Pelican Case for Mamiya RZ

[harry_pluta3]

I recently purchased a Mamiya RZ with the metered prism and the L-

grip. I am now looking for a Pelican case so that I can strap the

camera to my kayak for access while paddling. I am trying to figure

out the smallest case that the camera, with 110 lens, the prism, and

L-grip mounted will fit in. It would be good if a second film back

and a 65mm lens would also fit.

 

Thanks,

[miles_feigenbaum___dallas_]

Howdy Harry,

 

I used to have a fiberglass kayak that I bought about a dozen years ago on a whim, that needed alot of fiberglass repair work before it was usable; paid 40 bucks for it... I never got around to making it waterworthy but did use it to pull my toddler down the sidewalks of Dallas instead of using a stroller. It was quite unique and fun for me, the baby at the time and passerbye's. We had a great time as this thing skidded down the walkways with me pulling it around town.

 

Any way, back to the Pelicans... I can tell you that I use a 1550 and it hols the RZ with the AE prism attached and the 110 lens attached with lens hood, the motorwinder attached and a film back attached at the same time. It lays flat or horizontal in the case and the case also holds an additional 3 lenses, assorted filters, and room for an extra back. I also keep a few extra batteries for the camera behind the foam. the type that I got was the 'pick n pluck' foam insert type of case that allows you to layout the areas for the components and then you can pick and pluck the prescored foam from the case. It sounds like this might be slightly more than you need but i'll e-mail a photo of the setup to you to look at. I would guess that you would have to calculate a new weight and balance for your craft and really give some thought to the weight and mass prior to mounting the case for safety and usability.

You know, the 1550 will more than likely be way too much for your mission due to the weight and mass but works fine for us land lubbers. I just looked at my 1500 and its perfect for what you need. It will hold the RZ with the 110 lens and the motordrive and film back attached, in a laying down or horizontal position, with enough room for a long lens next to it and space for an additional film back with filters and batteries scattered around. If you want to get the high visibility 'orange' Pelican 1500, you might need to order it through a scuba shop as i've been told but have not verified , that the camera stores are just able to sell the non-orange pelicans. At least thats what a local cam shop told me... I think you can also order these pelicans off the web at a substancial savings. After looking at the 2 cases and installing the components, i will highly recommend the 1500 and not the 1550. PS: don't forget to close the removable relief valve mounted next to the handles prior to going out on the water. I hope you post some of your photos and let us live the experience through your eyes. Curious as to what type of tripod or ball mount you'll fasten to your kayak.

Wish I were there dude....

[jkantor]

I have a 1520 that I use with my RB system - 180 and 90mm lenses, and polaroid back, plus a large collection of filters and a couple of radio slaves. (Though I only have a WL finder.) The one I have has the removable soft-sided case inside which provides more space than the foam inserts.

[miles_feigenbaum___dallas_]

Howdy Harry,

I e-mailed a few photos of the 1550 and the 1500 of which I tossed it into the pool for the photo; i needed a good excuse to go swimming...

 

I checked B&H Photos web site and they sell the 1500 with the 'pick n pluck' foam for $102.50 in either, black (it would really absorb the heat), silver, or marine high visibility orange.

The following web address has the same for $80.75, which leaves money left over for some beverages of choice and some ice.

 

http://www.all-pelican-cases-4-less.com/index.html

 

Its called all-pelican-cases-4-less.com just like their address.

 

The high density foam will give more protection to your gear by not allowing it to bounce around in the case, similar to a good fitting motorcycle helmet.

The above poster suggested the 1520 being a good one, and while it is, i use one to hold many pressure gauges and high pressure hoses, its too big for your requirements as stated above.

 

 

Pelican Case Size Comparison Chart

All Sizes Listed Are INSIDE Dimensions

 

 

Case Model, Length, Width , Lid

Depth, Base

Depth, Weight, Wheels?

 

1010 (Micro) 4.44 x 2.94 x 0.7 1.00 <1.00 no

1020 (Micro) 5.38 x 3.63 x 0.7 1.00 <1.00 no

1030 (Micro) 6.50 x 2.75 x 0.7 1.36 <1.00 no

1040 (Micro) 6.56 x 3.94 x 0.7 1.05 <1.00 no

1050 (Micro) 6.56 x 3.94 x 0.7 2.05 <1.00 no

1060 (Micro) 8.44 x 4.44 x 0.7 1.55 <1.00 no

1120 7.38 x 4.88 x 0.50 2.62 1.00 no

1150 8.50 x 6.00 x 0.75 3.00 1.56 no

1200 9.50 x 7.50 x 1.20 2.95 2.68 no

1300 3.38 x 7.25 x 1.18 4.92 3.15 no

1400 12.12 x 9.12 x 1.18 3.97 4.18 no

1420 13.00 x 5.00 x 0.75 9.25 4.30 no

1450 15.00 x 10.50 x 1.75 4.25 6.10 no

1470 15.88 x 10.75 x 1.50 2.38 5.00 no

1490 17.50 x 11.50 x 1.50 2.97 7.25 no

1500 17.00 x 11.75 x 1.75 4.25 6.41 no

1520 18.00 x 12.88 x 1.75 4.88 8.07 no

1550 19.00 x 14.50 x 1.75 5.88 9.89 no

1550WH 19.00 x 14.50 x 1.75 5.88 14.20 yes

1600 21.88 x 16.88 x 1.75 6.00 12.16 no

1600WH 21.88 x 16.88 x 1.75 6.00 16.70 yes

1610 22.25 x 17.19 x 2.00 8.50 22.00 yes

1610XL1 22.25 x 17.19 x 2.00 8.50 21.50 yes

1620 22.25 x 17.12 x 1.75 10.88 22.00 yes

1650 28.88 x 17.88 x 1.75 8.62 21.16 yes

1700

Travel Vault II 35.88 x 13.88 x 1.75 3.50 14.65 yes

1750

Travel Vault 50.62 x 13.50 x 1.62 3.38 22.13 yes

[roger_monroe]

Harry,

 

I have an RZ with the 110,65, prism, L grip and extra back- It fits

nicely in the 1600. You are a brave man to carry all that stuff in

the back country. Maybe you should consider hiring a sherpa

instead of the Pelican :-) . As for me. I just bought a Fuji

GA645zi. Seriously, the 1600 is a really nice fit for all of that gear.

Good luck.

[harry_pluta3]

Thanks for all the good info. I think I'll wander down to my local photo store and try the 1500 and 1600 and figure out which will work the best. Then I'll compare the prices at the cheap Pelican site.

 

I have two yaks that I will use for photography. My wifes boat has a HUGE cockpit and I can fit my smaller bogen in there with the legs completely collapsed. Focusing requires the use of a prism though. My boat on the other hand will require lashing the case to the deck and shooting handheld, hence the desire to fit the camera in the case with the L-bracket and prism attached.

 

Roger, I actually moved from a Sinar LF system to the RZ as an easier to use system for just this purpose :-).

 

Best regards,

-harry

[k_michael]

I would think in ternms of expansion. Buy a case that will hold all that youy have plus one additonal lens. You never know! This stuff is additive, isn't it?