So have a canoe trip planned for the Canadian long weekend (or your US July 4th) up at Algonquin Park which I'm looking for and of will be bringing up the camera equipment.

I'm thinking the least I will have with me will be a 17-40L and the 100-400L (for that wildlife shot maybe) and a Canon body, not sure if it'll be my 20D or yet to come 1DMrkIIN body.

Browsing around on the Pelican website, it seems that the 1520 might be the answer. Anybody use this?

All I know I'm not bringing the stuff on the canoe if it isn't in a waterproof and floatable case. Or would a waterproof bag be better then I could throw the backpack in it and then still use the backpack if I go hiking (vs taking both the case and an empty backpack.....)

Best of both worlds.

1550 + Mini Trekker AW

good call

FWIW, I have the 1510 --- which is the largest most airlines will allow for carry on. Backpack doesn't fit, but virtually all of my gear does when arranged carefully.

I've used Pelican cases as my primary storage/transport for years and swear by them.

I use a Pelican 1200, a bit smaller than the one you're looking at because I don't like to carry too much stuff. But it's no less durable. It's bright orange so easy to locate and has the same big handle and pick-n-pluck foam insert. It fits nicely inside my Arcteryx daypack with some room left over for water bottle, etc. for portaging or day trips. You gotta remember to keep debris (like pine needles or leaf fragments) off of the rubber gaskets before closing. I would also suggest testing out the seal in the bathtub after you buy it. Some people store them with the lid open to prevent the gasket from becoming too compressed.

I've also used a small drybag for a camera. I put a cotton t-shirt on the bottom to absorb any possible water that may leak in. It also provides a little cushioning. The big advantage here is it's lighter and less bulky. Don't put the daypack into the drybag - do it the other way around. The drybag goes into the daypack for carrying with the pack providing even more cushioning. When getting your camera, you don't have to remove the drybag from the daypack, so it's very convenient - essentially you're rigging up a waterproof daypack this way. A big daypack can hold two drybags if you wish. Maybe you can store the giant lens in it's own drybag and leave the other attached to the camera in the second.

You're very smart to waterproof your gear in a canoe. If you paddle enough, it's not a matter of "if" you'll tip, but "when". Both the Pelican box and drybag/daypack rig will float on their own (their weight being less than the weight of the equivalent volume of water).

You really should have dessicant for both the box or bag. I have the big Pelican brand reusable aluminum one. It stays with my camera wherever it goes.

now would be a good time to pick up an insurance policy on that gear. It'll cost you considerably less than the pelican case.

Hopefully you won't need it... but if that pelican doesn't save your gear, insurance will.

But I canceled it and the stupid insurance company lost all of the original receipts when I requested for them, do have photocopies of the bills though.

Was going to set it up as a separate policy so it wouldn't affect my home insurance if I had to submit a claim but never got around to it... thanks for the reminder.

Largest carry on you can buy....built in wheels and extending handle. Let me tell you it is Heavy!(20D,1DmkIIn,24-70mm,100-400mm,nifty-fifty,couple teleconverters,filters etc) It would be nice for a canoe, but then what? You're not going to want to take it hiking etc. I used to have the Lowepro Nature Trekker AWII...It could hold as much as the Pelican, yet be carried...painfully. If you are strong and don't mind an awkward bag to carry around...Hugely recommended! Also, it has the waterproof zippers and a built in weatherproofing bag....

PS. Pelican case is amazing