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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Carry on camera gear
Jason Frizzelle, Photographer
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Greenville | NC | USA | Posted: 2:35 PM on 11.30.06 |
->> Im going to the papajohns.com bowl and need to know how to check my gear on the plane. Im used to traveling light with everything in one bag however I have the issue of a 300/2.8 to handle. I was going to take one backpack for clothes and cameras, one laptop bag and the lens on monopod. My only concern is having to check something cause I like to keep my eye on my gear. Any suggestions as to how others might carry on their stuff would be very much appreciated.
Jason |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Tucson | Az | USA | Posted: 2:47 PM on 11.30.06 |
| ->> I flew twice within the last two weeks and was permitted one small carry on bag, something that can be stored under the seat and one bag that can be stored in the above storage compartment. I personally think you'll run into problems with the 300 2.8 setup as you described. But I guess you can ask at the counter when you check in. |
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Tim Clark, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Nashville | TN | USA | Posted: 3:13 PM on 11.30.06 |
->> Jason,
Check your clothes and monpod in one bag. Carry on your laptop (counts as personal item) . Carry on all your camera gear in one bag. |
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Peyton Williams, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 4:16 PM on 11.30.06 |
->> Jason, check out the ThinkTank line of products for different options. The stuff is well-made and they have products just for traveling on planes.
http://thinktankphoto.com/ |
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Robert Catto, Photographer
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Wellington | NZ | New Zealand | Posted: 5:49 PM on 11.30.06 |
->> Hi Jason, I'll second the nomination for ThinkTank gear.
I travelled this summer from Wellington (New Zealand) to Auckland - LA - Toronto, then back through LA - Vegas - LA - Auckland - Wellington with their Airport Accelerator pack, carrying a 1DMkII, 70-200, 28-70, 16-35, 85L, 24L, a couple of 550EXs and an Epson P4500 etc, plus my 15.4" Toshiba laptop in the sleeve that comes with the bag, and I was never once asked to weigh my carry-on. Every other piece of luggage got checked (and was overweight, on the way back!), but they never even looked at what was on my back. Needless to say it was more than the allowed 7kg!
Really well made bags, and also because they're quite square in shape they really maximise the amount of stuff you can jam in - I tried to get it all into a Crumpler backpack before I heard about ThinkTank, but because of the curved design the lenses just wouldn't sit next to each other.
You can even see it here with a 300/2.8 in place:
http://thinktankphoto.com/product_image.php?image=AAC-1
And on those trips when you don't need the 300, you can always carry clothes instead...and more importantly, it's actually quite comfortable even when it's heavily loaded. Thumbs up to the ThinkTank guys!
R |
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Dave Cheng, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 6:19 PM on 11.30.06 |
->> Pelican 1510, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breath and height,
Two bodies and a 4, fits onto most flights.
Okay, so I'm no poet, but...
- Bomb-proof case so no worries when gate checking it on regional jets.
- I travel through YYZ Toronto Pearson a great deal, and the walk for US arrivals to Canadian Customs is 10 mile hike. My back thanks me every day for switching from a backpack.
- Lifetime warranty on everything, including the wheels, latches, and handles.
- I've fit a 4 into mine, so you won't have any problems with a 3.
- Does double-duty as a seat when waiting around in airports and hotel lobbies.
- Does triple-duty as a desk on which to use your laptop.
Add a small bag for your notebook and a change of clothes, and you're all set. |
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PJ Heller, Photographer
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Christchurch | n/a | NZ | Posted: 6:59 PM on 11.30.06 |
->> Hey Robert:
Did you fly Air NZ?
I'm doing a similar trip (Chch-Auckland-SFO-LA) and am worried about Air NZ weighing my TT Airport Security roller. Weighs a lot more than 7k.
I called the airline and got nowhere in discussing the need to carry on photo gear and not checking it, other than the suggestion to stuff things in pockets of a photo vest to get it on and then repack it. I'm thinking about buying a Pelican 1510 just in case I have to end up checking it . . . but wanted to know more about how you managed to get everything through without getting stopped.
Thanks |
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Robert Catto, Photographer
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Wellington | NZ | New Zealand | Posted: 5:19 AM on 12.01.06 |
->> G'day PJ - yeah, it was Air New Zealand within & out of New Zealand, transferring to Air Canada for the Toronto leg, with (I think) United for the Vegas side trip.
The key was that if I'd been asked to weigh the bag, sure, I'd probably have had a problem; so asking the airline will generally get you the party line that 7kg is the maximum. But the Airport Acceleration didn't LOOK like a bag that they needed to worry about, so nobody ever asked to weigh it...
As someone else noted, possibly in another discussion I was just reading, take a look at what other people are trying to take on board. It's insane. If you've got something that looks relatively light you'll be fine... but my partner did get asked to weigh her roller bag once - until they looked at my backpack and said 'oh, that's okay.' They assumed mine was so light, I'd average out her roller!! Er...yeah, I'll let them go on thinking that.
R! |
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Michael Springfield, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Smyrna (Atlanta) | GA | USA | Posted: 5:38 AM on 12.01.06 |
->> If you are going to look at the Pelican 1510 also take a look at the Storm 2500. It is a bit wider and deeper than the Pelican and can still be carried on. I looked at both and went with the Storm. I can get a 1DMkII, a 200 1.8 (hood attached), a 70-200 2.8 IS, 100 F2, 28-70 2.8, 1.4x TC, 2 batteries and a small bag of CD/SD cards. You are fine as long as they do not weigh it.
Michael |
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Dan Megna, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 10:18 AM on 12.01.06 |
| ->> Since we're on the subject, I'd be interested in reading how everyone deals with this... I use the TT Airport Security roller. Great piece equipment. Except when faced with flying on one of those smaller regional jets/turboprops that service smaller places. There isn't any overhead or under-seat storage in those little planes for a large roller. It's gota be ramp-checked. My toes make a fist just thinking about that. When I know I have a little jet to deal with I usually bring my Domke bag and "hide" the less expensive/critical stuff in my checked clothes bag. Am I overlooking a better alternative? |
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Dan Root, Photographer
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Portland | OR | USA | Posted: 10:56 AM on 12.01.06 |
->> I use the Pelican 1510 as well. Two Canon bodies, 1Ds Mark II and 1D Mark IIn, five lenses (14mm, 17-40mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, 1.4 extender II), cards, flash and two extra batteries. I then pack my less critical stuff, like camera bag, Think Tank belt, chargers, monopod, light stands, extra flashes, and other odd stuff, into a huge non-descript duffle bag. The reason I chose the Pelican case was because it is tough. I was so glad that I bought that case because I was in Manchester, UK, this past summer when they changed the regulations about carry on, and I had to ship my gear home via DHL. So if you ever have to ship your gear back home or to your location, this is an awesome product for your gear.
I am going to Hawaii this Monday on United, and I don't think I will have any problems with taking the Pelican case on board. I also carry my laptop, card reader, and small external drive with me in a Crumpler Bag. I have not had any problems with that while flying domestic. I really think the issue is flying in and out of the UK. Safe Travels! |
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Ron Scheffler, Photographer
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Hamilton (Toronto area) | Ontario | Canada | Posted: 5:20 PM on 12.02.06 |
->> In honour of Steven Frischling's numerous posts on travel (I'm surprised he hasn't commented yet):
At this very moment I'm traveling with my Pelican 1510 case (1514 version with the dividers) and an ArcTeryx Blade 21 backpack, sitting in the US Air Club at Pittsburgh airport waiting for my connection. In the 1510 are all the things Dave mentioned... two 1D style bodies, a 400 IS, 16-35, 70-200, 135 f/2, 1.4x, batteries... AND a monopod. The monopod issue had been bugging me for some time with this case. I want to keep it in the case - one less thing to leave behind while in a rush. My current favourite, the Gitzo 1568 Mountaineer, is too long. It will fit diagonally in the 1510 with the plate removed and the 400 without a hood... but I want to use the hood for outdoor games, so I ended up with the Giottos 9160 monopod. While not as sturdy as the Gitzo, at kneeling height it's just fine, and only costs around $50. I had considered the Gitzo Traveler, which is super small and light, but it's over $200...
If you're traveling with "only" a 300 2.8, you'll have tons of room in a 1514 for two or three bodies and other lenses.
The ArcTeryx backpack is another favourite of mine (and I think Dave would agree). In it I have the 1D charger, change of clothes for two days (warm weather), rain gear, toiletries and my MacBook & accessories. If I wasn't traveling with the clothes, I could fit a couple bodies and a couple lenses, or one body and 5-6 smaller lenses stacked in Domke inserts, including the laptop.
By the way, the 1510 fits *perfectly* in the RJ7 overheads (that's the Canadair regional jet 700 series with the 2+2 seating configuration).
While I believe the Think Tank bags are likely more versatile, the advantage of the Pelican (and the Storm) as described by Dave above is significant. No longer do I dread gate checking (such as on the Dash-8 flight I just flew). Also get a TSA approved lock (Pelican sells this as well).
http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=21455
http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=22003
http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=21671 |
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Steven E. Frischling, Photographer
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New England | | USA | Posted: 6:19 PM on 12.02.06 |
->> Ron:
I am in the process of packing for for days , where I will do business on Hong Kong, Seoul, Nagoya and Honolulu and be home on the 4th day for dinner (I planned the route to use time zones and the Int'l Dateline to my advantage)......and I am doing it with a LowePro Stealth Backpack and a Domke F5xb on a Domke belt + one Newswear pouch attached to the belt...........I think people just over pack sometimes :0)
No seriously, I didn't see this post, I have been a tad tied up.
Thanks for postong on my behalf, I'll buy you something at Tim's for saving me the trouble when I am north of the boarder |
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Thomas E. Witte, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Fashion Heights | OH | USA | Posted: 7:48 PM on 12.02.06 |
->> Jason-
First, if you haven't booked your tickets yet, try to keep your segments on a Boeing, (sc)Airbus, DC series or Embraer series 170 on up. Being in Greenville, your first inclination is to probably fly US Airways.
The hitch with that is that you'll be on a Canadair which doesn't have enough overhead space for a backpack and you'll have to gate check it. Gate checking is fine and all, but there has been a push at a lot of airports to use jetways on these smaller planes lately. The jetway adds an obstacle for the gate personnel and they will have absolutely NO qualms about dropping the bags the 6-7 feet to the ground. This is exactly how one jackass with United broke my 400 and two bodies last year.
You can try to smash it under the seat in front of you, but I've never been able to get a modestly packed ThinkTank bag under a regional jet's seat. And even if I could, where are my feet going to go?
Ergo, if you go with a larger bag like like an Airport Security of something, assume you'll be gate checking it and ask for a half dozen "Fra-gee-lay" stickers. It doesn't guarantee your bag will get white glove treatment, but it does increase your odds.
From the sounds of your post though, you sound like you don't pack much. You could conceivably get away with one strategically packed Domke and use your laptop bag for any extra stuff that won't fit. |
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Mitchell Clinton, Photographer
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Carlsbad | CA | USA | Posted: 3:08 PM on 12.04.06 |
->> I will second the pelican 1510.
I can comfortably get the folowing Nikon gear in the case:
D200 w/MD200
D70
2 extra camera batteries
12-24 f2.8
28-70 f2.8
70-200 f2.8
300 f2.8
1.4 teleconverter
SB 800
CF card wallet
gray card
lens cleaning kit
I use an oversized computer case for my little computer and external drive. With the extra room I have in the case I include a second flash and battery charger for the camera batteries, a change of underwear and a shirt.
I still check 1 bag with the rest of my clothing, AA batteries and other cables, wires and stuff I want but can live without if I had to.
In the past, before I had this case I had a few times when getting onto a plane (2 times in England, 1 time USA) where the crew decided my bag was too heavy for carry on and had to be checked. I would stress the entire flight worrying about what the equipment was going through. If and when it happens again I will throw a couple of TSA locks on it and sleep the entire flight.
It also makes a nice computer table while sitting waiting for your flight. If I'm in a high risk area I will use higher quality locks and bicycle cable to lock it shut and to the inside of my rental car or the heater in my hotel room. Not theft proof, but it makes it a lot more difficult! |
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