Motion Pictures Hot Rods From Above... Again...

Hello,

When we traveled at first, in the El Camino bed were two suitcases tied down with nylon motorcycle tie down straps. But, every time we stopped for lunch or dinner, we had to bring the suitcases inside the cab for security. our camera equipment was always out of sight behind the seatback in its own place.
Bay Area parking spot for cool cars...
But, when we started doing photography, we started taking a t6 foot tall ladder to get some different prospective angles of the hot rod or custom motorcycle. Again, we strapped it down with additional nylon tie down straps.

Some of the early editors liked the higher up photos, while others were more into moving action shots and or unusual low angle still shots. So, after a while, the ladder bit the dust since there were more “other” shots accepted over the taller ladder shots. Now, it was one less thing to tied down in the back of the El Camino.

This was the main suitcase I used. My wife had another one slightly larger. Not a trunk for more clothes but one that was larger. They were both strapped down in the bed of the red El Camino. Not locked as any locks would just ruin the handle, if and when someone yanked on the secured suitcases. These were new for our mom and dad when they traveled by themselves without the two teenagers.

At first, the suitcase held some clothes and accessories. But then the cameras found their way into the protective case. The small Haliburton Case was made of aluminum and large inside. Even the small one pictured above. When I got the suitcase, it was the perfect size for all of my 35mm cameras and lenses. I made a soft, thick foam insert and cut out the outline shapes of the 35mm cameras. One with a 50mm lens and the other with a 135mm lens.

The rest of the tight foam had cut outs for an 85mm lens and a 400mm lens. They all were able to fit along with a row of 35mm film canisters of color and b/w rolled film. But, what about my clothes? A soft over the shoulder zipper bag was enough to hold my change of clothes for most week long trips. The cameras took over the small suitcase.

The travel mode was camera case behind the seat of the El Camino and the big Haliburton Case was for both of our clothes for a week. If we stayed longer somewhere, we set a day aside for washing clothes.

The small camera case was good for awhile. But, it was bulky and when we went to Europe for a month long vacation, we took two suitcases. One small (camera case) and one large suitcase. We had to lug our suitcases all over, so we took a minimum of gear. No wheels at the time, so carrying was the only way to move from one place to the other and also up flights of stairs.

So, both 35mm cameras were strapped on to one of us or in the air, placed in the clothes suitcases for protection. We did not take all of the lenses, just the 50 mm on one camera, the 85mm on the other and 135 mm extra lens in a sock, inside our clothes packed suitcase.

Jnaki

Dimensions: H 9in. x W 16in. D 9in. One Medium suitcase.
Dimensions: 8.5in x 20in. x 14in. one Small make up case
Dimensions: 9in. x 25in. 17in. one Large suitcase

Note:

When we started the photo road trips, we used the small case for the cameras + stuff. But eventually, I got a leather briefcase with foam inside, cut in a similar pattern. The briefcase was smaller, thinner and still held both 35mm cameras, plus lenses + film. The Haliburton suitcases still get used as we traveled all along the Westcoast and made one long road trip across the USA and back.

But now, they are resting from all of the early traveling. Why? The lighter weight suitcases now have wheels and that makes it a lot easier to move from one point to another. Plus, the soft suitcase/bags can be easily fit into the out of sight covered areas of station wagons, behind the last row of seats. YRMV