Looking for a camera case

Cap'n Fishy

Cap'n Fishy

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Colin
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Does anyone know of an alternative to the Peli cases for something that will give me a neat, tight fit with no wasted space for taking a full sized SLR body (no grip) plus zoom lens, eg 24-105 mm?

The Peli type are over the top. What I want is protection for the camera when I put it inside my fishing tackle bag. So, all I really want is something like a padded 'Tupperware' container or those 'Really Useful Box' boxes. I'd be happy enough to make the padded lining for it myself if I could find one with the right dimensions. And I have tried and tried to find one with the right dimensions. They've made them with storing CDs in mind, DVDs in mind, all manner of things, but they just have not designed one with an SLR in mind (how remiss!).

It needs to be able to sit in the open position so I can grab the camera out quickly when an photo-opportunity presents itself.

Any pointers gratefully received.

Col
 
Hi Colin, I know you were after some kind of hard case but have you looked at a holster type bag? one of them might suit your needs, can be used when you just want to carry the camera about aswell!. Lots of manufacturers make them to suit all sizes and budgets.

I have used a lowepro toploader 70 holster for a couple of years now and its awesome. I normally lug it about in a holdall full of other stuff and it offers plenty of protection.

Best of luck with whatever you choose.
 
milspec78 said:
Hi Colin, I know you were after some kind of hard case but have you looked at a holster type bag?
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Thanks for the suggestion. The problem is the arrangement is kind of like Lego bricks. So, the more rectangular the container, the better. A holster is just too curvy to fit into the space without wasting too much of the limited room.

Col
 
Sam-D said:
Hi Col

I have used several genuine Really Useful Boxes and they are very robust. The 9 litre would comfortably take the body with lens. Going down in size, I wonder if the 5 litre version or maybe the 5 litre XL would suit you better.

http://www.reallyusefulproducts.co.uk/uk/html/onlineshop/fullrange_rub.php

Sam-D
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Yep, it's just that thing with the dimensions giving a snug but correct fit. The 3 L is actually really close, but the width won't take the 7D body. The 5L has less height than the 3 L and won't take the pentaprism hump. The 9 L is too wasteful of space and would take up too much of the bag.

I do have a couple of 5 L ones by other makers that are a good fit - they are just a bit flimsy and less robust than the Really Useful Boxes, and a bit less likely to be waterproof in an emergency - I spend a lot of time in small open boats with rain and waves all around me...

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I may just have to go with one of them and set about making some foam lining for it.

This was my old set-up, when I had everything in a seat-box, which took care of the protection and the weather-proofing...

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The camera sat in a perfect container, which was actually designed for holding fishing reels! The problem is I have accumulated so much stuff I have outgrown the seat-box and now have a huge hold-all type bag. So, I am looking for just a bit more protection for the camera than it gets from the soft-bodied, totally non-waterproof reel case.

I find it hard to believe that no-one like Peli or Lowepro or Tamrac or any of the others makes anything like that. It seems to be that if you are into photography you are not into anything else???

Col
 
Hi Col

How about the 5 litre XL, which gives you 30mm extra height over the normal 5 litre?

http://www.reallyusefulproducts.co.uk/uk/html/onlineshop/rub/b05_0litreXL.php

No doubt Dragon Cases could make you one that's absolutely perfect, although the price might be a bit stiff.

http://www.dragoncases.co.uk/

Some years ago, a travel photographer friend of mine couldn’t find the perfect case for a pairs of medium format Mamiyas, lenses and film stock, so he ended up making a sturdy box out of plywood. Although heavy, it did the job admirably, travelled the world with it and it lasted him for many years.
Mind you, he’s got arms like Popeye now!

Sam-D
 
Sam-D said:
Hi Col

How about the 5 litre XL, which gives you 30mm extra height over the normal 5 litre?
Sam-D
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Cheers Richard, that looks a good bet. I will put in an order.

Col
 
Last edited:
Thanks go to Sam-D. I bought one of the 'Really Useful Box' 5L XLs.

I lined it with 2 layers of foam using 'no more nails' tape. The finished article takes the SLR body with any one lens, up to and including my largest (100-400 mm). It is so snug a fit, I had to make cut aways for the eye-cup and the left hand strap lug :thumbs:. There is room down the side for polariser, spare battery and spare card.

It sits across the middle of the big Snowbee bag, on top of another 5L box that holds all my reels. Everything else fits in the other compartments (including the wide lens) or in the pockets. The lid of the camera box fits in the back pocket when not required in situ. I also fitted the box with carrying handles so it doesn't get left in the boat if we go off for a mid-session meal.

All I need to do now is work out where to put my tin coffee mug and I am sorted!


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Col
 
I know this is a little late as you have now sorted some boxes, but I looked at Peli cases ( then looked away again) and found B&W Outdoor cases. Linky thing HEREI have a few of these now for telescope eyepieces and electronic wizardry bits. A camera would fit in fine and they are waterproof and pretty robust.
A bit dearer than a "really useful box" but Peli performance at almost half the price. We use them at work too.

Allan
 
allanm said:
I know this is a little late as you have now sorted some boxes, but I looked at Peli cases ( then looked away again) and found B&W Outdoor cases. Linky thing HEREI have a few of these now for telescope eyepieces and electronic wizardry bits. A camera would fit in fine and they are waterproof and pretty robust.
A bit dearer than a "really useful box" but Peli performance at almost half the price. We use them at work too.

Allan
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Thanks Allan - that's given me something to think about all right. Don't know if these are new, but I spent some serious time Googling away about a year ago and didn't find them. There is no one model that is an exact tight fit in the way the home made rig above is (the Type 20 comes close), but I must say I am tempted by the idea of getting a larger one and reworking my whole gear set-up.

Where's my list to Santa...?
 
Cap'n Fishy said:
Where's my list to Santa...?
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Better get one written out sharpish!
I got 3 of these about a year ago after I decided Peli were too dear so I got the 10, 20, and 30 all with the foam inserts. They are the pick n pluck types so you can get them to fit anything

Allan
 
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