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what are you guys using for a gear bag? I am considering a pelican 1300 since I travel to alaska so much and the weather and dust can be a killer. I would like a semi rigid bag to house my 55-300 plus the grip and eat up as little space as possible....any ideas?

I have a Pelican 1400 that I bought in 2006 for my first trip to Africa. Since then, it has been to Africa again and to Kodiak twice. It is the only thing that I use when traveling by air with my camera and telephoto. Namibia was about as hot and dusty as the Boot Heel of New Mexico, and Kodiak was definitely cool and wet. Worked without a hitch in both places, and in a number of others in between.

Do you find it to be cramped or overkill? I spend two weeks a month in Alaska and my camera has to live in my backpack and get tossed in and out of rigs daily....I want as small as possible without having to pull the lens.

I have a Kiboko from Gura Gear. http://www.guragear.com/

I have packed it with two pro bodies and a 500 f4 and a bunch of accessories and flown all over with it. It works great, but it is a not a hard case. The advantage is that it is a backpack with a system to stow the straps during travel to fit in overhead compartments. It was developed by a guy that goes to Africa and he wanted a way to take his photo gear. They now have more options as in smaller bags.

Good luck shopping.

-Doug

It looks like some very, very SMART type of design . . . and very well-made too!

I like "stealth" type bags and packs that don't scream "steal my camera gear, and these bags certainly will blend in well when you are traveling around and shooting. Wow, and the 500 f4 fits with double full-size bodies in it. AWESOME!

When I am actively shooting, the camera with the AF VR Nikkor 80-400mm lens rides in my daypack (or on the seat beside me in the pickup). An AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm lens in a side pocket of the day pack. I usually have a Nikon soft case for the 80-400 lens in the day pack, as well, just in case it is needed.

The Pelican is configured to hold the D200 body with the telephoto attached and the shorter zoom lens upright in its own pocket. I also have another pocket that holds extra SD cards. That's how we travel. On float trips, all of these ride in the Pelican case, as well.

I settled in on a pelican 1300. It fits my body with grip wearing the 55-300, 18-55, 2 batteries, caps, lens pen, blower and a stash of sd cards.....All for under $50 and I will no sweat the rain or dust.....seems like a bargain.