To all you seasoned travelling photographers out there.

I've been searching for some time now, for "the perfect" (does it ever exist?) camera bag for on board flight travel. I'm travelling quite a bit and more so as time goes by. I find Pelican heavy and cumbersome, Lowepro bulky and backpacky... I'm after a versatile camera bag on wheels that's as big as possible for carry-on hand luggage.

So far I've looked at: Jill-e (http://www.jill-e.com); Pelican (http://www.casesbypelican.com/pelican_Camera_cases.htm); Lowepro (http://www.lowepro.com); ThinkTank Photo (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_RllrGrp.php).

Which camera bags do you recommend for air travel?

Best wishes,
Nicole

I travel/fly a lot with an LF camera + lenses as well as a 6x17 plus 5x4 &120 film and actually find a small backpack is the best option. I've never found a camera bag that's flexible enough.

There are cases similar to the Pelican available for normal use, I'd buy one that meets the carry one allowance and adapt it with my own internal section. Your problem is that not all countries/airports allow the same size carry on baggage. The UK seems to be the tightest at the moment.

Ian

What cameras etc will you be carrying in your hand luggage? That will help for recommendations.

Thank you Ian. I believe the smallest allowable width is only 8".

I travel with a 120mm Pentax & Blad and a 35mm body. Total of 4 lenses for entire kit. Due to my ankle problems since the accident I've had to strip back my camera gear. = Much better! My film takes up more space than my cameras. :)

I usually carry my Crumpler Fux Deluxe (the largest size, now replaced by something similar with a different clever name), but that doesn't have wheels.

The Think Tank cases have gotten very good reviews. I'd also look at Tenba and Lightware for an airworthy wheeled case. They both make things that are rugged and lightweight for air travel and shipping. Our Tenba Port-Air cases for the Traveling Portfolios are holding up very well, one after at least 50 shippings I figure, and I've used a Tenba TTP 34 case for checking my tripod for years, and it's always protected the contents well, even after flying off a baggage truck onto the tarmac as I watched from the windows at the gate. One of the seams is just starting to separate after ten years or so. I have a wheeled Lightware case for my light stands and accessories, and it hasn't seen as much abuse as the other cases yet, but it seems very well designed and made.

If you make it to New York on your upcoming North American tour, why not buy a new case at B&H, so you can check them out in person?

I was able to bring a Peli Protector 1550 case onto a flight. It was the perfect size for UK baggage restrictions. They didn't check the weight.

The maximum size for items of hand luggage is 56cm x 45cm x 25cm per bag. However, airlines apply their own operational policies governing the number of items of hand baggage which may be taken in to the aircraft cabin.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/airtravel/airportsecurity/

Nicole, as your going to Europe/America I wouldn't carry too much film, order it from one of the APUG sponsors for delivery to where you'll be. That will save you a lot of space. I sometimes take a dev tank & chemicals and process where I'm staying, so I can carry films back already processed. You'll have access to processing facilities.

The UK BAA baggage restrictions are currently 56cm 22" Tall, 45cm 17.7" Wide and 25cm 10" deep, they were revised a couple of months ago, plus a laptop bag, useful for more film.

It sounds like you should easily be able to fit everything in a reasonable sized carry-on case.

Ian

Gary I have the 1560, great case and I love the wheels, but 1" too high for carry-on luggage. I need wheels. David I'll be needing Tenba for the exhibition prints packaging, thank you. Ian, I agree. I'll be sourcing locally film and developing at each stopover. I've had to add Duesseldorf, Germany, in the last couple of days as my first stopover, then Paris, Toronto and Michigan before heading home.

I have not used one myself, but have heard good things about Porter Cases. They make airline legal sizes. http://www.portercase.com

Richard Wasserman

I have the 1560, great case and I love the wheels, but 1" too high for carry-on luggage. I need wheels. ...

Nicole:

I have a 1510 "in transit" as I write. It is supposed to be the largest Pelican with wheels that is carry-on size. I'll let you know how it works out when it arrives. I hope to get a Mamiya RB, 4 lenses, 3 backs, prism, spot meter, and all the assorted do-dads in it; plus have room for film. :o

We'll see ...

Use small camera bags I'm sure you already have inside a carry on regular suitcase with handle and wheels.
Save your money for the cuisine and film.


happy traveling..

When I travel, I pack my camera and gear in the case I plan to use at my destination. Usually it is a shoulder stap bag or a small back pack. I then put that bag, along with film, a few magazines, books etc. into a standard pilot case for carry on to the airline. The pilot case stays in the hotel room with my extra film and I carry only the gear I plan to use that day on location.

I was in Calumet today picking up a few supplies, and browsing the cases, and I noticed a really nice wheeled case from Kata that might be what you want. It was surprisingly light compared to similar cases, and they seem well designed and protective. I didn't write down the model number I was looking at, but I checked over at www.kata-bags.com , and I think it was OC-84 , definitely one of the OC-series cases.

Ended up going with the ThinkTank (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_ArprtInl2.php) Case. Delivery was quicker from the US than from Sydney to Perth!! Nice case and I'm looking forward to an "organised" travel. Also a lighter alternative to my much loved Pelican case, on other suitable assignments.

http://shop.heys.ca/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=xcase01

It's not a camera case but I fitted a RZ and a couple lenses with room left over. Even an 8x10 fits.

I used lens wraps and bubble wrap but it wouldn't be that hard to stick foam in it.

Airline legal. Light.

I have a 1510 "in transit" as I write. ... I hope to get a Mamiya RB, 4 lenses, 3 backs, prism, spot meter, and all the assorted do-dads in it; plus have room for film.

Everything fits fine, but I see you've made your decision. Hope it does the trick! :)

Good choice Nicole. I have this bag and it's terrific. The hidden cable lock is useful as is the combo lid lock. Try and get the low dividers so you can fit a laptop inside the case. Be careful loading it up as it can get rather heavy which will cause no end of headaches at the check in.

Thanks David, I'm very happy with the ThinkTank so far.

Nick, bubble wrap is a great option! I made a bubble wrap satchel for my son to take one of my cameras on school camp with him. Well, I needed some sort of buffer for the poor little bugger to try and make it back to me safely in one piece. :) I'm talking about the camera!

Thank you canuhead. The inserts weren't snug enough for me so I've replaced them with foam, same as the Pelican case I use. This has reduced the weight a little.

Uh oh, Nicole. I checked the webpage, and when I looked for their different configurations, the page explained how many DSLRs the bag would fit. So, maybe it won't work too well for your analog gear. ;)

Well, I'm too late for this thread. I was going to recommend you look into Kata for carry-on baggage: http://www.kata-bags.com I have the R-102 backpack. Holds my Hassey, two lenses and my laptop! Work and play in one bag. Fits under the seat.

Regards, Art.