Much has recently been written on the subject of the Lastolight company's latest venture - the 'Stronghold' system of bags, cases and rucksacks, but very little has been said as to whether they actually WORK in the field. Having been sent a 'medium' bag for 'test', I thought that I would do just that! Put it through the 'rough and tumble', make it work - find the true strengths (and weaknesses?) of the 'Stronghold'.
The first thing that struck me about the bag, was that it didn't look at all like a CAMERA - EXPENSIVE GEAR INSIDE ME bag - a major point in it's favour . In fact it sat rather well with my tattered old 'Antler' overnighter. Neither is it particularly bulky, as there is no padding on the bag walls -indeed it packs flat without the 'Procam' system inserted - ideal if you are packing the bag in a larger container for later use. Critical, in my judgement with any bag system, are the 'carry - comfort' stakes. The elasticated rubberised pad set into the shoulder strap, that serves both to hold the bag on the shoulder and help 'lighten the load', is in my experience perhaps too flexible. While it certainly provides limpit-like qualities, (there being no movement off the shoulder), when the bag was fully laden, the accompanying bounce over rough terrain was somewhat excessive, although it has to be said, manageable. The shoulder straps themselves need extended adjustment, as when being carried by a somewhat shorter than average individual, the effect was that the bag literally bounced off the upper thigh - which over a period of time proved to be very uncomfortable. This potential problem is I understand now being rectified by Lastolight and future bags will have extended adjustment to the shoulder straps. For any bag that is made specifically to hold delicate and expensive equipment, weatherbility is a must. I have to report that this bag IS WATERTIGHT. This has been achieved by stitching and sealing the inner and outer linings at different points along the seams, so leaving no obvious 'weak spots'. End pockets have always been a useful addition to any bag, however, the fastenings have to be secure as there is no easier place for lightfingers to find there way into. Velcro pads if used, need to be of the highest quality and large enough to be able to form a secure fastening. It proved to easy to pick my own pockets! - so larger velcro pads please. There is also one purely personal gripe I have about the pockets - they could have been deeper and longer. The bags also sport a front pocket, which while useful is in my opinion not deep enough - ('we are enlarging the capacity of the front pocket on future models - Lastolight') - (Journalists can but try and make a contribution to product design!)
But what of the core of the bag I hear you say - the PROCAM system. Well, it is a tried and tested partitioning system, and as such functions extremely well and is easily adapted to the various configurations and individual requirements. It also offers in my opinion, the best protection of any camera system bag and has the added advantage of being ultralight weight. It will also take the strain of 16 stone of homosapiens precariously perched atop - what more can I say!
I have here only tested the 'medium' bag, which will comfortably hold a 35mm system or a basic 66 kit. There are smaller and larger versions of this bag, as there are also of the cases and rucksacks. In my opinion, the medium bag is perhaps the most useful of the 'Stronghold' group, as it is just the right size to fit snugly under an aircraft seat, or indeed in the overhead luggage compartment. But the real reason I'm using it for the most delicate of my gear, is for the very simple reason that it not only offers the same protection as a steel case, but that it doesn't break my back as does a steel case; and the fact that it doesn't LOOK like a steel case.
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