Help me decide on a camera case...

M

Mike Lorushe

Active member
Hey guys...

So I'm on the market for a new camera case and have narrowed down my search to these two products:

Pelican 1510

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peli-Peli..._Camera_Cases_Bags_Covers&hash=item53ea88928d

Think Tank Photo Airport International V2.0

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THINK-TAN..._Camera_Cases_Bags_Covers&hash=item2c6b257086

I'm interested in these two in particular as they are hand-luggage travel size and I plan to be taking my gear around on flights a fair bit in the new year. The Pelican is built like a tank and is cheaper but I can't decide if that's more important than having something more inconspicuous. Any of you guys use either of these? If so what's your experience with each? I'm probably leaning towards the Think Tank but I'm concerned that it won't last too long being dragged, scraped and thrown around...
 
I don't know if I can add much to aid in your decision. Peli cases are awesome but as you say they do sort of scream 'Expensive stuff here!', while the other bag looks just like a normal luggage bag. Tough choice. The only thing I would add is check the hand baggage size/weight allowances for various airlines, especially the ones you plan to travel on the most. Just because an ebay ad says 'airline ok' doesn't make it so. BA are quite generous, while Ryanair will barely allow you to take your wallet onboard.
 
Porta Brace makes some hard cases similar to Pelican but lighter.

Re airlines, it depends on the plane. Some of the small commuter jets barely have room for a wallet so you tend to have your bags gate checked more frequently.
 
I've used the pelican for two years and it's brilliant. Heavy, yes. Conspicuous, yes. But my only concern is the protection of what's inside. And it does that. Plus it has user-replaceable parts (wheels, handle, different innards etc).

Flown with it on various carriers and aircraft (Air Canada Embraer 190, Westjet 737, Turkish Airlines A330, Lufthansa something big) and it didn't fit in the overhead storage on a DASH-8 twin prop, no surprise there. But it has always fit into that luggage go/no go cage in the check-in.

Craig
 
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I own the Pelican (actually the SKB knockoff, less $$ and as tough as any pelican) and a think tank backpack...

I prefer the think tank because it carries more stuff (at the same size). The pelican wastes a bit of space in favor of protection. If you may have to check something, go with a hard case. if you're confident it'll stay with you, I do prefer the lighter/softer/low key backpack (which can take my AC-130 - try that in the Pelican...)

One personal observation - dividers, not foam. I find the foam's just a mess. I have a sack of velcro dividers from all sorts of cases, so I can configure bags for specific gigs in minutes. It's dang flexible. And you can take smaller pieces and make covered compartments that keep batteries from flying around inside the case. Seriously, save every case-divider you get your hands on...)

But overall, in my carry-on cases, I have killer Pelican, Think-Tank and Tenba, each one an awesome bag that pushes right up to the size limit - and you just can't get sh*t in 'em! (A still body and lenses, yes - but I have to break down my DSLR rig and pack the matte box separately, etc... and can't take a pro video camera unless it's the think tank which is TIGHT.)

Sorry, went from my .02 to bitching about carry-on sizes. I freakin' hate to travel for shoots. There's always too much pricey stuff in the hold!
 
For carry-on the ThinkTank is far superior. Ours have been around the world & show little wear.

There has been numerous similar discussions on these forums, & the ThinkTank International always gets the most love.
 
Often i fly with free passes on airlines - free, meaning you get on-board only when all paying customers got on already - which means finding storage space for the camera case is very tough. Pelican screams "expensive stuff inside" and the airline stuff know sit so they are a bit more accommodating trying to find that extra space on board.
 
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