Lowepro backpack or Pelican case? How do you store your gear?

[olafwagner]

Hi Guys,

I have been a long time 'lurker' and started posting at last.

I just got a G12 as my underwater shooter, and after a lot of research it seems that I cannot beat pairing this with an Ikelite housing and DS160 strobe. (agreed?)

However, what I am more curious about is how you store your photographic gear. Should I go for a Pelican hard case? (and tear our the little foam inserts so everything sits in its place) or should I opt for a Lowepro backpack (usually used for dSLR's) and try get one that my camera, housing, strobe and cables will fit into?

Cheers
Olaf

 

[RonMurray]

Not into photog - but love the Pelican cases. Use a 1520 for my cannister light and accessories, and a 1500EMS for my Save-A-Dive stuff.

 

[Onewolf]

I don't like Pelican cases for airline travel because they scream "Expensive Equipment"! When I travel I have a generic black rolling carry-on size bag with pelican pick/pluck foam inside that carries my UW DSLR system.

I'm not a huge fan of Ikelite housing's because they tend to be large and heavy (which can also be said of the Ikelite strobes) but many many people have Ikelites and love them.

 

[olafwagner]

I'm not a huge fan of Ikelite housing's because they tend to be large and heavy (which can also be said of the Ikelite strobes) but many many people have Ikelites and love them.

Interesting, but I believe the only alternatives for the Canon G12 are the Canon House (no TTL) or the FishEye FIX (even more expensive than the Ikelite). Are there any other or would you recommend that I get one of those instead?

 

[soonerwink]

I use a Storm Case iM2300, works perfectly, and I always carry it on when I fly.

 

[Onewolf]

Interesting, but I believe the only alternatives for the Canon G12 are the Canon House (no TTL) or the FishEye FIX (even more expensive than the Ikelite). Are there any other or would you recommend that I get one of those instead?

You can still get TTL with the Canon housing when using Inon strobes or Sea&Sea (YS-01, YS-110A) strobes using optical sync. This is how I get TTL with my Nauticam housing and and YS-110A strobes. I'm not saying you shouldn't get an Ikelite system, I'm just pointing out that there are other paths to get TTL other than Ikelite.

 

[Gilligan]

Should I go for a Pelican hard case? (and tear our the little foam inserts so everything sits in its place) or should I opt for a Lowepro backpack (usually used for dSLR's) and try get one that my camera, housing, strobe and cables will fit into?

Cheers
Olaf

Take into consideration what country and with what airline you will be flying. If you get a hard case and take it as carry-on you are restricted to 7 kilos and 1 carry-on and 15 or 20 kilos total check-in in many foreign countries. How much does an empty Pelican or Storm case weigh versus a soft case?

Do you want to check-in a hard case with camera gear in it? Will it have done a "disappearing act" on your arrival?