Packing my DSLR housing gear?

Now how do I pack all this stuff?

Anyone have any tips on how the pack there dome port etc. I was contemplating Domke wraps and tupperwear...

Any thoughts?

I will backpack the camera gear and carry that on. I do have a hard UK case on wheels that i will also use that gets checked.(no foams)

Check out how Dave and myself pack our DSLR's:

http://wetpixel.com/modules.php?op=modload...ight=storm+2750

My case can fit 2 setups but it's tight. Dave did a great job packing all his D-Rebel stuff in one small case.

Cheers

James

My current plan is to put the camera in the housing with the macro port installed and carry that on along with a couple of strobes. I think all that will fit inside an approved size pack. I'll have to do a little shopping this weekend. I've installed the shade on the dome port. The two fits inside the bag and box it came in. I plan to put that inside my hard suitcase.

That is what I was thinking Herb. I was going to add that i would pack one of the gears to ensure i could at least shoot with what I had should any luggage get delayed.

I did remember the thread James. I was asking if anyone did it without the pre formed foam dividers as my case does not have them. It has been used for dive gear till now. Craig had mentioned the tupperware approach one time.

Now where is my dive gear going to get packed...?

Hi Todd, You can usually order a set of foam dividers that will work from one of the online case shops. Cheap alternative is to use your clothes as the padding.

Cheers

James

Look at the Lowe Dry Zone 200 it will carry a housing fits my Aquatica A90 two smaller strobes (I use ds50s but have carries 1 50 and 1 100a), camera in housing, 2-3 lenses, basic arms and cords, macro port (sometimes dome port in outside pocket well wrapped in foam cloth), some batteries, charger, my digital wallet and my dive computer. It is also very water proof and built to carry camera gear. Just make it look light when you walk up to the counter and don’t have three or four other small pieces of carry on gear.

My buddy got stopped with the same bag loaded up at the counter because he had a reg bag with regs and other junk and argued it was the same as a laptop bag second carryon. They weighted the camera bag and said no it was too heavy, check it. Weight is becoming an issue.

Actually I have the Nature Trekker so I beleive they are the same size.

Todd,

On my last trip, I packed my Subal C10, 6" Dome, Flat port, 10D, 2 YS120s (with batterries), 16-35L, 15mm FE, 28-105, 550ex and ULCS in a Lowepro Photo Trekker. Dive gear went into a very worn suitcase.... I also had a small Case Logic Laptop case that fits 15" laptops.

No problems leaving YVR, through Narita to Manila...and return.

Stu

Todd:

I reckon you could get most of your setup in here and still carry it on the plane. It's a backpack AND a roller bag:

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/rollin...ing/rolling.htm

I'm guessing you could fit the housing (with camera inside), flat port, handles, strobe(s), and cord(s) in there. If they made you check it, you'd still probably be OK. Maybe I will order one of these too - it looks good!

Dave, is that what you have?

Cheers

James

Excellent! I am not sure the 8 inch will fit but that sounds very promising on all the other items. That is what I was used to with my smaller 5000 set-up.

I think I will stick with the Nature Trekker for now as my back is still strong and my credit card weak!

Todd:  

 

I reckon you could get most of your setup in here and still carry it on the plane.  It's a backpack AND a roller bag:

 

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/rollin...ing/rolling.htm

 

I'm guessing you could fit the housing (with camera inside), flat port, handles, strobe(s), and cord(s) in there.  If they made you check it, you'd still probably be OK.  Maybe I will order one of these too - it looks good!

 

Dave, is that what you have?

 

Cheers

James

Some airlines have a rule that the dimensions of the carry-on has to add up to less than 45 inches. This bag is just a little over. I'd like one that's within the rules in case they get picky.

They also make a "Mini" that is slightly smaller:

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/rollin...drunnermini.htm

Cheers

James

Everybody has their own system. A lot depends on where I'm going. For Palau and the soon to be Lembeh trip, it is all packed in normal roller carry-on bag that does not exceed the 45" limit. This is the multi-leg, multi-carrier, by God I may not have any dive gear but I can still take pictures, carry it all with me approach.

I have a pathetically old and crappy one at that. This bag has no excess padding (i.e. light) and no useless outside pocket. One thin layer of foam from the Peliccan 1550 or whatever it was on the bottom. Everything goes in, including ports, cables, two strobes (one backup in checked bag, rolled up in wetsuit inside SO's jacket BC). Tupperware for parts. Underwear for more padding and 20 year down pillow (hardly anything left to old "woogie" on top for more padding.

Now, since we travel as a pair, the camera gear goes in a Lowepro AW Trekker along with all sorts of stuff. I could have put camera and two lenses in the bag if I had to. If I were a solo traveler, I'd get a bigger backpack laptop bag.

When I carry for land photographry, too, a lot of stuff gets checked. Too much to carry. Tripod, long lens, polarizers, filters, flash, TC's, etc.

If you are fighting for room, check the dome port and one strobe. I pack the dome in the box in which it came, stuffed with socks. If the checked bag doesn't make it, I can still shoot macro with one strobe.

I have a shooter's vest. You can wear one and stuff all your lenses, filters, cable in the many pockets. Mine has a pocket at the bottom back of the vest that can handle a 300mm lens. They will look at you funny and your back will hurt after a while. Just another option.

I think my SO would prefer I use an MX5 and a Minox for land use. She once toted a 30lb. backpack for me. But the trail wasn't really that steep, just muddy and wet.

I have a shooter's vest.  You can wear one and stuff all your lenses, filters, cable in the many pockets.  Mine has a pocket at the bottom back of the vest that can handle a 300mm lens.  They will look at you funny and your back will hurt after a while.  Just another option.

A couple of experienced travelers have recommend this as a way of getting in an extra carry-on. You can get one designed for hunters and fishermen at a sporting good store cheap. One friend has one that I've dubbed her "grenade vest" because that's what it looks like to me. I just have to remember to stop calling it that when we're at the airport.

Todd:  

 

I reckon you could get most of your setup in here and still carry it on the plane.  It's a backpack AND a roller bag:

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/rollin...ing/rolling.htm

I'm guessing you could fit the housing (with camera inside), flat port, handles, strobe(s), and cord(s) in there.  If they made you check it, you'd still probably be OK.  Maybe I will order one of these too - it looks good!

 

Dave, is that what you have?

 

Cheers

James

Actually I bought the Pro Roller 1.

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/prorol...ler/prorl_1.htm

It is just about the same size, but I think uses the space better. Its actually harder-sided than the backpacks, I thought that it might hold up better if I did have to check it. Like Herb stated, I think its closer to the new limit. I now have it packed in such a way that I believe I could get two DS125's if I want to. I use a Computreker AW backpack (I have had it for about a year) to carry the cameras and lenses. Ikelite cautioned not to pack a camera in a housing for travel.

Going to Mexico next week, will let you know how it all works out.

Dave

Dear All

I have just bought the Storm 2400. Here is how I pack it

but there is certainly no space for anything else

Works well for me

Cheers Lars

I bought a Pro Roller 1 but never used it because it weighs 16lbs empty. When I flew Philippine Airlines last Dec they weighed every carry on item and did not allow any to bring more 20lbs total on board. I carry on my camera and lenses and check everything else in a pelican. I'm thinking of ditching the Pelican in favor of a bunch of Tupperware containers and an ice chest. The Pelican draws a bit too much attention and I prefer the shape of an ice chest. I also like the irony that the best packing device for thousands-of-dollars of equipment might be a beer cooler.