Posted by Mark Turner on March 17, 2008 at 11:01 AM
I just purchased a Canon 500mm f/4L IS USM lens. I tried it out this weekend and it looks like it's going to be a great lens for me. However, it came in a very nice hard case and I am trying to figure out how best to transport it along with the rest of my camera gear when travelling by air. I live in Madison, WI and many times fly out of MSN on a regional jet that has very little overhead space. In the past, I was able to fit my camera backpack under the seat, but now with the new lens??? Any suggestions?
Posted by Keith Bauer on March 17, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Hi Mark:
I purchased a long lens case from Kinesis Photo Gear http://www.kgear.com. Mine is the L511. I have traveled several times by air with this case. It will fit under the seat (well almost) on standard jets. Regional jets may be different story. I'm sure there are other manufacturers as well. I've been very pleased with the Kinesis products.
I have travelled quite a bit with my 500mm, packing it in a Lowepro backpack as a carry on. It's been close a few times, and it's not getting any easier out there. I recently also bought a 200-400mm lens which I use as my travel lens now. It packs much smaller, and gives me a lot of mobility in the field. It can be handheld. I leave the 500mm at home or for road trips. I leave the Tripod and full Wimberley home too. Just bring a monopod and a beanbag for the car shots. In the end I cover way more ground and see way more wildlife. This translates into more photo opportunities. Just my 2 cents....
When i need my 500 as well as the other long lens already packed in my backpack, i use the Lens Trekker 600 AW from Lowepro.
It's also a nice stand-alone, very comfortasble backback for camera and long lens, and one other short lens, on hikes.
Sandy
Overhead space on those regional planes can be hit or miss, especially if you're near the end of the cattle call. And I'm not sure if that lens, in it's case, could fit under the seat since I can barely fit my feet under the seat in front of me. Plus, if you've got a bulkhead seat, there is no seat in front of you.
I'd plan for the potential of having to check it with other carry-on bags that typically get thrown in the cargo bay prior to boarding - put it in a padded duffel or similar bag. If you can fit it on the plane, great; but if not, you don't have to hold your breath hoping that it's not rolling around in the back.
If you think the plane you'll be on will be small and limited on overhead storage, plan on gate checking it in a roller type of suitcase, like the Think Tank units. I have the Airport International. Gate checking is not so bad, as you see it go in the hold and then it is waiting for you right there. Never use regular baggage checking!
My 600/4.0 does not fit into my Lowepro Nature Trekker AWII backpack - it's too small and it's already full of other stuff.
I will never check in any of my photo gear other than my tripod, so here's what I do. I carry the lens without any protection. That way the airport personnel can clearly see what I'm holding and that it is not something I can check in. I bring a lightweight and compact Samsonite daypack that's just large enough to hold the lens, I roll it up and attach it to my backpack. The moment I'm in the plane, I put the lens in the Samsonite daypack and keep it under my chair. The photobackpack goes in the overhead luggage compartment.
Discussion
6 repliesI purchased a long lens case from Kinesis Photo Gear http://www.kgear.com. Mine is the L511. I have traveled several times by air with this case. It will fit under the seat (well almost) on standard jets. Regional jets may be different story. I'm sure there are other manufacturers as well. I've been very pleased with the Kinesis products.
It's also a nice stand-alone, very comfortasble backback for camera and long lens, and one other short lens, on hikes.
Sandy
I'd plan for the potential of having to check it with other carry-on bags that typically get thrown in the cargo bay prior to boarding - put it in a padded duffel or similar bag. If you can fit it on the plane, great; but if not, you don't have to hold your breath hoping that it's not rolling around in the back.
I will never check in any of my photo gear other than my tripod, so here's what I do. I carry the lens without any protection. That way the airport personnel can clearly see what I'm holding and that it is not something I can check in. I bring a lightweight and compact Samsonite daypack that's just large enough to hold the lens, I roll it up and attach it to my backpack. The moment I'm in the plane, I put the lens in the Samsonite daypack and keep it under my chair. The photobackpack goes in the overhead luggage compartment.