055XPROB - proper Manfrotto case or creative solution?

[steveatesh]

Having just become the proud owner of the Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod and 804RC2 head I'm wondering what's the best solution for a carry case? The proper Manfrotto cases are obviously a good choice but quite expensive so I'm wondering if anybody has found a good alternative case, or even made their own or otherwise found a good solution?

[Simpo Two]

I looked at them and thought 'That's nice', but didn't buy it. Ever since then I've just carried the 055 naked. What's the need for a case? Just more faff to put it in, take it out and then keep somewhere during use. IMHO of course!

More practically, it has fixings for a sling if you want to carry it over your shoulder like a rifle.

[steveatesh]

Ok, that sounds like sage advice. I didn't even know it had sling fastenings!

I'll try that approach first. Guess it's cos my current tripod came with a case - need to change my habits!

[Simpo Two]

steveatesh said:

Ok, that sounds like sage advice. I didn't even know it had sling fastenings!

I'll try that approach first. Guess it's cos my current tripod came with a case - need to change my habits!

There should be little silver metal bits under the head and at the bottom of the centre column. It also has leg warmers so you can carry it on cold days without freezing your hands.

My main issue is the weight - I almost never use it at weddings but once I got a guest to carry it for me

[minky monkey]

I have both the bag and the the shoulder strap. I can honestly say, I've never taken it out in the bag (I use it to store the tripod in the boot of my car). It's too bulky. Plus when you consider that I've always got a camera bag with me too, it's too much of a faff frankly.

If you want to transport it, go for the the shoulder strap. Make sure it's got decent shoulder padding though, as the weight gets a pain after a while!

[RobDickinson]

I got a bag with the CF feisol, I use it when travelling just to pack it, never actually go out with it.

[markmullen]

I use a Calumet padded lighting stand bag in the boot of my car to chuck my tripods in whilst travelling, they're heavily padded and big enough to get 2 tripods with large heads in across the boot.