Hard Shell Camera Cases For Travelling

<p>How do we feel about checking these kinds of cases, rather than carrying it on the plane?<br>

<br />I just bought a used Pelican case on Craigslist, measuring 17" x 22" x 8". It contains foam right now, but I'm considering replacing it with dividers if they're available. This case has only two latches at the handle side, rather than the typical four latches.</p>

<p>Anyway, I've been using a Tamrac canvas camera bag for the longest time, and I'm now looking to safely move some camera gear on a commercial flight. My new case might be too big to carry on, period. So checking it into the cargo hold of the plane might be the only choice.</p>

<p>But will it arrive at my destination? Should I padlock the case?</p>

<p>I'm sure I'm not the only one who hates going through TSA inspection, much less carrying everything on the plane. But I'm trying to ensure that my gear will arrive safely, obviously.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

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<p>I just bought a used Pelican case on Craigslist, measuring 17" x 22" x 8". It contains foam right now, but I'm considering replacing it with dividers if they're available.</p>

</blockquote>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Accessory+Type_Case+Dividers+%26+Partitions&ci=16645&N=4075788775+4291286144+4268641657">Pelican dividers and case partitions</a>. </p>

<p>Henry Posner<br /><strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong></p>

I do check gear that is packed in hard- cases and certain well built "soft-sided" cases (Lightware, ThinkTANK Photo

Logistics Managet, Temba Air): lighting gear,grip gear, tripods, and stands.

 

BUT NEVER, ever do I check cameras, lenses, or computers.

 

Photographing for an airlines annual report I once saw another photographers Pelican cases hit a jam at the top of a loading belt and hit the tarmac, splitting the cases open like watermelons and spilling the poor guys cameras and lenses across the concrete. It wasn't a pretty sight. It wasn't the airline or baggage handlers' fault, but accidents happen.

<p>Maybe I bought a Pelican case that's just too big for carry-on? </p>

<p>Will the airlines accept a case that's 17" x 22" x 8"?</p>

<p>From <a href="http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/baggage/during-your-trip/carry-on.html">Delta</a>'s site:</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Baggage must fit easily in the Carry-on Baggage Check (approximately 22" x 14" x 9" or 56 x 35 x 23 cm), which is located near the check-in counters</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>My read is your case will not be allowed.</p>

<p>In the aftermath of 9/11 it was very difficult to impossible to carry on equipment onto a plane. For a year or two after- as an alternative to not travelling, I used a Pelican case all the time. Every time the case was checked, and just as well because they are heavy and not very ergonomic to carry. Of course all my equipment was insured. I never had any problem of damage or theft whilst in transit. </p>

<p>The problem I did find is that unless you're heading for a single destination these cases are too heavy and awkward to use as a camera bag. Lowepro used to make (but AFAIK don't make now) a shoulder bag that fitted snugly into a Pelican 1550 so when I picked up a rental car or got to my hotel, I took the Lowepro out from the Pelican Case and I had a camera bag packed and ready to go. Alternatively take an empty camera bag and decant from the Pelican into it. IMO managing your gear at the other end is much more problematical than checking it in for the flights. </p>

<p>I see what you mean, David. A Pelican case is heavy and not very practical for running around on location.<br>

<br />I get a lot of shooters telling me NOT to check in my gear, but maybe it's the only sensible way? I, too, have my gear insured, but if I check the case in I can only hope it gets there, if at all.</p>

<p>Dimensions of 'allowable' carry-ons seem to have changed, and now are sometimes vastly different from one airline to another. Check with the specific airlines you are flying on both coming and going.</p>

<p>Feeder/commuter airlines often have much more restrictive rules.</p>

<p>I'd never check actual cameras and lenses if there were any way not to. Tripods, other gear, for sure.</p>

<p>I have used a Pelican case for years and have never had any trouble with them. They are incredibly robust and even the most dedicated baggage handler cannot damage them. They used to claim that they would survive an aircraft crash which was great for the cameras but not a lot of comfort for the photographer!<br /> I used to place my Pelican inside a soft case which was slightly bigger so it just looked like an ordinary bag but a bit rigid and heavy. The case is a bit obvious to a skilled thief as having something of value inside. Always worked on European flights especially to the Mediterranean where handlers have something of a reputation which they like to live up to.</p>

 

"In the aftermath of 9/11 it was very difficult to impossible to carry on equipment onto a plane."

 

I don't know where you came up with that idea but in my experience, you're just flat out wrong about that. In my

experience since 9/11/2001 i have flown on dozens of flights in the USA and several to overseas destinations in Asia, the

Middle East, and the Caribbean,and I've never had a problem bringing cameras and related electronics as carry on bags,

and I'm talking multiple camera bodies and lenses, memory cards, chargers, Mac Book Pros, and an iPad.

 

I do pack carefully and don't use bags larger than what are allowed. For the past ten years that has been in a variety of

ThinkTANK Photo backpacks and rolling cases in their Airport series.

 

But using a Pelican case for a carryon is stupid: it's heavy, it's bulky and it's awkward and potentially dangerous to sling up to and down from an overhead bin.

<p>+1 for Ellis's comments, except that I think David was referring to the situation in Great Britain, particularly Heathrow. Heathrow only lifted their restriction on cabin baggage a year or so ago; for that reason, and the sorry state of delays and pilferage of checked bags in that airport, I avoided flying thorough there. Now the problem that I have run into in many places is the extreme weight limit that many non-US carriers like Qantas have for cabin baggage - approximately 15 lbs including your "personal item".</p>

<p>Ellis. I didn't "come up" with my point, and its not an idea. Our experiences are different. I have a good memory, I am not mistaken. As far as the year or two after 9/11 is concerned when there was a severe restriction -that reduced over time-on carry on . Frankly I had no desire to own a Pelican case- my fairly moderate outfit had to be checked and the only way I was going to accept that was to use a Pelican and I bought it at that time for that purpose. If there were no restriction on carry on I would not have needed it. Indeed I flew from the UK to Rome, to Morocco and to the USA in the month after 9/11 and had to use a checked Pelican case to get even a moderate kit on board in each case.</p>

<p>In any case its fruitless to debate- that's merely the reason why I had to buy and use a Pelican. My comment to the OP was that in many flights checking cameras and lenses in a Pelican case, I had no incidence of damage or theft- and that they are a total pain to carry around. Mine hasn't been used for years because of the weight and handling issue.</p>

<p>I am on the same page as Ellis on checking cameras and lenses. I always carry on all lenses and camera bodes and check tripods etc. My gear is fully insured also, but getting to a location and having lost or stolen gear ruins the whole trip. Despite published size limitations on carry on luggage I have seem some amazingly large packs allowed as carry-ons. To be safe I always make sure my carry-ons meet size restrictions however.</p>

The real reason you shouldn't be shipping cameras and lenses via checked luggage isn't because of theosdbility of theft,

it's because the luggage handling infrastructure n an airport is designed to very efficiently route the bags to the right

place.

 

Here's a video of one part of that system in action: http://petapixel.com/2015/04/15/this-is-why-you-shouldnt-check-your-

camera-gear-in-when-flying/

 

It's also the reason you shouldn't overstuff your suitcases.

<p>I've always carried equipment by hand. The trouble is that more and more, airport security expect you to separate equipment from bags. That's always been the case with computers, phone and e-readers. On a recent trip from Valencia in Spain I had to unpack all of my cameras from the bag as well and put them in the tray. Apart from the possibility of losing things to theft, it's easy to just misplace things. In fact I lost a camera battery charger. Fortunately I was on my way home and could get a new one, but it was still a drag.</p>

<p>I do find going through airport security a bit stressful for this reason. But not as stressful as taking camera equipment plus a toddler who randomly dashes off in any direction. Fortunately, my daughter is a bit more controllable now.<br>

Alan</p>

<p>I don't fly a lot, but recently few from Las Vegas to Sacramento, Las Vegas to Springfield, Mo., and Las Vegas to Cozumel via Houston. None of the locations asked me to unpack either my phone or my e-reader.</p>

<p>And the only time in the past I've been asked to unpack my camera gear was once in Reno, NV., shortly after 9/11. I was still allowed to carry it in the plane, but they swabbed alcohol all over the lenses, including my filters, which I complained about to no avail. And once in Houston on a flight through to Guam with stops in SFO and HNL by a snotty little kid in 1988 (who I hopefully got fired) when I complained to security. </p>

<p>I've shipped gear in a Pelican case, a rather large one with wheels. They are quite sturdy, although there are circumstances where any container can be cracked open. There are divider kits for nearly every Pelican case, which I highly recommend. The plucked foam liners are highly inefficient for stowing gear. If you need extra protection for certain items (e.g., video cameras), at closed cell foam liners.</p>

<p>Serious roadies use Anvil cases, which can be custom fitted to protect practically any item, large or small. Not cheap or light, however, but freight-rated. The only off-the-shelf Anvil cases I've seen are for rack-mounted electronic gear, so put off buying a new car if you go this route.</p>

<p>Pelican cases are much to heavy, bulky and inefficient for carry-on baggage. There are many better bags on the market, but I have mostly settled on ThinkTank produces. My Nikon kit fits in a ThinkTank Commuter backpack, which is rectangular and semi-rigid, yet light and efficient. It has handles on three sides for hoisting into an overhead compartment. My mirrorless system (Sony A7ii and Leica M9) fits nicely into the new ThinkTank Approach 15 backpack, and slips under the seat. I've had to check soft backpacks, but only for short flights on commuter airlines. You can't fit a lunch bag in those overheads.</p>

<p>Avoid roller camera bags if at all possible. The mechanism takes valuable space, adds 5 pounds to the gross, and won't work on stairs, grass, gravel or European cobblestones. If you need wheels, get a folding luggage cart and check it at the gate if necessary.</p>

<p>I would only check in the tripod, cables and paraphernalia and, if the carryon is seriously out of space, other less-essential gear such as battery pack, even tele-extenders, flash units and the spare camera in the luggage (hwvr, I don't recommend it). As it is, my bag has almost always been inspected by the TSA (they leave a note). Can't imagine putting the important camera and lenses inside, especially when it's not uncommon for a luggage to be delayed - meanwhile, worrying sick that it's lost in transit.</p>

<p>By the way Tom, I don't know how much gear you have. If you want something lighter than would be allowed as a carryon, check Thinktankphoto.com. They have rollers sized for domestic and international flight, and not heavy as far as rollers are concerned. I have used one for years until one time, at a connecting flight to Tanzania, the flight manager wanted me to check in that bag - the excuse being that the flight was too full. Thankfully, to make the story shot, the final outcome was he allowed me to hand-carry it. How I use a backpack from Gura Gear, and I don't expect a similar problem - let's hope not. </p>

As an alternative to Pelican or Anvil cases for checked gear, you should also check out the water and dust proof, all

alumninum, NATO military grade ZARGES cases, http://www.zarges.com/en/packaging-transportation/

<p>I tend to favor two gallon ziplock backs with the cameras and lenses wrapped in two-ply toilet paper sealed with low quality duct tape :-)</p>

Elephant Cases also makes some great Carry on hard cases . www.elephantcases.com the case on the photo is the EL2007W