Hard Cases?

Dale Stoltzfus · October 22nd, 2007, 03:12 PM

If I were you, I'd go with the Portabrace cases (the one that comes with a free one). As far as I read, Portabrace and Pelican are very comparable in build quality, and you get two cases for the price of one!

Jim Andrada · October 22nd, 2007, 03:50 PM

I've used the Storm cases and like them a lot. I have three of them and am looking at a fourth for the new camera.

However, one thing to think about (and I have to say I have not had this problem with Storm - at least not yet!) is long term stability of the foam.

I have several still cameras (35mm and large format) that were stored in their foam lined metal cases for several years while I was working in Japan. When I opened the cases after 7 years the foam had deteriorated and crumbled and it was a horrible mess. Some of the foam had adhered to the equipment and had to be cleaned off with alcohol, which is not good stuff to use as it can also remove the finish from the equipment unless you're extremely careful! The lenses and shutters for the 5 X 7 camera had to be sent out for cleaning and recalibration, and I spent literally days with q-tips and tothpicks cleaning stuff. If it had been a video camera, I probably would have had to replace the tape mechanism.

The moral of the story is that foam can be great stuff, but check it occasionally for signs of deterioration. If you're using it regularly I'm sure you'll have no problem. And if you are going to store stuff for an extended period it would be smart to wrap it in some kind of plastic bag before putting it in the case just as a precaution.

Alessandro Garabaghi · October 24th, 2007, 09:21 AM

Ok, well being on a budget, it looks like the portabrace PB-2500F will be my choice. Will this fit the XH A1 along with some accessories? I understand that I do get the 2400F for free, and would be able to store some accessories in there, but could i get a decent amount of stuff in the PB-2500?

Matt Davis · October 24th, 2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Andrada

foam can be great stuff, but check it occasionally for signs of deterioration.

I think there's several types of foam. I've got cases that I used for student kit (that was a LONG time ago! :) ) and the foam quickly yellowed over 5 years, went a bit damp and sticky, and really shouldn't have been allowed anywhere near kit.

OTOH, after graduation, I made a couple of boxes up out of old ammunition containers for my Nikon gear, and paid more for the foam than I did for the cases - it was a load of off-cuts from a local hire shop. The foam was different in texture - like soft scouring pads.

Those cases are still in mint condition 20 years on (seesh, 20 years...).

I now use padded dividers in my Storm cases so I can alter kit packs. It cost more, but I've learned that the flexibility is worth more than the foam.

Damon Gaskin · October 24th, 2007, 04:59 PM

Got my cases today and they look great. My friend has the Pelican 1500 and the Portabrace 2500 is larger. The 2400 is approx a few inches smaller than the 1500. The foam on the 2500 is a little dented in at a few spots, but I am hoping this will subside over time. It was pretty easy to setup the case, and I had plenty of space for my camera on top of all of my little accessories(Wireless mics, two tapes and cleaning cassette, 9 volts for the wireless mics, standard battery as I keep the 970 in the camera, microphone mount for the wireless reciever and the shotgun, wired lapel mic), so I can pretty much use this for everything and don't need another small case for all of my little junk. The only thing I could not fit in(I didn't factor it in as I never really use it and it was sitting on my desk) was the handheld mic. But I could always replace the shotgun with this mic if need be.

I like the latching system on the Portabraces better than the Pelican for sure as I always seem to pop myself in the finger with the Pelican latches. The main handle on the Portabrace is stiffer than the Pelican, but I am thinking this should loosen a bit with time. Also, my friends Pelican is a bit more difficult to open and sort of jerks when you attempt to open it. The Portabrace is much easier and very smooth.

I have attached a few picks of how the case looks. The 2400 that came with it is approx 3/4 the size of the 2500. I am not sure what I will use this for, but I may use it for my r/c heli transmitter. I don't know. But it is pretty cool also.

BTW, thanks for the posted pics above. They helped tremendously with plucking the foam out of this case.

Damon

October 22nd, 2007, 03:12 PM	#16
Dale Stoltzfus Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ephrata, PA United States Posts: 257	If I were you, I'd go with the Portabrace cases (the one that comes with a free one). As far as I read, Portabrace and Pelican are very comparable in build quality, and you get two cases for the price of one! __________________ Mountjoy! Studios - Promotional Videography & Graphic Design MountjoyStudios.net

October 24th, 2007, 04:59 PM	#20
Damon Gaskin Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn Hills, USA Posts: 217	Got my cases today and they look great. My friend has the Pelican 1500 and the Portabrace 2500 is larger. The 2400 is approx a few inches smaller than the 1500. The foam on the 2500 is a little dented in at a few spots, but I am hoping this will subside over time. It was pretty easy to setup the case, and I had plenty of space for my camera on top of all of my little accessories(Wireless mics, two tapes and cleaning cassette, 9 volts for the wireless mics, standard battery as I keep the 970 in the camera, microphone mount for the wireless reciever and the shotgun, wired lapel mic), so I can pretty much use this for everything and don't need another small case for all of my little junk. The only thing I could not fit in(I didn't factor it in as I never really use it and it was sitting on my desk) was the handheld mic. But I could always replace the shotgun with this mic if need be. I like the latching system on the Portabraces better than the Pelican for sure as I always seem to pop myself in the finger with the Pelican latches. The main handle on the Portabrace is stiffer than the Pelican, but I am thinking this should loosen a bit with time. Also, my friends Pelican is a bit more difficult to open and sort of jerks when you attempt to open it. The Portabrace is much easier and very smooth. I have attached a few picks of how the case looks. The 2400 that came with it is approx 3/4 the size of the 2500. I am not sure what I will use this for, but I may use it for my r/c heli transmitter. I don't know. But it is pretty cool also. BTW, thanks for the posted pics above. They helped tremendously with plucking the foam out of this case. Damon Attached Thumbnails

October 22nd, 2007, 03:50 PM	#17
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	I've used the Storm cases and like them a lot. I have three of them and am looking at a fourth for the new camera. However, one thing to think about (and I have to say I have not had this problem with Storm - at least not yet!) is long term stability of the foam. I have several still cameras (35mm and large format) that were stored in their foam lined metal cases for several years while I was working in Japan. When I opened the cases after 7 years the foam had deteriorated and crumbled and it was a horrible mess. Some of the foam had adhered to the equipment and had to be cleaned off with alcohol, which is not good stuff to use as it can also remove the finish from the equipment unless you're extremely careful! The lenses and shutters for the 5 X 7 camera had to be sent out for cleaning and recalibration, and I spent literally days with q-tips and tothpicks cleaning stuff. If it had been a video camera, I probably would have had to replace the tape mechanism. The moral of the story is that foam can be great stuff, but check it occasionally for signs of deterioration. If you're using it regularly I'm sure you'll have no problem. And if you are going to store stuff for an extended period it would be smart to wrap it in some kind of plastic bag before putting it in the case just as a precaution.

October 24th, 2007, 09:21 AM	#18
Alessandro Garabaghi Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 132	Ok, well being on a budget, it looks like the portabrace PB-2500F will be my choice. Will this fit the XH A1 along with some accessories? I understand that I do get the 2400F for free, and would be able to store some accessories in there, but could i get a decent amount of stuff in the PB-2500?