The Pelican 1624 Case for Wedding Photography

I know there's a thread for this over in the Accessories and Storage forum, but as I spend most of my time here and have periodically mentioned how much I like working with my Pelican 1624 case for weddings, I thought I'd post a new thread reviewing this case here.

I really spent a lot of time looking for just the right case for me (a process that included a lot of research, experimenting, buying and returning, etc.). There were a few issues that I needed to solve for.

One is that I tend to go to weddings equipment heavy. It's just my nature; I own a nice assortment of lenses, accessories, etc. and I like having the right tool for the right job so I need my case to be able to hold quite a bit. Some of this stuff is rather bulky. In addition to a 70-200 2.8 IS, I have an old Sunpak 544 flash that I love to use for back lighting and other special needs and it's very large at 10.5x4x4. There's also the matter that I like to have my lenses already mounted to bodies so I'm ready to go the minute I arrive. I also want to be able to carry a few long items such as a fairly large tripod (which I more commonly use as a light stand) and a pair of 22" umbrellas.

Along the way, I've tried a number of options including the ThinkTank Airport Security 2.0 which I know is very popular among some here. That case didn't work well for me at all. Because it needs to keep to airline carry-on restrictions, it lacks sufficient depth. The space that's lost to the retractable handle and wheels leaves only a couple of ways to store the 70-200 vertically which instantly dictates much of the rest of the layout for the bag. There was also no way to store my Sunpak flash vertically. The same thing with the cameras if lenses are mounted. Storing this stuff horizontally ate up the interior space too quickly. By the time the main body was full (with not quite enough of my gear), the case was so tight that the pockets were nearly unusuable. Given the TT's considerable cost, it really wasn't able to come close to accomodating how I like to work.

Up until the Pelican, my best approach was a two bag set up that actually was very low cost and worked pretty well. I picked up a very large backpack (that was already discontinued by this time) marketed by Amvona. This pack was about the size of a carry-on and was a full 9.5" deep with no space lost to handles or wheels. The Sunpak couldn't fit vertically, but it and the 70-200 nested very nicely in the same space. There were also expandable pockets and pouches for everything imaginable including a tripod/umbrella pouch and strap. As much as this case could hold, it was just a little short of my needs so I supplemented it with an ApeCase 1400; a great little bag that doesn't seem to get as much attention as I think it deserves. Aside from holding a lot of gear in a little space, it has a tailored professional appearance. BTW, the ApeCase was $45 new on Amazon and the Amvona pack was also about $45 used but in like new condition off eBay. This combo worked great and it's how I went to jobs for about a year. It was, however, a bit cumbersome. The backpack was pretty heavy, there were two bags to manage, and it always seemed like a bit of a hassle dealing with all the zippers, lashes, and latches. And, although we always new how the bags were laid out, things were always in one bag or the other, there were pockets everywhere; things weren't just out and available to grab.

So I invest in the Pelican 1624. I forget exactly what I paid, but it was in the low $300's; nearly the same price as the TT Airport Security. I LOVE working with the Pelican. Following are some of the highlights as well as the trade-offs:

The Pros:
- Depth: Not only can it hold my Sunpak 544 vertically, not only can it hold the 70-200 vertically, it can hold the 70-200 vertically with a body attached! It can also hold the 24-70 mounted on a body with the hood in the right orientation!
- Space in General: Even the lower tray still has enough depth to allow me to accomodate my other bodies with lenses attached. There's even enough space left over that I already have a place reserved for a fourth body (come the day of the 5D3) which will also have a lens attached. There is also a great amount of space in the upper tray. I originally ordered the lid organizer to hold some of the small stuff, but there's so much space and so many dividers are provided that I decided I didn't even need it.
- Protection: The padding, the structure of the outside of the case (I can stand or sit on it), the weather sealing, the ease of cabling; this is an ideal case when it comes to protection of the gear.
- Visibilty: There are no pockets or pouches. Everything right down to the smallest accessory is in view and always ready to grab.
- Dedicated Spaces: Everything has it's place and there's a dedicated spot for everything. If I look down and see an empty spot, I know immediately that something has not gotten back into the bag.
- Quick to Open and Close: I always found it a little obnoxious (partly due to a bit of over-stuffing) trying to get the zippers to line up well and zip smoothly and quickly. Closing my old zipper bags always seemed to require a certain amount of negotiation. Now, I have just four latches to throw and I'm on my way.
- The Wheels and Handle. Despite it's large size and considerable weight, when I'm working in spaces like a hotel or banquet facility, this case is easy to bring along.

The Cons:
- Tripod/Umbrella Pocket: As much as this can hold, it can't accomodate my tripod and there are no external pockets for it. My 22" reflective umbrella is also a little too bulky to lay across the top tray, but the 22" shoot-through fits nicely. So now I just leave my reflective umbrella home and carry the tripod as the only item other in addition to this case. And I tend to only use the tripod during small segments of the day so much of the time it actually stays in my truck.
- Size: This is obviously a very large case. I'm not so sure it would make it into the trunk of any but a full-size car. I use a pick-up so this is not an issue for me.
- Weight: This thing weighs a a ton. I've never weighed it, but I guess it to be about 60 lbs loaded. It weighs 26 lbs empty! The wheels and handle help to make this managable, but it's a bear to get up steps, across fields, lift into the truck, etc. My assistant and I carry it together during these times and then it's quite managable, but you'll need a lot of confidence in your back to work with it alone.

That's really it; the only real downsides are what make the upsides possible. This is definitely not the right case for most, but for the way I like to work and manage my gear, it's been great.

A view of the bottom tray:

WOW that his huge!!! no wonder its so heavy.
Thanks for sharing your experience and giving a bit of review.

Nice review

Someone pointed out once that packing bodies with lenses attached wasn't a great idea, it can do something to the lens mount. Not sure if it's true, but there's no harm leaving things unattached.

tim wrote in post #10941118
Nice review

Someone pointed out once that packing bodies with lenses attached wasn't a great idea, it can do something to the lens mount. Not sure if it's true, but there's no harm leaving things unattached.

Thanks, Tim. I had also heard the same thing about storing lenses attached to bodies, but I don't know where I heard it or the reason behind it. I assume the issue is that if you have a lens, especially something long and heavy like the 70-200, mounted to a body and you just sit it on a table or lay it horizontal in a bag, the mount itself is unsupported so there is always stress at that point. What this case allows me to do, though, is store the body and lens in a vertical orientation which (I assume) lessens that stress and distributes the weight evenly. At least that's the logic. If someone has more info on this, I'd be curious.

My deal is that I like to show up to a segment of a day ready. I know when I get to the bride's house that I want the 35 1.4 on the 5D2 and the 85 1.2 on the 50D so I'll already have that set before we leave my home (the FE is always on the 350D). And it plays out like this for the rest of the day; I know what combinations I'll want for the ceremony so I make those changes while packing at the bride's house so I'm ready to go as soon as we get to the church, etc.

I can't wait for my husband to see this post-- he's been saying we need to check into a Pelican case & this is just what we need to see if it will work for us. Right now he has a Domke bag, I have a 8MDH bag & am waiting for a ShootSac-type bag to arrive because I've found it so frustrating running back to my 8MDH bag when i want to changed lenses. I think it was maybe SubiMatt who uses a Pelican & pointed out that he also uses his to stand on for those "above" shots. I'm like you, Robert, I only feel comfortable going to a wedding shoot if I know I've got everything I own just in case! Really generous of you to take the time to take such detailed shots of your set up, and BTW I am coveting your arsenal

Michelle Brooks Photography wrote in post #10942570
I can't wait for my husband to see this post-- he's been saying we need to check into a Pelican case & this is just what we need to see if it will work for us.

IMO, if you work together and can count on two people to help manage getting up stairs, etc., this case (or one properly sized to your gear) in a no-brainer. It's those rare times when I work without an assistant that this case can become a little more challenging to take along.

One of the issues I had with pelican cases is that if I wanted to add or change my equipment in any way, the foam was set wrong and I had to order another set of p&p foam.

Other than that, they were great cases.

That's why I'd never do P&P. I ordered my case with the movable dividers so it's more adaptable. That said, based on the dividers they give you and the shape of everything, there are really only a couple of ways to configure it. But it allows enough flexibility to hold everything securely and adapt as my equipment changes over time.

I definitely agree with the movable dividers. I ended up getting a big Lightware case with the movable dividers. The dividers are the key.

That is huge. I would probably never use something that looks so clean, professional, and desirable to steal.

form wrote in post #10955338
, and desirable to steal.

Rural NJ is probably quite a bit unlike Vegas. On the fifth photo with the lid closed, you can see the two cable lock holes to secure the contents as well as the case were that ever a concern. And compared to the typical shoulder bag, I suspect it would be hard to sneak a case like this out the door without me or my assistant seeing it. Let's face it; there's nothing discreet about this case.

And the reality is, one of my assistant's primary responsibilities is keeping an eye on it and he's often sitting right next to it.

I prefer the StormCase latches, thanks for the writeup.

Nice writeup! I just picked up a Pelican 1630 case for the exact same use. I just ordered the padded divider set for it. Since I got a good deal on the case ($75 used with no foam), the whole thing will end up setting me back about $240 or so.

peacefield, you said you put it in the bed of your truck.
I also drive a truck, but worry about putting sensitive camera equipment back there because of the vibrations/ bed bouncing. after all it is a pickup, not a buick.
i've been thinking about something like this (but probably smaller for now) so i can "throw" my gear in the bed when i need the cab space.

your gear doesn't seem to be bothered by the bouncy ride while in this case?

i guess you may have a less bouncy truck too, haha. either way, interested in your thoughts

bigarchi wrote in post #11002577
I also drive a truck, but worry about putting sensitive camera equipment back there because of the vibrations/ bed bouncing. after all it is a pickup, not a buick.

My truck (a 2007 Nissan Frontier) isn't too bad a ride; not especially bouncy. And our roads are pretty decent and I'm a fairly conservative driver when the gear is loaded. I've carried studio lights in the back (stored in cases, of course) without issue and nothing ever seems to have been tossed around inside.

My truck in an open bed so I'll tell you that I'm actually much more concerned when driving through less desirable neighborhoods and stopped at a light. Though I suspect no one is going to be able to run very fast with this case; even I should be able to catch 'em.

If you're concerned about too much bouncing, just slide the case up towards the front of the bed where the ride should be much smoother.