Show me how you transport your gear...

[tplyons]

Thanks for the ideas guys... I was at the camera shop this weekend getting some film for my newly inherited twin lens reflex camera and saw a Pelican 1500 out of the corner of my eye. Perfect size, and I had about $75 of store credit there... so needless to say, here's my new transportation solution for local dives!

It'll need some tweaking in the future, but replacement foam is cheap. Until then, here she is!

I decided to leave the TTL in the box and I've got a cutout for that. Under that, I have all the tools needed to assemble/disassemble the rig, as well as silicone grease, and a few extra fittings I might need. The giant O-ring for the housing sits flat in the upper right corner over the camera itself to avoid getting disfigured or damaged.

 

[asha]

For local travel to the boat or beach, my SLR rig goes in the AO cooler.

For air travel, it goes disassembled and tucked into a Think Tank Airport Accelerator carry-on roller, though this solution is soon likely to change in favor of a backpack-style bag that will fit under the seat.

Ask yourself what kinds of impacts you aim to protect your camera from. You may find that with proper care, it's really not subject to that much abuse.

I used to carry and store my compact camera rig in a Pelican 1520 (I think) case. It was heavy and a pain to move around; I can't imagine how much more awkward it would be now that my rig is 2x the size and weight. If you're not using your camera that much and it gets banged around in a closet or something, it might be the right solution for storage, but largely I think Pelican cases are overkill.

 

[tplyons]

Ask yourself what kinds of impacts you aim to protect your camera from. You may find that with proper care, it's really not subject to that much abuse.

I used to carry and store my compact camera rig in a Pelican 1520 (I think) case. It was heavy and a pain to move around; I can't imagine how much more awkward it would be now that my rig is 2x the size and weight. If you're not using your camera that much and it gets banged around in a closet or something, it might be the right solution for storage, but largely I think Pelican cases are overkill.

I've got too much photography gear, most of it is for use on land. Frankly, if I don't have it cased up, it's spread out all over the house.

Not to mention if I'm doing some Jersey Shore diving with my usual buddy, we'll generally load up his car. Then the camera has to ride in the back with 4-6 tanks, two giant containers of scuba gear. I'd rather have the big, heavy peace of mind. When we get ready to board the dive boat, I'll probably move it into the cooler.

 

[asha]

Frankly, if I don't have it cased up, it's spread out all over the house.

Excellent point!

 

[fisheater]

So the cooler will fold down flat to about 2-4 inches thick?

Yes it does.

 

[reo]

Here is my rig, fully assembled (ignore the lens cap over the lens in the housing)



This is how it is transported locally (just put in a plastic container with a towel)



For air travel to nice warm tropical locations, I use a Pelican case



I'm able bring the camera & housing, macro and kit lenses (wide angle is on the camera),YS-D1 strobes, fiber optic cables, tray, arms, Sola light, chargers for the Sola and the camera battery.

Ron

 

[James R]

I'm looking for a new cooler bag. Is the AO 12 pack bag above big enough for a couple z240 strobes, Inon WA dome, and Nauticam housing for a compact camera (rx100)?

 

[fisheater]

I'm looking for a new cooler bag. Is the AO 12 pack bag above big enough for a couple z240 strobes, Inon WA dome, and Nauticam housing for a compact camera (rx100)?

Not really.

You're going to want the 24 pack size.

Check it out here. http://www.bluewaterphotostore.com/AO-Cooler-Bag-Portable-Rinse-Tank-24-pack

(BTW, I LOVE AO's sizing nomenclature.)

 

[AussieByron]

For local diving I pack my DSLR in a Cooler bag and now I am using it also as carry on for oversea trips. Found that the 12.5kg weight of my pelican case hard on my back pocket for excess baggage

Regards Mark

 

[markedwards]

I think you guys are underestimating the durability of your gear. I put my camera in it's housing (plenty of protection) You are not going to hurt a strobe or the arms and tray. I tuck the whole thing in my check in baggage and forget it. Never any problems. Your gear gets way more bounce and knocks on the boat and underwater. Quit worrying about it. Every body is trying to sell you stuff you don't need. I do like the soft side cooler idea because you can use it to rinse.