Lowepro Pro Roller 3 suitcase review 
Small, durable stealth bag with lots of room - compared to Samsonite F'Lite 31
Last Update: 13 August 2009 01:13 PM
24 comment(s) | discuss in forums
Author: Eric Cheng ( echeng )
The quest for the ultimate underwater photography travel case is one that will probably never end. I have used Pelican cases, Storm cases, Lightware cases, Samsonite luggage with Pelican dividers, coolers, and more. I'm always in the market for photography bags.
I was over at Backscatter the other day and ended up coming home with a brand-new Lowepro Pro Roller 3 rolling suitcase. Aside from the name of the brand (which thieves probably associate with camera gear), this suitcase, from the outside, is like any other semi-rigid suitcase. But inside, it's a serious photography case; it is heavily padded, and its padded dividers are sturdy and high in quality. I packed the thing up with a Seacam 1Ds Mark III setup, and here's what it looks like:
A full Seacam 1Ds Mark III rig fits in the Lowepro Pro Roller 3
Here's a partial list of what packed into it:
- Seacam 1Ds Mark III housing
- Housing handles
- Seacam S45 viewfinder
- Seacam SuperDome
- Seacam macro port
- Seacam port extenders (3)
- Seacam field service kit
- Ikelite DS-125 strobes (3)
- Sync cords (3)
- 4th battery for DS-125
- Ikelite DS-125 chargers (2)
- FIX lights (2)
- FIX chargers (2)
- 16-35 zoom gear
- Macromate
- ULCS 8" arms (4)
- ULCS clamps (7)
- Extra ULCS parts
- Magic filters
- Cleaning supplies and extra parts
Fully packed with a full Seacam 1Ds Mark III underwater photography rig with spare strobe and spare dive light, the Lowepro weighs 56 lbs. I normally also travel with a Thinktank backpack, which is perfect for lugging around housings, ports and accessories. With the housing itself removed from this suitcase, I'll bet it would be easy to get the bag to weigh less than 50 lbs -- the magic number, these days. But knowing that the entire rig fits in here is insurance. I can carry as much as possible with me onto the plane on the way to shoots and pack it up in check-in on the way home.
Sometimes, I need bigger luggage or waterproof luggage, but I suspect that this will be the perfect suitcase for most of my trips. Regarding durability, Berkley White has taken his suitcase on a dozen trips, and it is still going strong.
Packed up and ready to roll!
If you want this suitcase, you should buy one soon. Rumor has it that it's going away.
--- UPDATE, August 13, 2009 ---
Here's a photo of a Samsonite F'Lite 31 suitcase packed up for travel:
Samsonite F'Lite 31 with Pelican 1655 dividers, ready for travel
Here's what I stuffed into it:
- Seacam 5D Mark II housing, with handles
- Seacam SuperDome
- Seacam P120 flat port
- Seacam port extender 57.5
- Seacam Seaflash 150 strobes (2) with batteries
- Extra Seacam Seaflash 150 strobe batteries (2)
- Seacam Seaflash chargers (2)
- Seacam zoom gear
- Seacam S45 viewfinder
- Spare parts, oil, cleaning supplies
- ULCS 5" arms (4) and clamps (7)
- Allen key sets, SI and metric
- FIX chargers (2)
- Canon 5D Mark II body
- Canon 5D Mark II batteries (2)
- Canon 16-35 Mark II lens
- Canon 100mm macro lens
- Canon 15mm fisheye lens
- Sigma 50mm macro lens
- Canon 5D Mark II charger
- Compact flash cards (2)
The entire case weighs 56.4 lbs. If I remove the 5D Mark II and all lenses, it weighs 49.5 lbs -- perfect! Of course, there is no spare strobe in this setup, and the 5D2 housing is lighter than is the 1Ds3 housing. I like that the Samsonite is a hard case that doesn't scream "PHOTO GEAR!!", but I don't like that the padded dividers don't quite go all the way to the top of the case when it's closed. Although it has been rare in practice, this means that loose items can move from compartment to compartment during transit.
Next, I'll weigh the cases empty and report back...
--- UPDATE, CASE WEIGHTS ---
Empty, the Samsonite F'Lite 31 case with the Pelican padded dividers weighs 18.0 lbs. The Lowepro Pro Roller 3 weighs 18.4 lbs with my embroidered "Eric Cheng" tag attached (but without the included tripod adapter). They are effectively the same weight when the Samsonite is fitted with dividers.
Samsonite F'Lite 31 and Lowepro Pro Roller 3
The Samsonite is a much larger case than is the Lowepro. As some of our readers have noted, you can stuff clothing and all sorts of other things in the nooks and crannies that Samsonite case provides. The Lowepro has no extra room when loaded with a full rig plus spares. Also, it's worth noting that the Lowepro padded dividers are much more rigid and padded than are the Pelican dividers. You can probably install beefier dividers into the Samsonite, but it would increase case weight.
Lowepro Pro Roller 3, empty = 18.4 lbs
Samsonite F'Lite 31 plus Pelican 1655 padded dividers, empty = 18.0 lbs
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Comment(s):I use the same model. My only complaint after couple of years is that I do not really trust the main zipper. I’d advice using a simple luggage tie around the bag, just to be on the safe side (it makes it easier to find your bag in airports, as well).
Posted by JPS on 08/12 at 10:31 PMI’ve used one for about 6 trips now. It has held up well and protects well, but at around 20lbs empty, it never carries it’s full load if you want to keep it under 50lbs or 20kgs in some cases.
You should post images of your Samsonite hard shell setup, which I use. I think my Lowepro inserts are different. At around 10lbs. empty, it can carry 10lbs. more gear.
Posted by scorpio_fish on 08/12 at 11:41 PMGeorge - the Samsonite F Lite 31 specs say that it is 13 pounds empty without the Pelican padded dividers, which weigh 4 pounds (17 lbs total).
The Lowepro website claims that the Pro Roller 3 is 20 lbs, but it seems lighter than that.
I will weigh them to confirm.
Posted by Eric Cheng on 08/13 at 12:31 AMA persuasive review of a nice-looking bag. However, *if I were a steal-to-order airport based camera thief, and I happened to see a bag bearing the prominent nametag ‘Eric Cheng’, I would be rubbing my hands in anticipation!
*For the record, I’m not.
Posted by Simon Rogerson on 08/13 at 03:46 AMGosh, now I’ve got to weigh mine, too.
The name tag “Eric Cheng” is definitely riskier.
The LowePro3 looks very ordinary and non-descript on a luggage carousel as opposed to a Pelican with “fragile” and dive stickers all over it.
Posted by scorpio_fish on 08/13 at 04:11 AMWe use a horrendous ‘pink’ Samsonite rigid suitcase that no self respecting theif would conscience stealing.
Even using dense (heavy) foam we saved 6lbs when we changed over from our previous rigid flight case and over three layers it takes one and half slr housings including the large dome port.
I prefer the case to scream bad taste rather than expensive camera gear!
Posted by slyle on 08/13 at 05:17 AMLowePro == Shiny camera gear. i.e. take the advertising labels off.
Posted by allen on 08/13 at 05:41 AMHah! Yeah, perhaps I should change my luggage label to “Acme Ball & Chain”, like Bruce Yates did…
Posted by Eric Cheng on 08/13 at 10:50 AMYou can velcro the top padding to the padded dividers. I stuff all my clothes around the dividers and between the top padding and the outer shell. So you can get quite a bit in the case if you aren’t packing high density items.
What I don’t like are the latches. They are easily bumped open. You don’t have to worry about tags. Just right your name and address very large with a mega sized Sharpie on the shell. Makes it look even less desirable.
Posted by scorpio_fish on 08/13 at 12:17 PMI just updated the article with case weights.
Posted by Eric Cheng on 08/13 at 01:11 PMHave you tried the ThinkTank airport security? It works as a carry-on and weights less than the LowePro or Samsonite cases (according to the website 12-14lbs depending on dividers). Their bags have always been rock solid for me, and customer service has been great.
Posted by bacripe on 08/14 at 04:50 AMHey, Brian. I linked to this in the text, but I use a Thinktank backpack because small planes often check *all* roller bags.
I love Thinktank bags.
Posted by Eric Cheng on 08/14 at 09:44 AMAwesome bags. Really protect gear. Easy to configure. Sturdy - ours carry from 50~70 pounds each (we have 3) and have been on a minimum 6 trips each and are still fine. The only drawback is they weigh ~17 pounds each.
Posted by muckdiver on 08/14 at 03:51 PMI have a couple of LowePro bags and believe they are of excellent quality. However, I think that Think Tanks international bags are of even better quality. Their Bazooka Tripod case is also exceptional.
StevePosted by steve on 08/17 at 08:02 AMEric et al.. Are you guys checking these bags or using them as carry on? With the exception of strobes and a few things like arms I have always tried to carry on all of my photo gear.
Andy Bryant
Posted by ramaroodle on 08/18 at 12:37 PMHi Andy, these are checked bags. Some of us have too much gear to fit in a carry-on. Eric often carries his Seacam rig (not exactly small) with many spare everything and a full grown video setup.
These bags are all within the 62 linear inch and 50lb weight limit for US domestic checked bags.
Posted by scorpio_fish on 08/18 at 12:44 PMSo… Are you saying that you are willing to run the risk of checking the gear since it’s not so obvious that it’s camera equipment? Is the current thought process that the problem isn’t with the TSA, but baggage handlers in the airports? I’ve been traveling with the camera in the housing and the lenses bubble wrapped inside the ports along with most of my gear in a very heavy carry-on. Last few trips I’ve packed the strobes with the scuba gear. Maybe it’s time to consider just carrying the DSLR and checking the rest?
Posted by ramaroodle on 08/18 at 01:22 PMI put all my most fragile gear in the Think Tank or Lowepro bag ie camcorder, camcorder, Fathoms lens, wireless mics, lights etc and they are carry-ons. My housing and stronger stuff go in the Pelican case which I then put in the rattiest gear bag I can find. A bag that no one would want to look through or think that something of value is in. Been working well for me for many years.
Posted by steve on 08/18 at 01:29 PMWe carry on as much as possible. Sometimes you just can’t carry it all. Then it has to get checked. It’s that simple. I have both the LP3 and the Samsonite. Despite the LowePro tag, it doesn’t shout out “camera gear”. It is very hard to see the LowePro badge.
The Samsonite screams “cheap piece of crap” while protecting the contents.
I wrap stuff in underwear and tee shirts in the checked bags.
Posted by scorpio_fish on 08/18 at 01:41 PMWow, lucky you it all fits in a carry-on. Dang I wish I could do that.
My Light & Motion FX1 housing with some accessories = 65 pounds! Of coarse 17 pounds is in the bag but I worry not having the padding. If I tried putting all the needed bits in the bag it weighs well over 70 pounds. Some of it has to go into another bag.
My wife’s SLR gear alone takes most of two Lowepro 3 bags each weighing in at 50 pounds.
This is my choice but so far never have had any problems. In four years we have done 16 international trips without any problems. Still this does not stop me from insuring the lot.
I looked at the Thinktank roller bags and they do weigh 4 or so pounds less than Lowepro. I might just give these a try once the Lowepro’s finally give up.
Risk or not we either check our camera gear or go without. I suppose there are always point-and-shoots and baby-cams.
Posted by muckdiver on 08/18 at 01:44 PMHere’s my review of the Thinktank bag for you
http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/think_tank_security_douglas.htmlPosted by steve on 08/18 at 02:07 PMThanks - read your review. My only issue is that the Think Tank is smaller than the Roller 3. I will have to re-layout to see if everything would fit. This may not be a big issue since most airlines are really coming down on bags over 50 pounds. It is actually cheaper to add another bag than to have an overweight bag on Singapore Airlines.
BTW the Roller 3 is discontinued. They can still be had from the likes of B&H;but I bet they don’t last long.
Posted by muckdiver on 08/18 at 04:32 PMThanks for this great review. It’s very helpful and well written.
George
Posted by georgealarcon on 04/20 at 07:28 PMThis thread has been going on for a long time which shows that many are still undecided. Meanwhile, I continue to use my ThinkTank International which is a might bigger than the Think Tank National bag, and it still looks as if its new. It fits in the over heads and I have yet to check it in. It is usually heavier than my checked gear bags as I fill it with anything I deem fragile. My housing remains in the Pelican case which I put in a ratty looking dive bag. No problems or issues yet.
StevePosted by steve on 04/21 at 09:37 AM
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