Pelican 1610 & Sigma 300-800

[Alan Lillich]

Does anyone know if a Sigma 300-800 will fit in a Pelican 1610 with acceptable padding? The 1610 is the largest Pelican that fits in the 62" L+W+H limit for checked luggage. The lens is spec'ed as 21.3" long, the case as 21.78" inside. Combined with the starter pistol idea from another thread, checking a 1610 might make a good travel solution - cheaper in the long run than FedEx or UPS shipping.

thanks,
Alan

[Randy Stout]

Alan:

You really need to check the diameter of the lens as well. That rapidly begins to eat up the available length.

I have a couple of 1610s, and if you measure the diameter of the lens, front and rear, I can mock it up an see if it will fit. You may not be able to leave the hood on it (even reversed) because it will increase the diameter.

I have used the 1610 as checked baggage with my Gitzo,Wimberley, lens hood for 500, ground pod, overshoes, and a bunch of bits and pieces inside, when flying.

Randy

[Aravind Krishnaswamy]

Royce Howland over at Naturescapes says that the Sigmonster will fit in a 1610 with the hood reverse if placed diagonally.

[Giulio Zanni]

I don`t know about Pelikan but I travel with mine as.a carry-on inside one of the smallest and lightest Kinesis long lens bag (L526)
equipped with shoulder harness and a front puch for the camera body. The lens fits inside the bag with the wood reversed. Inside the bag
I also fit a Wimberley wich actually helps in keeping the lens steady.

Giulio

[Alan Lillich]

I have a LowePro Lens Trekker 600 that fits the 300-800, but it exceeds the 45" L+H+W limit for US carry-on. I'm not about to risk someone measuring it at the gate and forcing it to be checked. Even the slightly smaller original case from Sigma is over 45". Looks like the Kinesis L526 is close but maybe at risk - 22" high, 11" top diameter, hope no nasty gate agent includes the outer pouch.

(And don't get me started on vendor-supplied big glass bags. I hate it that Nikon and Sigma only put on 1 shoulder strap. For the amount we pay they ought to be able to put on 2 shoulder straps to make the thing reasonable to actually carry.)

[Alan Lillich]

Randy: The NatureScapes thread mentioned by Aravind ( http://www.naturescapes.net/phpBB3/v...?f=57&t=169465 ) answers the question that the 300-800 fits diagonally in a 1610. For the record, with the lens hood reversed and a LensCoat beanie the lens is 22.5" long and 6.75" in diameter. With the hood off and front element exposed it is 22.25" long and 6" in diameter. I don't know how Sigma got the 21.3" spec, unless that goes from the mounting plane. I measured total length with a rear cap on.

thanks,
Alan

[Randy Stout]

Alan:

My only thought about having to pack it diagonally, is the possible additional stress on it compared with laying if flat, or standing on end. I guess it will be ok if well padded, but I might worry a bit about it being damaged if it is handled roughly by the airlines.

Good luck. Let us know how it works.

Randy