Another one who's packing for a trip

[Donald]

I notice a few threads recently popping up from folks asking about gear for travelling abroad. Well, as I've indicated here before, I'm heading for Yosemite in September. I'll be there for just under one month and it's purely and solely the photographic trip of a lifetime. All I'm going for is photography.

So, all the gear is going.

Yesterday, I had a first run through of packing the carry-on case, just to check how it would be (see below). The 4 lenses are not going to fit in. So, I'll put the 100-400 in this bag and then put the 70-200 f4 L (because it's much lighter) into the 100-400 carry case and have that over my shoulder.

All the peripherals (NDs, GNDs, Release cable, WB Card, Step-up ring, etc etc etc) will be secreted in various places on me and in the bags. The tripod, in its own bag, will have to be checked in.

So we're starting to get ready. Sharon laughs at me for planning all this so far ahead. But that's just me.

The dividers still have to be put in.

[Donald]

On the other hand, if I could try and be clever about this .................

[John 2]

One thought from recent experience Donald is that certain items, and that includes camera gear, have to be unpacked to go through security checks. After having removed your shoes, coats and trouser belt, the recovery process before you proceed to Departures, becomes a bit of an ordeal. I'm sure that won't stop you but I thought I would mention it because it might affect how accessible you make everything. None the less, I hope you have a splendid time.

[Donald]

Indeed John.

Went I went to Malaysia earlier this year (with about half this stuff), I was lucky in that when I answered 'camera gear' to the question as to what is in the bag, they just let it through on the basis of the x-ray scan. But I am waiting for the time when I get, 'Okay, take a photograph just to show me that it really is a camera'.

[DanK]

Sharon laughs at me for planning all this so far ahead. But that's just me.

I'm with you. I'm going to Norway this autumn and have already started trying to figure out what to take and how to take it. The answer to the first already seems to be "too much."

But I am waiting for the time when I get, 'Okay, take a photograph just to show me that it really is a camera'

Hasn't happened to me with digital, but something similar happened to me with film. An Israeli security agent took out my old Canon FTb, looked it over, and then told me to open the back and hold the shutter open so that he could look through it. Frankly, I was impressed by his thoroughness.

What are you going to stuff between the pieces of equipment to stop them from hitting each other?

[rpcrowe]

Planning is half the fun of a trip! Although I messed up on my trip to Venice and Istanbul! I brought two 7D cameras but, didn't check to ascertain if my right angle finder (which I had used for all my Canon DSLR cameras, from a 10D to a 40D) would fit my 7D cameras. It didn't

I have traveled to China and to Europe (through Frankfurt, Venice and Istanbul airports) with a backpack full of photo gear and I have never needed to open the backpack to show the security folks that I am carrying photo gear. In fact, they have never asked me what was in the pack. I simply put the pack on the conveyor belt and sent it merrily on its way through the X-Ray machine

Of course, this was prior to the Paris and Brussels terrorist attacks

An amusing event happened to me when driving in Mexico. I was driving from Ensenada (on the Pacific Ocean) to an inland border crossing at Tecate. Coming down off the range of coastal hills, I entered a broad valley with a Mexican Army check point at the bottom of the hill... Stopping at the check point, a young soldier asked me "Do you have any drugs in your car?" I thought, what a ridiculous question! If I were a drug smuggler, did he think I would say, "Yes, I have my car trunk filled with heroin

[Donald]

What are you going to stuff between the pieces of equipment to stop them from hitting each other?

I've got the inserts from both my old Lowepro bag and the new one that I'll be taking (which for the journey, will carry all my clothes) I also have upholsterer's foam to pack in at the sides and on top just for extra padding.

[Donald]

Planning is half the fun of a trip! Although I messed up on my trip to Venice and Istanbul! I brought two 7D cameras but, didn't check to ascertain if my right angle finder (which I had used for all my Canon DSLR cameras, from a 10D to a 40D) would fit my 7D cameras. It didn't

Thankfully, the same Angle Finder works for both the 5DS and the 7DMkII. It's also good that they use the same batteries and battery charger.

[rpcrowe]

Despite the fact that I should be the only one handling my carry-on bag, I still have it packed carefully because, my bag has been dropped from the overhead compartment by a stupid passenger who was trying to stuff his gear into a space far too small...

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I'm so glad I don't have to worry about going thru security checks etc.
My only limitation is how full my trunk will be, but then, there's always the backseat too.

[Donald]

I'm so glad I don't have to worry about going thru security checks etc.
My only limitation is how full my trunk will be, but then, there's always the backseat too.

Once I hit Fresno, Alan, and pick up the rental car, everything becomes much easier ......... until I have to make the return journey.

[Shadowman]

One thought from recent experience Donald is that certain items, and that includes camera gear, have to be unpacked to go through security checks. After having removed your shoes, coats and trouser belt, the recovery process before you proceed to Departures, becomes a bit of an ordeal. I'm sure that won't stop you but I thought I would mention it because it might affect how accessible you make everything. None the less, I hope you have a splendid time.

Never had that happen to me although when leaving India the security office said remove all digital cameras, he didn't say anything about lenses. I thought it was odd but complied. When leaving Australia one year I had to go through additional security directly in front of the gate, I must've been flagged because others (unsavory characters to say the least) were allowed to go through unmolested. The only object that peaked their curiosity was a nylon jump rope.

[Shadowman]

On the other hand, if I could try and be clever about this .................

I usually do a dry run two days before, nice setup you've got there. I would add some clothing for additional cushioning.

[rpcrowe]

Something to think about is compatibility of power receptacles. Our Canon chargers, most computers, and pads, pods and other computer-like gear can work on either 110V or 240V current. But the plug-in portions may differ.

In most hotels I have stayed at in Europe and China, the hotel has plug adapters available for loan. However, I have found that it is easier to have my own rather than to rely on the hotel.

A power strip is another handy piece of gear, since so much of our gear depends on rechargeable batteries. I like this strip for travel in the USA but, am not sure it would work well with UK and European power sources...
https://www.amazon.com/Monster-MP-OT...shuttermuse-20

[Mike Buckley]

My mother always packed three times just to make sure all of her clothes would fit in the bag...and she had no camera equipment. However, she once went on a trip for three weeks with only a carry-on bag.

[Donald]

Something to think about is compatibility of power receptacles.

Indeed. I've got a couple of international adaptor plugs.

My mother always packed three times just to make sure all of her clothes would fit in the bag...and she had no camera equipment. However, she once went on a trip for three weeks with only a carry-on bag.

A very wise and, obviously, well-organised lady.

[rpcrowe]

Donald,

Have you, perhaps, considered leaving the two battery packs for your cameras at home? That would give you some more room in the case, allowing you to put the partitions between the camera bottoms and the lenses. It would also lighten your load a bit...

BTW: I replaced the OEM Canon foot on my 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II (if ever there needs to be a nickname for a lens, it is this one) with a Kirk replacement foot. That way, I don't have to add a plate for my ARCA Compatible Clamp... I really like the Kirk Foot. Although I own a Canon tripod ring for my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens, i usually travel without it and mount my camera to the tripos head using an L Bracket...

[Ken MT]

What is your limit for carry on luggage? In our case it is 7 kg only, and they do sometimes check.

[CP140]

Planning is half the fun of a trip! Although I messed up on my trip to Venice and Istanbul! I brought two 7D cameras but, didn't check to ascertain if my right angle finder (which I had used for all my Canon DSLR cameras, from a 10D to a 40D) would fit my 7D cameras. It didn't

I have traveled to China and to Europe (through Frankfurt, Venice and Istanbul airports) with a backpack full of photo gear and I have never needed to open the backpack to show the security folks that I am carrying photo gear. In fact, they have never asked me what was in the pack. I simply put the pack on the conveyor belt and sent it merrily on its way through the X-Ray machine

Of course, this was prior to the Paris and Brussels terrorist attacks

An amusing event happened to me when driving in Mexico. I was driving from Ensenada (on the Pacific Ocean) to an inland border crossing at Tecate. Coming down off the range of coastal hills, I entered a broad valley with a Mexican Army check point at the bottom of the hill... Stopping at the check point, a young soldier asked me "Do you have any drugs in your car?" I thought, what a ridiculous question! If I were a drug smuggler, did he think I would say, "Yes, I have my car trunk filled with heroin

We (much better half and I) spent a week in Bruges last month, flying in/out of Brussels. Security at the airport was noticeably "tight", but lines were short and we cleared security within a very reasonable time. We even had enough time to go sit in the lounge for a bit an enjoy a glass of champagne.

Photos are here... not of security of course... even I'm not that silly!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cp140/...57668179039796

[CP140]

Something to think about is compatibility of power receptacles. Our Canon chargers, most computers, and pads, pods and other computer-like gear can work on either 110V or 240V current. But the plug-in portions may differ.

In most hotels I have stayed at in Europe and China, the hotel has plug adapters available for loan. However, I have found that it is easier to have my own rather than to rely on the hotel.

A power strip is another handy piece of gear, since so much of our gear depends on rechargeable batteries. I like this strip for travel in the USA but, am not sure it would work well with UK and European power sources...
https://www.amazon.com/Monster-MP-OT...shuttermuse-20

Yep... Power strips and adapters. We travel with one voltage converter, two sets of plug adapters and two power strips. One power strip is labelled "240 VOLT" and gets plugged directly into the wall and one is labelled "120 VOLT" and gets plugged into the voltage converter. Each bit of plug in stuff is labelled either "120/240" or "120 ONLY". Thus far we have managed to avoid letting the magic smoke out of anything.