I've owned pelican cases for some time and swear by them for what I do... I now own 4 I think and carry my cameras in them at all times... they have saved my gear more than once and have left me worry free when out in the wildest areas and roughest environs. I've dropped mine off cliffs, into the ocean, off the side of zodiacs, out of the back of a moving truck while chasing moose, used one one time to fend off a moose when treed by one, gosh.. I could go on and on. That being said they are not the easiest to carry... I have stripped down a North Face backpack to its frame and attached a pelican case to it for hiking and it works great, I also attach my tripod to the frame as well as a day pack when needed and a smaller pelican case if more gear is needed... not the lightest rig but it is pretty well indestructable as far as long hikes.. I have carried this rig on 2 week+ hikes over 200km and more.... a few years back I took a 23km hike carrying a pelican case by the handle and I thought my arm was gonna fall off by the end.. hence the packpack frame. They are also great for humid environs... this spring on a whale outing with 3 photographers we had 8 camera bodies.... 3 broke down.. none of mine did.. this fall with 10 photographers on a bear outing we had I think 23 bodies and 3 broke down we think due to humidity... I've never had those issues... I'm never in a panic in the rain or other bad weather and when on the water they actually make for a good floatation device should you end up overboard... trust me.. it happened to me. Anyone spending a night in the wilderness knows how humid nights can become... pelican cases make this a non-issue...
anyways.. yes I am a fan and use them all the time and will for the foreseeable future.
Keep in mind I am talking about wildlife photography.. no idea how useful they would be for other types escept that they are pretty well indestructable. I've actually thrown mine onto shore from a boat in rough weather not wanting to stumble when getting out of the boat.
My main case right now is the 1520 and it holds my 7D with the 100-400 attached and lens hood attached in the right way for quick access, my 50D with the 24-105 attached and the lens hood attached the right way just as above, my 100 macro, spare batteries and chargers for both, cables, backup hard drive, all cleaning instruments, case for 8 memory cards and still has room for another lens if I choose to put it in it. All legal documents for pic rights if ppl are involved in the lid. And it meets carryon baggage requirements for all airlines I use. Its my travel case and it goes with me everywhere including to work every day.
In the end.. imo they are more than worth the money and have saved my gear more times than I can remember. They also make for a great stool and as a stepping block if needed
The trip I took in the fall with the 9 other photographers, even though 6 had backpacks .. everyone had a pelican case in one form or another for some if not all of their gear.
In bad weather they have fast easy access and nothing is more water proof than they are... and they take one hell of a beating....
errrr.. k.. enough ranting about how good they are.. its just one persons opinion after all.
Most wildlife photographers who are out in the wild for weeks that I have run in to use them. Its amazing to see some of the harnesses they have developed to make carrying them easier... I`ve seen several photographers rig up harnesses to strap them to the sides of mules or horses, several harnesses for kayaks, I have one of these of my own, harnesses for quads, snowmobiles.. it goes on and on.
One thing.. I do replace my o-rings every year... even though it isnt required it is something I do just to be safe.
I actually sleep with mine beside my bed every night... um..errrr.. ok.. too much information!!!
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Canon 7D + 50D + EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM + EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Pelican // Black Rapid // Think Tank // Manfrotto // Garmin
Reflections On Canadian Wildlife
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