Travelling with a 500mm

Travelling abroad with my photo gear has not been a major issue, until I recently bought a Canon 500mm. I have a photo trip coming up which requires getting on several planes, one of them being a small float plane with a weight limit.

I know a number of my compatriots here on NPN also have 500's so any ideas or suggestions for packing and travelling with a 500 would be very much appreciated. Do you carry it in the case it comes in, or do you pack in a backpack or a bag on wheels, etc. Does anyone know or can recommend luggage or a bag for a 500 you think is awesome. I have to bring other lenses, computer etc. so packing is going to be a challenge.

I travel quite a bit with one, relying on the Tamrac 787 pack. It isn't set up for computers, which would be a problem if I couldn't also carry a small computer satchel. It has plenty of room for all the camera gear I've ever needed, especially with the accessory side pouches attached. Those are nice because I can remove them into my suitcase for flying (to meet bag size restrictions), then restore them to the pack when I arrive.

I've been looking hard at Tamrac's newer Expedition series, which allows computer carry, but the 787 is still in terrific shape after over a decade of serious professional abuse. Due to weight restrictions for carry-ons on international flights, I'm leery of roller packs. Convenient as they may be, they're quite heavy even when empty.

I had the same dilema with the 500mm. Just purchased an ICU Xlarge F-stop insert that will fit into a Backpack for hiking or a carryon. Cost was about $75 from fstopgear.com.

Hank, I also have a Tamrac, the Expedition 7x model and quite like it. The internal height is 16-1/4", the length of the 500 is 16-1/2" javascript:%20x() So I think I could squeeze it in but don't know much more I can get in. My feeling it will be a little tight so I have been looking at the 8x or 9x. Their roller bags look good but they are almost double the weight, as you said. I'm better off to go with the 9x http://www.tamrac.com/welcome.htm and buy a set of those very light airport wheels that fold up and just use it when I need it.

I've been using the Kinesis Long Lens case for the past 5 years. I got the optional backpack harness with it. Works great when hauling it into the field or carrying it on an airplane. Here's a link.
http://www.kgear.com/store/index.php/l/l511.html

So I think I could squeeze it in but don't know much more I can get in. My feeling it will be a little tight so I have been looking at the 8x or 9x.

Mine is the 8x, and it's plenty roomy- I can even put the 500 in it with a body attached. I have it loaded up right now for local bear photography ops and in addition to the 500 f/4, it has a 300 f/4, and 18-200, a 12-24, a 105 macro, an SB-800 flash and a second body. Tight, but do-able. At least the zipper closes!

And speaking of zippers, that's my serious beef with the older Lowepro's I used. The main zipper ends flush with the bottom of the bag, and opening and closing puts terrible strain on it. The third one I sent back for repair after less than a year of use convinced me to take a serious look at Tamrac. Their main zippers make the turn at the bottom of the bag so they open parallel with the bottom of the flap, and no strain. Mine looks like it has been dragged behind a truck now, but the zipper is still pristine.

Double check whether or not the 9x is still carry-on compatible. I don't know, but the 8x is getting right up toward the edge, to the point that I can't have anything in the outer compartment on the front flap.

The best airplane legal bag I've found for my 500 is the Gura Gear Kiboko bag. It is simply a superior bag that holds a 500, two pro bodies, a 70-200, 24-70, teleconverters, extra memory and batteries and assortment of other goodies.

I don't recommend travelling with a body attached to the 500 as you are just courting disaster.

Highly recommended.

I don't recommend travelling with a body attached to the 500 as you are just courting disaster.

Agreed. Good point. It's especially useful when moving between sites, though.

From your description Hank, it sounds like the 8x has plenty of room and is still within the carry-on size. So really the 9x is overkill. I have also heard some very good things about the kiboko bag. John Marriott, a well known Canadian Wildlife photographer I will be doing a trip with, also uses a kiboko bag, and I understand it's extremely light yet offers full protection. I'll have to check that one out again.

I totally agree with Paul's point about travelling with the camera body attached. I'd never do that. Any undo stress where the camera attaches to such a heavy lens, and it could snap like a twig.

As usual, you folks have given some great information to work with.

Thanks. The next round is on me.

I have several bags of various shapes and sizes, and I take the Gura Gear bag 95% of the time. My last trip I put Nikon: 200-400 f4(large zoom), 70-200 f2.8, 14-24 f2.8, 16-35 f4, 24-70 f2.8, 2 pro bodies, large filter kit, 2 tc's, plus all the usual junk (batteries, chargers, portable drives, etc.). I can also fit my 600 in with out the hood, but them you obviously have to give up more equipment. It is by far the best airplane bag on the market and is at least five pounds lighter than the other bags on the market than can hold this much stuff. They travel so well that I am getting another one for when I have to carry a lot of gear, one bag for my two large telephotos and one for everything else. Then i can mix up each bag as needed when in the field. The best thing is by far the less weight and the comfort of this bag beats all my other lowepros and tamracs,

That's great information Anthony. Sounds like you have everything in there but the kitchen sink.. and your laptop. That is if you bother taking your laptop. I'm favouring the kiboko myself right now, and just justifying in mind why I should carry my laptop separately. It also seems that ordering from Gura directly is the best and most economical way

Garry
Toronto, Canada

...and just justifying in mind why I should carry my laptop separately....

I certainly found my justification the hard way. You really don't want to drop a heavy camera pack with a laptop in it. Padding or not, the extra weight and inertia just about insure damage to the laptop, even if the camera gear is unaffected. Camera gear is simply built to higher standards for abuse.

Been there, done that, and bought a small padded case for my replacement laptop.

The computer slot in camera packs and bags is a great place to store reading material for your flight, but no place for a fragile laptop.

I can't help but agree with you Hank. I have carried my laptop separately on occasion and certainly noticed the difference in the weight of the camera bag, so I'm pretty convinced to make it a practice. And with a camera bag like the Kiboko being 5 LBS lighter, it should all be a piece of cake. Now I can't wait to order it!

Thanks everyone for your feedback - what a crew.

Garry
Toronto