Camera bags that fit under-seat of commercial planes.

[ismadi_hussain]

<p>Going to switch from everything in carry-on to only keeping the gear i need to work with and everything else in the checked luggage. For those who do the same, whats the largest camera bag that can fit under the seats and generally what kind of gear were you able to fit inside the bag?<br>

<br />Thanks in advance.</p>

[JosvanEekelen]

Tamrac Pro-8 fits neatly below a seat or in the overhead bin. Normally I have it loaded with 1 DSLR+grip+24-105 lens,

580 EX flash, 2nd DSLR+tele lens (85 or 135 mm), 1 extra lens: 35/2.0 or 50/2.5 macro. Plus additional stuff like filters, CF

cards, batteries etc. During the flight I may add an iPad and GPS unit plus some extra stuff but that depends on the

carrier and the number of luggage items I'm allowed to take with me.

[david_henderson]

<p>Now I'm sure planes differ according to airline, route, cabin etc but I use a Tamrac Pro 8 as well, and it wouldn't fit under the seat in front in most planes I go on, and if it did it would severely curtail legroom. Whats the matter with the overhead bins? I've never found a bin that wouldn't take this bag, albeit I don't use very small planes much. </p>

[maury_cohen]

<p>When I travel I often take my Lowepro Fastpack 250 as my second (under-seat) carry on.<br>

It will hold a DSLR with lens attached (up to 70-200), and a couple of additional lenses.<br>

In the upper "daypack" space I have my noise-cancelling headphones and other personal effects, and it also carries my 15.4" notebook. <br>

There's not much space left for feet, but that's the tradeoff.</p>

 

[howard_m]

<p>I can get a ThinkTank UD50 under most seats and you can get gobs os stuff in it. Last trip was DSLR, 300/4, 18-200, flash, 15" Macbook, food, chargers & the like and it still had significant amount of room remaining.</p>

[Dieter Schaefer]

<p>Had no trouble with the LowePro CompuTrekker - which is no longer available new (the Pro Runner 300 is the replacement - it is about 1 cm deeper). LowePro Flipside 400 is about the same size too - I own one and have no trouble fitting it under the seat or the overhead bin.<br>

CompuTrekker (or Mini Trekker, essentially the same without the notebook compartment) fits: two D300 bodies, 16-85, 35/1.8DX, 10.5 fisheye, 70-200/2.8 VR, Tokina 11-16/2.8. Alternatively, D700, 16-35/4, Sigma 35/1.4, 85/1.8, Sigma 150/2.8 and either 70-200/2.8 or 300/4.</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>I have the gigantic <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/392581-REG/Tenba_638183_PD_17C_Shoulder_Bag.html">Tenba PD-17</a> of yore, and I have in fact got it under some seats. If you squeeze it, it will also meet the older maximum size.</p>

<p>There are some slightly smaller and lighter bags from Tenba that might meet your criteria. I'm now served locally only by 'connecting' airlines, and their sizes and standards are less.</p>

[avinash_balakrishnan]

Manfrotto Agile Stile V or VII are good options, but sling bags are not everyone's favorite. In both bags, the camera compartment is large enough for a 70-200 attached to a 70D and has some space on top as well. They aren't exactly huge, so should be fine for you.

[2Oceans]

Ismadi, if you have a bag in mind the B&H web site can provide information regarding whether or not a specific bag

meets FAA specifications but be forewarned that the US standards are some what liberal and don't always work with

commuter aircraft or puddle jumpers. If I suspect my carry on may be checked I go to a hard case Pelican 1510 with

rollers that goes under most seats but protects my gear if it has to be checked. Good hunting.

[ismadi_hussain]

<p>Thanks for the response. Have a rough guideline to choose from now. Thanks a lot.</p>

[antonio_leandro_nascimento]

<p>I use a Tamrac Evolution 8 and it fits under the seats of commercial airplanes, but reduces available leg space.</p>

[William Michael]

<p>I've been able to stow a Lowepro Slingshot 202AW under the seat and still have 'OK' legroom.<br /> Typical contents:<br /> > In main storage area: a Canon DSLR with battery grip and 24 to 105; and three other items midsized items, Flash + two prime lenses (35 and 15 for example)/<br /> > In top pouch: one back up camera or another DSLR body,<br /> > In outside pouch note book and cards and mobile phone etc.</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/16267772-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="486" /></p>

<p>Be aware that airlines have not only a size limit but also a <strong>weight limit</strong> for carry on bags. I have exceeded that weight limit often, BUT have been refused a camera bag as carry <strong>only once</strong>: whereupon I removed one camera and lens (5DMkII with grip and 24 to 105 lens) and carried that on separately and in addition to the camera bag, citing that the carry-on 'rules' allowed that a camera, laptop computer or over-coat can be 'additional to' the one limited weight item of 'carry-on’ baggage.</p>

<p>WW</p>

[Andrew Garrard]

<p>Another vote for Think Tank. For carrying a lot, I take an Airport Acceleration 2.0 (now discontinued but available in some places). Think Tank have had several bags intended to max out the carry-on allowance. Mine has held a 200 f/2, 500 f/4 and several other bits, and more commonly holds the 200mm, a D800, 70-200 f/2.8, 300 f/4, 150mm f/1.8, 14-24 f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8 and 35mm f/1.4, plus sometimes a flash gun. The removable laptop holder is handy, too. It has been known to fit under a seat, but I won't deny that it's tight.<br />

<br />

I've also taken to using the Shape Shifter, which has the advantage that you can use it as a much smaller bag if you take all the camera kit out. (Useful on trips, although not as useful as it would be if more hotels had bigger safes in the rooms.) That definitely fits under a seat. Although my biggest issue recently has been some airlines that have stupid positions for the seat supports, meaning you can't get <i>anything</i> substantial under the seat.<br />

<br />

Airlines vary about whether they enforce the carry-on: Quantas has, in the past (though they just gave me a second bag). Not looking like the bag is heavy is one solution - I've also been known to point out that "plus one item" has historically been allowed to include a camera, and my heaviest DSLR and lens would take 4kg out of what's in the bag if they really wanted me to wear it. (I <i>have</i> carried a camera and 150-500 as a loose item when I've run out of space...) British Airways, I think, don't have an explicit weight allowance, although they do want you to be able to put it in the overhead bin yourself. Very useful when carrying a lot of camera kit plus three laptops...</p>

[parv]

William, what size of Cannon is that: Rebel, 60D, 7D, 5D, other?

[William Michael]

<p>Judging by the LCD size, it's my 20D, with a battery grip attached.</p>

<p>Here is another image showing what can fit in that bag:<br>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17265695-md.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>The main contents shown are: Camera and Battery Grip; AA Battery Insert for Grip; EF24 to 105/4; EF15/2.8; EF35/1.4; SX40HS; two battery chargers and mains lead; micro-tripod: spare cards: spare DSLR battery; shot diary; calculator.</p>

<p>WW</p>

[parv]

William, much appreciated the list of contents. That is a rather spiffy calculator due to the display cover.

[William Michael]

<p>haha!yes it is 'cute'<br>

that calculator was a "give-away bonus" when I bought something else - can't remember what. It is the size of a credit card and not very thick. I have no idea how it found its way into that camera bag, but it tends to live there now, I don't use it much at all: but like many of the odd inexpensive items that we collect, it just won't die and it seems a waste to discard it.</p>