The Pelican Brief [The Pelican 1510 Case]
THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S TOY BOX
If you are a photographer (or travel with some really precious threads), and you are looking for a reliable, sturdy solution for commuting with your gear, do consider this the Pelican 1510 case. Yes, it does look a bit intimidating, but that's what you want, a bouncer of a bag that shouts : "I pity the fool who messes with me!" So, what's there to love? First, the 1510 conforms to FAA size requirements and is carry-on approved (at least for domestic flights): no checking in your equipment. It's a hard case, built tough, so you don't have to worry about your gear getting shaked, rattled, and rolled amongst the other mortal luggage.
The Pelican is a trooper in weather and storage: watertight, airtight, dustproof. Big, confident grips on the side and top are a plus for easy transport, and the retractable extension handle and wheeled base make this baby a dream to roll around through airports, on-location, or around the house on a really slow Friday night.
Most importantly, the Pelican delivers peace of mind. Sadly, photo gear is all too often the target of thieves... even in the assumed safety bubble of a wedding or reception venue... and we owe it to ourselves and our clients to protect our equipment as best we can. Double latches seal this puppy shut, and two padlocks (Sesame makes great combo locks) deter the curious and the criminal. Loop a bicycle cable through the locks, and girdle it around an anchored object for extra protection.
Inside the Pelican, it's cozier than a campfire. Adjustable padded dividers let you switch things up and customize the cubby spaces on the fly. Currently, I can squeeze in 2 camera bodies, 2 flashes, a 70-200mm, 24-70mm, 50mm, batteries, a flash modifier or two, with room to spare for another small lens or so. An optional panel of zippered compartments can be screwed into the underside of the top lid, making for easy transport of all the other little goodies essential for your shoot.
That's it, friends! No, Pelican isn't tossing any herrings my way for this rave. I just think it's a solid piece of merchandise, and if some soul comes across this post and finds it helpful, then mission accomplished. It's not the cheapest case, and yeah, it's weighty, but hey, it will keep you and your gear in good form for your shoots! I'm looking forward to traveling with the Pelican in a couple weeks for a wedding, and no doubt this bird will make the air commute all the more pleasurable.
What's next? Images from a super fun newborn session. To tide the blog over while I finish editing those, here's a few more captures from a night on the town.
