Tenba Cineluxe Roller 21

Dan Laughton tries out a sturdy roller-bag for filmmakers

TENBA’S Cineluxe collection has been designed in collaboration with professional filmmakers, and each bag in the range has a different specification. The Roller 21 sits alongside backpacks and shoulder bags as the only roller bag under the Cineluxe umbrella.

Known for creating tough bags, Tenba has continued this trend with the use of waterrepellent 1680D ballistic nylon for the exterior, with reinforced stitching and seatbelt- grade webbing. A little bad weather won’t damage your kit in a hurry. Sturdily constructed, the Roller 21 is capable of carrying a hefty weight and has shock-absorbing wheels, giving a smooth and controllable ride.

Standing out from regular roller-bags, the Roller 21 has a doctor’s-bag opening function. Once open, it stays that way. The interior is very roomy, while closing down to the size of most carry- on regulations – perfect for travelling filmmakers.

The bag comes with padded dividers, lens wraps and zipped pouches, so the possibilities are endless when packing. You can take all the dividers out, leaving a large space for a built camera with a lens, matte box and microphone attached. Large side pockets hold accessories separately, giving even more freedom within the main section. Access to the pockets and main section of the bag is easy, quick and protected, which is everything a filmmaker needs when transporting equipment.

Thanks to the inclusion of lens wraps and extra dividers, it’s possible to cram a great deal into this bag. Wrapped lenses can be placed on top of the camera without causing any damage, while fragile accessories can be put in a zipped bag inside the main section. With a kit list of two Canon C100 Mark II bodies with side and top handles, two wireless microphones, three lenses and various accessories, I was able to fit everything in with room to spare, and roll the bag with ease. Filmmakers can carry an extra body, a DSLR, or even an extra lens without the worry of overloading the bag.

Verdict

For £250, the Roller 21 is quality for money. It’s built to last, and will see out new additions to your kit. With its easy access, smooth operation when carrying a heavy weight, and freedom to divide the main section to the user’s preference, this bag takes a great deal of stress out of a filmmaker’s preparation.

Weatherresistant fabric Made from a water-repellent nylon, seatbelt-grade webbing and reinforced stitching, this bag isn’t going to fall apart any time soon Zipped side pockets Both sides of the bag have large, zipped pockets with space for all...

Handles As well as the pull-out handle to roll the bag, there is a fabric handle to carry it upright, and another to hold it when it is laid flat