Pelican 1510 w/1DMII, 16-35, 24-70, 70-200, 580EX, TCs

[DwightMcCann]

On the recommendation of Chuck Chaney, the manager of my local Santa Barbara Calumet store, I bought a Pelican 1510 case for my equipment. Chuck assured me that this case would be "carry on" on all airlines. It is watertight with waterproof atmospheric pressure adjustment and two metal reinforced lock "grommets". It has an end handle (which I usually use to carry it), a top handle, as well as an extentable handle and wheels. There are pictures and specs of these cases hither and yon so I won't duplicate that effort.

I keep my 1D Mark II, 16-35mm f2.8L, 24-70mm f2.8L, 70-200mm f2.8L IS, 580EX, 1.4 & 2.0 TCs, spare battery, soft CF case with several cards, small Maglite, remote switch RS-80N3, Gossen lightmeter, Titanium Leatherman, spare batteries and lens cleaning materials ... and a pair of reading glasses so I can see the camera, in this case almost continuously. The 580EX is under the glasses, Gossen and flashlight fitting diagonally in that section with the small baggie of rechargeable AAs on one side and Leatherman in its case on the other.. The two TCs are in their soft cases in the section with the lens fluid.

I'm not sure if it is allowed, but I have broken (or have been thought to have broken) so many rules here lately that I'll just chance it and attach an image of the case with my gear in it. I've been using this configuration for about six months and cannot come up with a single complaint or problem ... other than my 300mm f2.8L IS won't fit in there as well. But I have just purchased a 1610 and a 1660 and expect that everything leftover (that I probably wouldn't carry on an airplane anyway) will fit in these two additional cases.

Disclaimer: I am in no way connected with Pelican, Calumet or any other maker or vendor of any of the equipment mentioned in this thread ... other than as a very happy user. Questions are invited.

[RAitch]

WOW, nice case.
Somehow I pack all of my stuff into a tiny Lowepro shoulder bag.
I wanted a nice backpack bag... but was afraid that would make me spend more money on equipment. I was already in over my head to start. I bought the XT, 70-200, and 50mm in one shot.
I can fit everything in it... although, it would be nice to have a hard case with wheels for travel.

Very nice case BTW... and equipment.

[RAitch]

... and by equipment... I mean your photography gear. ;)

[DwightMcCann]

RAitch, if you lived in California it might have been ambiguous but not from Sarnia! I do have a backpack (old unnamed equipment still in it) and a big, two-camera and many lenses "camera bag", but this is so convenient and tough that I haven't used the others in months. I can also use a bungy cord and attach the 300mm f2.8L IS hardcase sitting on top of the Pelican and wheels it all with one hand and carry a tripod with the other! :-)

[Skip Souza]

Thanks Dwight. I had heard about that case somewhere and looked it up here. (http://www.casesbypelican.com/1514-photo.htm) This is the first time I have had a chance for first hand review. It looks like it could be just the ticket for airline travel.

By the way, how do you get the Leatherman past the anal retentive types at TSA?

[garypasz]

Hi Dwight

Looks great, I noticed you have mentioned a leatherman is this the knife & scerwdriver set if so you can not take on fligths as carry-on needs to go in cargo (already lost mine).

I have Pelican 1510 case (with no lining), can you advise did you purchase lining seperate or with 1510?

I was about to purchase LowePro backpack, this looks much more safer to me.

rgds

Gary

[RAitch]

RAitch, if you lived in California it might have been ambiguous but not from Sarnia!

I would totally expect it from here. Most people don't know where Sarnia is... and usually don't care. Can't say I blame them to be honest.

Hey, how about some more shots of that case? I'd like to see one of the outside with something to get a scale comparison against.

Oh, I just saw your signature comment about edits. Hope you don't mind, I'm borrowing that idea. I think it's a good idea for those that worry about editing people's pics.

[DwightMcCann]

I have not flown with this case, but if I did, that Leatherman would stay at home! It was $99. I only meant that it would fit as carry on luggage ... sorry if I misled anyone. The way things are any more I avoid flying.

I don't know where to get the liners ... have you checked B&H? They are pricey, especially for the bigger cases ... I'll try posting additional images of the larger cases and the liners this week if anyone is interested.

I'm attaching a couple of more images ... if they aren't adequate, let me know. The 1510 is sitting on top of the 1610 in these pics. I took two so you could see the two handles, which have the lighter gray grips. Also, the retractable handle is the wide flat piece under the end grip ... I could shoot the case standing up with the handle extended (and even the 300mm f2.8L IS bungied to it) if it would help anyone, but you know how these things work.

RAitch, I put that in my signature so that folks who wanted give me advice wouldn't have to fear the moderators' rath! :-) All three pictures brought to you courtesy of a Nikon CoolPix 950 ... my first digital! :evil:

[RAitch]

Do you just bungee your tripod to the outside of that thing or something?
Wicked case... reminds me of that bullet-proof case in the TV show "Lost" (stupidest show in history).

[DwightMcCann]

RAitch, I put my 300mm f2.8 in its hard case on top of the Pelican with the handle extended and place a bungee around the handle and the case. The case has grooves coincidental to its construction that happen to hold the bungee cord conveniently. I'll try to remember to take a picture tonight. Yes, they are impressive looking but more importantly they do the job very well.

I carry the tripod in my other hand or have my assistant [wife] carry it.

[DwightMcCann]

Here's a snap of the 1610. That's my 20D and 100-400mm lens in the case.;)

[RAitch]

*GASP*
Is that a NIKON box?

[DwightMcCann]

RAitch, why yes, sitting on top of a Fuji S2 Pro box is a Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 ED-IF VR G box, both items to be sold on eBay before I move ... unless you'd like to make me an offer. The Gitzo 1321 leveling base box goes with my Wimberley and Gitzo carbon fiber tripod and are recent purchases. When a picture is taken amid an ocean of camera equipment, ya' gotta' expect some surprises. The printer is an Epson 1280 BTW. :)