flight cases?

I am going on a trip soon and would like recomendations as to a really good transit case for the 600mm f4 to also take lens hoods.
your thoughts please

Hi Paul I just use my lowepro AW600 and take it on as hand luggage.

Phil.

Ps the Mk2 aw600 is to big

It’s tight but I fit 600mm, 70-200,24-70,16mm,two DSLR, 15 Mac,cards, etc and the size of this bag fits within most airline dimensions. sizes for hand luggage for plane travel

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/airport-takeoff-roller-camera-bag.aspx

Bigger bags you jusy have to prey

Surely it has to go as hand luggage - insured or not there is no way I would entrust a lens worth as much as a 600mm f4 to the hold. I don't usually take my 600mm abroad, preferring my 300mm f2.8 and a teleconverter for travel, but when I do I simply stick it in a rucksack and carry it on as hand luggage.

David

You don't say where you're off to Paul.

Some airlines, Easyjet for instance, don't have a weight restriction, but do restrict based on size.

For instance, I've taken a load of gear as carry on via Easyjet to Edinburgh only to get stopped by Logan Air for the flight to Shetland.

I've an AW500 Flipside, which suits airline carry on size restrictions. I Know others swear by their Think Tank bags.

I got a thinktank ultralight 2.5 for Africa last year, my 500, 100-400, 2 bodies, charges, lappy...but they did not weigh it ;) .. but the 600 is a huge beast and certainly wont fit, which is why I dont have one.

Choice of bag depends on three factors: where are you going; what are you going to do when you get there; and what airline are you travelling with? In most instances a roller bag as suggested by Craig is the best option, and particularly so if you have to travel via Chicago O'Hare. If you are going to be walking any where when you get to your destination, though, a backpack is almost certainly going to be the best. I just hope you don't travel via Chicago. Also, depends on the carrier. If you are travelling to the USA or with BA, weight isn't really a problem these days, but you have to size the carry-on bag to the locker size of the smallest plane you will be travelling in. If you are flying in "bush" planes size isn't usually a problem, though weight may be so.

Most people I know place the lens hood for the 500/600 in their hold baggage. With my 600, what I generally do is to place the padded legs of my tripod inside the lens hood and then spread the legs to support the hood. I then jam as many socks, pants, etc into the remaining void to resist any compression loading. I place the tripod/hood combo in the centre of the duffle-type bag with clothing etc all around and cinch the bag up tight so nothing moves.

If you want a carry-on bag that will take the 600 + lens hood then something like (same internal dimensions) the ThinkTank Airport International will do the trick - here is an image with the 600/f4 + 300/f2.8 with lens hoods in the TT Airport International.

This would be the more normal configuration for this smaller bag with the lens hood in the hold baggage and the 70-200 replacing the 300 - still the ThinkTank Airport International.

This would be packing with the larger ThinkTank bag - the Airport Security - fits all overhead lockers on normal long haul aircraft, and will go under the seat on smaller aircraft (but only just).

If you want backpack options, call me or send me an email.

thank you all for the information and suggestions, the trip is sri lanka for a one month trip once there transportation is not a problem so really just the two flights with Emirates.
Am looking to take 600 f4, 300 2.8, 180 macro. plus the usual ancillaries for a good selections of shots and reach.
normally i also only take the 300 3.8 but for a change its a full blown photographic trip and not a backpacking hard slog in to the jungles.
looks like the Airport Security will be on order soon.

Paul, if you are going to be travelling with a laptop, you might also want to consider the TT Urban Disguise laptop/shoulder bag. As well as a laptop you can also get a body and a couple of lenses in there as well. That's what I usually take. It is designed so that it will fit onto the handle of the roller bag.

arggggghhhhhh ! doh! blurb says fine for Cannon but not Nikon, fiddlesticks

I would be surprised if it didn't fit. Which model 600 do you have and what is its length? Certainly the 600VR will fit as it is very slightly shorter than the Canon 600, which is 167mm x 447mm (not including the lens hood). Obviously from the photographs, a longer lens could be accomodated within the bag by laying it diagonally from corner to corner. If you want to see if you can make it fit and don't mind coming over the water, you would be welcome to try it for size.

Thankq Phil,
have spoken with Thinktank and contrary to their product spiel it does take the 600 f4 Nkon.

So looks like the jobs a goodun.

many thanks for your input in this.

Paul