Questions for the seasoned and experienced travellers amongst you

[Donald]

I'd thought of using roll-on luggage with foam inserts as you describe but it never occurred to me to also use the camera backpack as luggage. That's brilliant. The best of both worlds.

As I say, it wasn't my idea, but that of one of our colleagues on here and my reaction was the same - brilliant. I've just had a dress rehearsal today ... and it is great.

[William W]

. . . My standard Manfrotto tripod will not fit in to any of my bags (I would put this in to checked baggage, whereas the cameras, lenses, filters, etc will be with me in the cabin). . .

I don't see the problem as being your tripod: I see the problem as your bag.

Buy a bag that suits all your requirements - including your clothes and your Tripod.

WW

[Donald]

I don't see the problem as being your tripod: I see the problem as your bag.

Buy a bag that suits all your requirements - including your clothes and your Tripod.

WW

Sir, you are so directly and brutally sensible!

[William W]

haha, funny quip.

Seriously though ... I expect that you were just sitting too close to see what was the actual issue. We all do that. I get a better view down here, standing on my head. Also I have a bag which fits my tripod (diagonally) and also my clothes.

How's that UWA Zoom working?

Bill

[dragon76]

That is really, really helpful and provides an answer to one of my questions.

Having watched my Canon 5DS and 11-24 f4L lens crash to the ground once already, I don't think we'll take the risk of a repeat. Thanks, Mike.

Donald

If you are in the market for light and sturdy tripod for travel. Check out Sirui. I got one for my travels and it is light but very sturdy. It is robust enough to support my D800 and 14-24 (In terms of weight, I guess would be in the vicinity of your 5DS and 11-24) without any issues. If you never need to extend the centre column, you can get one with short column and it would be even lighter. Pricing wise, they are very reasonable and probably cheaper than renting option.

Cheers

[Ken MT]

If you get a sports bag, and take the head off the tripod then you should be able to pack the tripod on checked luggage. If you are going to rent a tripod, then take your tripod head, as the 1/4 or 3/8 thread is pretty universal, and you can use your existing quick attachment.

[ST1]

Donald I have the Manfrotto Befree, if you want to try it out with your kit let me know and we can arrange something

[rpcrowe]

Trevor's experiences of being allowed to carry a tripod into the airplane cabin is an example of the inconsistencies I mentioned. Even though tripods are not listed among the restricted items by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), I was told awhile back by an airline that a tripod could not be carried into the cabin for the same reasons that baseball bats and hockey sticks aren't allowed by the TSA.

Regardless of what anyone tells you in advance and whatever experiences you have had in the past, consider the following from the TSA website: "The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint."

I was prevented from carrying my monopod aboard an Alaskan Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Anchorage, Alaska because the TSA inspector said that it was a 'weapon-like implement".

On the return trip from Alaska to California on the same airline, I saw a man carrying a monopod aboard the flight and quizzed the security inspactor about it. His answer was, "People carry them aboard all the time!" You figure that out

Donald...

Regarding bringing your tripod aboard as checked baggage, consider purchasing a tripod case along the lines of one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...ase&_sacat=625

I have purchased one to carry my travel fishing rods aboard airplanes on trips to Mexico and think that they would work fine for their intended purpose of carrying a tripod.

You might have to pay for an extra bag but, since this type of bag is well within "normal" size restrictions, I don't think that the extra luggage charge would be all that expensive. Probably a lot less than renting a tripod and you would have it with you. Additionally, you would have a tripod which you are used to using...

Finally, removing the head would shorten a tripod considerably. Purchasing a cheap suitcase that would fit your tripod leg set might just be the cheapest way to go.

Although this is certainly NOT cheap. You could fit just about anything inside it.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/rolling-...7-0050569451e5

This is less expensive and available in the U.K.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jeep-Officia...+inch+suitcase

[Donald]

Regarding bringing your tripod aboard as checked baggage, consider purchasing a tripod case ...

At the end of the day and, again, with thanks to all who posted above, that is what I have done. I bought this. And picking up on Bill's point above, it will also take a lot more, including items of clothing, the stand for my flash unit, etc., if I need that.

[John 2]

Late as usual into the fray and since you have already purchased your solution, just for information. Weight is my enemy for many reasons and so I never carry a full size tripod on holiday. I use a very sturdy Culman table top tripod and rely on local supports (boulders, walls, benches etc) for support coupled with a good quality ball head (Manfrotto 496RC2). Folded, it also acts as an extension handle for extra height - useful when there are a lot other tourists in the way. For longer lenses, I carry a small bean bag which can be used with a similar range of supports. Not ideal, took a bit of courage to start with but I've never missed having a full size tripod and as an approach, its very portable.

[rpcrowe]

Donald,

It appears that many of the photogenic formations located within Mono Lake are best accessed by a boat and are best photographed in the early morning or late afternoon or early evening.

I have never photographed Mono Lake, even though I have passed it a few times driving between San Diego and Reno, Nevada, where my wife's mother once lived. I'd like to photograph it - especially with my newly acquired full-frame camera.

I was wondering if you might be agreeable to splitting the cost of an afternoon or morning boat rental during your visit to the Mono Lake area? I could meet you someplace...

Richard

[rpcrowe]

I'm confused about your intention but I'm reasonably confident that you won't be allowed to take the tripod into the cabin of the plane if you're flying to or from the U.S. That's because its shape and size can be used as a weapon.

In fact, the National Park Service won't allow visitors of the monuments in Washington, D.C. to use a tripod because the officials can mistake at a distance a tripod for a gun. I used to think that was odd until recently I read that a terrorist's gun was mistaken for a tripod and that allowed him to get closer to his intended victims than would have otherwise happened.

Here are the National Park Service rules concerning photography and filming of monuments in the D.C. area...
http://www.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/permits-faqs.htm

[Mike Buckley]

National Park Service rules concerning photography and filming of monuments in the D.C. area

Wow! I have unknowingly broken several of those regulations and so have millions of others. Try telling all the people using their cell phone to photograph the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials from within the main chamber housing the statue that they're breaking regulations.

EDIT: It's not immediately clear, but that website applies only to commercial filming and still photography. So, it seems that I and the millions of tourists haven't broken any regulations after all.

[Donald]

I was wondering if you might be agreeable to splitting the cost of an afternoon or morning boat rental during your visit to the Mono Lake area? I could meet you someplace...

Richard

Richard. Sounds a great idea. I'll PM you.

[Mike Buckley]

Richard: Please be sure to take a picture of Donald photographing a landscape without using a tripod and share it with us. It might be his first.

[rpcrowe]

I will get a selfie of Donald and I which will show you how youthful our Donald looks in comparison to me!

[outwithmycamera]

Just for what its worth, I've carried a tripod strapped onto a backpack into the cabin on many cross-country flights here in the US. I think if you are somewhat discrete about it it should be fine. I've never been accosted by airline staff or TSA about it being possibly used as a weapon. I think your most sure resource is to ask the airline itself.