Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton

Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark) wrote:
> Mark² wrote:
>> I have a question for you regarding over-seas airline travel with
>> the Canon 500 f4.
>>
>> What carry-on do you use for this lens?
>> I'm hoping to find a bag that will accomodate this lens along with a
>> number of other kit items (2 bodies, multiple lenses, etc.), but I
>> know size is limited for international carry-ons.

> Hi Mark,
> Bill and I both use a Lowepro Phototrekker AW backpacks,
> which I think is no longer available, but is replaced with the
> Phototrekker AW II
> http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/allWeather/Photo_Trekker_AW_II.aspx
>
> The Phototrekker AW is the largest backpack that is
> carry-on legal for typical US airlines (like United).
> To make it legal, you have to take off the tripod support
> (which was on the back of the AW, and appears on the
> side of the AW II, I think)
>
> I generally carry in a 1DII, 10D (now 30D), 500 f/4,
> 300 f/4, 70-200 f/4 L IS, 28-135 IS, 1.4x, 2x TCs,
> 24mm, filters, batteries and the stack
> of CF cards. Not much room for much
> else (maybe a P5000). A laptop will not fit,
> and if you stick any material in the back pouches,
> it is technically too thick to be legal.
> I have had difficulty getting it in the overhead
> bin on some small planes (but managed to do it).
> This outfit weighs about 45 pounds.
>
> I generally carry a second bag for the computer.
> This can be a real problem on some airlines with
> one bag limits. Also, many European airlines
> have a low weight limit, typically 14 to 16 pounds.
>
> When we went to Africa in January, we flew KLM from
> Amsterdam to Arusha. KLM has a 16 pound limit (if I'm
> remembering correctly--really low). We wore photo
> vests and looked like stuffed turkeys (in more ways than
> one), and were still over weight limits, but tried to
> make the backpacks look light. I was really sweating, but Bill
> looked cooler having done this other times. They pulled
> a woman out of line in Amsterdam to weigh her very large bag,
> so didn't bother us with our "smaller" looking bags.
>
> I generally put flashes in checked luggage along with
> some small lenses (like a 50 f/1..
>
> So, in general, it can be tough and depends on how
> much the airline enforces the weight restrictions
> (which don't seem to be all that much in my experience).
>
> I'm about to test Aegean Air, with a 1-bag 8 kg carry-on
> limit.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Roger

So you stuffed your photo vest pockets with as many lenses and items as you
could...later placing them back into the LowePro? Is that right? I
considered trying that last summer...but didn't have to do it.

What did you do with the laptop when dealing with one-bag airlines??

Good info.
Thanks,

Mark

--
Images (Plus Snaps & Grabs) by Mark² at:
www.pbase.com/markuson
 >> Stay informed about: Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton 

Mark² wrote:
> Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark) wrote:
>> Mark² wrote:
>>> I have a question for you regarding over-seas airline travel with
>>> the Canon 500 f4.
>>>
>>> What carry-on do you use for this lens?
>>> I'm hoping to find a bag that will accomodate this lens along with a
>>> number of other kit items (2 bodies, multiple lenses, etc.), but I
>>> know size is limited for international carry-ons.
>
>> Hi Mark,
>> Bill and I both use a Lowepro Phototrekker AW backpacks,
>> which I think is no longer available, but is replaced with the
>> Phototrekker AW II
>> http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/allWeather/Photo_Trekker_AW_II.aspx
>>
>> The Phototrekker AW is the largest backpack that is
>> carry-on legal for typical US airlines (like United).
>> To make it legal, you have to take off the tripod support
>> (which was on the back of the AW, and appears on the
>> side of the AW II, I think)
>>
>> I generally carry in a 1DII, 10D (now 30D), 500 f/4,
>> 300 f/4, 70-200 f/4 L IS, 28-135 IS, 1.4x, 2x TCs,
>> 24mm, filters, batteries and the stack
>> of CF cards. Not much room for much
>> else (maybe a P5000). A laptop will not fit,
>> and if you stick any material in the back pouches,
>> it is technically too thick to be legal.
>> I have had difficulty getting it in the overhead
>> bin on some small planes (but managed to do it).
>> This outfit weighs about 45 pounds.
>>
>> I generally carry a second bag for the computer.
>> This can be a real problem on some airlines with
>> one bag limits. Also, many European airlines
>> have a low weight limit, typically 14 to 16 pounds.
>>
>> When we went to Africa in January, we flew KLM from
>> Amsterdam to Arusha. KLM has a 16 pound limit (if I'm
>> remembering correctly--really low). We wore photo
>> vests and looked like stuffed turkeys (in more ways than
>> one), and were still over weight limits, but tried to
>> make the backpacks look light. I was really sweating, but Bill
>> looked cooler having done this other times. They pulled
>> a woman out of line in Amsterdam to weigh her very large bag,
>> so didn't bother us with our "smaller" looking bags.
>>
>> I generally put flashes in checked luggage along with
>> some small lenses (like a 50 f/1..
>>
>> So, in general, it can be tough and depends on how
>> much the airline enforces the weight restrictions
>> (which don't seem to be all that much in my experience).
>>
>> I'm about to test Aegean Air, with a 1-bag 8 kg carry-on
>> limit.
>>
>> Hope this helps,
>>
>> Roger
>
> So you stuffed your photo vest pockets with as many lenses and items as you
> could...later placing them back into the LowePro? Is that right? I
> considered trying that last summer...but didn't have to do it.

Yes. I even stuffed the 1D2 and 10D in the photo vest.

> What did you do with the laptop when dealing with one-bag airlines??

I haven't taken the 500, so I switch to the computrekker, and
again stuff lenses and camera bodies into the vest to
get within the weight limit. If you are wearing it, it
doesn't count toward the weight limit. Pretty stupid.

The other alternative is to travel with a companion who
is not a photographer, but is willing to help carry
gear.

Roger
 >> Stay informed about: Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton 

Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark) wrote:

> The other alternative is to travel with a companion who
> is not a photographer, but is willing to help carry
> gear.
>
> Roger

OK. One more question...
I can't seem to figure out what lens hood the 500 comes with.
I see this very substantial hood pictured here:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-500mm-f-4.0-L-IS-U...Lens-Re
....but then B&H indicates this cheap looking hood:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/186095-REG/Canon_2704A002_ET_138...ns_Hood

They list it at $519, but it appears to be no different than the cheaper
hoods made for the 100-400, etc. Is this simply the wrong picture?? I
would hope that $519 pays for a much more substantial piece of hardware,
like the one in first link, above.

What gives? Thanks again.

Mark

--
Images (Plus Snaps & Grabs) by Mark² at:
www.pbase.com/markuson
 >> Stay informed about: Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton 

Mark² wrote:
> Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark) wrote:
>
>> The other alternative is to travel with a companion who
>> is not a photographer, but is willing to help carry
>> gear.
>>
>> Roger
>
> OK. One more question...
> I can't seem to figure out what lens hood the 500 comes with.
> I see this very substantial hood pictured here:
> http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-500mm-f-4.0-L-IS-U...Lens-Re
> ...but then B&H indicates this cheap looking hood:
> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/186095-REG/Canon_2704A002_ET_138...ns_Hood

Those links sort of got mucked up together...
Here they are again:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-500mm-f-4.0-L-IS-U...Lens-Re

but then B&H indicates this cheap looking hood:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/186095-REG/Canon_2704A002_ET_138...ns_Hood

--
Images (Plus Snaps & Grabs) by Mark² at:
www.pbase.com/markuson
 >> Stay informed about: Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton 

Mark² wrote:
> Mark² wrote:
>> Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark) wrote:
>>
>>> The other alternative is to travel with a companion who
>>> is not a photographer, but is willing to help carry
>>> gear.
>>>
>>> Roger
>> OK. One more question...
>> I can't seem to figure out what lens hood the 500 comes with.
>> I see this very substantial hood pictured here:
>> http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-500mm-f-4.0-L-IS-U...Lens-Re
>> ...but then B&H indicates this cheap looking hood:
>> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/186095-REG/Canon_2704A002_ET_138...ns_Hood
>
> Those links sort of got mucked up together...
> Here they are again:
>
> http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-500mm-f-4.0-L-IS-U...Lens-Re
>
> but then B&H indicates this cheap looking hood:
>
> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/186095-REG/Canon_2704A002_ET_138...ns_Hood
>
Hmm, mine came with the substantial hood shown in the first
link. But I went to the B&H site and looked up the 500 and
see that the "item includes" section links to the hood
in your second link. Why not call them and if that is correct,
see they will go for the other lens hood. O maybe Canon
has stopped making the lens hood and the new one is the standard.
At $519 it must be more than plastic. To mee it appears
that the ET-138 black hood is not as long as the other
hood. The longer hood offers better protection from
stray light as well as dust, water spray, etc.

Roger
 >> Stay informed about: Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton 

Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark) wrote:
> Mark² wrote:

>>
>> http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-500mm-f-4.0-L-IS-U...Lens-Re
>>
>>
>> but then B&H indicates this cheap looking hood:
>>
>> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/186095-REG/Canon_2704A002_ET_138...ns_Hood
>>
>>
> Hmm, mine came with the substantial hood shown in the first
> link. But I went to the B&H site and looked up the 500 and
> see that the "item includes" section links to the hood
> in your second link. Why not call them and if that is correct,
> see they will go for the other lens hood. O maybe Canon
> has stopped making the lens hood and the new one is the standard.
> At $519 it must be more than plastic. To mee it appears
> that the ET-138 black hood is not as long as the other
> hood. The longer hood offers better protection from
> stray light as well as dust, water spray, etc.
>
Dang! They are closed now for another day, are BnH. Almost bought the
lens, more than the first (new) car I bought, more than Porches sold for
in the early 60's.

You gotta get the white coated metal one. Or you could fabricate one by
cutting a beer keg in sections....

Good luck and can I borrow it soon??

--
john mcwilliams
 >> Stay informed about: Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton 

> "Mark²" wrote:
> I have a question for you regarding over-seas airline travel with the Canon
> 500 f4.
>
> What carry-on do you use for this lens?

Hi Mark,

As Roger mentioned, the Lowe Pro PhotoTrekker AW is the one, the right
dimensions for carry-on-legal but still enough room for the 500 ...
the larger Lowe Pro bags will often get flagged at the gate since they
are too big.

> You've both mentioned that the 500 was preferable to the 400 2.8 for
> carry-on considerations, but I'm interested to hear your packing set-up.
> My main question is:
> What bag, and what ELSE can you fit with the lens?

Here are two photos I took for someone last year who had this same Q,
showing how much gear you can fit in ...
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/tests/W1472.jpg
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/tests/W1476.jpg

I have a separate hard case for the lens hoods for the 70-200's and
other lenses that I pack in checked baggage.

> Ideally I need something that will allow my small laptop (Sony SZ, 13"
> screen, very small).

The laptop will fit in the outside pocket but then the bag is too deep
to fit in the overhead, so I don't think you can fit a laptop and a
500 f/4 in one bag ...

> In case it matters...my kit will include:
>
> 1D3 (if it arrives...if not, another body)
> 500 f4 (of course)
> 5D (with or without grip if necessary)
> 70-200 2.8 IS
> 16-35 2.8
> 24-105 IS
> 1.4x and 2x

You can get all the above in if you lay the converters on top of the
70-200 (in my pics I have one less lens and have a flash above the
70-200)

> Two 580EXs
> 100 2.8 macro
> Batteries, chargers, etc.
> 50 1.4 (optional)
> Epson P5000
> Several small hard drives (small, laptop size)
> Laptop

You can get a couple more batteries in and the Epson P-5000, but not
the flashes or the extra lenses.

> I'm also interested to hear which African airlines you flew with, and what
> their carry-on restrictions were.

Which country are you visiting? If you go to Namibia or South Africa,
you can avoid flying in-country (or at least I did, I just rented a
car and took off ... driving on the wrong side of the road with jet
lag .

If you are going to Kenya or Tanzania then I suggest just taking the
major airlines to Nairobi or Arusha (where I've gone the last three
trips) and drive everywhere from there. Our safari outfitter offered
to fly us back from Serengeti to Arusha the last day, which saves 5-7
hours of dusty driving, but because of the weight restrictions we
avoid flying in-country. This simplifies things greatly, at the cost
of a bit more driving.

Botswana and Zambia are the two countries you may have to fly in-
country a lot because of the lack of roads. Many of the lodges have
charter flights on small planes and space is limited, so often the
guests are allowed only 33 lbs total for all their luggage ... the
guys I know who go to Bots often have to buy an extra seat on the
plane just for their gear, and sometimes even that isn't available.
This is one of the three reasons many long-lens photograpers avoid
Bots, as great as the photo opps are ...

Couple of other things ... you can bring a 2nd small bag for your
laptop in almost all European countries. The major exception to this
right now is flying via London because they are strictly limiting it
to one item (even a purse counts as the only allowable one item). But
from the other EU countries you can board with a normal bag and a
small bag for a laptop. I think London will have to conform to EU
rules next fall (not sure about all these details but I think that's
right).

Anyway, we always try to avoid London and go via Amsterdam, in part
for this reason.

Also, with all the gear in the LowePro bag you will be over-weight ...
at Amsterdam on the KLM flights to Arusha the limit was 10 kilos (22
lbs) and our camera bags were 30-35 lbs (wife's is lower). They had a
scale at the gate and were checking people with larger looking bags
but we managed to skate past this without getting weighed ... I had a
vest that I could use for 10 lbs of gear but didn't have to use it ...
but just to warn you, in case you get weighed.

> -I know you've both done this before so I value your input quite highly.
> Thanks for any info/experience...
>
> Mark

Have a good trip.

Bill
 >> Stay informed about: Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton 

Hi, Do you suggest a traveler use a photo vest and load it up to lighten the
carry-on bag(s)?

Three friends flew to Paris last year to shoot the 24 Hours of Le Mans and
all of them with 1D bodies, 500's and laptops in the Think Tank roller bag
and put nearly everything else (70-200, 16-35's, TC's and batts) in a photo
vest because of the very low weight limit on carry on bags while no limit on
what you can carry on your person.



"Bill Hilton" <bhilton665.TakeThisOut@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1179937358.972785.227330@o5g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> "Mark" wrote:
> I have a question for you regarding over-seas airline travel with the
> Canon
> 500 f4.
>
> What carry-on do you use for this lens?

Hi Mark,

As Roger mentioned, the Lowe Pro PhotoTrekker AW is the one, the right
dimensions for carry-on-legal but still enough room for the 500 ...
the larger Lowe Pro bags will often get flagged at the gate since they
are too big.

> You've both mentioned that the 500 was preferable to the 400 2.8 for
> carry-on considerations, but I'm interested to hear your packing set-up.
> My main question is:
> What bag, and what ELSE can you fit with the lens?

Here are two photos I took for someone last year who had this same Q,
showing how much gear you can fit in ...
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/tests/W1472.jpg
http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/tests/W1476.jpg

I have a separate hard case for the lens hoods for the 70-200's and
other lenses that I pack in checked baggage.

> Ideally I need something that will allow my small laptop (Sony SZ, 13"
> screen, very small).

The laptop will fit in the outside pocket but then the bag is too deep
to fit in the overhead, so I don't think you can fit a laptop and a
500 f/4 in one bag ...

> In case it matters...my kit will include:
>
> 1D3 (if it arrives...if not, another body)
> 500 f4 (of course)
> 5D (with or without grip if necessary)
> 70-200 2.8 IS
> 16-35 2.8
> 24-105 IS
> 1.4x and 2x

You can get all the above in if you lay the converters on top of the
70-200 (in my pics I have one less lens and have a flash above the
70-200)

> Two 580EXs
> 100 2.8 macro
> Batteries, chargers, etc.
> 50 1.4 (optional)
> Epson P5000
> Several small hard drives (small, laptop size)
> Laptop

You can get a couple more batteries in and the Epson P-5000, but not
the flashes or the extra lenses.

> I'm also interested to hear which African airlines you flew with, and what
> their carry-on restrictions were.

Which country are you visiting? If you go to Namibia or South Africa,
you can avoid flying in-country (or at least I did, I just rented a
car and took off ... driving on the wrong side of the road with jet
lag .

If you are going to Kenya or Tanzania then I suggest just taking the
major airlines to Nairobi or Arusha (where I've gone the last three
trips) and drive everywhere from there. Our safari outfitter offered
to fly us back from Serengeti to Arusha the last day, which saves 5-7
hours of dusty driving, but because of the weight restrictions we
avoid flying in-country. This simplifies things greatly, at the cost
of a bit more driving.

Botswana and Zambia are the two countries you may have to fly in-
country a lot because of the lack of roads. Many of the lodges have
charter flights on small planes and space is limited, so often the
guests are allowed only 33 lbs total for all their luggage ... the
guys I know who go to Bots often have to buy an extra seat on the
plane just for their gear, and sometimes even that isn't available.
This is one of the three reasons many long-lens photograpers avoid
Bots, as great as the photo opps are ...

Couple of other things ... you can bring a 2nd small bag for your
laptop in almost all European countries. The major exception to this
right now is flying via London because they are strictly limiting it
to one item (even a purse counts as the only allowable one item). But
from the other EU countries you can board with a normal bag and a
small bag for a laptop. I think London will have to conform to EU
rules next fall (not sure about all these details but I think that's
right).

Anyway, we always try to avoid London and go via Amsterdam, in part
for this reason.

Also, with all the gear in the LowePro bag you will be over-weight ...
at Amsterdam on the KLM flights to Arusha the limit was 10 kilos (22
lbs) and our camera bags were 30-35 lbs (wife's is lower). They had a
scale at the gate and were checking people with larger looking bags
but we managed to skate past this without getting weighed ... I had a
vest that I could use for 10 lbs of gear but didn't have to use it ...
but just to warn you, in case you get weighed.

> -I know you've both done this before so I value your input quite highly.
> Thanks for any info/experience...
>
> Mark

Have a good trip.

Bill
 >> Stay informed about: Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton 

Bill Hilton wrote:
>> "Mark" wrote:
>> I have a question for you regarding over-seas airline travel with
>> the Canon 500 f4.
>>
>> What carry-on do you use for this lens?
>
> Hi Mark,
>
> As Roger mentioned, the Lowe Pro PhotoTrekker AW is the one, the right
> dimensions for carry-on-legal but still enough room for the 500 ...
> the larger Lowe Pro bags will often get flagged at the gate since they
> are too big.
>
>> You've both mentioned that the 500 was preferable to the 400 2.8 for
>> carry-on considerations, but I'm interested to hear your packing
>> set-up. My main question is:
>> What bag, and what ELSE can you fit with the lens?
>
> Here are two photos I took for someone last year who had this same Q,
> showing how much gear you can fit in ...
> http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/tests/W1472.jpg
> http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/tests/W1476.jpg
>
> I have a separate hard case for the lens hoods for the 70-200's and
> other lenses that I pack in checked baggage.
>
>> Ideally I need something that will allow my small laptop (Sony SZ,
>> 13" screen, very small).
>
> The laptop will fit in the outside pocket but then the bag is too deep
> to fit in the overhead, so I don't think you can fit a laptop and a
> 500 f/4 in one bag ...
>
>> In case it matters...my kit will include:
>>
>> 1D3 (if it arrives...if not, another body)
>> 500 f4 (of course)
>> 5D (with or without grip if necessary)
>> 70-200 2.8 IS
>> 16-35 2.8
>> 24-105 IS
>> 1.4x and 2x
>
> You can get all the above in if you lay the converters on top of the
> 70-200 (in my pics I have one less lens and have a flash above the
> 70-200)
>
>> Two 580EXs
>> 100 2.8 macro
>> Batteries, chargers, etc.
>> 50 1.4 (optional)
>> Epson P5000
>> Several small hard drives (small, laptop size)
>> Laptop
>
> You can get a couple more batteries in and the Epson P-5000, but not
> the flashes or the extra lenses.
>
>> I'm also interested to hear which African airlines you flew with,
>> and what their carry-on restrictions were.
>
> Which country are you visiting? If you go to Namibia or South Africa,
> you can avoid flying in-country (or at least I did, I just rented a
> car and took off ... driving on the wrong side of the road with jet
> lag .
>
> If you are going to Kenya or Tanzania then I suggest just taking the
> major airlines to Nairobi or Arusha (where I've gone the last three
> trips) and drive everywhere from there. Our safari outfitter offered
> to fly us back from Serengeti to Arusha the last day, which saves 5-7
> hours of dusty driving, but because of the weight restrictions we
> avoid flying in-country. This simplifies things greatly, at the cost
> of a bit more driving.
>
> Botswana and Zambia are the two countries you may have to fly in-
> country a lot because of the lack of roads. Many of the lodges have
> charter flights on small planes and space is limited, so often the
> guests are allowed only 33 lbs total for all their luggage ... the
> guys I know who go to Bots often have to buy an extra seat on the
> plane just for their gear, and sometimes even that isn't available.
> This is one of the three reasons many long-lens photograpers avoid
> Bots, as great as the photo opps are ...
>
> Couple of other things ... you can bring a 2nd small bag for your
> laptop in almost all European countries. The major exception to this
> right now is flying via London because they are strictly limiting it
> to one item (even a purse counts as the only allowable one item). But
> from the other EU countries you can board with a normal bag and a
> small bag for a laptop. I think London will have to conform to EU
> rules next fall (not sure about all these details but I think that's
> right).
>
> Anyway, we always try to avoid London and go via Amsterdam, in part
> for this reason.
>
> Also, with all the gear in the LowePro bag you will be over-weight ...
> at Amsterdam on the KLM flights to Arusha the limit was 10 kilos (22
> lbs) and our camera bags were 30-35 lbs (wife's is lower). They had a
> scale at the gate and were checking people with larger looking bags
> but we managed to skate past this without getting weighed ... I had a
> vest that I could use for 10 lbs of gear but didn't have to use it ...
> but just to warn you, in case you get weighed.
>
>> -I know you've both done this before so I value your input quite
>> highly. Thanks for any info/experience...
>>
>> Mark
>
> Have a good trip.
>
> Bill

Lots of great info, there, Bill. Thank you. The pictures are helpful as
well. I have that bag, though I don't often carry it any more. I'll have
to haul it out for this one...

I'll be in Swaziland, Mozambique and S. Africa... My first purpose for this
trip isn't photography, so some of my opportunities will be far more limited
that yours were, I'm afraid.

I'm concerned about a flight that connects through Paris, as I suspect they
may be pickier than other ports regarding carry-on weight. I've got a big
vest that I bought last summer for just such a use...so I'll be sure to
bring it along in case I need to stuff it to the gills. -Seems rather
ridiculous, but I guess you have to play their game sometimes...

I may choose to leave the 500 at home until a family member joins me in
Africa. They aren't photog types and might be willing to haul the big lens
for me. I won't need it in Ukraine, and it would likely be a liability/risk
there anyway.

At this point my concern is getting through Paris with the carry on...

What are your latest big-trip plans??

Thank you again for your help.

-Mark

--
Images (Plus Snaps & Grabs) by Mark² at:
www.pbase.com/markuson
 >> Stay informed about: Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton 

> "just bob" <kilbyfan@aoldotcom> wrote:
>
> Hi, Do you suggest a traveler use a photo vest and load it up to lighten the
> carry-on bag(s)?

You can do it that way, a lot of photographers take advantage of this
loophole.

On these trips to Africa I wear the vest so I can temporarily move
enough gear
from the bag to the vest if I get weighed, but thus far I've skated
thru. The vest is useful
for carrying things like passports and tix in the zippered pockets and
books or magazines
in the bellows pockets, but they are kinda dorky looking

> Three friends flew to Paris last year to shoot the 24 Hours of Le Mans and
> all of them with 1D bodies, 500's and laptops in the Think Tank roller bag
> and put nearly everything else (70-200, 16-35's, TC's and batts) in a photo
> vest because of the very low weight limit on carry on bags while no limit on
> what you can carry on your person.

Yeah, a lot of people do this ...

Bill
 >> Stay informed about: Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton 

> "Mark" wrote:
>
> I'll be in Swaziland, Mozambique and S. Africa... My first purpose for this
> trip isn't photography, so some of my opportunities will be far more limited
> that yours were, I'm afraid.

I would just skip taking the 500 to these countries and almost all of
these weight problems go away ...

> I'm concerned about a flight that connects through Paris, as I suspect they
> may be pickier than other ports regarding carry-on weight.

I'll be flying to Paris in a few weeks so will check out their policy
first-hand. You can usually find the airlines' policy on carry-on
allowances on their web sites. Usually they are
not as tight-assed as the Brits ...

> I may choose to leave the 500 at home ...

That's what I'd do ... I'll be in France for several weeks with just a
24-105 and 70-200, maybe splitting a 100 macro with my wife ...

> At this point my concern is getting through Paris with the carry on...

Buzz me around the end of June when we get back and I'll know for
certain ...

Bill
 >> Stay informed about: Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton 

On May 24, 7:38?am, Brian <briansnewsbox... DeleteThis @yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> On 23 May 2007 09:22:39 -0700, Bill Hilton <bhilton... DeleteThis @aol.com>
> mentioned:
>
>
>
> >Couple of other things ... you can bring a 2nd small bag for your
> >laptop in almost all European countries. The major exception to this
> >right now is flying via London because they are strictly limiting it
> >to one item (even a purse counts as the only allowable one item). But
> >from the other EU countries you can board with a normal bag and a
> >small bag for a laptop. I think London will have to conform to EU
> >rules next fall (not sure about all these details but I think that's
> >right).
>
> It's the other way round - the UK is ahead of the game, the date for
> implementation was supposed to be last April but has been put back.
> The rest of the EU will be falling in line soon, quite a few countries
> already have a 1 item limit but with the old, larger size.
>
> Brian

Hi Brian,

What I read is the date for one common EU policy has slipped to May
2008 at the earliest
and that the UK wants to go to a one-bag carry-on limit but many of
the other countries don't
like this because of all the problems it creates for business
travelers, who want a second
bag for a laptop. So it's still up in the air as to which policy will
win out and when it will be
implemented.

For sure Amsterdam allows two carry-ons (wife was there a few weeks
ago with a camera bag and a laptop bag) ... I'll see what the deal is
in Paris in a couple of weeks but I think London is still the main
connecting point with a firm single-bag rule.

Bill
 >> Stay informed about: Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton 

On 23 May 2007 09:22:39 -0700, Bill Hilton <bhilton665.DeleteThis@aol.com>
mentioned:

>
>Couple of other things ... you can bring a 2nd small bag for your
>laptop in almost all European countries. The major exception to this
>right now is flying via London because they are strictly limiting it
>to one item (even a purse counts as the only allowable one item). But
>from the other EU countries you can board with a normal bag and a
>small bag for a laptop. I think London will have to conform to EU
>rules next fall (not sure about all these details but I think that's
>right).
>
It's the other way round - the UK is ahead of the game, the date for
implementation was supposed to be last April but has been put back.
The rest of the EU will be falling in line soon, quite a few countries
already have a 1 item limit but with the old, larger size.

Brian
 >> Stay informed about: Ping: Roger and Bill Hilton