Photography News Issue 61

Photography News | Issue 61 | photographynews.co.uk

First tests

Vanguard Alta Fly 55T £249.99

Specs

Travel broadens the mind, but it can be bad for the back, too. With the often prodigious distances you need to walk at airports nowadays, a good wheelie case can make your life so much more comfortable than a traditional backpack. And of course, it has to conform to hand baggage regulations of the airline you’re flying with. TheVanguardAlta Fly 55T (winner of this year’s TIPA Best Camera Bag Award) has the potential to be the ideal travelling companion. It conforms to current hand baggage size guidelines, has a set of four smooth-running wheels so is perfect for pushing along, and has straps to transform it into a backpack. Vanguard’s Alta Fly family comprises several models but only the 55T and 58T are four-wheel models, with the one we try here, the 55T, being the smaller of the two. Open the bag up and the laptop compartment is in the lid, and there’s a zipped securing mesh that helps to keep items in place during transit. The two zips for the main compartment can be locked together, and Vanguard even supplies a combination padlock for that purpose.

Price £249.99 (£50 cashback if bought before 31 Dec 2018) Type Roller case/backpack designed for airline carry-on Key features Four-wheel roller case/backpack with single bar handle, rain cover Tripod Straps supplied Materials Anti-scratch, moisture resistant material, 3 Security Point System Colour Black Pockets Two external pockets, a large one for a 9.7in tablet Laptop/tablet compartment

Left The bright interior helps you see what you have and find things, too. Padding in the dividers is plentiful so protection levels are high Centre An external pocket has room for a tablet, cards, batteries and other accessories Right Amesh keeps items in place and adds an extra layer of security.

plenty of dividers supplied. There’s capacity for a two-body camera kit, DSLR or CSC, with a few extra lenses. I loaded two Nikon full-frame bodies with lenses detached, and four lenses with no problem. This included the 70-200mm f/2.8 and the 500mm f/5.6 PE (tested in this issue) so if I went for shorter lenses I would be able to get even more in. One thing worth mentioning is that the bag gets shallower towards the top, which meant an upright full- frame body would not let the lid close. The camera kit, laptop and tablet weighed in total 12kg. I’ll happily admit that I’m not the strongest – a fully laden bag was just about OK for me to heave into the overhead locker,

helped by the two broad handles, but I wouldn’t want it to be much heavier. This is nothing to do with the case, of course, but what you own, so you need to consider this when packing. Wheeling the case around is a pleasure. The wheelset is high quality so running is smooth, on hard as well as carpeted floors, while the retracting handle locks at three levels to cater for different heights and whether you want to push or pull the bag. The bag’s alter ego means you can also use it as a backpack. The two wide shoulder straps are permanently attached to the top of the bag and clip into rings at the base, and when not in use can be tucked into the thin sleeve created by the padded back. Waist- straps and sleeves to cover the two wheels closest to your back can also be stored there. The Fly 55T is seen at its best as a wheelie case but it’s a decent backpack, too. The padded back does make it comfortable. For me, the raised section of the back padding suited my back perfectly and there’s a clip sternum strap as well. Generous shoulder strap padding also helps in the comfort stakes. Toting the bag around on your back is fine, but 12kg is 12kg and not something I’d want to do for too long, but having the option is verywelcome. Basically, you’re ready when you’ve moved off smooth airport floors into the real world of cracked pavements, dusty or gravel trails and surfaces such as snow and ice. WC

You can’t be too careful nowadays, and the bag’s design means the main compartment’s contents are as safe as you canmake them. There are also two exterior side clips for extra security, and two internal clips to stop the lid opening right up. You don’t have to use them but they are available. Three external pockets on the lid are handy for small accessories, tablet and documents, while one houses the waterproof cover. On the side, a travel tripod can be attached with a foot pouch and retaining straps supplied – fitting a tripod could mean it is oversized in terms of hand baggage, so bear that in mind. The case’s bright interior helps you to see what you have and there are

14in laptop, 9.7in tablet External dimensions 34.5x22x55cm Internal dimensions 31x11.5x41cm Weight 3.86kg Contact vanguardworld.co.uk

Verdict

Vanguard’s latest four-wheelie is a lovely bag, great to use and with decent capacity. Protection levels are impressive, both in terms of the day-to-day knocks and bumps and from straying fingers. With a price of £250, the Vanguard Alta Fly 55T can be recommended, and it’s built to last, too, so it should give many years of faithful service. Pros Great wheels, backpack option, bright interior, mesh cover, good handle, high levels of protection Cons Depth at the top of the bag, quite weighty even unladen

Top A robust wheelset is important and theAlta Fly 55T’s are high quality and smooth running. Left Fitted strapsmake theAlta Fly 55T dual purpose – it’s comfortable on the back, too. Right Single-pull handle has three lockable heights and stores flushwith the bag’s fasica.