Pelican case for M8

[roubaix]

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Any chance someone could recommend the proper Pelican case for an M8? I'd like to fit the following:

 

M8

35 Cron

90 Macro Elmar

15 CV

Maybe room for one other- hopefully a 24 Elmarit/2.8

 

I frequently rough it for a while in the wet for which the Pelican seems an ideal protection unit. Any similar experiences from the board that could inform my decision?

 

Thanks,

 

Peter

[ljclark]

The case I use is a Pelican 1450. I bought it originally as part of the LowePro Omni Traveler kit. The LowePro part is a soft case designed to fit nicely inside the Pelican.

 

With the 1450 alone I recommend the insert that has padded dividers that you can reposition. That lets you use it for other things -- I used it to lug an office video projector to a couple of jobs.

 

However -- My big "discovery" a couple of months ago was that a Domke F-803 bag also fits nicely in the 1450. This (I'm embarrassed to say) after using both those pieces of equipment separately for years.

 

This rig is bulkier than just the F-803 alone, but when I'm flying I can put the cameras up in the overhead without worrying that someone else is going to jam some kind of camera-killing object up there. When I arrive, I just pull the Domke out of the Pelican, and I'm ready to go. I suspect that some of the other minimalist camera bags will also work nicely with 1450.

 

And if, because of some obscure security reaction, they ever limit carry-ons again, I can check the Pelican (prefer not to, but that's what good insurance is fore).

 

The last strategy is that if, for some reason, I acquire goodies on a trip that push me over the check-on luggage limits for my main bag, I take the camera bag out of the case for carry-on, and then put heavy stuff in that Pelican as my second check-in piece.

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[roubaix]

LJ,

 

#1 Thanks for your quick reply!

#2 I'm concerned the 1450 might be a tad large since your describing that a case (the Domke) fits inside the case (Pelican.) I see what your getting at- makes sense! But I wonder what the smallest Pelican that might fit the M8 and lenses might be? Is your experience that the foam inserts are customizable?

#3 I see that you and I have almost an identical # of posts (non sequitur ...); I'm an occasional browser but infrequent poster.

 

Any further ideas?

 

Peter

[underground]

I have a 1550 Which holds all my leica gear.

And when i go on a light trip I put what i need in my 1400.

 

I can neatly put my, M7,M8 bodies(without lenses on) 50 cron 90 cron, and my flash.

It's a tight fit,but works great if you pull the foam out right inside the case.

[ljclark]

LJ,

 

Any further ideas?

 

You can certainly drop down a size and use the pluck foam. My only reservation with the the pluck foam inserts is that the "bridges" between the foam pieces tend to tear after awhile from pieces being placed in and removed from the foam.

 

The best thing to do is go to the Pelican site and copy down the interior dimensions of the 1400 and 1450 cases. Cut a piece of paper (or fold a towel) to those dimensions and fit your gear on each template to see what works best. Note that the slightly smaller 1400 does not have the padded divider option. However, it is offered as one of LowePro's Omni series.

 

Another trick with the Pelican inserts: If the foam seems a little too deep for some items, consider slicing the foam to make it two pieces deep. I've used a long bread knife to do this. Then you can just pluck the top foam piece and won't have to dig so deep to get items (which also saves wear and tear on the pluck foam).

 

BTW...Warranty service with Pelican is very good. Southwest Airlines managed to break off the corner lip to one of my cases so it would no longer make a seal with the "O" ring. On Pelican's instructions, I shipped the old case back to California and they shipped me a new one. (The damaged cases end up in the chipper.) They have also provided me, at no cost, new style latches to replace the fingernail busters that were used in the original cases.

[roubaix]

Great idea. I'm on it.

 

Thanks,

 

Peter

[Speenth]

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Take a look at Dave B's compact and rather neat Pelican set-up here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/45199-armour-my-m8-truly-future-proofing.html#post476174

[pgk]

BTW...Warranty service with Pelican is very good. Southwest Airlines managed to break off the corner lip to one of my cases so it would no longer make a seal with the "O" ring..

 

I've had equipment broken inside my Pelicases when flying as have other photographers whom I know. As an aside its worth bearing in mind that anything that goes into the hold can get hammered and its often not the case, but what's inside which gets damaged. I personally prefer a small well padded case in the overhead with as much photo gear in as possible (given some weight constraints which are now applied) as well as numerous deep pockets (I've had a coat weighing 10Kg before now!).

[Guest stnami]

Good point pgk we sorta forget about the aka daka rockinandarollin affect

[ljclark]

I personally prefer a small well padded case in the overhead with as much photo gear in as possible (given some weight constraints which are now applied) as well as numerous deep pockets.

 

Sometimes you don't have a choice and some gear gets checked. If I check any gear, some also stays with me in the cabin -- minimum kit. As stated originally, that's why I carry good insurance.

 

I'm not forgetting what happened in British airports when they imposed severe carry-on restrictions a few years ago. Many people got caught out with no decent solution for the camera gear that started on their trip as carry-on. I've try to develop a system that allows 2 or 3 carriage configurations/options.

[pgk]

I carry good insurance too - but bluntly, its of little use when you are at a destination with gear that won't work!

 

I agree that its well worth having several options - and just once I've had to repack part way through a multi-flight journey when a rather officious check-in person decided that weight was finally an issue with carry-on. I also try NEVER to travel via Heathrow.

[pgk]

Oh yes, and one other thing. I shoot underwater and there is a suspicion amongst underwater photographers, backed by too many instances, that Pelicases are targeted by thieves during air travel. I have had TSA locks on a Pelicase forced and gear nicked myself (fortunately little of consequence) during a trip across the US. Its worth bearing in mind that Pelicases are often used for valuable gear and so may attract unwanted attention.

[ljclark]

 

TSA locks are now the easiest to open. Information on the keys is available on the web, and it is not a crime to posses a key of the type that will open a TSA lock. The whole TSA lock thing is a dodge to keep the cheap padlock manufacturers in the business of making cheap padlocks. With the advent of the TSA locks and the TSA keys, it now takes less skill than ever to get into one of those locks -- a task that wasn't that difficult to begin with.

 

I haven't locked a case in probably 20 years -- this includes shipping $25K radios overseas. At a minimum, I'd like to know if someone was inside the case, so I've used lead wire seals or colored zip ties.

 

ANY case that is rugged enough to offer serious protection for your equipment is going to be spotted on the belts. Do bad people target Pelican? Of course. And a mess of of other brands as well.

 

The risk of theft from checked luggage is real. I try to avoid checking photo gear. But I also like to have options.

[Guest stnami]

[pgk]

Stnami

 

Refreshingly original!

[leolaksi]

Pelican cases are easy marks for airport thieves. And the airline insurance caps out at a very low amount. Nowhere near replacement value if you've carrying a M8 etc. Would recommend that you consider an insurance rider for your equipment. However this doesn't replace the camera if you're traveling. For me, overhead only.

 

Leo

[terencechong]

got the pelican 1200 today... brilliant!

[carbonadam]

I have the 1450 for my M8 and the 1500 for my 5D Mark II. They are excellent, although the latches are hard to close, which is a good thing, but still a pain. Very durable cases and cool looking too.

[ljclark]

They are excellent, although the latches are hard to close, which is a good thing, but still a pain.

 

Sounds like you may have the older, one-piece, "fingernail-buster" latches. You can get newer, upgraded latches from Pelican that are two-piece and easier to work. Replacement does require cutting the pins on the old latches, but that's fairly easy if you have a Dremel and some cut-off wheels.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Anguish]

I would never let my Leicas fly in the hold of an airplane.

I use them, as opposed to DSLRs, in part because they are small and I can carry them along, including many lenses.

My regular baggage, when I put it in the hold, arrives irregularly in too many instances. What consternation this would cause if a camera was in it I can't tell you.

Besides, the camera must be ready for the breaking news picture of the ride down the evacuation slide.

I use the peli cases only in significant sand/dust/water environments.

I saw a guy at the airport the other day with two as his carry ons - wonder what was inside. Seemed there would have been room enough for about 5 Leicas.