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Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

mcoons
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

I am looking for a hard case for my Canon 400mm f/2.8 III lens and I found two that should work. The Nanuk 935 and the Pelican Vault v525. Does anyone use a hard case like this for their 400mm lens? I only need it for the 400mm lens and it's mainly for security in my car so I can cable lock the case to my trunk. Canon's soft case has almost no padding at all and their hard case is very expensive. I thought the padded dividers would be best, allowing me to reconfigure as needed or carry accessories.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1017199-REG/nanuk_935_2001_protective_935_case_with.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1621889-REG/pelican_vcv525_0040_blk_v525_vault_rolling_hard.html

Nov 04, 2023 at 03:31 PM

jmckayak
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

You could try a tool box. Line it with a homemade ‘TrekPak’ liner. Home Depot or Lowes has a large variety of cases.

Nov 04, 2023 at 05:16 PM

Imagemaster
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

x

Edited on Nov 05, 2023 at 12:09 AM · View previous versions

Nov 04, 2023 at 09:54 PM

mcoons
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

Wrong thread??

Imagemaster wrote:
FM Rules: Do not use all CAPS in postings.

Nov 04, 2023 at 10:09 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

My last Canon 400/2.8 was the first IS version, but is nearly identical in size to the v3. Back then I used the Pelican 1510 with padded inserts to store and transport the lens along with cameras and other lenses, particularly as carry-on for flights.

The 400 fit in the Pelican 1510, but given the diameter of the lens, it was at about the limit of what the 1510 could accommodate with the hood attached (reversed). I did not keep the front lens cover on the lens when in the 1510 because it added even more to the diameter.

I bought my 1510 cases ~15+ years ago and back then the padded inserts included one that was the full length of the case, which you would need for a lens as long as the 400. By the looks of the current padded insert options for the Nanuk and Pelican cases, none of the inserts run the full length. IMO you'd be better off with the Pelican 1510 and the Trekpak Divider System (B&H link). Unfortunately Pelican bought Trekpak and you can now only get it sized for Pelican products.

Also, don't get the Pelican Air 1535. It's shallower than the 1510.

If you have a deep enough trunk, another option might be the Nanuk 938, which is a deeper version of the 935. But as with the 935, I'm not sure if the configuration of the supplied padded inserts will work well with a 400/2.8.

Nov 08, 2023 at 10:48 PM

mcoons
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

jmckayak wrote:
You could try a tool box. Line it with a homemade ‘TrekPak’ liner. Home Depot or Lowes has a large variety of cases.

I went to Home Depot and Lowe's and only found cheap plastic toolboxes. The trend is more towards modular tool cases with wheels that stack up.

---------------------------------------------

rscheffler wrote:
My last Canon 400/2.8 was the first IS version, but is nearly identical in size to the v3. Back then I used the Pelican 1510 with padded inserts to store and transport the lens along with cameras and other lenses, particularly as carry-on for flights.

The 400 fit in the Pelican 1510, but given the diameter of the lens, it was at about the limit of what the 1510 could accommodate with the hood attached (reversed). I did not keep the front lens cover on the lens when in the 1510 because it added even more to the diameter.

I bought...Show more →

Thank you for the info, I'll look into the Pelican case too, It's about the same size as the Nanuk. I'm not a huge fan of the TrekPak system though. I have one and I feel I need to keep the configuration packed with dividers to keep the walls from bending.

Nov 09, 2023 at 04:53 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

The Nanuk 935 appears to be a modernized version of the 1510. I have both and the Nanuk is generally superior in respect to the latches, handles, pull-bar and wheels when walking with the roller. But with a large lens like the 400, as mentioned, I'm not sure the available divider configuration will properly suit it. I use Trekpak in a roller used for my 200-400 and a couple cameras and accessories. I can appreciate your concern. It seems to work best in a fully packed case, or when the individual pieces are not very heavy. You'd definitely want to use more side dividers against the long divider running the length of the lens, to keep it from flexing as much.

Nov 09, 2023 at 05:19 PM

mcoons
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

I might just order one and see how it works out with the dividers. The 400 with the lens hood reversed is under seven inches in width so I think it will be enough. When I get it I'll report back.

rscheffler wrote:
The Nanuk 935 appears to be a modernized version of the 1510. I have both and the Nanuk is generally superior in respect to the latches, handles, pull-bar and wheels when walking with the roller. But with a large lens like the 400, as mentioned, I'm not sure the available divider configuration will properly suit it. I use Trekpak in a roller used for my 200-400 and a couple cameras and accessories. I can appreciate your concern. It seems to work best in a fully packed case, or when the individual pieces are not very heavy. You'd definitely want to...Show more →

Nov 09, 2023 at 05:32 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

I measured the Nanuk 935's depth. With the dividers base installed it's right around 5" deep to the lip that seals with the lid's gasket. The lid is just around 2" deep without foam. Mine has the lid insert, which I partially removed to measure the full depth. Based on experience with the Pelican 1510 with lid foam, the foam will be very compressed to accommodate the diameter of the hood. But it should fit. It's worth a try simply because the Nanuk is the better case, IMO.

Nov 09, 2023 at 08:43 PM

mcoons
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

I appreciate the detailed response. I think it will be tight but it should work. I already have a secondary use for the case if the 400 won’t work.

rscheffler wrote:
I measured the Nanuk 935's depth. With the dividers base installed it's right around 5" deep to the lip that seals with the lid's gasket. The lid is just around 2" deep without foam. Mine has the lid insert, which I partially removed to measure the full depth. Based on experience with the Pelican 1510 with lid foam, the foam will be very compressed to accommodate the diameter of the hood. But it should fit. It's worth a try simply because the Nanuk is the better case, IMO.

Nov 09, 2023 at 09:01 PM

mcoons
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

I received the Nanuk 935 and it all fits with one modification. I cut the lid foam in half because of the lens hood and now it closes with no problem. I can carry the 400mm lens with a 1Dx sized body, 1.4x and 2x extenders, and a drop-in polarizer.

rscheffler wrote:
I measured the Nanuk 935's depth. With the dividers base installed it's right around 5" deep to the lip that seals with the lid's gasket. The lid is just around 2" deep without foam. Mine has the lid insert, which I partially removed to measure the full depth. Based on experience with the Pelican 1510 with lid foam, the foam will be very compressed to accommodate the diameter of the hood. But it should fit. It's worth a try simply because the Nanuk is the better case, IMO.

Nanuk 935 with Canon 400mm f/2.8

Nov 16, 2023 at 12:04 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

Was it possible to close the lid with the full lid foam, or was it too tight?

I had a closer look at my Nanuk 935 and Pelican 1510. It appears the Pelican might be around 1/2" deeper. And with it I could just get the lid closed with the lid foam super compressed around the hood.

I dug up some old photos showing how I configured the 1510. This was possible because of the single long divider but I don't believe any of these cases now come with such a divider. And the lid closed for all of these configurations.

Nov 16, 2023 at 10:19 PM

mcoons
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Hard case for Canon 400mm f/2.8 III

I wasn't able to get the lid closed with the foam and the lens hood at the same time. After I purchased the Nanuk, I found a Pelican 1510 on Craigslist. The 1510 is around 1/2" deeper but I still had trouble closing the lid with the Nanuk dividers and foam. I felt like I was going to crush something. The new divider sets on both the Nanuk and the Pelican lack the single long divider, which is annoying, but there's enough to make the cases work.

rscheffler wrote:
Was it possible to close the lid with the full lid foam, or was it too tight?

I had a closer look at my Nanuk 935 and Pelican 1510. It appears the Pelican might be around 1/2" deeper. And with it I could just get the lid closed with the lid foam super compressed around the hood.

I dug up some old photos showing how I configured the 1510. This was possible because of the single long divider but I don't believe any of these cases now come with such a divider. And the lid closed for all of these configurations.

https://i.postimg.cc/5yw6Dnr5/peli1514-400.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/28DqnNq0/peli1514-600.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/pV8h9Ld9/peli1514-small-lenses.jpg

Nov 18, 2023 at 02:17 PM


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