joseph_iannazzone

As a non-professional who travels and photographs for pleasure, I purposefully limit my essential carry-on bag to one that will fit under the seat. I have usually been fortunate enough to get overhead space for my clothing as well.

If you will have the camera in a bag of some sort you can toss in a hand warmer to keep it going longer in the cold.

I have flown, within the US, with a compact tripod inside my roll-aboard luggage. Never had a problem with TSA.

Let me through a curve here. I've been a Nikon shooter since that late 1980's, moving from a Nikkormat EL, F3, D70, D7000, D3200 (as a backup). I recently added a Fuji X-T1 to my collection and have enjoyed it. I think that or any of the other Fuji X-T series would be an easier transition from an F2. They use traditional shutter speed and aperture controls. Cheap adapters are available for your existing Nikon lenses.

Beaufort, SC - nice, southern architecture

Hunting Island State Park - light house and beach

If I am taking only a body and a couple of lenses, I will just carry my gear in a shoulder bag, usually a Domke f-3X or F-803. For more gear, I use an older Lowepro Mini-Trekker backpack that is small enough to fit under every seat I have encountered. The shoulder bag gets either folded flat or stuffed with clothing and goes into my regular luggage, often with a smaller tripod as well.

I am a DX shooter and unlikely to move to FX based on size and weight. My current main lenses are Tokina 12-24, Nikon 16-85VR, Nikon 70-300VR, and Nikon 35/1.8. I would be happy to replace the zooms in my regular kit with a 16mm, 35mm, 70mm, and 135mm. That would replicate the focal lengths I carried with my film kit (24, 50, 105, 200).

I have TSA PreCheck and have yet to be subjected to a hand inspection of my camera gear. As for gate checking luggage, I limit my camera bag to one that will fit under the seat in front of me. My wife says I am a little bit compulsive. I take a tape measure with my when buying luggage to make sure it fits airline carry-on requirements. Some manufacturers do not include wheels and handles in their published dimensions.

Hi Bill,

 

I purchased a Mefoto Roadtrip for air travel a few years ago. It reverse folds and fits easily in a carry-on bag. It comes with an arca swiss compatible ball head that handles my D7000 with 16-85 lens well. The 70-300 pushes the limits. I think it would be more than sturdy enough for your Fuji X100 or an XT1 with primes. There are a number of similar tripods sold under different names. Look up and down the product lines to find the best balance of size, weight capacity, and cost. One advantage is that they are relatively inexpensive in the event of salt water corrosion.

 

Joe

I've never seen nylon or any other synthetic come apart like that without major UV exposure of small animal intervention. My guess is that you had the latter.

I use the same set up as Anthony when I use my Black Rapid strap. However, I prefer a neck strap carried over one shoulder with the lens pointed in (suggested by Joe McNally). It is not a quick to pull up and shoot but feels more secure to me.

As of now, lithium batteries must be carried on; they cannot be placed in checked baggage. I have never had an issue flying inside or outside the US if I follow that policy. I have heard that in some places, the batteries must be packaged so that the contacts cannot short against another battery or other object. Here is an explanation of current rules directly from the TSA website. If you are concerned about it, you may want to print the page and take it with you.

 

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/hazmat/passenger_info/media/Airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf

 

Batteries Allowed in Carry-on Bags:

 

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  • Dry cell alkaline batteries; typical AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt, button sized cells, etc.

• Dry cell rechargeable batteries such as Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Nickel Cadmium (NiCad).

• Lithium ion batteries (a.k.a.: rechargeable lithium, lithium polymer, LIPO, secondary lithium).

• Consumer-sized lithium ion batteries [no more than 8 grams of equivalent lithium content or 100 watt hours (wh) per battery]. This size covers AA, AAA, 9-volt, cell phone, PDA, camera, camcorder, Gameboy, and standard laptop computer batteries.

• Up to two larger lithium ion batteries (more than 8 grams, up to 25 grams of equivalent lithium content per battery) in their carry-on. This size covers larger extended-life laptop batteries. Most consumer lithium ion batteries are below this size.

• Lithium metal batteries (a.k.a.: non-rechargeable lithium, primary lithium). These batteries are often used with cameras and other small personal electronics. Consumer-sized batteries (up to 2 grams of lithium per battery) may be carried. This includes all the typical non-rechargeable batteries for personal film cameras and digital cameras (AA, AAA, 123, CR123A, CR1, CR2, CRV3, CR22, 2CR5, etc.) as well as the flat round lithium button cells.

 

Batteries Allowed in Checked Bags:

 

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  • Except for spare (uninstalled) lithium batteries, all the batteries allowed in carry-on baggage are also allowed in checked baggage; however, we recommend that you pack them in your carry-on bag whenever possible. In the cabin, airline flight crews can better monitor conditions, and have access to the batteries or device if a fire does occur.

Prohibited Batteries:

 

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  • Car batteries, wet batteries, or spillable batteries are prohibited from both carry-on and checked baggage unless they are being used to power a scooter or wheelchair. If you need to pack a spare battery for a scooter or wheelchair, you must advise the aircraft operator so that the battery can be properly packaged for air travel.

• Spare lithium batteries (both lithium metal and lithium ion/polymer) are prohibited in checked baggage.

Packing Tips for Batteries:

 

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  • If you’re traveling with spare batteries in addition to the ones inside your devices, consider placing each battery in its own protective case, plastic bag, or package, or place tape across the battery's contacts to isolate terminals. Isolating terminals prevents hazards due to short-circuiting.

• If you must carry a battery-powered device in any baggage, please package it so it won’t accidentally turn on during the flight. If there is an on-off switch or a safety switch, tape it in the "off" position.

• Check out the Department of Transportation’s spare battery tips page for more information on safely packing spare batteries, and this FAA webpage for more information on permitted and permitted batteries that includes helpful photos.

Battery Chargers:

 

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  • You can pack battery chargers in carry-on and checked bags. If the charger has an electrical cord, be sure to wrap it tightly around the charger.

• Don’t pack regular batteries in a rechargeable battery charger. Non-rechargeable batteries are not designed for recharging, and become hazardous if placed in a battery charger.

Look at Op-tech straps.

<p>I use a Domke strap. I like the strap but worried that the metal QR clips would scratch something on my cameras. I had the clips removed so it is no longer detachable. I sometimes use an Op-tech strap. I like the QR feature but not the bulky neoprene strap. Are any manufacturers listening?</p>

I use a Lowepro Toploader clipped to

the backpack shoulder harness. That

keeps the weight off my neck.

I have carried mine in a small cooler.

I would pick up a 55-200 or 55-300.

The former can be found for just over

$100 e refurbished. You can the decide

if your needs run wider or longer.

<p>Please don't take this the wrong way. It's wonderful that we live in a time when we can worry about the suppleness of camera straps. I have several that I rotate trying to find the perfect one. If you want to make a leather strap softer, look at suggestions for breaking in baseball gloves, hiking boots, and such. The same methods should apply.</p>

<p>I bring a tripod when I travel and anticipate an opportunity for its use. When flying, I have a Mefoto Roadtrip which will fit in my rollaboard. I usually carry it attached to my photo backpack. For city travel, I sometimes carry a gorilla pod or other compact support system.</p>

<p>I bought a Lowepro Mini-Trekker on Ebay a couple of years ago. It arrived with a distinct chemical odor which was cured by a day opened up in the sun. The sternum strap pulled out after a few months; I stitched it back on. I am wary and keep a watch on all the other stitching. So far, so good. The bag has seen quite a few miles.<br>

I like the bag but am conflicted about the purchase of what is almost certainly a knockoff. It is the bag I wanted. If Lowepro still sold them, I would have gladly bought it from a local dealer. I looked for a used one before making the purchase. Many of the newer bags seem to be heavier in both weight and "features".</p>

<p>Give as much as you can to family and friends now. I've also seen the idea of curating your "100 best photos" and labeling whatever storage media you use distinctly as such. Your children might take the time to go through that. I doubt they will take the time to go through an entire hard drive full of images.</p>

<p>I use an older Lowepro Mini Trekker. It's dimensions are approximately 18x12x7 and it fits easily under the seat of both large jets and smaller regional aircraft. My typical gear is a Nikon D7000, 12-24mm, 18-70mm, 70-300mm, 35mm lenses, SB600 flash, Canon G11, and assorted accessories. I can also fit an iPad in the front pocket.</p>

<p>You might try Bondo or a similar auto body filler if you want to fill the chipped areas and then paint over it.</p>

<p>Hi Bill,<br>

I recently switched systems in the other direction (Mac to PC). I had old G4 Mac and built a quad core PC for a lot less than the cost of a new Mac. I was happy with the Mac but wanted a faster system. Anyway, if you are looking for a temporary solution until your hardware upgrade you might try Adobe Lightroom. You can download a 30 day trial version or the new LR3 beta. If it works for you, then moving to the Mac will be that much easier. Another alternative is Picasa - also free.</p>

It sounds like a great trip. If I were doing the same, I would try to limit myself to one carry-on sized convertible travel pack. I use a Patagonia LBC (the current equivalent is the MLC - Maximum Legal Carry-on). My wife has an older Eagle Creek pack, from before they bloated them up beyond true carry-on size. It has the advantage of a hip belt. Plan on doing laundry in your room sink every 2 or 3 days to limit the clothes you carry.

 

As for camera gear, I would lean toward either a Canon A series P&S for the convenience of size and use of AA batteries, or a smaller digital SLR with a general purpose zoom. Unless the main focus of the trip is photography, I would compromise on gear to travel light.