Do backpacks count?

I'm struggling with a new packing arrangement.

For carry-on, I've traditionally traveled with a smaller hardcase (an UW Kinetics case, similar in size to a Pelican 1520) and a small regulator bag.

I want to keep the UW Kinetics case, but perhaps augment it with something more substantial to shift some weight out of the UW Kinetics case.

But, I really want to fly below the radar of the airlines and carry-on restrictions.

I'd like to change the regulator bag to a small backpack. Am I more likely to get hassled with this combo? Should I stick with just a bigger "man-purse" than the regulator bag?

Thanks.

David

Most airlines allow a "personal" item, e.g. purse or laptop case. I take a 45 linear inch suit case and a Lowepro with laptop compartment (my personal item). I've long since abandoned the hard cases like UK, Storm and Pelican. Too heavy and less interior space.

Check the reg.

The following backpack is the one I use. It will fit my housing, camera, one port, 1-2 strobes, 2 lenses and various support gear. Have to choose Macro or WA in case checked Stormcase with everything else does not make it. I also have a laptop carry on. Never had a problem with airlines even on full flights.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...egoryNavigation

Recently on TACA I carried a big photo backpack as my "carryon" and a school bookbag style backpack as my "purse/personal item". Teh fact that the personal item was backpack shaped caused them to hassle me no end. I would advise getting something biggish that looks like a briefcase or messenger bag style, unless you're going to go for the full photo backpack and use the UWK case as your "personal item". TACA was weighing personal items too, so make sure you're under the limit.

Backup plan: photo vest. Dorky, but it worked for me, allowed me to get the two carryons under 10kg each.

Hope your new system works out for you. I nearly got an ulcer in the airport with mine - gonna just go with the photo vest in the first place next time instead of having to argue with the gate agents, so my carryons look more modest.

the problem with the photo vest is that it says photo vest for all would be thieves.

i use a big Lowepro computrekker.

it swallows my laptop, camera, lenses, mask, reg, plus reading material

with all of the weight, i try not to look like i have a lot of crap in the bag when i check in

it has worked so far

I got the Lowepro compurover for my camera gear. Similar idea to the computrekker but camera and up to 6 lenses go in a bottom compartment with a separate compartment on top that is large enough to hold an ikelite Canon 20D housing plus two ports and some smaller items. The third compartment runs along the back and holds a 17" laptop or in my case a 15" Dell with separate external USB hard disk. I shipped my flash in the checked luggage. If it is easy to get the strobe from the strobe arm (never tried) then you could stick them in the lens pouches. At least for my DS50 that should work, not sure for the bigger boys.

We flew with a Canadian charter (Air Transat) and they made a fuss about my wife's airline approved carry-on roller-case but never even looked at my bulging backpack. Maybe I just got lucky, but LowePro claims that this model fits airline restrictions.

Bart

For the last few years, I've used as my "other carry-on" the large UW Photo-Tech bag for that purpose. It is actually just a soft-sided beer cooler, but is perfect for camera gear! It is padded, so protects your gear. It is flexible, so can be formed around your particular gear (within reason). And it can be used as a portable rinse tank if/when you need one. It also doesn't seem to attract airport employees' attention.

I tried buying and using some other (and larger) soft-sided coolers, and I really think this one is the maximum size that fits readily in almost all overhead bins and is realistically usable as a carry-on.

BTW, I always have to mention that I ALWAYS travel with a little nylon bag that folds into itself to the size of a fist. I carry that so that IF I get hassled at the gate before boarding a plane and they say, "You'll have to gate check that." I say, "OK," and pull out my little nylon sack, take virtually everything out of the carry-on in question, put it in the nylon sack, and gate check the empty (or nearly empty) carry-on bag. My "stuff" is more vulnerable in the nylon sack than it was in the carry-on, but NOT as vulnerable as it would be if I LEFT it in the carry-on that got gate-checked.

Who are you flying on? NW and DL both explicitly allow both a bag and a camera case (qualifies as "personal item") to be carried on.

In addition, NW allows reduced rates for oversize/extra luggage for working professionals, something I've taken advantage of often.

All the best, James

the problem with the photo vest is that it says photo vest for all would be thieves.

 

i use a big Lowepro computrekker.

it swallows my laptop, camera, lenses, mask, reg, plus reading material

with all of the weight, i try not to look like i have a lot of crap in the bag when i check in

it has worked so far

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How do you transport your housing and strobes?

I got the Lowepro compurover for my camera gear. Similar idea to the computrekker but camera and up to 6 lenses go in a bottom compartment with a separate compartment on top that is large enough to hold an ikelite Canon 20D housing plus two ports and some smaller items. The third compartment runs along the back and holds a 17" laptop or in my case a 15" Dell with separate external USB hard disk. I shipped my flash in the checked luggage. If it is easy to get the strobe from the strobe arm (never tried) then you could stick them in the lens pouches. At least for my DS50 that should work, not sure for the bigger boys.

We flew with a Canadian charter (Air Transat) and they made a fuss about my wife's airline approved carry-on roller-case but never even looked at my bulging backpack. Maybe I just got lucky, but LowePro claims that this model fits airline restrictions.

 

Bart

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Bart I have the same backpack and I was planning to use it for an upcoming trip to carry my laptop, camera and lenses in. Never even thought to try and fit my housing in it. How do you do it? Do you just put the housing on the top compartment or do you put the camera in it and place it all in the lower one?

my housing and strobes go into a Pelican 1610.

my bcd, wetsuit, fins, etc and some clothes go into a Costco bag.

Completely stripped down, the two check in bags weigh 50.0 pounds each. (right at the limit). and the backpack weighs in about 25 pounds.

I know some people have had issues with the Pelicans and the baggage handlers thefts, but I can't do it any other way. That is what insurance is for, although if i'm missing stuff going, I won't be taking any underwater pixs.

I guess I still have my Canon SD550, but it's just not the same.

I guess I could try in the future to put my housing in my carryon. That way, even if I lose my strobes, i could really play with the Magic filters........

Yeah, I have Pelican 1550 that I've been debating whether to use or not. But like you said, I'm not sure what the alternative would be.

I've got away with a LowePro Dryzone backpack and a laptop so far, though I ditched the laptop and took a small hard drive to Bikini last month because of the microscopic Dornier aircraft that often flies the last leg via Kwajalein.

The backpack takes my Nexus housing, a small dome, one lens and a small strobe + arm, with a couple of chargers, memory cards, hard drive, suncream, toothpaste and a book with a second camera body and a small lens.

The hard part is making 14kg look like it weighs half that... it is lucky I have big shoulders!

Tim

B)

I've managed to get away with using a 1550 as a carry on and a Lowepro Orion Trekker for my camera and lenses as the personal item on several trips. I haven't been hassled about it, yet. They key word being "yet".

Bart I have the same backpack and I was planning to use it for an upcoming trip to carry my laptop, camera and lenses in. Never even thought to try and fit my housing in it. How do you do it? Do you just put the housing on the top compartment or do you put the camera in it and place it all in the lower one?

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The housing and two ports (flat port for 100mm macro lens and the small dome) all fit in the top compartment. It's a bit tight but ok, however, I don't think the biggadoma or a longer dome port would fit together with the flat port. The bottom compartment has special padding so I think it is best to keep using that for what it was designed for; camera and lenses. It is easy to fit in the Canon 20D with a 100mm macro lens mounted, plus 5 more lenses, so there is quite a bit of space. If you don't need that many lenses you could stick a dive-light or strobe head in a lens-slot.

The internal padding that divides the 6 lens "chambers" in the bottom compartment can be taken out so if you want you could use it for the housing.

Bart

The housing and two ports (flat port for 100mm macro lens and the small dome) all fit in the top compartment. It's a bit tight but ok, however, I don't think the biggadoma or a longer dome port would fit together with the flat port. The bottom compartment has special padding so I think it is best to keep using that for what it was designed for; camera and lenses. It is easy to fit in the Canon 20D with a 100mm macro lens mounted, plus 5 more lenses, so there is quite a bit of space. If you don't need that many lenses you could stick a dive-light or strobe head in a lens-slot.

 

The internal padding that divides the 6 lens "chambers" in the bottom compartment can be taken out so if you want you could use it for the housing.

 

Bart

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I'm going to try a few different configurations and see what sticks. I take it that you put your housing arms in your checked luggage.

Thanks

I'm going to try a few different configurations and see what sticks. I take it that you put your housing arms in your checked luggage.

 

Thanks

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Yes, the tray+handles don't fit and even if they did the backpack is getting heavy enough as it is.

Bart

I always travel with Luisa and this is what we do: I go to check alone and she stays far away from the counter with everything subject to give problems...I choose a man as a checker because women have always been "tighter" (Once, I had to convince one that the thing around my neck was a necklace instead of a reg...)... Then, we pass the controls and go for the duty free shops and ask for some plastic bags (if someone says you something upon boarding the airplane you tell them that you just bought "that") you can always put some stuff inside... And as a final trick we wait for last, last, last final call and arrive running...they are always in a hurry and let you in without problems...

I always travel with Luisa and this is what we do: I go to check alone and she stays far away from the counter with everything subject to give problems...I choose a man as a checker because women have always been "tighter" (Once, I had to convince one that the thing around my neck was a necklace instead of a reg...)... Then, we pass the controls and go for the duty free shops and ask for some plastic bags (if someone says you something upon boarding the airplane you tell them that you just bought "that") you can always put some stuff inside... And as a final trick we wait for last, last, last final call and arrive running...they are always in a hurry and let you in without problems...

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I'm also used the 'duty free plastic bags' trick few times, fro some reasone this item don't count . If I have wegth roblem I ut some eavy gear on plastics bag that I brings from home (duty free bags from last flight reffered) and after the checkin returns the item into the bag.

As the big bag I use a very ligh 'trolly' and quit big latop side back that is full with the laptop itself and what ever items I can put there, prefferes items are the more heaviers items since this pach is rare weight by the checkin pepole.

But its all true for now, hope for the feature also.