I recently made a request to the Camera Gods (B&H Photo) for a case for my equipment, rugged enough to take on the Mojave and Sonoran Desert along with brutal Arizona summers. What I received was the Pelican 1510SC.
Durable
Pelican has been around protecting valuables for long enough now to develop a great reputation regarding their durability. Made from a Chuck Norris-like polypropylene, Pelican claims the case is waterproof, dustproof, and crushproof. Weighing in at 12 pounds empty, it seriously feels like it's built like a tank.
Waterproof
Not that one plans on leaving their gear out in the rain, or tossing it into a river… but shit happens. Given the cost of today’s professional camera equipment, knowing your gear is safe and dry when "shit happens" is a great feeling. Furthermore, soft cases tend to absorb moisture. Not cool when it’s a spilled frosty beverage that it’s absorbed and you’re left explaining to the fine officer who pulled you over (post-wedding burnouts in the parking lot) that the smell is coming from your drunken camera bag in the back, and not you.
Dustproof
Electronics and dust don’t get along. The same o-ring that makes the 1510SC waterproof also makes it dust proof. Bonus.
Size
The Pelican 1510SC is FAA compliant for the maximum carryon size. Combine that with the retractable extension handle and wheels, and the 1510SC wouldn’t make life any more difficult than it should be at the airport.
Organization
Organization within the 1510SC is perfect for my kit. The interior padding (several options) has a quality feel and dust and dirt does not cling to it, making it easy to clean in the event that you dump some dirt in there. I’m able to neatly fit the following inside with room to spare:
- Nikon D810 with attached Nikon 24-70mm f2.8
- Nikon D610
- Nikon 70-200mm 2.8
- Sigma 35mm 1.4 Art
- 2 Nikon sb910 speedlights
- Pocketwizards and misc. wires/connectors
- 15” Macbook Pro Retina
- Other misc.
Color
The 1510SC is available in three colors (black, tan, green). This may seem purely cosmetic at first, but in Arizona, temperatures often soar well above 115 degrees in the summer and the last color you want anything to be is black. The tan color is a welcome feature here in Arizona.
Accessories
Pelican offers a variety of accessories for their cases, from locks, to customizable name plates. One accessory that I’m sure will find its way on to my shoulders in the near future is the available RUCPAC kit for the 1510SC, designed to turn the rolling hard case into more of a traditional backpack with little effort.
If you’ve been considering a hard case for your gear and have the muscle to move one around, Pelican has many options to fit your needs.
can you post a shot of how you have the inside organized please?
I'll work on posting one this evening.
I would love to see that as well!
not important if you're using the trekpak system,
still room to spare inside.
thanks! looks nice and tidy!
I've been contemplating tossing out the old ThinkTank for the pure reason that it is not easy to keep clean and when I roll into a wedding for example I don't want my gear looking dingy. Great post!
I agree the 1510SC is the perfection Pelican case. The laptop case in the lid makes it the perfect case in my opinion.
I have one and my only complaint is the wheels. I totally get that they need to be a certain size to fit carryon specs, but they are soooo noisy on any surface that isn't silky smooth.
Ya, thats true, they are built to be replaceable though, I think you can purchase upgraded ones that are larger and roll softer (though it no longer meets the carry on specs when you do)
I might look into that for day to day use. Could always put the regular wheels back on for flights.
Also stumbled upon this post where a guy DIYed roller blade wheels onto his 1510, looks pretty easy to do. http://www.davidfearn.com/blog/2013/2/peli-case-1510-wheel-mod
Did you really waste beer for the water proof test? I'm appalled! haha
In my own defense, it was warm...
That's still alcohol abuse ;). I love my 1510, too, and despite my best attempts to destroy it, it's still kicking. Beware, though, as it's a gateway drug, err, case, and you're likely to end up with at least one sibling case before long...
I LOVE my 1510. If any of you are in the market, first I'd look at the 1535, the 1510's lighter replacement.
Also, if you can wait, Amazon usually has screaming Cyber Monday deals on Pelican cases. That's where I got mine, and it was nearly half off.
Another option is Vanguard Supreme 53F:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA6exg90gZs
When I travel I have my camera bag and my Peli. I got it with the organizer. I love it!
300 or 400 there?
200-400mm
Thanks mate, also im guessing you reversed the hood on the lens? What is the length of it how its placed in the case?
What's the differences between the 1510 with padded dividers and the 1510 Studio Case?
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it's the interior configuration. Studio case has lid organizer included.
You are right. the 1510 comes with the foam. The other with the divider. there is also a version with a laptop case in the top.
I love my Pelican 1510. I need to get the lid organizer to get rid of some small stuff in my case. I do find it to be a tad bit too small to carry all of my gear but I'm not one for leaving a lens at home. My current wedding kit includes Two D750s, 24-70, 70-200, 20, 35, 50, 85, 105, 4 flashes and receivers. I use my old backpack for things like chargers, spare batteries, atmosphere aerosol, wooden hanger, etc.
I'm looking at upgrading to a larger Pelican case to be my larger main case. Plus, I love knowing that when I'm not using my gear and it's stored at home, it's protected from possible flooding and dust.
This case is exceptional, for sure. Being the largest possible while still fitting in an overhead compartment means I can travel with my lights and not check them (no way). I can reconfigure the dividers based on if I'm carrying gear or lights, would definitely recommend.
I spent 13 days on the Colorado River thru the Grand Canyon, took a New Pelican Case 1450 for my lenses. Water leaked on day two, lost a new Nikon 70-200 2.8. Test your case before so you can confirm it will protect your equipment.
Pics or it didn't happen ;)
As I said, "Test your Case" to insure if does not leak, better to do then have your equipment ruined. That was my point. Dusty can state it "Didn't Happen" I would be glad to send him the lens that got wasted.
I'll take it :)
I own both the Pelican and Nanuk 935 case... I prefer the Nanuk 935, better latching system and better padding. Either way, great cases that will last a lifetime.
I have to agree there. Nanuk latches are a joy to use.
I just ordered a Pelican Air case for an upcoming travel gig and can't wait to check it out! I have a 1550 for everyday stuff but needed something bigger to use for checked luggage. Too bad the Air doesn't come in orange :(.
As a desert dweller I have found that even the black shields the gear from heat very well as long as you use the foam inserts.
The only time I experienced water was on a location shoot when the sprinklers came on (golf course, massive water volume) and thought "Super, I have a waterproof case, I'm good". Only to look over and notice the lid was up and the case was half full of water. :/
All gear survived though.
If you carry the same exact gear in your case, this is an interesting option: http://www.mycasebuilder.com/
I'm actually going to try them out for the kit I keep in my car.
I made this backpack attachment a while ago and it's still going strong. And not as uncomfortable as it looks. Scope it: http://mkiss42.blogspot.com/2015/07/pelican-backpack-attachment-for-free...
I owned a Pelican 1610 and it was ROCK solid. As much as i loved it, it was also it's downfal- Big and bulky (Cold only fit it in a car trunk and not the backseat) and incredibly heavy when filled up. And when you took it out somewhere, it got noticed (which is what i try to minimize at all times). Traveling? This will have to be checked in at the airport, so your stress levels shoot through the roof that it may get lost in transit if you have flight stops or changeovers.
I sold it and got a ThinkTank Airport Security, which hold the same amount of gear (4 Einsteins, cables and accessories - but not quite big enough to hold my reflectors like the pelican did), has rollers and looks like an average luggage bag, so it draws little attention. And more importantly for me, it classifies as a carry on, so all my gear stays with me at all times.
But going out into the desert or on the beach or anywhere dusty, you really cant beat a Pelican to protect your gear.
Do recommend the PELI U160 Urban Elite Half Case or similar, great to carry over distances. keeps your main gear sealed up in crushproof box. Great build, very good comfort. You should remember computers, cameras, lights do not have a happy time with a roller ( I have a very big Pelican roller and I know.) All the best!
Espen
Nice for the hot places but what about the cold deserts. Canada, Siberia and others with little water and major sub zero temperatures?