By: James Hamilton Bird

James Hamilton Bird — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:48:37 +0000

I have used many different bags over the last 40 years from the rather hard box type in the 60's to pig skin fitted one made by Hasselblad. As new products and fashions dictated more protection I felt it worth a try but one thing whateever I have always kept my gear in plastic bags covered. Today I have a Hama Miami 200 trolley bag just £75 new online now available from Germany forget £300 plus.OK. you pay for what you get. My bag Airline accepted size has a small front pouch for the rain cover and a book to read in the airport transit lounge. Behind that is a full zipped compartment in which I have an 8 inch x 5 inch pill container with 7 days or a week each divided as Morn lunch dinner Night. there are 4 of these for the 28 days as well as TWO perscriptions and a letter to say why I carry insulin and needles. The next compartment takes my 15 inch laptop to enable me to download daily a good habit to get into. In the main compartment is a removeable insert with a zipped mesh cover holds 2 big camera bodies down the side all packed in bags and Camera Armor on them,The opposite side of the bag holds my Sigma 120-400 mm with lenshood reversed and a soft bag on it all held by a strong elastic band that will stop it falling to the ground, next comes a smallish case with 2 spare batteries for the cameras I have 4 in all also holding spare compact flash cards, small screwdrivers, a spare card reader CF and USB with some pics on plus a spare SDHC card for the compact that I carry in my pocket always.Next a Camera battery mains charger.Across the top are a remote radio release for use as well as one that plugs into the body to realease by hand about a meter long.Some Cokin filters and holder left over from the film days but useful when shooting in B/W. Down the center are a Sigma 17-70 mm polarising filterand hood cased , A Nikon 18-55 mm UV filter and hood again cased and the Sigma 105 mm Macro lens hood but never used for Macro cased. This brings us to the lid with 2 zipped pouches one holds my ringflash in 2 parts body and ring…. spare batteries for it, a torch the upper pouch contains a pen brush and a Macro Focusing rail, and some postcards of my shots to giveaway at airport inspections of my bag etc. This brings me to the rear of the bag a larger compartment that used to hold the back pack straps long taken out the bag is far to heavy for that, in it's place are 2 of my books from previous Safari's and some A4 cards of various colours used as backgrounds.Next I have some Car Door Magnets advertising materials….My tripod goes in my check in bag which is not more that 12 KG I also have a sling bag that cost £ 18.online and use that often on the flight and around its less noticeable. My cheap trolley bag has been to Kenya 3 times to Australia and China South Africa Botswana and the Middle East………….Hama Miami 200…. to see some of my work http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdseyeviewphotos and leave comments if you wish.

By: Sharon Norman

Sharon Norman — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 11:19:47 +0000

Frank, I also have the ThinkTank Airport Security V 2.0 and had nothing but trouble when flying on regional jets, even though customer service assured it would be no problem. I had to remove all of my lenses and put them in a plastic bag the stewardess provided, including my Nikon 500mm. They then put my case in the cargo hold of the plane and I was able to pick it up immediately upon disembarking the flight. Once I arrived at Bosque I was able to leave the case in the SUV, but as you stated, this is not for taking in the field. Although it has more than enough room for several bodies, lenses, and other equipment it's useless unless you're not planning on going far from your vehicle. I'm actually trying to sell it so I can purchase a more versatile field backpack which will accommodate a 500mm lens and other necessary gear. I also check my tripod with my luggage as I'm not about to check lenses and other delicate, expensive gear. I've even heard some photographers say they wear the gear vests loaded up with their lenses, plus two carry ons with no hassle from airport personnel.

Comments on: Traveling With Photography Gear

By: James Hamilton Bird

By: Sharon Norman