Suitcase/travel recommendations for T4i Ikelite rig?

[FettSolo]

Hey folks,

I took the plunge (pun intended, obviously) and put together my first DSLR dive rig! I took it for a test session on Saturday and it was awesome. Does anybody have a recommendation for how to transport my rig on flights? I have a trip to St. John, USVI in 2.5 weeks.

Here's the break-down of all the gear:
-T4i housing (6871.65)
-Port body (5510.16)
-8" dome (5510.45)
-DS160 Strobe w/Battery Pack
-TTL Sync Cord
-Ball Arm

I've heard mention of the ThinkTank Airport International v2.0, any feedback on this?

Also, I'll be on a small dive boat (not a liveaboard, just will be doing daily dives) - what is your procedure for storing a rig like this on a small boat, making sure it doesn't get scratched, etc.?

As always, any and all help is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

 

[LowVizWiz]

Congrats on your purchase... I love my T4i

I carry lights, arms, housing, go-pro and dome port on a Pelican 1510 which fits the carry-on luggage dimensions and weight limits.
I carry the camera, lenses (tokina 10-17mm and canon 100mm), lens port and misc. in a Case Logic SLR Camera/Laptop backpack. As my personal item.

On the boat I keep my rig on a medium NorChill Cooler bag.

All this makes packing an art form, but t-shirts and shorts don't take much space.
I have managed to pack for a week long trip stuffing all my dive gear and clothes in one bag and carry-on everything else.

Good luck!

 

[mscott556]

Definitely get a cooler bag for the boat. Bluewaterphotostore.com is where I get mine. When I travelled with my Olympus system I used the medium cooler bag to store the camera and carried it on as my personal item. I think the Ikelite DSLR system may be to heavy to carry around like that though. I want to try the ThinkTank gear but man it's expensive.

 

[FettSolo]

Thanks for the feedback, guys! Greatly appreciated. I will definitely purchase a cooler bag for use on the boat, and look into Pelican and Case Logic.

As far as ThinkTank, it is expensive, but it does seem to be money well spent. Producing visual media (mainly video, but some photography) is my line of work, so maybe I can just tell myself it is for work and not play...