Hard Case Help

[Raskill]

Hi folks,

Just need some snappy advice on a hard case to carry my camera equipment on an aircraft. I have a pelican type case in mind, but really, the pelican brand is TO pricey.

Does anyone know a less expensive brand and a supplier? I need a case large enough to carry 2 bodies, 3 lenses (inc a 300mm F/2. and assorted goodies.

I need it by next week.

HELP!!!!

Cheers,

Alan.

[Justin]

Flamingo? Harder to lose as well

[moz]

Try one of the 10/20l plastic buckets with a sealing lid that stuff like paint comes in. Thy're usually pretty robust and waterproof, albeit not lockable (but lockage checked luggage is not cool <tm>). With a bit of foam and a knife you can turn one of those into a padded case.

Alternatively, places like Jaycar sell foam-filled briefcases for electronic goodies and those are not too expensive. The trouble is that they're also not very big.

At the big end, a nally bin/fish crate/recycling bin style thing from your local plastic place will be big and rectangular, and likewise would be filled with foam. But that would be interesting to carry - I'd be tempted to add shoulder straps and make it a backpack (lid side in).

HTH
Moz

[DJXtreme]

i got an aluminium briefcase sort of thing from supercheap auto and some grey foam from clark rubber. all up it was fairly cheap, not a bad size, hard and lockable (although the quality of the locks isnt a top notch).

you can get even bigger sizes than this but they take more of a toolbox like shape and although aluminium are getting pretty bulky.

[redline]

i can fit a 300 f2.8 and 80-200, tc plus a d70 body in a specialist 85

[Antsl]

Hi Rascal,

If you have the gear you should put in the investment to protect it. I have two Pelican cases and aside from the fact that they last for years (my blad case has been going since 1990) they will also protect your kit in absolutely any environment, unlike some other cases you care to mention.

There is an alternate brand called Storm and they make some good options including roller cases. Check them out!

Cheers, Ants

[DaveB]

Pelican and Storm are the big brand names.

Quality Camera Sales has quite a selection of Storm cases.

[apsilon]

I recently purchased a large Pelican case as I needed storage but also for transport for a trip I was planning next year. The trip doesn't look like happening now but I'm still very hapy with my purchase knowing that my gear is well protected from just about anything.

If you only have a week then it's too late but Pelican, and I assume other brands, can be had from the US cheaper than locally. eg the Pelican 1600 cost me almost $100 in shipping from the US but it stll worked out about $80 cheaper than the best price I could find locally.

[Raskill]

Thanks folks. Looks like I'll take the plunge and get either a pellican or storm case. I suppose $300 isn't much to spend to ensure the safety of my gear.

[sirhc55]

Christ Alan - from the title I thought you were after a hitman

[Raskill]

Christ Alan - from the title I thought you were after a hitman

No, don't be silly.....

Thats my other 'other' job.

[shutterbug]

Pelican case are tops.....purchase one from overseas

[bwhinnen]

I can say that pelican cases are well worth the money, I have one for my other sport (protecting equipment akin to your hitman profession ). I have used it for about 7 years now and it has been bashed around and been to several states across Australia and on numerous planes in general baggage. The case has a few dings and knocks but the contents including some optics have always been fine and never required re-sighting in after any trip.

The case does pressurise though in general baggage though

Cheers,

[obzelite]

was in bunning yesterday, and i thought i saw a pelican case and figured it was bit strange they had them in stock, turned out to be a gmc case, dosent have foam inside, but it looked pretty tough.
Didnt have a price as i presume it was new stock.

[Raskill]

Done and Done.

Fluro orange Pelican 1500 w/ pluck foam ordered.

Now to hide the invoice from the 'boss'....



Those GMC cases might be interesting...

[Yi-P]

Fluro orange Pelican 1500 w/ pluck foam ordered.

That sounds like an aircraft's black box to me "fluro-orange"