Photographer

Packing the Pelican 1630

Over the past couple of months, I've been getting asked many questions about my new(ish) Sinar P2 setup. The most popular of these questions has been: ​

​"What are you using to haul around all of that heavy 8x10 gear?" 

​While the answer may seem a bit like overkill, I'm protecting my kit in the best way I know how, in a Pelican case! The Pelican 1630 transport case, to be specific. 

First things first, this case a monster! 0__0 It weighs in at just over 36 lbs. (that's right!), when completely full with the P2 kit, clocks in at just under 70 lbs. This nearly indestructible, sink-proof, dust-proof, flame retardant hard case measures 31" x 24" x 18". No two ways around it, this case is heavy, but will assuredly keep this pricey kit in one piece and always at the ready. And until I have a more weight-friendly setup that offers me all of the creative controls the Sinar P2 does, this Pelican 1630 is following me everywhere, the field included!  ​

So what all fits in the Pelican 1630? Here's the rundown of my wide angle kit:

  • Sinar P2 Front Standard
  • Sinar P2 Rear Standard w/ metering back + fresnel
  • 6" base monorail + 5" extension rail + end caps
  • 25" tapered Sinar 8x10 bellows
  • ​Fujinon 210mm f/5.6 lens + cable release(s)
  • Schneider Super Angulon 121mm f/8 + cable release(s)​
  • Compendium bellows shade + rod attachment
  • Eight, 8x10 film holders
  • B&W filters
  • Dark cloth
​Everything fits in on its side, padded by three separate layers of pick-n-pluck foam. 

​Everything fits in on its side, padded by three separate layers of pick-n-pluck foam. 

And per request of a fellow large format shooter, Nicolas Llasera, the above image is just how everything squeezes into the Pelican 1630. The rear and front standards were the hardest pieces to organize, I attribute this success to countless hours of Tetris during my childhood. It's a snug fit to say the least, but it travels well, and has survived the torture test thus far! 

If you have any other questions about how I do what I do, feel free to send me an email, ask on Twitter, or leave a comment below. And now if you'll excuse me, I've got a massive case to haul around the woods. ^__^

Photography, Large Format, How ToMat Marrashsinar, sinar p2, 8x10, large format, pelican, pelican case, pelican 1630, gear, monorail camera, mat marrash, gasComment