Carry On Luggage – Camera Equipment
Posted by: Fast Air Photography
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Posted date:
January 1, 2013
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With a flight in the near future I needed to pack my camera equipment up for the journey. Of course putting expensive and fragile equipment into the hold is far from desirable so my aim is to carry-on as much as I can.
This isn’t an easy prospect with large heavy lenses like the 300 f/2.8 and what seems to be ever shrinking size limits for carry-on luggage.
Ryan Air’s current size limit is 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10 KG in weight (Easyjet’s limit is a little bigger at 56 x 45 x 25 cm).
I started out picking up a Dunlop 16 inch wheeled suitcase.
Discovering the extendable handle intruded about 3 cm into the case I decided I needed to cut it out as I needed all of that 20 cm depth. Thankfully the case only £8 so I consider it disposable!
With space maximised I added some foam to try to give the equipment some protection.
Next the kit was packed up in bubble wrap and fitted. Starting with the biggest lenses first and fitting the rest around in gaps. The lens hoods were all removed (except the 300 f/2.8) and will go in the hold along with my camera grip, chargers and other accessories. In total I managed to fit my D800, 300 f/2.8 VR I, 70-200 f/2.8 VR I, 24-70 f/2.8 and 16-35 f/4 VR. Not bad!!
With the bag packed and within the size limits (only one it is even close to is the 20 cm depth) the moment came to check the weight. 9.1 KG! Looks like I’m all set.
I’d be interested to hear how other people deal with lots of kit and carry-on luggage.
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I take it as a challenge to get a full airshow bag on Ryanair flights. I use a baggage scale at home to weigh the bag so you know it is right before you leave. I like a back pack with as close to the size limit as possible. The back pack is easier to get around with on trains and in airports. I carry a Cannon 100-400mm,55-250mm, 18-55mm and two canon bodies. I like to have back ups in case of malfunctions. I use a battery charger that will work with both battery types to eliminate one charger. I carry a folding step stool to sit on at the airshow or stand on if needed. I bring a harness to hang one camera on each side so I can switch from big lens to short lens for planes that taxi past. It is fast and is less strain on your neck with heavy cameras. I bring a rain suit if I can along with a good hat that covers the ears. If you can’t bring a rain suit use an extra large trash bag and cut holes for your head and arms. Trash bags are light and can be thrown out for the return flight. I carry a small flat collapsible umbrella that I found at the airport. If you still cant get under the weight limit wear a light jacket or photographer vest. You can put several kg’s of stuff in a photographer vest pockets and your pants pockets. Limit your clothes and wash them overnight rather than having several changes of clothes. Ryanair at Frankfurt-Hann will put people just inside the security check points to pull you aside and weigh your bag. I wait until someone else is being checked and go past or go around them in the Duty Free shop. Stansted has a customer service counter in the beginning of the Ryanair concourse around gate 42 that sometimes does random checks but I just try to time it so I walk with a big crowd and let them pick someone else. Another thing is make sure you know the limits for all the airlines you will be flying on. Not all weight limits are the same. If all else fails pay the extra money and check a bag but do it before you get to the airport as they will charge much more to add it at the airport and you may miss your flight going back to the check in desk and back through security. Have fun and enjoy the airshow.