Camera Case Question?

I have a digital camera (Oly 3020), Ikelite housing, and an Ikelite DS-50 strobe and now I need a case.

I want to get a pelican case? But what size? I will want to use the case as carry-on when I travel with my camera.

Who have purchase one for their camera? Is it large enough? Where

did you buy it and the foam from? How much? Any regrets? Do you wish you bought some other manufactor?

I am thinking about a Pelican case because I love the one I have for my gear.

Thanks

Marc

Maximum size acceptable for carry-ons is 45" total measurement. That is, height + length + width.

I bought a Pelican case at B & H when in NY, but got a Porter Case for my carry-on. As the name suggests, it can be let down to use as a trolley, and takes a large suitcase plus my Pelican 1620 on top. It's a "third hand" so to speak, when travelling.

I got the Pelican with pluck foam, but my carry-on is compartmentalised for digital or/and video. Much more flexible.

Best of luck,

Seadeuce

I have the larger Porter case and love it. Look no further for a carry-on than the Porter case! Delete the wheels on your checked bags as you no longer need them. Great way to save significant travel weight.

I saw a porter case the other day (Douglas Seifert had one), and it looked great. However, he said that it's just shy of fitting in the cut-outs they use at some airports like LAX for carry-on x-raying. He's been forced to check it in the past. Have any of you with porter cases had that experience? The 45" total measurement isn't exactly accurate, is it? There seems to be an absolute measure of width and depth determined by the cutouts.

By the way, I've settled with the Storm 2500, which is explicity sized to fit carry-on requirements. It also has wheels and a retractable handle, but cannot be used to lug 200 pounds of gear like the porter case can.

I'm also now using a Storm 2750 instead of a Pelican 1620. It's around 5-7 lbs lighter, which is a big deal these days with the new U.S. 50 lb limits.

The "official" carry on size is 14"x22"x9", which does indeed add up to the 45" mentioned. The problem is that many of the airline employees are fixated on using the "carry on" sizers, which are very specific in terms of shape. That sort of precludes say a 15"x21"x9" bag even though it meets the 45" rule. If you stick to the traditional carry on dimensions listed, it's much easier to get them on the plane, especially when trying to push the limit of 1 carryon + 1 personal item.

I've seen some ridiculous bags allowed as carryons, proving that there are no hard and fast rules. At the end of the day I think it mostly depends on the airline, your frequent flyer status with them, and the mood of the gate agents.

Porter makes two sizes. I have the larger which does not quite meet the strictest carry-on size. It's clearly smaller than many bags people carry on, though, and I haven't had a problem with it. It's been through LAX many times.

The cutout discriminates against some bags but try telling them that (particularly at LAX). The larger Porter case goes lengthwise into the overheads of larger planes so it is very bagspace-friendly.

I have a Storm 2720 case and like it. It is definitely a weight improvement over Pelicans, particularly when you remove the wheels and stack it on your Porter!

On my last trip I used a North Face duffel bag (huge and only 5 lbs!) and packed gear inside it using tupperware containers and bubblewrap. Not quite perfect since the containers suffered damage but it was promising and very light. Nothing other than the containers was damaged.

Thank you for your suggestions. Well now it is time to hit the stores to find the right one.

Again thank you!

Marc