Photo Nuts - Camera bags?

[Alphamazing]

Hey you photo nuts, I'm looking to get a camera bag but would like some insight into what each of y'all prefer and/or what might be ideal for me.

I would like a fairly well padded bag that (if need be) can be carried on a plane, hold all my equipment, and protect it from all sides. Waterproof would be awesome. Cost is important, so try and keep it relatively inexpensive.

Equipment:
dSLR camera body
3 lenses (18-55mm, 28-105mm, 75-300mm)
external flash
batteries, CF cards, remote, filters, etc...

So basically body + 3 lenses + flash + accessories.

Hard case or soft? Advantages and disadvantages to both? If hard cases seem to be the major preference I'll be custom fitting foam to the interior to fit my set up exactly how I want.

[Stephen072774]

No doubt, a pelican case.  Pricey, but you can drive over it with a car, and waterproof....

I have a similar hard case from another company called an Otter Box, that I use for my camera and other stuff in a canoe, but the Pelican cases are much more versatile and customizable.

[Alphamazing]

I'm going to eventually strap it to my motorcycle (I have a rack). How easy would a hard case be to strap down? It looks like there aren't many grab spots on the Pelican case, so I'd have to do a bungee cord lengthwise and another widthwise.

It looks like the Pelican 1450 is about the size I need (15x10x6), and can be had on eBay for as low as $41 shipped. This is looking promising.

What are the benefits of having a hard case over a soft bag? Disadvantages? I realize that hard cases are more resistant to puncture and damages, but what else? And I realize soft bags are easier to store (not an issue).

Thanks for the help so far.

[Stephen072774]

well, me being an outdoorsman, I'd want a hard case primarily because its dust-proof and waterproof.  I think being sealed it would be better in extreme temps as well (I know you wouldn't leave your camera in extreme temps, but sometimes you might get caught out in high heat or cold). 

Do a search on Thumpertalk and you'll see some guys that have used Pelican cases on their racks... but I think most of them drilled holes in the bottom of the case and bolted it to the rack.

There are holes in the case where you can put padlocks... on my otter box I tied a short piece of para cord thru and tied a carabiner to the other end to use as a tether... of course, you still have to bungee or strap it down to keep it from sliding around.

[jdanna]

pelican cases are great.
only thing better is an anvil case: http://www.anvilcase.com/

but those are expensive and probably way more then you need. so yea a pelican would probably be perfect for you