Review: Pelican Air 1535 case with universal DSLR custom foam $390

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/49Aab8u Price as reviewed: $390 Pelican Air 1535 Air Case - Universal Custom Foam DSLR Camera Case for Camera Body and Accessories (Black) The Pelican Air 1535 is a solid "roll aboard" airline form factor. Dual wheels, extending locking pull handle, and carry handles on the top and side make it a reasonable piece of carry on luggage (that weights under 11lbs with the foam). It has a detachable external business / address card holder, dual padlock holes for security, and a watertight gasket and pressure release valve. Although the plastic on the "AIR" models isn't quite as thick and rigid as a more heavyweight standard Pelican case, it's still much better than just about any other carry on luggage. So if you are familiar with the pelican air cases, you know they are great, and the rest of this review is about the "Universal DSLR custom foam" inside (which is the main differentiating feature of this particular model. It has the expected semi-soft eggshell foam in the lid. But the foam in the main case is much more rigid than you might expect if you have experience with the "pick and place" style of foam. Although it provides good protection from shocks, the foam is a "hard cell" variety. You can deform it by pushing on it, but it takes serious pressure to do so. The cutouts are sized for full size camera bodies and lenses, and I found my APS-C Sony Alpha 6300 body flopped around in two of the larger compartments. I was able to secure it in the smaller rectangular compartment using the adjustable placement dividers to lock it in place. It comes pre-cut with 3 "lens holes" that are 3.5" in diameter. It includes two "plugs" for these holes that can act as top/lids or bottom spacers if your lens is shorter than the full depth of the case. All but the largest of my Sony E-Mount lenses "flopped around" inside these holes, and would require a cloth bag or thin wrapping foam to keep them secure. There is one main compartment suitable for a camera body with long (200-400mm) zoom lens, or you can use the included dividers to store smaller items in it. It also has two rectangular compartments for accessories and cords. I personally like the flexibility and customization of the "pick and place" foam blocks more than the "pre-cut" foam, but the adjustable dividers give you enough customization to fit your gear. The dividers are held in firmly with metal push-to-security U shaped brackets, and can be removed/re-positioned as needed. The brackets only secure the top of the dividers, but they are very rigid and have a firm friction fit, so even without the brackets they would probably hold their positions just fine. As one of the best cases on the market, Pelican commands a premium price, and this is really the only downside of the unit.