Storm/Pelican Case

jcoxshooter

jcoxshooter

Well-known member
Anyone got their camera stored in a hard case like storm or pelican. Also anyone got a laser cut insert yet.
 
I have a Storm case that was cut for my HVX200/Letus set up that works just fine for my F3. But I also picked up a great case made by Petrol that was designed for the RED which I really like for the F3 when I don't want to take the heavy Storm case.
 
I just purchased a Peli 1560 case for my F3, looks like under flight case dimensions, but not advertised as a flight case. It comes with laser cut foam.
 
Technically the Pelican 1510 is the flight dimensions one. I didn't think the F3 would fit into it properly from the looks of it, but I didn't test it. I know there were issues with the EX1 and the 1510 because of the width caused by the right handle sticking out so far.

Right now I'm using the Pelican 1610 (which is not flight friendly) because it allows me to fit in the Ki Pro Mini, 3 bricks, rails, FF, basic mic, etc. The problem I have with foam is I always wish I had done it different when I change kit slightly. I'm wondering if I should get the padded dividers to give more space and flexibility.
 
The Petrol RED bag is fantastic. Not advised for flying, however it has lots of room for extras and easy to carry.

http://www.petrolbags.com/PRB-15
 
Kata CC-196. Fits F3 with Zacuto plate, rails, Nikon 17-55/2.8, OEM mic, Genus matte box, all mounted ready to shoot and batteries, accessories, etc... Not sure about airline safe and don't care as current regulations for on board luggage is far more weight restricted than size. If you load up any airline safe (size) hard case, 100% it will be OVER the weight limit for on board luggage. I had that happens to me too many times on different airlines. If I have to fly, I pack my F3 all stripped out in smallish Lowepro backpack, and all essential parts "spread out" in (Lowepro) belt pouches and my pockets and I check in "location transport bag"...This way I get around wit out paying crazy fees for overweight personal luggage and still get my essential gear with me on the plane. I did this for years with EX1, same practice works well with F3. I would never travel on the (international) assignment by plane and have my camera checked in as luggage even if it is packed in titanium case or any sort of Pelican or Storm. Air travel is getting so crazy these days, that there is a great chance that your luggage won't make it at the same time where you are. Theft, I won't even go there...
 
Tata Steva said:
I would never travel on the (international) assignment by plane and have my camera checked in as luggage even if it is packed in titanium case or any sort of Pelican or Storm.
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x 2. I have seen too many cameras beat to you know what by checking them. I can't see why anyone would ever want to check something like a camera.
 
Illya Friedman said:
Too big for carry on dimension by a large amount.
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I also thought the same, but when i checked the allowed dimensions i realise that Peli 1560 is under the hand baggage dimensions. The Peli 1560, which is 51.7 x 39.2 x 22.9 cm. And EasyJet (One of the Europe's most painful airline) maximum cabin baggage dimensions are 56 x 45 x 25cm. I will give it a try.
 
+3 to avoid checking cameras in bags for flights. I had a camera disappear completely coming back from Fiji. The Pelican 1610 I mentioned is my 'throw it in the trunk' back. In that instance its easier if everything is in one back.

There was a nice Cinebag back pack carry on bag that was supposed to be great, but its discontinued now.

I used a Kata bag for my EX1. The curve on top helped it fit into carry on racks, but it might be small for the F3.

Steve mentioned weight limits, but I've only seen those for check in bags, not carry on. I'm not saying it never happens, it might just be some airline I've never tried, its just never happened to me for carry on.

Then again current regulations prohibit carrying a bunch of or big L-ion batteries. PITA.
 
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I never gave a camera to the baggage, i always get them with me to the plane, my concern is not the dimensions my concern is, you allowed only 1 bag to the plane, so i'm trying to find solution to my CP.2's case:(
 
American carriers go from 22" x 14" x 9" or 45 linear inches (L+W+H) with a few like Continental at 51 linear inches and Southwest at 24" x 16" x 10". That's the problem is they are all different.
 
Few years ago I was flying to Europe for a family vacation. As always, I was taking my usual still camera set up in my Pelican rolling case that is airline safe ( size). Came to the counter to check in with my family, only to find out that every passenger's personal bag was weighted and with limit allowed ( don't recall the number) I ended taking almost all of the items from the pelican and stuffing the lenses and 2 DSLR bodies in various hand luggage of my wife and 3 kids... Go figure. Only when I emptied my pelican and put it on the scale again, I was given an official " cabin luggage" sticker. Once pass this point I was not hassled by airport and security staff but I did put all the lenses and cameras back in to the case. Bottom line, it's not safe to carry unlimited weight of gear in your carry on bag. You might get stopped and hassled, no matter what the "official policy" of the airline has (even if you checked on their web page). Airport personnel know thatthey have you check mate: you need to leave with the booked plane. Bottom line. Arguing does not help, usually... They very often make tier own rules on the day and enforce them on the spot. With curent state of panic and security in airline industry, we are in the game only to loose... Be very conservative and sensitive next time you pack your gear to fly...
 
even when your dimensions are legal size for an airline, sometimes they will take one look at a beefy hardshell case and say im sorry but you have to put that in luggage" once you get to the gate. I argued MANY times about this, and it really pisses me off, so I dont use a Pelican case for my camera, I converted a standard carry on size semi-hard travel suitcase into what holds my camera. When they see some military type box bring brought on the plane they seem to wanna stow it away even if its perfectly legal size to fit in the overhead.

I almost got into a fight with one emplyee that wanted to take my case and put it under the plane even though it passed all regulation for going in the overhead AND people ahead of me were bringing in same size cases or even a little larger and stuffing them in. If the case looks big and mean, they are more likely to tell you to stow it once you walk down the ramp to the Jet.

If you look like an everyday guy with just his clothing with him, they let you pass. If you look like you've got some kind of super device coming on board they like to keep it out of site of the other passengers apparently.

Fair warning to all, just because its legal size to fit, doesn't mean they will let you bring it. And could even kick you off the flight if you say that you wont store it in the cargo area. Its really not right what they do, it passes security, and it passes the size limits, but they dont care. My advice to someone who will be traveling a lot, is to call ahead of time and figure out what jet you'll be flying on. Smaller jets can have a different size restriction than the "standard" they tell you online for the airport.
 
I am able to fit my F3 into a pelican 1510 with padded dividers, you have to take off the eyepiece and then it fits perfectly.
Had no problems getting it into the overhead, even if I had to gate check, I would be ok with it because it was in the pelican.
I can then fit in 4 swit96 batts, dual dolgin charger, 5 cards, card reader, Lacie rugged and nikon adapter(had room for more).
I will post pics when i repack everything to go back home.
 
crs127 said:
I am able to fit my F3 into a pelican 1510 with padded dividers, you have to take off the eyepiece and then it fits perfectly.
Had no problems getting it into the overhead, even if I had to gate check, I would be ok with it because it was in the pelican.
I can then fit in 4 swit96 batts, dual dolgin charger, 5 cards, card reader, Lacie rugged and nikon adapter(had room for more).
I will post pics when i repack everything to go back home.
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I'd like to see pics of that, and to see if your standing it up or laying it down. And removing what? The diopter off of the eye piece?
 
I picked up a Pelican Storm iM2750 in green for an everything-in-one-case solution, and a block of foam from foamorder.com which I will cut the way I want it. I tried a Pelican 1510 for the carry-on option but the F3 is a little too thick - wasn't able to get more than an inch of padding on either side so I don't feel great about rolling it around in that case. Will probably look for a soft sided option for carryon.
 
I'm looking for a back pack, like the old style Cinebags one. Wheels would be nice. Big enough to fit everything, but small enough for carry on, and a bit more stealthy than a camera bag that screams 'steal me.'
 
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