks like a perfect bag for carrying extra film holders and I may buy one for that. In the bag I prefer a Gnass cascade holder or the PBP version. As per the color of the bag-I know this is not de rigueur for photographers but its not a fashion show. For various accessory bags like these I get them in different bright colors (the brighter the better) so at a glance I can see if I left something on site, in the motel room, on top of the car etc. In dim light or when I was in a panicked rush it has totally saved my butt a few times.

[vinny]

Thanks everyone. I wound up buying this: http://www.polarbearcoolers.com/prod...ers/PB120.html

I read great reviews that these kept ice from melting for 44 hours.

Now, I don't think I want to put any ice packs in the outer pockets, though, for fear of any condensation occurring when I take them out into the dry hot air. Right? I'm assuming if they are that good at insulating, it should be fine.

Oh, and I got the light gray one, thinking that would be best.

In this case, a $6 trader joes cooler or any other padded bag under $10 is going to serve the same purpose. If it's 100 degrees outside, eventually everything in your bags will get close to that temp. Your film will be fine, even in many days at that temp.


I bought three cooler bags a long while back...zippered, insulated (padded) and hold 5 to 6 8x10 holders -- strap, but not a great one. I put them into a hard-sided ice chest in the car. from these folks http://www.californiainnovations.com/coolers.html but nothing on the site quite the same. Good luck!
I wish I'd bought more of those from Matt at the time. Best 8x10 bags ever!

[Drew Bedo]

I use a cooler bag that I got at a thrift store for just a few dollars.

[Lenny Eiger]

I have a photobackpacker setup in my little daypack. I bought two large lens cases and set them sideways. They handle about 5-6 holders each, zipper up if I need them to. For dust in the desert, ziplock bags.

Lenny

[Doug Howk]

For 5X7 I got one from Photobackpacker which does keep the dust out.
For real protection, I got a bag from AWB http://www.filmholders.com/softcase.html