Equipment , Travel and hand holding a 200-400 lens

I just purchased a Nikon 200-400 lens and will be traveling this weekend. In the case it is 19" tall. Before I got it I envisioned it and my camera in my North Face back pack as carry on. I don't think it will fit. I have a pelican case and can check it, but an concerned about theft. Or is there a backpack case that will still qualify as carry on?

I have a Nikon 300D with a 18-200 lens. I can pack my flash equipment in my regular luggage.

In addition, those of you who have this lens, are you able to hand hold it and shoot?

Thank you for your feedback.

Patrick

Patrick,

I fit my 200-400mm (hood on backwards) not attached to the camera body in a Tamrac CyberPack 6 for travel and still had room for the d200, an 18-200mm lens it, plus cords, batteries etc. The backpack has a zip on the side towards your body that is for a lap top, but I used that for other, thin items and carried a seperate lap top bag for my lap top/purse and to carry travel documents. It qualified for carry on. The bag is 15 inches high on the inside and the lens; without the body attached, fits snugly but I felt very safely too. The camera body fits on one of the sides. http://www.tamrac.com/5256.htm My one concern was weight, I think it has to be under 25 pounds?

I can handhold and shoot with the lens but not for very long. I think I need to pump some iron.

This is one of my solutions:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=600+mm+lens+backpack&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

I pack one body and the 500 (or also good for a 200-400 or 600) in this, then pack that in a dedicated suitcase with other photo stuff, in addition to the full backpack I carry on. This feels safer to me than packing the lens in the hard Nikon trunk that screams "expensive lens in HERE!!!!"

No one said photographers travel light!

Yes, i worry about theft/loss, but have good insurance and have been lucky so far.

Sandy

I do not hand hold very often and when I do the images are a little bit softer because of me. This is the bag that I am getting as you can take it on almost any plane and this was made by a photographer for photographers. Here is the link, http://www.guragear.com/. It is a little pricy but it takes all of your and my fears away, THEFT!!!

Tim

Mia, Sandy & Tim,
Thank you for the tips. I followed up on your recommendations & learned two of the bags are available nearby. I neglected to say I need room for the IPad too. Guts ear looks great, but no IPad pocket.

Thank you all for your generosity.

Patrick.

iPad spell check. Should have said guragear.

Another vote for the Kiboko from Gura Gear. For the iPad, use a Scottevest. I travel with the Kiboko fully loaded and carry on is no problem.

I do hand-hold the 200-400, not for a long time but if your shutter speed is fast enough, with practice, you can get some great results.

I'll 2nd Andre, I also have a Kiboko, and love it. First of all it's extremely light, yet extremely tough and sturdy. I can fit into it my 500, 70-200, 2 other lens, 2 bodies and a bunch of other stuff. Total weight for me is a huge factor because I travel a lot on small planes with a weight limit. I'm leaving for Africa next week and have a weight limit of 33 lbs. on the internal flights, so I don't want to waste that precious commodity on the weight of the bag itself. My mac I carry separately in a small handy little bag because I'm in and out of it all the time on a flight

I hope that helps

Garry

Andre,
I am unclear what you mean by Scottevest. I looked it up on the web and it appears to be vests and jackets.