How to Carry all my Canon lenses on the plane?

I am planning to fly from the US to India on British Airways via UK. I have a 17-85 EFS, 70-300 DO IS and 10-22EFS & 20D camera. Till now I took them in my Tamarac backpack as hand bagagge, Now the rules of handbaggage is in flux. Any sugesstions as to how to carry such precious stuff short of checking them in, that is insecure and good chance of getting stolen or lost.

Preetham

Check with the airline you are flying with. They should be able to fill you in on current restrictions. However, given you're flying British Airways, don't expect to be able to carry your camera gear, or much of anything else, on with you.

I guess checking in is the only alternative. A risky one. Any suggesstions on how to pack in a suitcase?

Preetham

Check out Pelican cases. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home ;jsessionid=GvLnzLzHvP!-141510450!1155681262717?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q= &bhs=t&shs=pelican+cases&image.x=2&image.y=2
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http://vette74.smugmug.com

Airport Addicted (backpack) or Airport Security (wheeled):

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_ArprtAddctd.php

Use either bag as a carry-on, when permitted, or check them in when not.

Damage to equipment is unlikely with these bags, but buy no-deductable theft insurance for your gear if it must be checked in.

The new UK rules allow you hand luggage up to 16cm x 35cm x 45cm, including everything. Your lens are relatively small, and should fit; if you don't have anything better, use a plastic bag.
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Uzi
http://www.pbase.com/uyoeli

I had a camera stolen during baggage security check, and Br.Air would not pay for it. [granted only $500, but they did nothing for me, blaming everyone else.

Hopefully their servuces have improved, but given the losses, they [like many other airlines] are not reimbursing stolen goods.

I am wondering, myself what is happening to photographers now.
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http://netgarden.smugmug.com/
DSC V1 Sony for Infrared, Canon 20D,
a few too many lenses...

There are reports that a lot of electronic / electrical kit is going missing from checked baggage at London Thiefrow (sorry Heathrow) currently. One today of a woman whose luggage disappeared for 24 hours and was intact when returned except for missing iPod, digital camera and phone.

There is always the possibility of course that people are claiming theft of items that were never there in the first place. I'm not suggesting that in the specific situation detailed above.
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Regards

Keith

Don't use hand luggage. Use a vest. This way you can't violate the hand luggage rules.

I have just ordered this one:

http://www.vestedinterest.com/khumbu.htm

Best Regards,

Kim Bentsen

then you can also insure the equipment (and have peace of mind).

They might even mistake it for one of these



or better yet, one of these

Last year I spent a lot of time traveling to China. I had similar concerns. Additionally since I was carrying a laptop I wanted my carry on bags to be lighter.

On one trip I piled all of that stuff 10D, 17-40L and a 24-135SP plus my computer into my backpack. Power supplies, batteries and such when into my checked bag. I would have LOVED to have my 100-400L... but made the decision to leave it home.

For subsequent flights carrying the same lenses I packed them in my luggage in protective bags, inserted into the middle of the bag for the most protection. That being said, I would have loved to have a special camera case to be able to check.

One thing, however, don't lock the case. If you lock it, they will want to open it. Checking is always risky that way. Perhaps take a picture of what's in the case and make sure that your luggage is insured properly when you check it in. Even show the picture at the counter, as the counters are photographed you will be building an audit trail.

This technique worked (not the picture) as I also travelled with a scanner valued at about $25,000 without problem. I carried that from China to HK and around Asia. It was in a separate case similar to the case recommended in someone else's reply.

Just some thoughts. best of luck!

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-- Beo --
Equipment List in Profile
http://pix.delmarvagroup.com

I suggest buying the ticket with a credit card that offers an insurance of bags. I bought mine from Brazil to US with AMEX and know they offer one. (almost nobody knows it) The prize is very very good. I friend of mine had his luggages lost and went spending the prize for lost clothes in high end brands. Let's say if you lose your equipment you can upgrade it!!

Cheers,

Eduardo.

It is going to be pretty funny when they ask to frisk you - is that a camera in your pocket??

kbentsen said:

Don't use hand luggage. Use a vest. This way you can't violate the
hand luggage rules.

I have just ordered this one:

http://www.vestedinterest.com/khumbu.htm

Best Regards,

Kim Bentsen

Click to expand...

I belive the 'nothing in your pockets' rule still applies so you will likely have to remove everything and put it in your hand luggage or check it in.... There are still high rates (50% quoted) of individual searches so you will likely get problems with that as well.

No easy solution right now except to put it in pouches in your (small) hand luggage. The weight limits on some airlines from the UK are tight - I had a major issue with Virgin several times, weighing every bag and insisting it be below the limit, which is not enough to carry a 5D & zoom with anything else.... When flying FROM the US I have never had any weight checks on my hand luggage but heathrow do it a lot.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigpikle/
FCAS Member #124
DSLR Division
2005 - Year of the Gear
2006 - Year of the Image

I guess there will be much more theft in future. Underpaied overworked heathrow package throwers now know that there will be a lot of valuables in the suitcases (because of the ridicolus stupid prohibition).

Best alternative, avoid UK, London, or any country that puts on such stupid prohibitions. Bummer if you life in one.

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Gullevek
my pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gullevek/
other: http://www.gullevek.org/gallery/

I wonder what the most current situation is about lenses and camera's on plane. Will they allow me to carry the camera without the battery.

Anybody with recent flying experiences?

Preetham

Visit http://www.drpretonline.com

Bigpikle said:

When flying
FROM the US I have never had any weight checks on my hand luggage
but heathrow do it a lot.

Click to expand...

Maybe I've been unlucky, but Virgin at LAX weighed my hand luggage a couple of times; made me check it.

In the US, cameras, etc. are ok. But considering you're going through the UK, you may have a problem. I'd say check with the airline.
If you can't carry on, consider a Pelican case with a TSA approved lock.

Also, by all means insure the gear for the trip. Trip insurance isn't usually expensive.

Jack

given it could have been either one, that both do the baggage security checks. But of course the security check at LAX was under the umbrella of BritishAir. I was standing right there and they take it back behind a big screen. I suggest that anyone packing equipment in a suitcase make sure they stay with it at all times. Request to watch the security check because of the equipment involved. But don't pack it with the intention of it being safe in the suitcase, it won't be.
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http://netgarden.smugmug.com/
DSC V1 Sony for Infrared, Canon 20D,
a few too many lenses...