Vanguard Supreme 40F review

When it comes to hard cases aimed at photographers and videographers who want to make sure their kit stays working when travelling between destinations, the Vanguard brand offers examples with adjustable interior dividers – its ‘D’ models – plus those with padded foam blocks – its ‘F’ series alternatives. We can set these against similarly tank-like hard case offerings from key competitor Peli, typically the go-to brand for professionals.

Vanguard’s hard case range is not only extensive in terms of options but keenly priced with it. Further features like O-ring sealed waterproofing and an automatic pressure equalization valve if you do end up placing it in hold storage, are potentially useful if you’re going to be travelling a lot or using the case in extreme climates and circumstances.

I’m looking at its Supreme 40F example here which incorporates the above features and includes three removable foam layers within its polypropylene constructed outer case, which can be molded to suit whatever kit we’re looking to store within, as we’ll get to in a moment.

Will this be enough to seal the deal for those photographers seeking that extra degree of protection and peace of mind when transporting their kit?

Vanguard Supreme 40F: Specifications

Vanguard Supreme 40F: Price

Widely available for the best part of a decade, the Vanguard Supreme 40F seems fairly priced to me at £139 / $199, especially when set against the likes of its VEO Select 55BT rolling case or Peli alternatives. The 55BT is a bit more flexible when it comes to handling, but ultimately of a similar size. If you’re happy with a chunky black box, as ever it’s worth shopping around in order to bag the best deal from a range of suppliers.

Vanguard Supreme 40F: Design & Handling

Similar in size to a small suitcase or rolling luggage I might pack for a two-day work trip, the Vanguard Supreme 40F features a chunky carry handle and two snap-shut locks, with holes to thread a padlock through if we want further security, but no wheels to help lighten the load. This case weighs a chunky 4.4Kg even when empty, with its maker suggesting a possible maximum capacity of a whopping 25Kg. That’s a huge weight to carry around by hand.

Such concerns need literally weighing up against the fact that Vanguard describes this polypropylene shelled case as ‘virtually indestructible’. Maximising protection inevitably means adding weight and bulk, so it’s always a tradeoff between practicality and portability. I feel this 40F just about gets it right.

Like the bigger and much heavier Vanguard Supreme 53D hard case, the three-piece foam layered Supreme 40F claims the same degree of waterproofing; thanks to being O-ring sealed, it can impressively prevent moisture ingress to a depth of five metres. Like its sibling, it further claims a degree of crush proofing, in being able to withstand 120Kg of external pressure applied without buckling. That makes me feel better about exploring the option to check the bag in on an airline.

Capacity wise, the mid-sized interior is claimed to be good for stashing two DSLR or mirrorless cameras and ‘multiple’ lenses. That’s ideal for a pro or semi pro ‘weekend warrior’ shooting, say, weddings, or looking to transport a main body for shooting on while having a second ‘spare’ to hand for back up. Or you may have a load of kit sitting around on shelves at home or the office, whereby this case could act as a solid storage option to tidy it all away into.

Vanguard Supreme 40F: Performance

The Vanguard Supreme 40F certainly felt substantial from the moment I lifted it out of the box. At over 4Kg, even when empty, on the one hand I was reassured by its rock-solid feel, while at the same time thinking about how my arms and back would cope if carrying this around for a long time when full.

There are no wheels on this example, though the larger 53D does have them. Neither do we get additional carry straps to add convenience or help lighten the load, as found on its maker’s similarly sized but more distinctly bag-like VEO Select 55BT option. There are stump-like rubber ‘feet’ on the reverse of the unit to prevent the case sliding around when trying to insert or retrieve gear, but the Supreme 40F feels rather bare bones in comparison to its siblings. That said, if all you want is a solid feel protective case with a strong carry handle, then this is certainly that. Further peace of mind is provided for purchasers via a 10-year warranty.

In terms of how to provide a snug fit for your various bits of kit within the foam layers, without taking a knife to them to gouge out compartments, handily there are pre-cut hexagonal shapes that enable sections to be ripped out and removed by hand. Vanguard claims that the remaining hexagonal edges help grip the kit more tightly than smooth ones. For a neater finish I feel a knife could still be used, however.

If you do make a mess of it or change the kit needing storage/transportation, it’s good to know replaceable foam inserts are available separately. That said, the alternative of Velcro’d dividers feels a neater, more flexible solution to us than gouging out foam inserts, and can be found in this size of case if opting for Vanguard’s Supreme 40D instead. Overall though the case feels constructed to a high standard and able to withstand occasional rough handling.

Vanguard Supreme 40F: Verdict

Most of us won’t have enough photo or video gear to justify purchase of Vanguard’s whopping 53D hard case. In such circumstances, the much smaller Supreme 40F, similarly robustly constructed to withstand extremes, offers a more viable alternative and wider appeal due to its more manageable size and weight.

I did miss the adjustable felt dividers of the 53D I’d looked at prior however, which feel more practical than the 40F’s chunky blocks of foam. Happily, there is a 40D alternative that has dividers for just a couple of bank notes more in cost, and, in being the same external size, it’s another option for airline travel.

Alternatives

Peli is still the brand to beat in the hard case category, with Vanguard’s examples being a more budget-friendly alternative.

From Vanguard’s own range, its VEO Select 55BT is comparable in terms of size and weight to this Supreme 40F. It’s a strongly padded rolling bag rather than a hard case per se. But it is more portable in that it can be wheeled as well as carried, or worn in backpack fashion, thanks to rear straps at the back. Of course, further alternatives come in different-sized bags in the Supreme ‘F’ range, with the 40F sitting somewhere in the middle of the available foam-filled options that start out with the 27F and top out at the 53F.

If we really have got a shedload of gear, then the Vanguard Supreme 53D which can cram in up to 14 cameras and lenses, feels like a value-added option.

A similar light yet tough alternative for checking in as hold luggage can be found in the Peli Pelican Air Case 1535. The possible appeal here is that it’s 40% lighter than a regular Peli case of similar dimensions. Chunkier still at 6.3kg is the foam interior Peli Pelican Protector 1510, which like the Vanguard Supreme 40F can fulfil most cabin baggage restrictions. As ever, the more rock-solid the bag or case, typically the weightier it is when empty plus the higher the price with it. All things to take into consideration when making your choice; it’s not just about how much room there is inside and how many bits of kit we can transport within.