Best backpaak or hard case suggestions

[rmeinicke1 0]

Hi, just trying to decide what options are best , on one hand I need a tough case for boat trips , but a backpack might be better for travel . I was looking at the pelican 1555 air , but no idea for backpack

Cheers Ross

 

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[Stoo 46]

I went through this myself years ago, and ultimately decided on the Pelican 1510 vs a backpack (Lowe-Pro and others have many options. I was quite taken with fstopgear.com although they're pricey).

 

Several years later, I am happy with my decision... Here are my reasons why:

 

I use an Aquatica/D7000 system and dual Ike strobes etc. Add it all up and it's surprisingly heavy. (Upwards of 35 pounds). This would get damn heavy totting it around all day.

 

Due to the weight, it's entirely possible that some airline will insist I check it. With the Pelican, I know my stuff will be safe.

 

The Pelican meets carry-on requirements and I have never been challenged.

 

My only other comment would be that if you do opt for a Pelican, I seriously urge you to consider a roller case. With the case, my kit weighs 42 pounds.

 

The other thing to consider with a case vs backpack is that a small pack will qualify as a "personal" item. In addition to my 1510, I carry a small Lowepro pack with a sleeve that protects my 15" Macbook Pro, and has enough space and pockets for another camera body, dive computers, travel documents etc. It's quite small, but easily fits in under the plane seat.

 

I hope this helps!

[TimG 62]

I'm with Stoo. I've had a Pelican 1510 since about 1999 and it has never gone wrong. And, touch wood, has never been refused entry into an aircraft cabin - and, yes, its been in lots: Emirates, KLM, Thomson, Thomas Cook, Silk Air, Singapore, Garuda, Malaysia Airlines, Monarch, Lion Air, Air This-that-and- the-Other.

 

And, again, like Stoo, mine is horribly heavy when loaded. The one time I did use a backpack I was truly regretting it after a couple of days and moves.

 

As Stoo says, if you are flying and you aren't allowed to bring the roller into the cabin, you can at least check it with a degree (small maybe) of confidence that the case, at least, will survive.

 

If you go the Pelican route, I'd suggest getting the divider set rather than using foam. The dividers are more expensive but they are seriously adaptable - which the foam isn't. In addition, I have found the lid organiser well worth having for all the little bits and bobs.

[Stoo 46]

Agree about the dividers rather than foam...

[casts_by_fly 3]

I am the other way to Tim and stoo and I suspect it is the camera choice. I carry a backpack and have never had any issues. I shoot olympus m4/3 and carry everything in a lowepro flipside 500aw. I'm able to fit the housing (camera and largest lens inside) with dome in place inside the top "T" portion of the pack with dual strobes down the center. The other four pockets hold chargers, batteries, broken down tray, arms, and clamps, other lens, above water flash, etc. I also throw in Apple chargers and cables, my wife's kindle, and other miscellaneous stuff we want to have while traveling. Everything I need for underwater photography on the trip is with me in the backpack except for the cable tether I clip in with and the small bag of tools/grease I carry in my checked bags. In the big front pocket I have my passport, iPad, and other travel incidentals. The bag itself isn't heavy (unlike a pelican) and looks just like a normal backpack when checking in. It isn't light to have on your back if you have to walk a long way, but it is a comfortable bag to carry.

 

Rick

[Djuna 1]

I'm a recent fan of the Pelican Air series with TrekPak dividers. The Air saves heaps of weight over the traditional Pelican case, and the TrekPak dividers -- thin and cut to custom size -- take up minimal space. It all adds up more room for me to bring everything but the kitchen sink

 

Expensive, but a long term investment.

[thetrickster 328]

I went for a ThinkTankPhoto Airport Security v2 (I think there is now a v3) roller - takes everything and still fits in the luggage guides they sometime make you use.

 

The bag is big, but the main thing for me, is the depth, it can take domes standing up, so you can get a lot more in.

 

However due to the recently security 'improvements' around the world at airports, I would recommend you stick with a Peli type case, so if it does end up in the hold, you know its gonna be safe. I know if I was buying today, I would get a hard case.

[Pajjpen 63]

I get weighed every single time I travel from my local airport, I use a think tank backpack, to be within the ridiculously strict 7kg limit I have my camera and biggest lens around my neck, all batteries (lots of them for video lights) and my video lights I. My pockets when checking in. It's a hassle but has worked since. I'd get a hard case but they are so heavy I couldn't get anything into it before I hit 7kg anyways. And even with a pelican case I wouldn't feel comfortable checking my precious gear in..

[deanie08 0]

I have both but the backpack seems really easy to handle and convenient for me.

[stephenmorris 0]

Could any tell me if they make a semi hard case that can be both carried as well as rolling? I'm currently on my first big underwater photography trip and with all my gear it looks like trying to carry everything between my wife and myself is going to be to much. If anyone knows if a place in Bali I can purchase a case from even better otherwise I might try to use lazada. Thanks again for the help.

 

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[bossygirl 1]

I use Lowepro when working as an assistant with a local Miami Wedding Photographer and it works great. Very roomy, and fits everything we need.

[Aotus 9]

I just went through this process. I was looking for a backpack, and here are my notes:

 

Backpack with these criteria

1. carry-on friendly and carries 15" laptop
2. carries compact camera + housing + wide angle lens + arms, 2 strobes and video light
3. carries additional expedition gear on site, e.g., GPS, jacket, lunch, small toolset, fins (maybe booties), shoes/socks
4. ok to lay down in the mud
5. ok to be in a truck bed with a dozen tanks and big heavy gear bags

 

My candidates

1. F-stop ajna - ruled out: too expensive with camera module, no rainfly, reviews state not super comfy, insufficient division of compartments, laptop sleeve too small (would require laptop case), bad customer service stories.
2. Mindshift backlight 36L - ruled out: skimpy laptop sleeve not sufficient to not require laptop case, top compartment too tiny, material not very tough/water resistant - generally like a jansport backpack for high school but with a camera compartment.
3. LowePro whistler 450 - purchased: pros - tough (mud friendly) material, expandable wet pocket, large top compartment, super protection in camera box. cons - heavy, no water bottle pockets, no laptop pocket (will require I use laptop case - more weight).

I'll post again once I have a better idea of how well I like the Whistler.

Edited March 14, 2018 by Aotus

[newboy 1]

I get weighed every single time I travel from my local airport, I use a think tank backpack, to be within the ridiculously strict 7kg limit I have my camera and biggest lens around my neck, all batteries (lots of them for video lights) and my video lights I. My pockets when checking in. It's a hassle but has worked since. I'd get a hard case but they are so heavy I couldn't get anything into it before I hit 7kg anyways. And even with a pelican case I wouldn't feel comfortable checking my precious gear in..

 

I am interested to hear you "carry" your camera on - and then I assume pop it in the carry on?

[Pajjpen 63]

What would u like to know? I didn't get the question.

 

 

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[errbrr 73]

I posted awhile back about using a backpack as carry-on to carry the camera fully assembled. In Australia they are in the nasty habit of weighing carry-on at the gate and roller bags get targeted. Temporarily sore shoulders and a smile like it only weighs 7kgs have saved me on multiple occasions.

 

I replaced the red bag in the thread pictures with one exactly the same dimensions in a different material from the same manufacturer. It's been crap - multiple holes after just a few months. Then I worked out that the housing fits in my new carry-on bag I bought for work. It's the Osprey Porter 46, which is carry-on dimensions if you don't overstuff it. It has padded sides and incredible build quality. I'm much happier with it as I feel the housing would have a fighting chance if I am every forced to check it. It weighed 16kg last week with Nauticam 5D4 housing & camera, 8" dome and 14mm lens, 2 x retras and arms, macro port and 100mm lens on the side, eneloops, a couple of dive computers and other odds and sods. Slid easily into the overhead on an ATR-72, and under the seat in front on a Dash 8.

 

I also carry on a "purse" with laptop, ipad, headphones, chargers, spare batteries that often weighs 5 to 10kg. I prefer it when they put the plane close to the gate (although it's good practise for staggering to the boat in full technical dive kit).

[trimix125 73]

Hi,
since my girlfriend is taking pics under water too,
it was getting more and heavier every trip....
First she used my Lowe Photo trekker, and i a Think tank Airport Antidot.
For my Nauticam / OMD Setup, Laptop, all lenses, one strobe and one arm, so i could do a minimum if the checked in luggage would not come... So main target is possible.
Think of a liveaboard trip and the luggage is coming one day later... Dive gear you can rent nearly anywhere. But your camera gear?

After switching back to Dslr, she got my Think Tank, and i bought a no name extreme light weight photo back pack. Less then 1 kg.
Last year it was weighted in Cebu and had 17 kg! I told them that i cannot check in camera and equipment, because they would only pay 10 USD for a kg, and worth is more than 500 USD / kg. Got a checked ribbon, overweighted, camera and laptop.
This year i took only the macro Setup, one strobe, one arm, chargers and cables plus laptop in the backpack, and had the camera and the standard lens in a small hip pocket from Lowe. Fisheye lens and port where checked in.
So cabin luggage had only 10kg. That was ok for them.
Now i think of buying a second Think Tank, because the cheap backpack zippers fall apart...
And it was not "isolated" like the Think Tank.

Regards,
Wolfgang

[Aotus 9]

I just received my new Lowepro whistler 450. My initial impression is that it is heavy, but capable, comfy, and well-built! I really like it! That's a relief too because I had to stop myself from reading more reviews after ordering because I was having new doubts.

 

I will tinker with the arrangements but here is a first take for scale. It feels heavy to lift, but very comfortable and less heavy on my back. I’m 6’ tall, and it looks medium to med/small for a day pack, certainly OK for carry on but don't think it's going to fit under the seat (I have to look that up). I would hesitate to use the back side pocket for anything not easily compressed for flying.

2 x sea and sea ys-d1 strobes
Nauticam housing with pro kit (handles) for a panasonic (compact) Lumix LX10
Nauticam wise lens IN CASE
Nauticam floatation ring for lens

Edited March 20, 2018 by Aotus

[oneyellowtang 112]

I used to carry a Lowepro on every trip, but recently switched to a Peak Design backpack. These are seriously great bags,,,

 

The number of features they've built into their bags is stunning...

https://www.peakdesign.com/product/bags/everyday-backpack(watch the video to see some great engineering & design points)

 

I also stopped carrying the strobes and housing(s) in hand carry luggage. My housing goes in a checked suitcase (inside an old regulator bag, wrapped in clothing). Since I occasionally travel with both a D500 and D850, I carry the housings in bags, the strobes in "fat" padded lens cases, and then a dome or two in small, hard-sided containers that get put in suitcases.

 

Been doing this for several years with no issues. TSA always goes through my bags in the US, but everything (so far) has made it through to its eventual destination.

 

Matt

[thetrickster 328]

I used to carry a Lowepro on every trip, but recently switched to a Peak Design backpack. These are seriously great bags,

 

Matt

Which one you get Matt? 20l or 30l ?

 

 

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I just received my new Lowepro whistler 450.

 

How wide is the LX10 housing with handles?

 

Looks a good bag!

 

 

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[Aotus 9]

How wide is the LX10 housing with handles?

 

Looks a good bag!

 

About 11 inches wide, and it’s a snug fit. I added a third strobe and my gorilla pod tripod, but I still haven’t played with rearranging it much. I’m thinking I will designate a safe nook for the lens and lose the big boxy padded case for it - save 1lb and a lot of space.

 

[tursiops 82]

2 x sea and sea ys-d1 strobes

Nauticam housing with pro kit (handles) for a panasonic (compact) Lumix LX10

Nauticam wise lens IN CASE

Nauticam floatation ring for lens

 

I assume you mean the WWL-1 lens.

If you take out the molded foam from that case, the lens will fit inside already in its flotation collar, so you can leave the collar on and not have to keep mounting/unmounting it.

[thetrickster 328]

I assume you mean the WWL-1 lens.

If you take out the molded foam from that case, the lens will fit inside already in its flotation collar, so you can leave the collar on and not have to keep mounting/unmounting it.

I ordered the slightly larger:

 

#28125 - Padded Travel Bag for N120 140mm Optical Glass Wide Angle Port

 

For the WWL-1, fits perfect with the collar fitted

 

 

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[Aotus 9]

I assume you mean the WWL-1 lens.

If you take out the molded foam from that case, the lens will fit inside already in its flotation collar, so you can leave the collar on and not have to keep mounting/unmounting it.

 

I'll try that. thanks.

[ChrigelKarrer 52]

I used 2 different large backpacks and both worked fine.
As hauling around 40 lbs of photo gear, laptop, chargers, disks, d800 + prime lenses is rather annoying to my back so i got a trolley.
I can fit all my photo gear, disks and chargers plus my 17'' ZBook in it, don't have to carry it on my back.
Housing and arms goes in a Pelicase inside the dive suitcase.

 

Lately as the carry on laws get harder and harder i don't carry anymore my D800 hugyfot rig around the world,
my Lumix LX-100 is enough quality for my simple needs.
Eben if that bothers me a lot ....

 

Chris

[Undertow 31]

Think Tank Airport Security v2:

Definitely a 'max' size bag, fits a ton a stuff, and I've flown successfully with it all but once. Cathay Pacific got me with a weight limit of the bag empty! So I carried gear on my person (photo vest stuffed full, sling camera) and swapped housing to my gf's carry on etc. Took the bag on the plane almost empty.

I do find the sides like to bow out so I have a pair of straps I wrap around it between check in and boarding so it doesn't look too big.

 

Lowepro Whistler 450:

Just got this free, great Lowepro warranty, and agree with Aotus that it's heavy but carries well. Gear capacity is maybe 2/3 of the Think Tank roller + has outer compartment too. While no laptop slot, my 15" fits perfect in that outer 'wet' compartment, but I'd remove it before laying a loaded bag down to access gear. Works while flying though with a small laptop bag packed in my suitcase.

Its surprisingly narrow but its designed to carry skis etc on the sides. But that meant, when boarding late, I fit it fully loaded into a tiny overhead space last flight while people with much smaller rollers were lugging them back to the jetway to gate check on the full flight. Massive win.

Bonus: The camera box can be removed. Next non-photo trip I may use it as a normal bag. I've also seen someone put the box into a normal small roller, converting it to a camera roller for travel.

 

Kata CC-195:

Seems this no longer exists and Kata's been absorbed by Manfrotto. Designed as a pro camcorder bag, its shape is brilliant with a square cross section, and fits a 9" dome standing up as well as my laptop (in a padded sleeve) laying on top of the dividers holding the housing/strobes etc. Just wish it was a roller, would be my go-to for travel with the dome.

 

I also have 2 old Pelicans (I think 1550) that I don't travel with but are great for the boat here, where I do most of my diving/photo. Wish they were rollers though. Seriously would consider the 1510 or 1535Air.

 

Personal item is either Lowpro Flipside 300 (older version) or Photo Sport 200. The flipside is my go-to daily small camera bag (handles an slr + pro lens trinity very well). The Photo Sport is great for mirrorless gear or a subset of dslr gear. Fully expanded it can carry a ton of stuff, even my 15" laptop, yet it can be cinched down super small for activities like skiing.

 

Cheers,

 

Chris

 

Edit: Just thinking about this. Of the 3 bags I described, all can fit straight-in into an overhead bin, but the Think Tank (and rollers in general) are wide, taking up a lot of space across the bin while leaving a big gap between the top of the bag and the top of the bin. The CC-195 and Whistler both have rather square cross sections utilizing the space all the way to the top of the overhead bin and much less width across the bin. This can easily be the difference between having to gate check or not on a full flight.

Edited April 10, 2018 by Undertow