traveling

[KendraJ.K.]

wasn't really sure where to put this thread. sorry if it's in the wrong place



at the end of march i'm going on a trip on a plane. and i'm not sure if i should buy a new camera bag or not.

right now I have a quantaray Urban Gear U100 Pro Backpack.
all my equip. fits in it. 2 cameras, lenses, film, filters etc etc (there's a place on the side for my tripod, but i don't think i'll bring that along. if i do that will go in the bag i check).

my only issue with it, for on flight, is there's a ton! of pockets and little places to put things, and i think that might be an issue/take forever to check (i'm having them hand check the bag of course).

so should i get a new bag for on flight?
also thinking about getting a different bag to take when i go out to shoot.
all my stuff fits in what i have but it's a huge bag and not very easy to get stuff out of in an instant.

edit: specs for a different bag. i need to fit:
2 dslr sized cameras with lenses attached
15-20 rolls of film
2 filter cases
charger cord
cord for computer plug in
place for papers/manuals
tripod holder


should i get a film safe x-ray bag?? is it really necessary?


so anyone have any suggestions?

[Grumbledook]

Well it depends on the film you are using. I had some ISO 200 black and white film that was fine going through the xray machines, from chicago to london. You can buy small bags to hold your film if you are at all concerned though.

As for checking on, I'm currently spending three months in Costa Rica. I checked my SLR body and 3 lenses on fine as hand luggage (my camera bag fits inside my laptop bag to get round only one hand luggage item). They didn't even bat an eyelid, at heathrow or connecting in Miami. Had to take my laptop as normal but I went through no problems, same as if I didn't have any of that with me.

[JonS]

I use a Tamrac Pro-9 backpack when I fly with 35mm stuff, it holds 2 fullsize 35mm bodies, four lenses, two flashes, laptop, and "stuff." It's carry-on size (barely).

The only issue that I've had (in the US) is that it's so thick that often I have to open the main compartment and re-run through the x-ray, because there are too many layers of "things" for the TSA goons to be able to tell what's a battery and what's a bomb.

Of course the laptop comes out as per usual.

[KendraJ.K.]

i was looking at the
Lowepro Nova 4 AW
and the
Lowepro SlingShot200 AW

besides travel i need it to be a lot more accessible. i can't get to my equip at all with my current bag.

any opinions on those two bags?

[JonS]

Of those two, I like the Slingshot better for "run and gun" situations - you can get to your camera easily without exposing all of your bag contents.

Slings are also typically more comfortable than totes for all day.

[KendraJ.K.]

i was thinking the same thing.
thanks

[cleonor]

I'd also go for the slingshot. Much better for the long days.

About the film safety bag, you'll probably be fine. However, I have had incidences in some airports where I've put my film in a separate plastic bag, and they made me put it through the x-ray anyway. However, it depends on what airport, because most of the carry-on x-ray machines are not as strong as the ones your checked luggage may go through. I wouldn't spend extra money on it unless you're lugging along really expensive film (however, 20 rolls is a fair amount no matter what the price is per roll). You're choice really.

I some sort of small tamrac backpack, that maybe isn't the fastest to get my equipment out of, but I usually have my camera on me, and if I'm shooting with film, I tend to put some in my purse or pockets anyway.

I wouldn't worry about security, because the likelihood is that if you're going into a country with high security like the states or the UK, they're going to stop you anyway.

Have fun traveling!

[JonS]

I won't fly exposed film anymore. After having 30 rolls of MF IR film completely destroyed by airport security, I just won't do it with ANY film any more.

I ship it home via UPS, FedEx and DSL in ten roll batches.