Air Travel Conundrum

[djdister]

I've read a lot of threads about planning and packing for air travel, but I still am faced with this basic conundrum: using a rigid or semi-rigid rolling case for carrying the LF gear on the plane, but wanting to use a soft backpack case to tote the gear around once I am on-site. I feel like I should have the heavy protection for the camera and glass when it gets smashed around in the overhead bin, but that kind of case just won't do when I'm walking around extensively for shooting.

So, how do I solve this conundrum? Do I take both, and switch from the travel case to the backpack once I land? Or are any of the backpacks robust enough (and sized appropriately) for stuffing in the overhead bin and also for walking around with the gear on the ground?

Thanks in advance!
Dan

[William Whitaker]

Seems you'd be more likely to end up having to gate-check your bag because the flight is over-booked and all the overhead space is taken. Ship it ahead and save the stress.

[djdister]

Seems you'd be more likely to end up having to gate-check your bag because the flight is over-booked and all the overhead space is taken. Ship it ahead and save the stress.

I forgot to mention that the destination is overseas (Scotland), so shipping the gear is really out of the question. So for my upcoming trip as well as cross-country flights, I'm looking for the most practical solution that involves bringing one carry on bag and checking the rest.

Thanks!

[Bill_1856]

What size? Dealing with a 4x5 is considerably different from an 8x10. (There's probably no easy answer, anyhow.)

[sanking]

I forgot to mention that the destination is overseas (Scotland), so shipping the gear is really out of the question. So for my upcoming trip as well as cross-country flights, I'm looking for the most practical solution that involves bringing one carry on bag and checking the rest.

Thanks!

If you pack your gear in a good camera type backpack with dividers chances that any of it would be damaged in the overhead compartment are quite slim. I have traveled this way with my equipment for more than three decades and have never had any damage.

One problem you may have for connecting flights in the US is the small overhead compartments on jets like the Embraers 145 that are used by many airlines. If your bag won't fit you will have to gate check it, which increases risk of damage. But on international flights you should not have any problem finding room for your camera backpack.

Sandy

[biedron]

Or are any of the backpacks robust enough (and sized appropriately) for stuffing in the overhead bin and also for walking around with the gear on the ground?

I'm not sure what kind of backpack you have, but I've never had one for which I worried about protection in an overhead bin. That's a pretty protected environment, and you are the one placing and removing it from there, so you can take as much care as you like. I worry more about having to gate check it. So make sure your pack is tolerably close to the regulation size (and maybe weight for an international flight) and try to board as early as possible.

Bob

[djdister]

What size? Dealing with a 4x5 is considerably different from an 8x10. (There's probably no easy answer, anyhow.)

Oh, good question. I have two LF cameras - a Horseman 45FA and a KB Canham 5x7 traditional (wood) camera. The Horseman is much better protected because of how it folds up, while the Canham is a bit more fragile. Because of that difference, I will probably take the Horseman on the overseas trip.

[djdister]

If you pack your gear in a good camera type backpack with dividers chances that any of it would be damaged in the overhead compartment are quite slim. I have traveled this way with my equipment for more than three decades and have never had any damage.

One problem you may have for connecting flights in the US is the small overhead compartments on jets like the Embraers 145 that are used by many airlines. If your bag won't fit you will have to gate check it, which increases risk of damage. But on international flights you should not have any problem finding room for your camera backpack.

Sandy

Thanks for relating your experience, Sandy. I realize the additional problem with the commuter planes and will try to avoid them for my "shooting" trips. Luckily I have three departure airports to choose from in order to get on the bigger planes (BWI, DCA and IAD).

[djdister]

I'm not sure what kind of backpack you have, but I've never had one for which I worried about protection in an overhead bin. That's a pretty protected environment, and you are the one placing and removing it from there, so you can take as much care as you like. I worry more about having to gate check it. So make sure your pack is tolerably close to the regulation size (and maybe weight for an international flight) and try to board as early as possible.

Bob

Thanks for the advice. I've got the Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW, which may be borderline for size, but also has those unruly straps sticking out all over. I'll measure it again for international flights, and figure out how to contain all those straps. Thanks again.

[IanG]

I travel frequently with LF equipment between Europe & Turkey, stick to one LF format though, my camera goes carry on with all the film, everything else goes in checked luggage.

Sandy King is right about the over-head luggage compartment and most airlines have a maximum allowable size and weight, although few enforce this rigidly I did get coaugt out once and my small backpack was over weight and had to go in the checked luggage, I forgot their was film in it - luckily only a small pack of J&C chinese 5x4 which remarkably survived the X ray scans. All my exposed films were already processed.

It's also worth remembering a coat pocket can hold a few boxes of 5x4 film, or the odd lens, I carry my TLR through the check in around my neck again saving valuable space.

Ian

[Doremus Scudder]

I travel internationally with 4x5 field gear (wooden folder, lenses, filters, spotmeter, etc.) several times a year.

My recommendations:

Don't worry about having a hard-shell case for your carry-on. In fact, you don't even have to carry your camera backpack on with your gear.

What you do need is a bag that is relatively small and meets the carry-on requirements as to size and weight so you won't have to check it at the gate. I carry my bag on small commuter flights as well, stowed under the seat because it is a bit large for the overhead bins on the smaller planes.

I pack my camera (together with its ground-glass protector) in a thick-walled cardboard box that I have cobbled together myself using a box cutter and duct tape. All my lenses go in similar boxes. The boxes protect on five sides, but are lidless. I've never seen the need for a lid, but you could make one easily as well. These boxes go into the carry-on bag along with other items. My meter has its own soft case and travels in it. FWIW, I use these same boxes in my photo pack when in the field now. Good for protection from small bumps and dings.

I only carry-on the most fragile and valuable items. Important is to decide what you really need to carry on and what you can check. Less fragile items can go in the checked baggage (empty film holders, cleaning gadgets, exposure record book, dark cloth, lens hoods, even filters if you have cases for them and pack them between soft items).

For many years I had a carry-on lined with closed-cell foam (again homemade using an old sleeping pad). I no longer use that, but it is another option for you if you feel you need extra protection.

I often travel with loaded holders inside Europe. In that case I carry about twenty holders plus extra film and an empty film box or two for changing. These go in my checked baggage and my very gracious and understanding wife carries a row of holders in the bottom of her carry-on as well. I've never had a problem just running these through the carry-on baggage scanner.

However, to avoid possible problems, pack cables and other electronic gear in a separate bag in your carry on and take these out and run them through the scanner separately. The only times I've had to have my film holders rescanned was because of other x-ray opaque items in the bag that blocked the view enough to require unloading and running things through separately. I have had my bag visually inspected a time or two. Last trip, the security person was understanding enough to exempt the film holders from a rescan and sent the rest of the carry-on contents through the scanner. The problem was a ball of computer cables, not the holders.

Take a sample sheet of film with you and learn the phrase "unexposed/undeveloped film" in every language you plan to encounter on your trip just in case English doesn't work (Google Translator can help here, but most airport personnel now speak pretty good English). Don't ask for a hand inspection anywhere but in U.S. airports. You just won't get one and you'll slow things down. Make the scanning personnel's job as easy as possible and don't worry about having your film scanned a few times. I've had 400/320-speed film scanned up to eight times with no ill effects.

Hope this helps,

Doremus

[Andrew Plume]

I forgot to mention that the destination is overseas (Scotland), so shipping the gear is really out of the question. So for my upcoming trip as well as cross-country flights, I'm looking for the most practical solution that involves bringing one carry on bag and checking the rest.

Thanks!

Dan, Hi

presumably you've booked somewhere to stay in Scotland? - why as Will says, can't you ship it ahead with, say, FedEx to that address

I'm not advertising for the UK per se but we have a very decent Courier set up here and I see no reason why it shouldn't work

good luck

andrew

[cowanw]

I have always used the Think tank airport backpack. This is the new model.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/airport-accelerator.aspx
I also pack a shoulder bag in my suitcase, filled with socks etc. for daily use.

[Daniel Stone]

I purchased a ThinkTank Airport Int'l V2.0 rolling bag before my trip down to Australia. It was designed to conform to int'l "standards of sizing" for international flights(although some domestic carriers worldwide might be different, keep that in mind!)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/847311-REG/Think_Tank_559_Airport_International_V_2_0.html

Anyhow, I was able to stuff the following into it:
1. 5x7 Deardorff
2. (6) 5x7 holders(in 8x10 Photobackpacker case, 2 will fit per zipper pouch) *(6) more were in my checked luggage)
3. (5) lenses(in Bass Pro Shops reel case)
4. Spot meter

I also carried a backpack(my airline allows for (1) carry-on, and (1) "personal item", so essentially 2 bags in total. Thankfully I didn't have any issues whatsoever getting enough overhead room to accommodate BOTH of my bags. Film(approx 150 sheets, mostly E-6 and some C-41) went into my backpack. Hand checks were requested(and thankfully granted) at all x-ray points in the US as well as in Fiji(my connecting flight through Nadi). I carried a bum sheet of 5x7 film to show TSA/airport officials what I had inside the film boxes.
Call me paranoid(considering so many here and elsewhere on the interwebs claiming success with such) about x-ray damage, but frankly, I'll keep asking for hand checks wherever I go, as much as possible. If they insist on opening boxes, then I'll concede. Until then I'll smile, smile some more, and kindly ask for a hand check ;). Hasn't done me wrong yet on 2 overseas trips, and I do my best to plan ahead, so NO surprises.
Have your film clearly marked as such, and be prepared to x-ray it SEPARATELY from your equipment bag. This was recommended to me by a fellow LFF member who travels extensively, whilst shooting 4x5 for his projects(Noah Addis). He recommended such(he doesn't request hand checks, just x-rays his film), but sends his film through the machine OUTSIDE of his equipment bag. The thought behind this logic is that if the x-ray technician wants to up the power to "see deeper" into what's in his bag, that his film doesn't receive a higher dosage of nuking than normal. Sounds totally plausible to me, hence my forwarding of his recommendation to you.

Enjoy your trip! I've found that to include LF photography in your trip's plans, it's best to plan ahead accordingly, carry your irreplaceable items with you during travel, and pack efficiently. Maximize space in your bags.

cheers,
Dan

[djdister]

Thanks everyone for relating your experiences and providing a number of suggestions. I think I have several avenues of approach for my upcoming trip as well as air travel in general. I will recommend that this thread can be closed out.

[Drew Wiley]

My regulation carry-on is soft-sided cordura, but with the typical wheels and telescoping handle. But it also has padding, and tucked away backpack straps as well
as a hip belt. So it almost instantly converts into a backpack - not adequate for strenuous hiking, but comfortable enough for a few miles at a time. I configure any camera system I need in there, and carry the whole works on - a full 4x5 system fits in, including tripod, and I have Tupperware style containers with dividiers for lenses etc - all waterproof and well protected. There's even room for a changing tent and holders. Then there's a zippered-on accessory mini-pack which contains things like books, sunglasses, water and food - which can be quickly separated at the airport to count as a personal bag, with the main one going in the overhead bin. If I was planning on a more rigorous backpack trip, I'd ship a real pack empty, or check it in relatively empty and collapsed - certainly devoid of any kind of camera gear or anything else which would tempt pilferage. No need for an expensive hard-sided carry-on. I think those are more likely to tempt a quickie
thief anyway.

[Peter Lewin]

One item no one has mentioned, but is critical for view camera work, is the tripod. When I have flown overseas, I had the camera, lenses, and film in a photobackpacker bag that stayed with me, and packed the tripod and head in my checked suitcase. That was fine, but of course I worried about theft (if the average baggage handler has a clue to the value of carbon fiber tripods and good quality heads...). Does everyone do the same, or other methods for the tripod?

[Drew Wiley]

You obviously didn't read what I said on two different threads, Peter. I would never check in anything of value or that I simply cannot do without, like a tripod. As much as I like wooden tripods, for airline travel, I carry a four-section carbon fiber Gitzo which will fully collapse inside the carry-on. This works for everything up thru 4x5 format. My CF tripod for 8x10 use is a bit too big for even this, so if I were to bring it, I'd try to get them to stash it toward the front of the plane, in its own carry bag, much like they do for golf clubs. It's a pretty narrow pkg, so I could probably get away with it, though would certainly ask the specific airline first. The only time I have traveled with a big wooden tripod, I made certain it was a heavy clunker and not my prized Ries. Theft from checked baggage is pretty rampant in quite a few airports. Things get misplaced too. So I'd certainly prefer to know exactly where that tripod would be at all time. Fortunately, carbon fiber makes the portability and wt issue quite manageable.

[gleaf]

Track and Field official.. Light travel set up is two sets of dry fit shirts, similar easy to wash and dry pants. Every night when you take your shower throw the days cloths in the bottom of the shower, add soap. walk around a lot while showering. Rinse and hang. The set 2 works tonight and tomorrow. Gets washed day 2. Leaves much room in baggage for official equipment in standard size travel bags.

[jp]

Pelican used to make a padded camera bag with dividers and shoulder strap for their 1500 series case (which are generally ideal for carrion. I don't see them on their website at the moment. I also have a fishing reel bag http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004I8T9CA which fits neatly inside a 1500 case and has padded dividers and shoulder strap. I use it presently to organize lenses.

[William Whitaker]

1500 series case (which are generally ideal for carrion.

Sorry, Jason. I don't mean to pick on or embarrass you, but that's funny. Reminds me of the cartoon (http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/jlv/lowres/animals-airplane-aeroplane-air_travel-vulture-hand_luggage-jlvn693l.jpg) of the vulture boarding an airplane who is rebuffed by the flight attendant for having too many "carrion" items. That would be "dead and rotting meat", not incidental luggage!"

[jp]

Sorry, Jason. I don't mean to pick on or embarrass you, but that's funny. Reminds me of the cartoon (http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/jlv/lowres/animals-airplane-aeroplane-air_travel-vulture-hand_luggage-jlvn693l.jpg) of the vulture boarding an airplane who is rebuffed by the flight attendant for having too many "carrion" items. That would be "dead and rotting meat", not incidental luggage!"

Glad you picked up. It was no accident!

[Vaughn]

The addition of a layer of closed-cell foam -- specifically the old sleeping pads for backpacking before Thermorests arrived on the scene -- might give the extra protection you want on a soft-sided bag.

I used it to make the dividers in the travel pack in the photo -- one loose piece can be seen above the pack...it goes over the camera, and I use it to set stuff on (including my behind) on wet, icy or hard ground.

The photo shows three different types I used, blue, gray and a dimpled grey -- with a double layer around the sides of the camera body. Under the camera (against the GG,) is two layers of foam, plus a piece of thick matboard between the foam to keep anything from poking into the GG.

[Steven Tribe]

Most internal flights within the the UK are with 737/Airbus sized aircraft with good space in the racks above the seats.
I have always used a soft square bag which can be formed to fit into the size checker "cage" alongside the check-in desk. Checking size is quite a common occurance, as is weight. If something happens to this in flight, I doubt you will be around to complain.

I have had both an 18x24cm and a 13x18cm mahogany in the same cabin baggage, as well as boxes of plate holders. I use changing bags and bubble wrap for spacing and have even found space for small lenses.

[invisibleflash]

Seems you'd be more likely to end up having to gate-check your bag because the flight is over-booked and all the overhead space is taken. Ship it ahead and save the stress.

This has hap to me numerous times of late. It is getting harder to travel with gear all the time. I didn't even have LF gear either, Just a big dslr kit.

If your going first class you can get away with a lot more luggage. I just need the lotto to cooperate.

[Ari]

Some good ideas here, I'll be traveling to Hungary this summer with the 8x10 kit, and I might start a separate thread for that.

Meantime, for 4x5, I have a Pelican 1510 which is made to international carry-on specs; it holds my 4x5, 5 lenses and about 12 film holders.
It also has the lid organizer, so I cram in all the accessories I would ever need.

At that point, though, you'd have to worry about weight; even if your case fits in the overhead compartment, they may decide to weigh it, and deem it too heavy for in-flight.

[Doremus Scudder]

Some other ideas:

Since we rarely travel alone, see if your traveling partner(s) can carry an item or two for you in their carry-on bags. A lens is not so bulky and heavy...

And, check less-fragile items. I know there is a concern with theft; that's why I rarely bring pristine and expensive gear with me. My beater tripod goes into my suitcase, broken down and wrapped in bubble-wrap. I've been traveling that way for 25+ years and still have it. Don't bring your most expensive stuff. Then, if something is stolen the loss isn't so great. Keep in mind that tripods are readily available in most of the world.

Similarly, empty holders can be packed carefully and put in your checked luggage. What you want with you in the plane are your camera, meter and lenses. I usually have enough room for filters and some accessories, but have put carefully-packed filters in my checked baggage often with no mishaps.

And, since all airlines I am aware of allow one carry-on bag and one (sometimes) smaller "personal item" such as a laptop in a case or a handbag, you will do well to divide your kit. Keep the 8x10 in one case, carry the film, lenses and meter in another. Single, bulky, oversize bags are the ones that attract attention and will get forcibly checked at plane-side.

I also fly a lot on rather small planes (Dash 8s for the most part). It is common with these small planes to hand over your carry-on luggage for separate storage in the plane. When I know I'll be confronted with this, I always make sure my bag is small enough to fit under the seat in front of me (it rarely fits in the overhead compartments in those small planes). Again, breaking things down into smaller packages helps.

Hope this helps,

Doremus

[Photobackpacker]

Ship my film. Backpack and tripod go as checked luggage in a Pelican 1650 with foam around the tripod. (Be careful to weigh the filled 1650 to stay withing limits. The 1650 is heavy by itself.)
Secure the 1650 with industrial wire ties. TSA ALWAYS inspects so I have a card inside that reads "TSA, please secure the case with these wire ties following your inspection. Thank you" and I tape two wire tied to the note.

This has worked well and so far, no theft.

One of my customers says he wears a field jacket with lots of pockets for international flights. Goes through security with the RPT backpack and all gear. Once at the check-in gate, he removes lenses and small items from the pack and stuffs them into his pockets. They occasionally weigh the bag but never the passenger. The P3 will compact to fit in their size checkers and so as long as you don't exceed the weight restrictions, you will survive the ordeal. My customer says he as dodged all problems with this strategy - so far.

Bruce

[Keith Pitman]

It's prudent to carry a spare ground glass on long trips. Tape between two pieces of masonite.

[Larry Kellogg]

An F-stop Tilopa BC pack worked for me when traveling to France. It fits in the overhead bin, if you get an empty one, or one not too full. It is a good pack for hiking because of the wide waist strap.

Larry

[Louie Powell]

Don't try to take two cases - your standard soft case should be good enough.

I use a LowePro backpack. The back of the pack (the part that actually touches your back) has to be pretty thickly padded to protect your back from the contents of the pack. The camera itself goes in the middle of the pack so the edges are protected by the stuff placed around it in the pack. The, I fold my darkcloth and place it over the camera to protect it from anything that might strike the front of the pack.

The one area that I was still concerned about was the ground glass - the only thing between it and the outside world was the folded darkcloth and the fairly thin face of the pack. Years ago I you could buy commercial plastic shields that fit over the ground glass panels of field cameras, but I haven't seen one for years - so I cut a piece of plexiglass to fit over the ground glass that attaches to the camera with velcro and that shields the ground glass from outside objects.

[Scott Davis]

If you feel you have to have the hard-sided case for air travel, Pelican at least used to make a hard case/backpack combo kit. The backpack fits inside the hard case. You could check the hard case, then when you get to your destination, pull out the already-packed backpack and be off to the races.

WRT the Canham wood field, I have one myself that I have taken with me in the aforementioned Pelican bag (bag only - it fit carry-on restrictions so I left the hard-sided case at home) to Argentina and Uruguay, and on other occasions to California. I assure you it is not a delicate thing, appearances to the contrary, and god forbid something does happen to it, Keith Canham is a phonecall away and will be very helpful with getting it fixed as quickly as possible. I've had to avail myself of his services twice (once for a repair, once for a customization) and in both cases, I had the repair/modification back in my hands in under a week.

[jp]

Canham sells ground glass protectors. A good idea.


Don't try to take two cases - your standard soft case should be good enough.

I use a LowePro backpack. The back of the pack (the part that actually touches your back) has to be pretty thickly padded to protect your back from the contents of the pack. The camera itself goes in the middle of the pack so the edges are protected by the stuff placed around it in the pack. The, I fold my darkcloth and place it over the camera to protect it from anything that might strike the front of the pack.

The one area that I was still concerned about was the ground glass - the only thing between it and the outside world was the folded darkcloth and the fairly thin face of the pack. Years ago I you could buy commercial plastic shields that fit over the ground glass panels of field cameras, but I haven't seen one for years - so I cut a piece of plexiglass to fit over the ground glass that attaches to the camera with velcro and that shields the ground glass from outside objects.