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Has anybody done this? I was thinking about packing my phototrekker in my case with a couple of my cheaper lenses (eg. 18-70MM and 50MM 1.4). I was going to put them in their original boxes and put a bag of silica in there aswell.

My main concern is the temperature changes eg. ground level to high altitude. Or will they be fine?

They'll be fine. I don't think you need to worry about temperature or even moisture (re the silica gel - that's more for long-term storage).
Vibration/impact padding should be your main concern (along with volume, but that should be a given ).
I would have thought they'd be secure in the PhotoTrekker within the suitcase: no need for extra boxes (but that's up to you).

Kipper,

If you pack them in original boxes you may have delays / hassles with customs thinking they are "new" items.
It does get cold in the cargo compartment, I have found with my psd that after getting a full charge the night before departure, when I arrive they are flat and need a recharge. No problem if it stays in the backpack. My paractice is to travel with lenses placed in a work or football sock, then pack them, no problems to date.

Cheers Andy, didn't think about customs thinking they're new if I left them in their original box.

just keep in mind if it rains, it will get wet as they throw bags onto the plane

The lens won't get wet but the case might. You implying that it might get humidity in the bag? The bag inside my case will be an AW bag that doesn't have the cover but is made of water proof material and has the weather seal zips.

If I am taking extra lenses away with me I usually place them in a pair of shoes for protection ... socks optional! A shoe is about the right size and stong enough to give protection.

Happy travels!

Antsl wrote:If I am taking extra lenses away with me I usually place them in a pair of shoes for protection ... socks optional! A shoe is about the right size and stong enough to give protection.

Happy travels!

The shoe storage method could also give the lens a nice footsy odour on arrival as well!

Sorry - couldn't resist

Promises not to make any more posts today as punishment

Cheers

Graham

Antsl wrote:If I am taking extra lenses away with me I usually place them in a pair of shoes for protection ... socks optional! A shoe is about the right size and stong enough to give protection.

Man, you must have big feet!

Or maybe it's just my lens collection: only my 50mm/1.8 could fit in a shoe...

kipper wrote:The lens won't get wet but the case might. You implying that it might get humidity in the bag? The bag inside my case will be an AW bag that doesn't have the cover but is made of water proof material and has the weather seal zips.

no, say if its raining at melbourne airport, your bags will be outside on a trolley truck sitting in the rain as they are brought into the plane.

Kipper, now may an excellent time to think of getting a Pelican case Especially to protect that monster lens you have.

I have a 1610 roll around case adn when you watch the baggage handlers tossing it about it really makes you feel better.

Also here is a a link for a pdf on a document you complete regarding what you carry on so not to get taxed on your return, not sure how it works one way

[url]http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/b263gst1.pdf
[/url]

Normally with International Flight, all baggages or luggages will be stacked into the small container and place into the cargo hold of the aircraft. Only domestic flight will be put on the trolleys and tranferred to the aircraft by manual.

Shoebox for the 500/afs? what size of shoe isn't it?
Lenstrekker 600AW will be fine with the lens + the original of the cardboard box of it, is an excellent ideas.

The 500 will be with me, and if not I won't be getting on the flight.

The only items I will be putting in my suitcase are the gitzo g1325, sb800, 50 F1.4 and the 18-70MM and a few assorted brackets/sliding plates.

kipper wrote:The 500 will be with me, and if not I won't be getting on the flight.

Good luck!
Or you may never taking off the ground unless you have to pay a big ransom to the check-ins staffs, and it may not accompanied with you in the same flight.

or shrink it down to the 70-300G

or use it as flotation device and swim with it back to the UK.

Birddog114 wrote:

kipper wrote:The 500 will be with me, and if not I won't be getting on the flight.

Good luck!
Or you may never taking off the ground unless you have to pay a big ransom to the check-ins staffs, and it may not accompanied with you in the same flight.

I think the rules on every airline say you're allowed to take a "personal camera" as well as your carry-on bag allowance. Amongst wildlife photographers it's not unusual to have that personal camera be a body with 500mm (or even 600mm) lens attached, slung over your shoulder.

And I'm not joking! I have never heard of anyone getting this refused, although sometimes the checkin staff get a surprise...

DaveB wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:

kipper wrote:The 500 will be with me, and if not I won't be getting on the flight.

Good luck!
Or you may never taking off the ground unless you have to pay a big ransom to the check-ins staffs, and it may not accompanied with you in the same flight.

I think the rules on every airline say you're allowed to take a "personal camera" as well as your carry-on bag allowance. Amongst wildlife photographers it's not unusual to have that personal camera be a body with 500mm (or even 600mm) lens attached, slung over your shoulder.

And I'm not joking! I have never heard of anyone getting this refused, although sometimes the checkin staff get a surprise...

Just want to say wish him with all his luck and maybe will hear a good feedback/ report from him once he landed on the other side of the globe.

I'd be interested to hear how you go.

I'm off to Germany for the World Cup in June so any tips would be good.

Well Birddog, how come on the lowepro site the lenstrekker and phototrekker are marked as carryon suitable? Also my airline states a peice of carry on luggage must not exceed 115cm total dimensions and no more than 7kg in weight. The lenstrekker is 116cm and if I can get it down to 7kg I should fine. These rules I will be printing out and taking with me.

kipper wrote:Well Birddog, how come on the lowepro site the lenstrekker and phototrekker are marked as carryon suitable? Also my airline states a peice of carry on luggage must not exceed 115cm total dimensions and no more than 7kg in weight. The lenstrekker is 116cm and if I can get it down to 7kg I should fine. These rules I will be printing out and taking with me.

Darryl,

Be careful to not make the mistake of confusing the marketing hype of a bag manufacurer with the rules that any individual airline chooses to set for itself.

At the end of the day, it's the airline's decision as to what will or won't be permitted on board, and no amount of sales and marketing blurb will convince the ground crew that you know better than they do.

That said, keep the camera out of the bag, and carry it on as your camera. That will permit you to carry an extra kilo or so in your bag.

Yep most of my stuff is going in my suitcase, camera will be in my winter coat pocket. Only thing in bag will be the 500MM.

As for marketting hype, I truelly realise that but I did cross check it with the airlines rules. It's about 1cm out according to lowepro specs but I've measured it up against my Dad's rollon and it looks fairly close.

kipper wrote:Well Birddog, how come on the lowepro site the lenstrekker and phototrekker are marked as carryon suitable? Also my airline states a peice of carry on luggage must not exceed 115cm total dimensions and no more than 7kg in weight. The lenstrekker is 116cm and if I can get it down to 7kg I should fine. These rules I will be printing out and taking with me.

kipper,
Worth a try
But please always note: the airline has the rights to decline your boarding with the carry on luggage which they think: it's not suitable, and they're always right even they were wrong with the carry on or excess weight luggages.
Not worth it to have a debate or arguments or confront with them at your check-ins counter.
Finally, wish you well and great lucky escape!

Just weighed the lenstrekker with lens only 6kg.

kipper wrote:Just weighed the lenstrekker with lens only 6kg.

Have you tried the lens trekker case with airline carry-on samples (cage), they have it at the check-ins counter or at the boarding gates.

If it fitted into it then you'll be happy.

Airport is a 2hour return trip

kipper wrote:Airport is a 2hour return trip

Worth a try and you'll know your limit, you may show it to the check-ins staffs and seeking their opinions, don't leave it at the last minutes and you will be confused and suffered.

The carryon regs often state a "linear size" which is the sum of the width, height, and depth. But that's not the full regs. There's a limit on each of these (e.g. an extra-fat bag might meet the linear size requirement but mightn't fit under a seat or in an overhead compartment). Thus the test cages at the airport. You might be able to find the size of the cage via the airline's website if you look hard enough. Also the limits are sometimes explicitly different for business/cattle class.

Which airline is it?

Gary suggested carrying the camera outside the bag, and as I commented I would be prepared to carry the camera+lens outside the bag. But if it fits in the bag within the size/weight limits you might try carrying it on in the bag and if someone decides it's a problem just take the camera/lens out, sling it over your shoulder and get them to check the bag size/weight again.
When I fly I'm typically wearing my Domke photo vest in the airport: it has lots of pockets for tucking lenses/flashes/cameras/etc into. When I get on the plane I take it off and tuck it into an overhead bin with my bag.

Exactly how you deal with it will depend on what other gear you're carrying, whether you're travelling with friends/family who are prepared to carry some bits for you, the particular airline requirements, the gate staff, etc.
Get there early (not only does it help to cope with any delays, but getting on the plane ASAP can help you tuck your gear away with minimum fuss) and be cheerful (e.g. don't look worried or you might attract unnecessary attention).

Why did Nikon have to make the trunk case so heavy! Just weighed the lens in that (which is carryon size) but with the lens it's about 9kg.

I guess worst comes to worst it could be shipped in the case in that?

I go OS a fair bit and I find that if there is a problem (too much weight) in your main bag, they tend to start asking questions. Its a bit of a game and if your carry on looks light more than likely they wont even think about weighing it. Of course it is up to them what they do.

The other trick is to wear a jacket and you can put quite a few lenses and bits into that as it is not usually regarded as carry on.

I would tend to put the big lens in its bag and take that as the camera while putting the camera body in your bag.

Regards

Peter Mc

The main concerning issue with kipper is his 500 AF-S, it couldn't be stored in any vest or shirt or trouser pocket Other, he can pack them in with his or his relative luggages and they're relative small items.

Kipper,

If you want to ship it with the original case, I'm sure you have to do it up front, definitely not at the airport or at check-ins counter.

They do have Excess baggage counter but they'll charge you a hefty premium and not in the same flight as you are going to fly with.