The metal cases aren't likely to float, and are most probably not waterproof either, but they sure look neater. They're reminiscent of the brushed steel briefcases seen all those spy movies, and for some reason just feel more sturdy than the plastic ones.

In either case, many of them will be lined in foam, with generally two layers on the bottom and one in the lid. The idea is to make cutouts in the middle layer of foam to completely encase your equipment, like you see in Figure C.

FIGURE C

A hard, foam-lined case will provide the most protection for your equipment. Click picture for a larger image.

Most of the non-foamed varieties have adjustable compartments that can be arranged and configured to suit your tastes and your equipment, which is definitely a plus. The non-foamed hard cases are just as valid when it comes to storing your gear, and I've seen quite a few professional photographers rely on them. For my piece of mind though, I just prefer the foamed cases.

Honestly, when it comes to your gear, not everything has to be encased in foam to keep it secure. Your camera and lenses are the most critical and should be secured as much as possible, but things like lipstick brushes, lens cleaning cloths, cables, external flash units and the like are perfectly safe in a hard-shell compartment case. Ideally, I'd like to have a mix of the two, with foam for my camera and lenses, and adjustable compartments for the rest of my gear.

The cost
Here's where your wallet will take a hit. Photographic equipment is a market that has some of the worst mark-up practices I've ever seen. I've seen hard-shell camera cases for five times the cost of the identical product sold as a gun case. This is where the bargain hunter in you can rise to the surface. Used camera retailers, swap meets, garage sales, and even eBay are good places to find quality hard cases at a discount price. Make sure to really look at a case carefully before buying.

Just because you're putting a camera in a case doesn't mean it has to be a "certified" camera case. One of my earlier cases was originally a rectangular backpack designed to hang in a school locker, to which I added foam inserts. My last metal case I found in the tool department at Wal-Mart. It even had "pick-and-pluck" foam inside, which is foam that has been die-cut into half-inch squares to make it easier to create cut-outs specifically for your equipment. This is the very same foam that comes in those "certified" camera cases with price tags of over $100.

Conclusion
Don't trust the safety and security of your camera gear to just any old handbag. By investing in a quality case to protect your quality gear, it will last a lifetime. You don't have to spend hundreds on an "official" camera case to protect your gear either. Shop around and you'll often find a quality case at a budget price.