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My minimalist m4/3 packing solution

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Where I am currently based in Fiji, all my trips involve a flight on an ATR turboprop with a strict 7kg weight limit for carryon bags. I have a great Lowepro roller that holds everything I need, but it's 4.5kg empty and fully loaded it weighs 13 kg. So I have had to get creative. I decided to carry only the valuable and fragile stuff in a backpack, and put arms, clamps, etc into my checked scuba gear bag. So here is what I carry onboard: camera and lens and trigger in housing, macro port and lens, two Inon strobes, a Kraken focus light, my wrist computer, and two sets of batteries for the camera and strobes (not shown).

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I found some cheap sort-of insulated lunch bags for school kids that happen to be just the right size. The housing goes by itself in one bag, and everything else goes in the other bag. I wrap the miscellaneous stuff in a layer of bubble wrap to prevent scratches, but sine the bag is never out of sight I am not worried about things getting banged around.

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All in, the total weight is just under 6.5kg. There is room in my commuter backpack for a few travel essentials too. Water bottle is 1.5 liters for scale. I am happy to be a m4/3 user!

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Scuba.com
5 hours ago, Troporobo said:

Where I am currently based in Fiji, all my trips involve a flight on an ATR turboprop with a strict 7kg weight limit for carryon bags. I have a great Lowepro roller that holds everything I need, but it's 4.5kg empty and fully loaded it weighs 13 kg. So I have had to get creative. I decided to carry only the valuable and fragile stuff in a backpack, and put arms, clamps, etc into my checked scuba gear bag. So here is what I carry onboard: camera and lens and trigger in housing, macro port and lens, two Inon strobes, a Kraken focus light, my wrist computer, and two sets of batteries for the camera and strobes (not shown).

IMG_4762.jpeg

I found some cheap sort-of insulated lunch bags for school kids that happen to be just the right size. The housing goes by itself in one bag, and everything else goes in the other bag. I wrap the miscellaneous stuff in a layer of bubble wrap to prevent scratches, but sine the bag is never out of sight I am not worried about things getting banged around.

IMG_4761.jpeg

All in, the total weight is just under 6.5kg. There is room in my commuter backpack for a few travel essentials too. Water bottle is 1.5 liters for scale. I am happy to be a m4/3 user!

IMG_4763.jpeg

Nice! A bigger bag looks like it would be a good way to carry an assembled rig to a local diving site too!

Anyone in Australia wanting one of the bags in @Troporobo 's post - half price at Woolies this week - https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/310586

The 7 kg limit is not uncommon, 8 kg more so on most international airlines unless you travel business. So one has to check things, depend on luck or pay up. .

Nauticam housing, Z6iii+battery+charger, z240x2, macroport, z24-50, extension, cables in pelican 1485 air (2.4 kgs).

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Edited by Christian K
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I would be happy to pay (within reason!) for a heavier carryon. Unfortunately Fiji Airways won’t allow it, full stop.

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