My new Pelican 1550 Hard case..

I just received the Pelican Model 1550 from the mail.
Brought it at Camera Canada. It was my second transaction here
and I'm still very happy with their customer services.

I looked at the 1500 and 1510 model but their sizes are not deep
(1500) or big(1510) enough to support the 350D with the grip and the rest
of my stuff and leaving some place for future gear. So the 1550 was
the winner.

Upon the opening of the box, I can see that the product is solid, well
made, heavy (but like I was expecting!) and BIG (bigger than I thought).
The general construction is superb. Latches are strongs, The handle is
confortable, no negative points for me!

Inside... Everything is packed tight. The case is composed of the lid foam,
the bottom foam (1/2" high) and two(2) sections of separable foams.
So the usable height is "only" 5 inches high.. 2x 2.5" separable foams.
Pelican claim an inside height of 7-3/4" but only if you remove all the foams.
A 20D/30D with grip should be able to fit in the 1550 with the top and bottom
foams in place.

I'm very pleased with the overall product quality, build and funcionnality.
If you have any question about the case, I will help you!

I will post some pictures soon!

Congratulations on a fine prchace. I use the 1510 for my 5D+grip and it's not too tall to have it standing up with the lid closed. So far it has made 3 trips to Africa with no sign of a scratch. Think about leaving room for their dessicant dry pack. A good thing to have for keeping humidity away from your gear when travelling.

Before you tear into the foam, did you consider the added dividers? I found them much easier to use and reconfigure....also, got more gear in the case as you need more foam between/under pieces.

John

Az2Africa...I though of the dessicant pack for controling the humidity. But since I don't plan on travelling soon and I don't live in a very humid place, I will check if I can find one at job, we have some big ones.

jrsforums... The foam was the main reason I brought the case. I don't like the padded
divisers too much. And when I have made my measurements, I have taken into account
the loss of space for the foam around the pieces..

Thanks for your replies. The main reason I have made this post, is because the lack of usefull information about the pelican case on the web. As you can see, you can only fit 5" high stuff in the 1550 even when it's stated at 7-3/4".
So if other people want informations on the case, I will be happy to help them.
But you can go wrong with their cases...!

Here's some pics pf the case and stuff inside...

http://pages.infinit.n​et/emond/0 IMG_2917.jpg
http://pages.infinit.n​et/emond/0 IMG_2920.jpg
http://pages.infinit.n​et/emond/0 IMG_2921.jpg
http://pages.infinit.n​et/emond/0 IMG_2929.jpg
http://pages.infinit.n​et/emond/0 IMG_2931.jpg

cool review, very useful. how did you cut the foam? -- you did a neat job on it.

Interesting. I assume this is due to the foam depth you need to leave on the bottom. I would have considered the 1550 if I had a grip. However, I got the 1520 as it easily takes the height of the 5D (grip-less) with lens (24-105) attached. I guess you are saying that the 1550 with foam will not fit a gripped camera or 1-series.

The 1520 with the padded dividers which is spec'd at 6.75". From the base pad to the lip of the open case is ~5". The lid still has ~1.75" which normally has the "egg crate" foam (which would compress to provide most of the available space), but I replaced with the "Photographer's Lid" which I have crammed with much misc. stuff like batteries, chargers, filters, etc.

BTW, in the base I have the 5D w/ 24-105 attached, 70200 2.8 IS w/ hood (reversed), 100-400 w/ hood (rev), 17-40, Sigma 12-24, Kenko 1.4x & 2.0x, 580EX w/ 4 Stofens (gels in 3), Newton folding bracket and cord, plus the 24-105 & 17-40 hoods (not attached).

I agree that the Pelicans are great. It makes me feel much better when travelling with the above...plus makes for nice storage at home...ready to go.

Anyway....just a different view for others to see......

JOHN

just a quick pix of the case loaded....

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I'm not sure if the US version is the same, but here in Australia, the foam filling comes pre-cut into tiny little blocks. You just pull out the blocks to form the shape of your lens.

Raphael: Thanks for showing us the pictures of this case Raphael. This is definitely the one I'll be getting. I think I'll pay the extra to have the velcro/foam dividers instead of the foam blocks though.

Paul

Very nice. I presume this case would be too big for our paltry Australian airline carry-on allowances, but it'd be great for in the car/etc. If/when you get one, could you post some photos too Paul? I'm curious about the dividers.

EDIT: Ahh, I can see the dividers in the image above now. Cheers.

Pelican cases are avail with solid foam, pick 'n' pluck foam (the little squares) or the padded dividers or with nothing at all.

Here you go Mat. This is the Australian website where you can see/buy all the cases and all options.
http://www.carryitcase​s.com.au/category180_1​.htm

In the 1550, my 350D with grip attached fit easily at around 5.1" high. I figure the 20D/30D with grip should fit nicely with the foam on the lid making a little pressure on it.
I can't say for the 1 Series since I never seen one in real life.

Yes, the foam is pre-cut. But 1" around the case is plain, as you can see in my pictures. The stuff is placed the closer you can from the side. This is the Pick'n'Pluck option.

Yes, the maximum allowable size is the 1510 Carry-On, with rollers and a handle.

I got my 1500 so i can carryon flights.....here's a pic of it .....

5D with grip on the side and 24-70 attached, 580ex and the 100-400 with a cir.pol at one end, remote triger and lens tissue and liquid is under the grip... oh ya and AA batts for grip or flash, now the only thing i can't fit in is the charger.......!!!!!!!

P.S the idea of the pick and pluck is soo the gear have maxium shock protection when i close my lid the whole case is like a solid block nothing moves inside, i'm just not sure about dividers but i've never tried that option and it all floats even in freash water....i've tried...

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The first case I have put my eyes on was the 1500. The price was very good, so the size. But when I mesured everthing, the 350D w/grip was too big for it and the rest of
my stuff.
The only one high enough and not too pricey (but a good more than the 1500) was the 1550.

Since I plan to add the 100-400 and a 85/1.8 in my arsenal, room to grow was very important to me!

I'm pleased too see that everyone is happy with their Peli Cases!
I'm planning on gettings some locks for it (2) and a Stainless Cable to attach it to a tree,
in the car, or something else to prevent people from "getting" it
A case that big and heavy (I tested mine, it's 18 pounds with it's contents),
attached with a cable can be hard to make a quickie and steal it.
I understand that everything can be stealed (is that a word?) if they want,
but if it can help...

stolen