Pack a new SLR in your suitcase to fly?

[Vipen]

Well it's a thought so i'll ask expert advice here.

I have just bought a new Canon 450d and bag, extra zoom lens etc. I know most people take it as hand luggage on a plane but i want to bring back a large drum from Africa and i wouldn't be able to have 2 pieces of hand luggage.

What's the opinion of packing up your SLR in your suitcase? i have all the boxes still.

Ah, it's also a baggage handlers and check-in staff strike the day we fly Not sure what that means exactly. It would certainly mean i would prefer not to have the camera bag etc with me if waiting about at the airport.

Any advice welcome.

[Jeremy Knowles]

If you are prepared to lose it, or your insurance will cover it if it goes missing/damaged then fine. Personally, I would never put it in the case. Irrespective of the packaging, things can get broken, but in other places it is not unheard of for things to vanish from cases (especially after they have been through an x-ray machine out of your site identifying what is inside).

Can you not book the drum as an extra 'musical instrument', which some airlines allow?

If not, wear the camera around your neck and put the lens in your pockets or on your belt, since they then count as jewellery not hand luggage.

[Vipen]

Thanks for the reply Jeremy. i know you're right i just needed clarification.

Actually the most important thing is the camera as am going safari bound.

So i'll find a way to take it on board with me as hand luggage and investigate opportunities for the drum. Maybe the missus will take it

[tontoshorse]

Originally Posted by Vipen

Thanks for the reply Jeremy. i know you're right i just needed clarification.

Actually the most important thing is the camera as am going safari bound.

So i'll find a way to take it on board with me as hand luggage and investigate opportunities for the drum. Maybe the missus will take it

Better still.... just leave the missus and give your camera gear the spare seat.
Sorted.

[godfarter]

Originally Posted by Vipen

Well it's a thought so i'll ask expert advice here.

I have just bought a new Canon 450d and bag, extra zoom lens etc. I know most people take it as hand luggage on a plane but i want to bring back a large drum from Africa and i wouldn't be able to have 2 pieces of hand luggage.

What's the opinion of packing up your SLR in your suitcase? i have all the boxes still.

BUT i have to agree with JeremyKnowles, camera, especially SLR should be with you at all times.

I'm sure people bring Drums back from Africa all the time, maybe bring your own packaging/bubble-wrap from home and then check the drum in as FRAGILE?

I personally bring a Crumpler Pizza bag and/or Loweprowe Camera Backpack which i stuff into a Trolley Cabin Baggage before I travel/fly - that way I can hand carry my SLR and use the camera bags when I reach my destination.

It might sound daft but if you have a sports trainer jacket with big zipped pockets you could put the lens in one pocket and camera-body in another OR if you wear cargo pants - just make sure you button the side pockets up so nothing falls out

Originally Posted by Vipen

Ah, it's also a baggage handlers and check-in staff strike the day we fly Not sure what that means exactly. It would certainly mean i would prefer not to have the camera bag etc with me if waiting about at the airport.

You never know - Baggage handlers blockading a picket line might make a great photo-op

[craig777]

You don't wanna get to Africa and then find your camera broken when you come to use it - especially seeing as you're planning on a safari. If it were me, I'd be thinking more about keeping the camera safe than bringing back a drum.

When you're sat on the plane waiting to take-off, just take a look out of the window at the baggage handlers loading up the other planes. If my suitcase happened to be at the bottom of one of those metal crates, I certainly wouldn't want my DSLR to be in there! I'd feel alot happier with it tucked safely away above my head.

[Vipen]

Originally Posted by godfarter

You never know - Baggage handlers blockading a picket line might make a great photo-op

yes that's something i suppose

ok, the camera and lenses (2) definately stay with me. maybe i need a larger bag. i bought a lowepro 100 snug thing but maybe i should have invested in larger.

however, camera bags are mostly good for just, er, cameras. wonder if a rucksack or something would be (alot) better. then i could use it for other things too with the lowepro then stuffed in luggage for later.

then got to think how to keep the camera, lenses etc fit for travel.

hmmm, there's still time...

[godfarter]

Originally Posted by Vipen

however, camera bags are mostly good for just, er, cameras. wonder if a rucksack or something would be (alot) better. then i could use it for other things too with the lowepro then stuffed in luggage for later.

then got to think how to keep the camera, lenses etc fit for travel.

check out the range from CRUMPLER
http://www.crumpler.eu/?categroy=Pho...cts&category=3

I use the now discontinued range Ben's Pizza (XXXL) which i guess is quite similar to the Pretty Boy Maxis from €40 and up

If you only have 2 lens, then this size of a bag is perfect (main lens on camera body and the other lens in the configurable velcro compartments) and you wont need to lug your rucksack around.

With a slingbag it makes it faster for you to whip out your camera on the fly for those spontaneous moments and I put my valuables/documents in the front pocket too (covered by the bag flap) so it makes this a handy travel bag.

I have fit a wide angle, macro, SLR and flashgun in my pizza bag before and a compact camera in the front pocket so it makes things super portable. And if you can fit your precious gear in such a small bag you can dump it into a bigger hand carry bag and be on your way

[richard plumb]

I use a lowepro something or other. Has a section in the bottom for camera gear, with dividers etc. And a rucksack bit on the top for other things. On my recent trip abroad I had my camera and lenses in the bottom, and ipod etc in the top bit. Room for books and stuff too.

Less overall camera space than a dedicated bag, but having kids its useful having something with additional storage when you're out and about.

[rrfierce]

hand luggage all the way!

[James Martin]

I just brought the best part of my kit on three flights in three weeks, all in the hold - that's a 5D and three lenses plus flash etc etc...

One word: PELI.

The case wasn't even scratched. Very worth it IMHO.

[johnaalex]

I don't know which airline your flying with but one good thing about BA is that let you have one piece of carry on luggage and one "small" bag - such as a laptop, or in my case my camera bag

[pixelpixel]

Has the allowance not went up ?

Ask you other half to take it past security.....Thats all you have to do. Once on the other side she can hand it back to you. Sorted.