• Panasonic Cameras

  Camera Travel…again?

  Posted by Sam Painter on February 4, 2006 at 9:39 pm

  After reading some of the other threads below no one seems to have a good solution. So here ya go.

  With 25 years of domestic and international travel. One camera stolen, one camera trashed by United Airlines and one HD 22x lens stolen out of its case at JFK.
  This is what I find to be the best way to travel…for me at least.

  I separate the camera body, view finder, and lens. I place the body and view finder in a FAA approved case made by Lowepro . Everything is pretty well padded and separated from rubbing against each other. There is an inner and outer seal.
  There is even room for a Dionic 90 battery.
  I chose this case because it can fit under your seat or over head on all airplanes except for the smallest puddle jumpers.

  I place the lens in a still camera bag with zippers and snaps made by Tamrac. This case will slide down the handle of the Lowepro case and forms one case.
  It takes less than 5 minutes to put the camera back together ready to shoot.

  The lowepro has small wheels and looks like your average overnight bag.
  It brings no attention to its self or you.

  The only bad thing about this system is that you are only allowed 2 carry on bags. So your AC or Sound person will have to carry your laptop bag or what ever extra bags you have. If you are not carrying a laptop there is enough room for books or other small items.

  I have been using this system for the last 10 years and it is a beautiful thing not to carry 30 pounds on your shoulder strap while running to your connecting flight or worry about getting on the plane early so you know you’ll have the overhead space needed for your camera case.

  I would also highly recommend buying Pelican TSA locks for all of your cases. They make a Combo lock that will open with a TSA key.
  It will also indicate weather or not the lock has been opened by TSA.

  In every shipping case I also print out a photo of the case open showing the way it is packed along with a NICE note to please watch out for cables in the hinges and some packing instructions.

  No system is perfect. This might work for you or not. I’m just putting it out there.

  I’ve been reading the Cow for about 8 months now and it is very helpful.
  I hope this will help some of you as well.

  Sam

  Thomas Kaufman replied 20 years, 3 months ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
• 4 Replies

• 

  Chris Bell

  February 5, 2006 at 12:09 am

  Sam,

  I am curious, have you had any problems since 9/11? I have had a few issues with TSA not repacking a case properly, but nothing has been stolen or trashed. I have taken a different approach to travel. I have custom built cases made from Thermoclear. They are light and have similar shock resistance to Thermodyne cases. Because they are light, I never pay excess weight charges and they are easy on my back. I tried a similar method of carrying gear onboard, but I found it difficult when the plane was fully loaded. Everyone wants that overhead space, and I need the legroom on long flights.

  In addition to my own insurance, I require all of my clients to provide me with coverage. At the end of the day, if there is a loss, it is covered. I traveled nearly 100,000 miles last year and I have had no losses. Perhaps I am lucky.

  Chris Bell
• 

  Sam Painter

  February 5, 2006 at 3:17 am

  I haven’t had any problems with TSA sense I started putting Photos of the way the case should be packed with a nice letter.
  I ask them to take a little extra time with my case and so far it’s worked. But I don’t travel nearly 100k a year, maybe half that.
  as far as overhead space, the camera without the lens on is a very small case. I have always found space for the camera and then kept the lens bag next to the camera or in front of my seat.
  I also find that with the TSA locks only 8 out of 10 cases gets opened.

  Sam Painter

  P I C T O R
  Productions Inc.
• 

  Thomas Kaufman

  February 6, 2006 at 12:37 pm

  Sam,

  Thanks for your suggestion. And yes, since 9/11 I’ve had a few problems: the worst was some when I shipped camera and lens in a thermodyne case and yahoo took off the lens, then didn’t re-attach it. Since then I’ve made a point of carrying the camera and lens in a porta-brace case on board always.

  Now that I’m getting a second zoom lens, I have to rethink my approach. I’d still like to carry it all onboard, I’d like to stash at least part of it overhead, I’d like to have wheels on the case (fantastic invention, wheels).

  I’d appreciate any suggestions from travelers who take flights with thier camera body and 2 zoom lenses.

  thanks

  Thomas Kaufman, DP
  Washington, DC
• 

  Thomas Kaufman

  February 6, 2006 at 12:38 pm

  Sam,

  Thanks for your suggestion. And yes, since 9/11 I’ve had a few problems: the worst was when I shipped the camera and lens in a thermodyne case and yahoo took off the lens, then didn’t re-attach it. Since then I’ve made a point of carrying the camera and lens in a porta-brace case on board always.

  Now that I’m getting a second zoom lens, I have to rethink my approach. I’d still like to carry it all onboard, I’d like to stash at least part of it overhead, I’d like to have wheels on the case (fantastic invention, wheels).

  I’d appreciate any suggestions from travelers who take flights with thier camera body and 2 zoom lenses.

  thanks

  Thomas Kaufman, DP
  Washington, DC

Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up