View Full Version : XL2 + Pelican 1610


Devin Doyle
December 22nd, 2004, 12:22 PM
I've been researching here for several weeks for my upcoming XL2 purchase and have spent a great deal of time trying to decide which case to get to house the camera. I've narrowed it down to the Pelican line, with padded dividers (to avoid the dust problem). I saw at cases4less that the XL1s will fit lying on its side with plenty of space to boot, but my question is:

Will the XL2 fit standing up in the case?

According to the internal dimensions of the case vs. the camera it should fit, but I can't quite visualize whether or not there will be enough padding. I was hoping that a pelican user could help out...is the 1610 too small? Just right? Any pictures would be greatly appreciated. Happy holidays!

Bill Hamell
December 24th, 2004, 09:29 AM
Devin,

Just received my XL-2 and Pelican 1610 yesterday.
Here is what I did, hopefully the image will say it all.

http://pennastudio.com/misc/xl-2-1610-case-sm.jpg (135K)

Mr. Bill

Devin Doyle
December 24th, 2004, 10:54 AM
Bill, thanks so much for posting! I knew someone else out there was considering the same pacakge that I was! So is there enough padding below and above the XL2? Looks like you've got ample space for accessories as well. Thanks again for posting, I really appreciate the help. Happy holidays!

Bill Hamell
December 24th, 2004, 11:17 AM
The padding is in four layers (not including the cover.)
The botom is about an inch thick (I left that intact.)
The other three layers are about 2 !/4 inches thick.
The top foam (in the cover) is of eggcreate design and about 1 3/4 inches thich.

Bill

Travis Maynard
December 24th, 2004, 01:33 PM
Seems like a nice fit. Im just wondering, what would be the doskocil and vanguard equivilent?

I found these two cases. They didn't seem to the exactly the same dimensions, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these cases or not.

http://www.exploreproducts.com/cameracasevgc310w.htm

http://www.exploreproducts.com/doskocilsealtightcameraguardcameracase.htm
(See extra large dimensions)

Thanks!

Bill Hamell
December 24th, 2004, 01:47 PM
I think the Vanguard might work if you laid the camera on it's side.
The Doskocil while the price is attractive would be to small even in the extra large size. IMHO

I took the other cases measurements and compared them to the Pelican 1610 I still would go with the 1610 over these cases. YMMV

Bill

Travis Maynard
December 29th, 2004, 12:44 PM
I just recieved my Pelican 1610 today and I have been taking all of the XL2 components and fitting them around trying to find the best placement.

Now, in Bill Hamell's picture. He sorted his case to where he took his lense off of his camera and placed it in the case separately.

I REALLY don't want to have to disasemble unless I absolutley have to (Better for camera, Things like that).

When moving everything around I noticed I could fit the entire XL2 and lense standing up in the case with about an inch of space on the rear and and inch of space at the front. My question is, would it really be smart to just put the entire camera assembled into the case? Could there be cons to doing it that way?

Thanks.

Pete Bauer
December 29th, 2004, 01:17 PM
Like a lot of you, I'm in the market for a hard case such as the Pelican that will allow me to fit my XL2 and mics in an airliner overhead bin, preferably without having to take the camera apart.

I've used a Kata Panda for my ol' GL2 and really like being able to move dividers "on the fly" and NOT having the bother of cutting foam...wondering if anyone has any comments on these larger hard cases for the XL2 that have the padded Velcro dividers rather than foam?

Travis Maynard
December 29th, 2004, 01:32 PM
The Pelican 1610 does, Pete. It just costs about 50 dollars more. You can choose from the padded dividers or the foam. Myself I chose the foam because it seemed more secure to me. (plus I have one camera and I wont need to move things around.)

Im not too sure about the 1610 fitting in an airliner overhead bin, but it is a great case. Now I just need to get to "pluckin' and pullin'".

Hope that helps.

Pete Bauer
December 29th, 2004, 05:54 PM
Thanks Travis. I'm not planning to travel real soon, so have a little time to shop.

I'll have to compare this and competing case dimensions against airliner carry on requirements. Depending on that situation, I might end up getting a larger case for local use and a smaller case to ensure all the high dollar stuff stays in the airliner cabin with me -- even if I have to tear the camera down.

If anyone has tried hard cases with Velcro dividers rather than foam, and wasn't happy, please let me know. In the absence of any negative info, that's the way I'm leaning.

EDIT: I just went to an airline site and the Pelican site. The largest Pelican case that's carry-on legal is the 1510. Looks like the XL2 would require the viewfinder/mic assembly to be removed to fit in this case (easy enough). The lens could stay on.

David M. Geary
December 29th, 2004, 07:40 PM
I have several Pelican cases, the 1610 and the 1620. Both are excellent and work very well. If your going to carry your camera on an airline, I would highly reccomend a PortaBrace case. I just flew Chicago to India and carried my camera on using a Porta Brace CTC-3 (CO-PC is the current version). The camera goes in and out with ease, it has a hard plastic cover to protect the viewfinder, pouches for batteries, tapes, etc. and it fits into the overhead. I also carried the 3x lens inside, although it made things tighter. It was a little tight going overhead on one of the smaller planes, and I would reccomend boarding as early as possible to get an available overhead bin. I changed planes at Chicago Midway, Heathrow, Muskat, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai and in Udaipur, and never had any problems with my gear. The padded strap also made life easier getting on and off trains and carrying the camera through crowds or on long hikes. I bought the backpack version when I got back for my XL1s, but I doubt it will fit overhead as well.

Bill Hamell
December 29th, 2004, 07:42 PM
<<<-- Originally posted by Travis Maynard : Snip

Now, in Bill Hamell's picture. He sorted his case to where he took his lense off of his camera and placed it in the case separately.

I REALLY don't want to have to disasemble unless I absolutley have to (Better for camera, Things like that).

Snip

Thanks. -->>>

No, no look again I can leave either the 3x or the 20x on the camera!

Which ever lens is not on the camera is in the seperate section.

Bill

Charles Papert
December 29th, 2004, 08:40 PM
I'd also recommend folks who are considering Pelicans to check out the Storm cases, also viewable at cases4less.com. I've switched brands myself.

For a fee, you can have your case custom-foamed. It may seem extravagant, but if you plan to use the camera a lot it will make things much easier in the long run, and will be a good resale item as well. You need to bring your gear to whoever does the foaming for you. It's really slick.

Travis Maynard
December 29th, 2004, 08:52 PM
Ahh, I see. Nice. I fitted mine similar to yours, Bill. Very nice case and its very sturdy.

Bill Hamell
October 22nd, 2005, 04:42 PM
If someone from the group emailed me about this thread I deleted it in error.
Please resend if you can.

Sorry,
Bill

Miguel Lombana
October 22nd, 2005, 08:43 PM
I'd also recommend folks who are considering Pelicans to check out the Storm cases, also viewable at cases4less.com. I've switched brands myself.

For a fee, you can have your case custom-foamed. It may seem extravagant, but if you plan to use the camera a lot it will make things much easier in the long run, and will be a good resale item as well. You need to bring your gear to whoever does the foaming for you. It's really slick.

Great company, I've used them before for hunting supplies and in fact picked up my Pelican cases from them, they are usually much lower priced than other stores.

Bill Hamell
October 23rd, 2005, 08:14 AM
New url for the image.

http://cinebydesign.net/images/xl-2-1610-case-sm.jpg


Devin,

Just received my XL-2 and Pelican 1610 yesterday.
Here is what I did, hopefully the image will say it all.

http://pennastudio.com/misc/xl-2-1610-case-sm.jpg (135K)

Mr. Bill

Miguel Lombana
October 25th, 2005, 12:01 AM
Before I purchased my cases and cut the foam myself I recalled that I had found a company on the web that did a custom 1610 custom cut for the original XL1 but I'm sure that they have upgraded or can upgrade for the XL2.

Check www.all-pelican-cases-4-less.com they have a 1610 with custom foam for the XL. One thing that I learned when I got my cases, Pelican will sell the hard shell to vendors without foam and allow the vendor to replace the foam or sell their own foam for "added value".

Be careful not to get into the mess that I got into where I found a cheap price and they called me to ask what thickness foam sheets I wanted. The real Pelican foam typically ships as "pick and pluck".

I got foam with my cases from a company that was no better than seat cushion foam and it was 1/2" each sheet, cutting and working with this stuff forced me to call Pelican and complain about the company and what they had done, 2 days later a brand new set of foams from Pelican arrived free of charge. Just a lesson learned.

Miguel

Matthew Nayman
October 28th, 2005, 06:40 AM
I can fit an XL2 with 20X lens attached, a 3X lens, a 7inch LCD monitor, two BP 945's, 5 tapes, all the cables, dual charger, LCD power pack, Polarizer, 3 filters, a remote, and a lens cleaning kit in the pelican 1610

Great case (got thrown off a boat with my XL2 in it this summer and survived... which is why I bought it!)

Miguel Lombana
October 28th, 2005, 07:35 AM
I can fit an XL2 with 20X lens attached, a 3X lens, a 7inch LCD monitor, two BP 945's, 5 tapes, all the cables, dual charger, LCD power pack, Polarizer, 3 filters, a remote, and a lens cleaning kit in the pelican 1610

Great case (got thrown off a boat with my XL2 in it this summer and survived... which is why I bought it!)

Hey Matt are you using the accessory plate on the back of your cam? I use it to mount my wireless packs and it makes for an overly snug fit in the 1610 when I "pre-fit" it before opting to do a "removed lens" foam cut. Let us know and in the event that you do, please share a pic post so that we can all benefit.

MIGUEL

Steve Witt
October 28th, 2005, 07:53 AM
JUST AN IDEA!!!! If you go to LOWE'S hardware store and look where they have all their different tool boxes, you'll find a silver metal (briefcase looking) type case with a briefcase type handle and a shoulder strap included too. The neat thing is that it has the customizable foam inside (cut-to-fit). Now I don't know just how big the XL2 is, but I think it will probably fit in this thing. Just trace the shape onto the foam and cut it out for a custom camera/gear case. If the case is not big enough for the XL2, then maybe your other gear for your shoots will fit. Here's the good part, it's only about $20.00. I'm sure you have a Lowe's near you so at least check it out.

Miguel Lombana
October 28th, 2005, 08:04 AM
JUST AN IDEA!!!! If you go to LOWE'S hardware store and look where they have all their different tool boxes, you'll find a silver metal (briefcase looking) type case with a briefcase type handle and a shoulder strap included too. The neat thing is that it has the customizable foam inside (cut-to-fit). Now I don't know just how big the XL2 is, but I think it will probably fit in this thing. Just trace the shape onto the foam and cut it out for a custom camera/gear case. If the case is not big enough for the XL2, then maybe your other gear for your shoots will fit. Here's the good part, it's only about $20.00. I'm sure you have a Lowe's near you so at least check it out.

Nice idea, I have to get there today to get some lawn care supplies and will check it out, thanks Steve, always looking for neat stuff and this might be something of use. ML

Matthew Nayman
October 30th, 2005, 11:49 PM
Yes I do have the shoe on the back for the dual charger...

I get about 1" of foam infront of the lens hood, and about 1/4" behind the shoe (I had to cut this from the edge of the foam). Ofcourse, I then realized I would have had more space if I had removed the lens hood (I always use a matte box anyhoo.

I'll try and got a pic up tommorow.

Matt

Miguel Lombana
October 31st, 2005, 08:23 AM
Yes I do have the shoe on the back for the dual charger...

I get about 1" of foam infront of the lens hood, and about 1/4" behind the shoe (I had to cut this from the edge of the foam). Ofcourse, I then realized I would have had more space if I had removed the lens hood (I always use a matte box anyhoo.

I'll try and got a pic up tommorow.

Matt

Thanks would be nice, I have a spare set of foam and I'm about to cut it up for my 1610 now that I've upgraded from the GL2 to XL2, so in short I'm looking for best fit ideas. I never thought of taking off the lens hood, that totally makes more sense than the entire lens. Looking forward to your sample pics.

ML

Matthew Nayman
November 2nd, 2005, 08:58 PM
Don't cut that foam! Picture is on the way!

What's your email?

Miguel Lombana
November 4th, 2005, 12:21 AM
Don't cut that foam! Picture is on the way!

What's your email?

miguel <dot> lombana <at> gmail <dot> com

Sorry for the <X>s but it's the only way to keep the bots from getting that address.

Matthew Nayman
November 4th, 2005, 07:43 AM
Email sent. Feel free to post the picture so others can see. I just don't have any webspace and don't want to go sign up for Image Shack right now.

Miguel Lombana
November 4th, 2005, 10:47 PM
Email sent. Feel free to post the picture so others can see. I just don't have any webspace and don't want to go sign up for Image Shack right now.

For those who'd like to see, I posted it on one of my web servers. ML

http://www2.dj-miguel.com:8080/sp-pics/XLCASE.jpg