Protective cases

[Gatorbyte]

Just started shopping around and wanted to get y'alls feedback on waterproof cases for storage. On occaision I'd like to take a digital SLR and lenses on float trips or even saltwater trips so space is an issue. I'm familiar with Pelican and have always thought of their products as ideal, but I'm willing to consider other brands.

What model? Any other suggestions from youse guys?

[Bfish]

solid color pelican is the only way to go for me. Skip the clear lexan ones, they tend to shatter when dropped and will distort and break the seal in say a canoe flip. case4less.com has the lowest prices that I have seen (I have not purchased there). I have had 1300 size one for 15 years, still stays dry even after many complete submersions.

The only other one I would consider is Watershed drybag, Ocoee model. It makes getting the camera in and out a little easier but you have to very vigilant about sealing it back up.

[TroutTackler]

GB - I always tell everyone to spend about $20-30 a year on a personal items policy on their homeowner's insurance. There's no deductible if you damage/dunk your gear. I like this better than a Pelican or a dry bag (although I use a dry bag when I know I'm going to be fishing for a little while and not shooting) because I can have my camera ready to go at any point.

Also, for wade trips, I'm about to purchase this, which is awesome: http://products.lowepro.com/product/DryZone-100,1934,18.htm

This pack will allow me to have my camera gear on my back and my FishPond fanny pack around my waist. It's going to make my life a lot easier.

[Drifter]

Taterbite....I have two Pelicans....1400 and 1450.....and they are great when taking your camera on a boat, floatplane, etc.....for on stream work I'm getting a roll top waterproof pack.

http://www.pbase.com/stevekeeble/image/75438911/large.jpg

David...you might want to rethink the Lowepro bag. I have the 200 which is bigger than the 100 and it is HEAVY. They zipper is also a hassle to open and close. Don't get me wrong....the thing will keep your gear dry....but you'll be cussing every time you have to open and close the thing. I'm going with a roll top pack. It's much quicker and easier to open and will keep your gear bone dry. Accessibility is a major factor for me. In '08 we had a grizzly bear walk past my son while he was fishing............I fumbled to get my camera out of my pack and almost missed the shot.
http://www.pbase.com/stevekeeble/image/101904781/medium.jpg

It would have been much easier with a roll top design pack.....something like this:

http://www.thewaterproofstore.com/ob1013b.html


If you are dead set on the Lowepro....I can make you a heck of a deal on a lightley used Dryzone 200.

[TroutTackler]

If you are dead set on the Lowepro....I can make you a heck of a deal on a lightley used Dryzone 200.

What are your thoughts on that pack, Drifter?

[Gatorbyte]

My concern with a dry bag is prtecting the equipment from banging around, ie a second lens or possibly a flash. How could you prtect the other stuff and still have access to the camera body and primary lens?

In lokking at the Pelican cases pictured, I see you have a lens overed in foam. Ive never seen foam sleeves like that. where can you get them?

[Bfish]

Make your own sleeves from camp pads or other closed cell foam. DAP brand contact cement (red can) at Mal-Wart works fine for bonding the edges.

On drybags, the traditional roll top bags are not waterproof if they immersed in cold water on a hot day. The watershed I mentioned above does have a liner, but the pelican pluck and fit is much more supportive.

[Grizzz]

Gator,

Check out www.lenscoat.com for padding all types of lenses and tripods. Have heard great things about their stuff.

[Drifter]

I did as Bfish mentions....Walmart camping pads (about $10) and cut them to size. I used duct tape but will try the DAP cement.

Bfish....the moisture you are talking about with a dry bag....are you talking about condensation? I would think that might be an issue with any waterproof bag in the right conditions. You've perked my interest as I have not yet purchased the dry bag pack that I linked to. I just need a pack to protect my camera and lens from water damage in case I slipped and took a quick plunge. I would not anticipate the bag staying submerged. It would also protect the gear from an all-day Alaskan rainstorm.

David....the Dryzone 200 is big, really too big to wear while fishing in my opinion. My main complaint is the design of the T-zip zipper. I think the 100 has the same zipper. Before you by one.....go to a camera store and work the zipper back and forth and you'll see what I mean. They make a lubricant for the zipper that may or may not help. There are actually two zippers.....a standard zipper and then the waterproof T-zip located on top. Most folks don't use the T-zip unless it's raining...since it's such a hassle. I hear good things about the Patagonia Stormfront pack and it's zipper....but I'm still skeptical. I still think the roll top is the way to go but that's just me.

Gator...I failed to mention....if I get the roll top pack, I'll line the inside with the camping mattress foam.

Bottomline....if your camera is a hassle to access.....you probably won't take as many photos. I keep the DSLR in a pack and a small point & shoot in my front shirt pocket. The lanyard is looped through the loop in the shirt pocket. Easily and quickly accessible.

[Bfish]

Bfish....the moisture you are talking about with a dry bag....are you talking about condensation? I would think that might be an issue with any waterproof bag in the right conditions. You've perked my interest as I have not yet purchased the dry bag pack that I linked to.

Drifter the ones I am familar with are more like this:
http://www.thewaterproofstore.com/explorer-small.html
Not sure how close in design they are to the one you linked to.

Condensation does occur in them more often but I was actually talking about water intrusion.

They work fine for splash or light rain. But they are difficult to get a good seal (takes two hands and several tight wraps with lots of firming up and smoothing everything out between each wrap). Even with a good seal, on a sunny day or with a cold tailwater the pressure difference between the bag and the atmosphere is enough to create a gap. That gap leads to water intrusion during an immersion.

For a bag that your going to be getting in and out of, the pelican or a ziplock style drybag (like watershed) are both quicker to open and close.

[Grizzz]

I hate the idea of either duck tape or worse a sealant applied to my lenses. Most quality lenses, mine are Nikon, hold their value very well if kept in good shape in case you ever need to sell or upgrade. Not sure if they had goo on them how that would affect their resale.

[Labrador]

On stream this cheap way has worked well for me. I use gallon size zip locks inside a low pro sling pack. I put the camera with the lens attached in one zip lock bag, and then the other lenses each in their own bag. I usually just carry two, but sometimes more. I put other asssories in another separate zip lock, and all this goes in it's normal place inside the low pro sling pack.

So the stuff is water proof and the low pro sling allows some protection from impact and stuff.
I promise myself to not wade with the camera outside of a sealed ziplock, and have been fine. The low pro bag has gotten wet, but no probs with the camera. I think you just have to be a little less risky when you have the dslr, but that isn't such a bad thing...:lol:

[zacmac2112]

GB - you will not have room for a camera/lens + lens in the pelican 1300. for a boat, there is nothing better than a pelican imo. wading, they are heavy, cumbersome and tough to get in and out of.

I have been looking at the lowepro dryzone rover for wading and tooling around, but i picked up a simms drycreek chestpack that fits the camera and lens fine. Ive got a 1400 for the boat and traveling.

you could also get neroprene socks like this, and stick your camera in a waterproof boat bag (my patagonia great divider is the bomb), with the rest of your flyboxes and stuff.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Neoprene-Camera-Cover-Case-Fo-DSLR-SLR-Camera-with-Lens_W0QQitemZ170350298199QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item27a9ab4457

[KnotSlippin']

For the past two summers, I spent most of my time conducting research out of a small water craft on BIG water. I kept my XS and kit lens (18-55) in this Lowe Pro Mini (http://products.lowepro.com/product/Topload-Zoom-Mini,2055,8.htm) and kept the whole thing contained in a roll-top Cabelas dry bag. Everything was easy to access and I never felt uncomfortable shoving the whole dry bag and its contents under a seat, under a net, or any place else.

You've probably got more gear than just a body and lens to carry around, but this setup has worked great for me for two summers of hard work. I'm now in the market for a two more lenses and a new bag to carry everything around in so I'll be watching this thread with great interest.

Steven

[SaltyTrout]

GB,
Pelican cases at all times for me....after watching my gear slide off the deck of a crew boat offshore several times with 20+ ft. impact to the water without any damage(I swore after the first time it would never happen again...it did), that is if it's not being used or around my neck. We used them for all our instrumentation as well as computers and cameras. I do carry in my pack with foam pads and ziplocs but that is still a risk.... just when you think you have water covered, along comes impact.....ask me about my Rollei TLR with the broken ground glass and hood dent from rockfall hitting the backpack(I was wearing a helmet)
you would probably not believe this but sometimes weird stuff happens.....:rolleyes: ::ke:
got the Canon D10 P&S today...if anyone can test it, it should be me(no case lanyard only) I'll let you know how THAT goes....
signed,
lucky
(& probably uninsurable)

[Drifter]

Salty Trout....nice avatar photo!

[SaltyTrout]

Thanks Drifter
She's 11 and still at FULL speed, all day, every day.....

[ronnie pettit]

they are not so much waterproof, but for lens protection for hiking and backpacking i use those outdoor research insulated zip-top holders for nalgene waterbottles. they come in a couple sizes. when knee deep in a stream i carry by camera usually in a lowepro all weather pouch made for an slr with zoom lens, not waterproof but has the rain cover...and i walk veeery carefully.