Forums >
Photography Talk >
Strobe travel cases
OK who uses what. Do you store the strobes on their sides on drop in on their backs. I want enough room to store 4 AB's with reflectors, power cords and I have 2 very small stands that are short enough for most hard cases. So I'm looking at Pelican 1650 and the iM2950 but it's so difficult to work out all the dimensions without actually having the case in front of me. I really want wheels on it but I don't' want it to be huge. A friend of mine has the HPRC - 2780WF but it seems huge So what do you have and whats in it Feb 12 13 05:56 pm Link Air travel or car travel? I have the 1650 with dividers, empty it's probably half the weight limit before the airline charges you extra for being too heavy. I have 2 Profoto Acute packs, 4 heads, power and sync cords, 3 pocketwizards, 1 speedring (cords are wrapped around it) and some miscellaneous grip stuff in mine. It gets heavy, I have the NYC taxi driver help me get it in the trunk, I never fly with it. Write down the interior dimensions, get a ruler, paper and tape and recreate the inside. Does all your stuff fit on the paper? I also have the Photoflex Transpac Dual, it's a decent case when I need to go light, but the Pelican feels much more secure. Feb 12 13 06:29 pm Link Thanks, I don't normally fly with my strobes but who knows. I actually made a masking tape square on my living room floor to mock it up like you suggested. I think it's the depth that I worry about. The AB's seem to be near 8" any way you turn them and that seems like it's pushing the limits of either of those cases. But I don't want something so huge that is' 18" deep Feb 12 13 06:37 pm Link Calumet has some nice rollers. They make a 4- header that would be perfect. Nice solid construction with good wheels. But not for airplanes. Photoflex also makes one. Feb 13 13 01:18 pm Link delete Feb 13 13 01:19 pm Link I have been using an old wooden box, they type with the riveted leather, and silver hardware. That is, until it was run over by an RV. I've been considering the Pelican 1550 w/foam, as it is pretty close to the dimensions of the old box. I carry two WLU 1200s, 3-4 reflectors for those, cords, bus-bar, a 36" fold up reflector, 5 grids, and extra sync cords and stuff in it. If need be, I could fit my 2-WLU 600s, 2-1200s, and very carefully, lay the 1800 down sideways in it. That just didn't leave room for much else, and the 1550 is just an inch or two larger in some dimensions. It's the $150 that has deterred me so far! I's po folk! Feb 13 13 02:04 pm Link So apparently you want something you can haul around in a vehicle easily. Here's my two cents worth. Fabric cooler bags made for hauling food are somewhat 'padded' with insulation. Check out your local thrift stores. They come in various sizes; from just big enough for one sandwich, to big enough to hold a complete meal for a large family. I'd look for 4 about the size of a six pack, and a cardboard box big enough to hold them all. Maybe a small golf bag for the stands and cords, etc. Advantages: CHEAP, if you find them at thrift stores, probably about a buck a piece; total maybe 5 or 6 bucks. PADDED: can take reasonable knocks without damaging the AB's. LIGHTWEIGHT: Won't find anything lighter. SECURE: Who is going to steal your lunch? Yeah, Pelican and Halliburton cases are nice, but they yell "I'm expensive and I have expensive toys inside. Steal me!" Just my opinion. Feb 13 13 03:53 pm Link If you're low on cash, not flying, and handling transport yourself... I've had great luck with the plastic roller footlockers that are everywhere (Amazon, Wal Mart, Container store in the states). They won't survive being dropped off a truck gate, but you can stack them and toss them in & out of an SUV. I've customized some with dividers, using a pop riveter, 1/8 plywood, foam and spray glue. Some I just toss stuff in. Under $40. I have wonderful cases for my cameras, but I shoot hot lights, flo's, and strobes, stills and video, thus I have a ridiculous pile of lighting, audio, and grip gear. I just can't drop $200-$300 a case when I'm really wanting a 2k HMI next - and "what to pack" is different every single gig. They've worked great for me and never cracked or lost a latch or a wheel - and they're black and look good enough that clients never give them a second look. Best of all, the gear stays uninjured and organized. Feb 13 13 04:13 pm Link If it's for strobes why not use a Tenba case? They are air safe but without the weight of a pelican, and also comes in wheels. A photographer I work with bought one for a job that required to fly 4 states in 5 days and everything was in perfect condition. Feb 13 13 04:21 pm Link Lightware Feb 13 13 05:12 pm Link Paramour Productions wrote: This one looks about right but it's $500, a little much for me. Feb 13 13 06:19 pm Link Rich Arnold Photography wrote: This is pretty nice and a little more than 2" deeper than the Pelican I was unsure of. Exactly what I wanted Feb 13 13 06:26 pm Link |