Hi,

I just purchased a Pelican 1650 Case for my Canon XL2 and it's accessories. I chose the 1650 after researching past threads by users. Without a doubt the case is pretty large and it does hold a lot of equipment. I posted a couple of pictures of the case since I noticed in several earlier posts that some people were interested in acually seeing how much space there really is. I will update the photos a.s.a.p. since I didn't have my regular camera and had to use an old Mavica. The quality of the photos show.

The case supports the (Top Row) Canon XL2 with its 20X Lense and Hood attached, a Canon 3X Wide Angle Lense with Hood and filters, (Lower left) a Bescor Battery Back up for my Pro Prompter, (Lower Right) two Sennheiser EW100 G2's with cables, two Canon Batteries, DV Tapes, Batteries for the Sennheisers, Headphones and Misc. Cables. As you can see, there is still plenty of room for additional items.

I hope this helps for anyone who is considering this case.

http://www.geocities.com/tyrant81/MVC-047F.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/tyrant81/MVC-048F.JPG

Thanks for the pictures Gary,

Do you think it would fit in with the ch-910 dual charger fitted and 2 batteries in it as I a seriously looking for a case at the moment, but the only country I can seem to get one in is the USA, and as I live in Ireland thats a bit of a problem. All I can see available to me over here is carry bags for them.

Thaks again for the pics.

Paul

What type of mic is that you have fitted in the camera in the picture Gary?

Paul

Paul, There is plenty of room for the Canon CH-910 Dual Charger. In fact, I can even fit the Pro Prompter in it if I want to. I have already laid it out and there is plenty of room. So that is not going to be a problem for you.

The microphone is a Audio-Technica AT897 - Short Condenser Shotgun Microphone http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=300615&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Are you happy with that mic? How does it compare to the stock microphone?

Thanks,
Luke

Are you happy with that mic? How does it compare to the stock microphone?It doesn't. :) The stock mic is a stereo omni, and the AT897 is a monophonic short shotgun. The differences between the two are huge. Read up on mics in the Now Hear This forum, and check out some of Ty Ford's samples, to learn about these differences.

Here is an updated picture of the Pelican Case housing the Canon XL2 with several other item.

http://www.geocities.com/tyrant81/Case.jpg

Looking the part Gary, i'm in the middle of pricing for one myself.

Paul

Thanks for the pics, Gary.

Did you cut the foam yourself, or did you have it custom-cut? I was going to go with a Portabrace case, but they REALLY messed up my order, and it's been three weeks, so I dumped them and will go with a Pelican.

Jonathan

The foam is not custom cut. The bottom of the case has three layers of foam. The first two top layers are approximately 6 inches thick and then there is a bottom layer.

The foam is cut in small squares which allows for you to pluck out the dimensions that you need. If you get good at it you can pluck it out keeping the sections you removed rather large in case you want to fill it back in. You can either pluck out the top section of foam for shallower items or pluck out both section as I did for the Camera.

I really don't see a reason to have it lazer cut other than for looks. If your change you mind and want to move things around, you can either fill the areas back in with what you memoved or start from scratch by purchasing a new foam kit which I believe costs around $50.00.

I don't know too much about the Porta Brace cases but a big selling point for me are the four wheels the case has, the multiple handles and the large solid handle when using the wheels. Because the handle is solid you are able to place another smaller case against it without the case falling off.

Good to know, Gary. I just purchased the 1510 (instead of the Portabrace due to PB's lack of shipping: 3 weeks and it's still not here!)cuz I do a lot of international travelling and I needed a case that would be acceptable to airline size specs (hand baggage), as well as keep as much equipment with me as possible. Two trips (one to Spain, one to Italy) have shown me how easy it is for airlines to "lose" baggage. Luckily I had my camera and majority of my equipment in the Portabrace soft case I carry onto the plane. It's about the same size as the Pelican, but not enough pockets/areas for the batteries/tapes/etc. so when I have to pull it out for security checkpoints, it gets kinda cumbersome to unload/load everything.

Jonathan

Jonathan--

I've never used a 1510 so I can't say for sure, but I think you may find that it is too small for the XL2. B&H lists the interior dimensions for this case as 20.24 x 11.38 x7.58, and the XL2's dimensions as 8.9 x 8.7 x 19.5. So while the XL2 will fit into the case on two dimensions, the third and smallest dimension of the case is smaller than any of the camera's measurements. The 1510 may be carry-on size, which is handy... but it suddenly becomes much less handy when the camera won't fit inside it. :)

I'm guessing that the seller that you're dealing with had the case listed as being compatible with the XL2. I've seen plenty of sites that make this claim about even smaller cases. But they may be either making this claim because the cases in question were once fine for the XL1 (which is a bit smaller than the XL2), or else maybe they're just completely full of BS. Or maybe they're right and the smaller cases are fine; those measurements seem to be describing a fully-assembled XL2, so maybe a disassembled camera will fit. Still though, I personally wouldn't trust a case bought on the internet to be the right size when the listed measurements are clearly less than those of the camera.

Just thought I'd sprinkle in a little healthy doubt. :)

By no means would you be able to carry this case on to a plane, unless you own the plane of course :) It's a big case and does have some weight to it.

By no means is would you be able to carry this case on to a plane, unless you own the plane of course :) It's a big case and does have some weight to it.Just to clarify, he's talking about the 1510, which is quite a bit smaller than the 1650 pictured in this thread. The 1610 (which I have) is too big for carry-on too, so if the 1510 is too small for the camera, then a case sized between the 1610 and 1510 is in order... or else just use a padded bag for carry-on.

Thanks for posting this and the pictures. I'm going to purchase this based on your post which inspired research. It's a great case for the XL-2 with massive amounts of accessories.

No problem. It was hard for me to make a decision when looking because of the lack of photos available. I am glad I could help.

OK, Jarrod's right. The Pelican 1510 came in and it's a tad too small. Tried putting it in vertically, but the handle sticks up too much...can't close it. Tried horizontally, but the viewfinder or shotgun mic sticks up...can't close it. Only solution is to take the viewfinder off. So I cut it that way and it fits. whoopee (sarcasm!) Then on the top half, I cut a space for the viewfinder. I put the mic on top of the camera (which is cut through both layers to the bottom.) And take the accessory off the back where I attach my wireless mics. I need as much in the case as possible because I need to take it on the plane (everything else gets lost for a couple days). I think, "OK.....not much real estate left," but I manage to cut space for 4 batteries (stacked) and 15 miniDV tapes (stacked). Then it hits me. I do a lot of run and gun on my international trips going from one winery to another. I don't have time to dissassemble my camera and put it back together again each time. Can't leave it out of the case between shoots because I'm driving as well. Don't think I can return it because the foam's already cut. I guess I'll have to take the hit. Should have stuck with my Portabrace softcase that I've been using. I usually fly British Airways and they only allow one hand bag on the plane that measures 22 inches x 17.5 inches x 9.85 inches. That's the dimensions of the PB case. Only had probs once with a flight attendant.

Sorry for the rambling. Hope this gives everyone something to think about.

Jonathan

It's a tough call, making the 'case' for the right carryall. (Sorry for the pun.) But I wouldn't call your purchase a loss. You COULD buy replacement foam, and then sell the case with new foam on Ebay, taking a small loss.

However. I think you'll find that having an hard, watertight case might be just the ticket at some point in time. I have two solutions for my gear. A large, soft case, that I can put the camera in, all 'built out', when I'm driving around and doing run and gun. I also have a Pelican 1620, that is LOADED to the gills, when it is packed. I opted for the dividers instead of the foam, and I'm absolutely glad I did.

In the Pelican, I Pack - DISSASEMBLED

The xl2 body
16x Manual Lens
3x Wide angle lens
Five BP945 batts
Ch910 Dual Batt Pack with cord and connector
Regular Batt Charger with cord
Fu500 Color EVF
FU1000 Monochrome EVF
Brace/adapter for CH910
TWO 25 foot audio cables
Canon Stereo Camera Mic
AT 897 SHotgun WITH WIndscreen and Fuzzy
Camera Shockmount for Shotgun
Short XLR for shotgun
A small microphone Case WHICH INCLUDES- One Shure SM58 One AT handheld mic, two lavaliers and all their batteries.
Fifty feet of SVHS cable for monitor
Assorted small connectors in a bag.
Headphones
One Canon On Camera Light
One 650WATT Sun Hotlight for mounting anywhere.
Box of FIVE tapes.
HEAD CLEANING TAPE
And a small pacakge of lens cleaning brush/tissue/fluid/cloth.

I'm probably forgetting something.

When this case is properly packed, and believe me, I've got it down to a science... EVERYTHING is padded and secure from movement and abrasion. This is my 'shoot package' and it goes with me on a job. When I am out and about, doing run and gun, I might ALSO take my large canvas bag. When the camera is built out, I'll put it and an extra battery and tapes in the canvas bag, and I can easily take it in and out of the car when I'm travelling.

My point being, there's a time and place for a hard case, and a soft case. Only you can decide if ONLY ONE is all you need.

Thanks for the info, Richard. I, too, have both cases PACKED! The only problem with the Pelican is that I can not go any larger...seeing as that I HAVE to get it on the plane in the overhead. There is no way they'd let me bring the 1610 on board. The original idea was to get something that would be checked luggage (you know how airline folks are at taking care of checked luggage!)...but after having luggage "lost" for three days each on two separate trips, that ain't gonna happen. Again, I wouldn't mind the disassembling if I didn't have three shoots a day and have to travel between them. Granted many of the wineries are either down the road or a couple of km away. It's still a hassle assembling/disassembling. Time is money. I can appreciate your effort to pack everything in that Pelican, though!

Jonathan

Jonathan,

"Leave the gun, take the canoli..."

Sorry. My point was, pack the Pelican with your camera, and check the canvas bag. Worst case scenario, you get where your going with the camera, lens and batteries. Best case scenario, you get where you're going, rent the car, and load your canvas bag for 'the day trip'.

Jonathan... I think that was a great piece of advice on purchasing the replacement foam. If you haven't had the case for long I would replace the foam (OME) and see if they will take it on a return or credit toward another case that will work for you.

Good idea on checking the softcase, Richard. Didn't even think of that. Since I'm in a car or hotel room every day, that's where I can leave the hard case. Just have to decide if I want to carry all that (unfortunately, the tripod doesn't fit in the portabrace case, so I might be checking three pieces (my clothes suitcase, the tripod and the portabrace) and pay a small fee. Not a big problem.) My boss wants to keep the Pelican anyway, so there goes the e-bay idea. Although I do have to put the silve Canon hard case on e-bay (since I don't use it), unless anyone knows someone who wants to buy it at a discounted price! :)

Thanks everyone for your ideas!

Jonathan