jasher

Rocco,

I think I recall seeing somewhere that you were flying Virgin. I fly Virgin regularly, and they are very strict about weight limits in Economy -- the first thing you do when you check in is have your carry-on weighed. I've gotten away with 10kg but that was because I had a laptop and they give a bit of extra weight allowance for that...but I think you'll have difficulty convincing them that the extra weight in your pack is a laptop!

I'm sure you've thought long and hard about this, but I just thought I'd make a suggestion -- you could leave the 70-200mm and the 180mm, as those focal lengths are covered by the 17-85 and 80-400. Of course, if the 70-200 and the 180 are faster than the others, it's a different story.

Cheers,
Julian

bwanamitch

Kavey,

In my main luggage I have the 2nd body, flash, monopod or superclamp, spare parts, accus, the bino... and of course, a minimum set of clothes.
Unfortunately there is no space (or better weight) left for field guides.

Mitch

Kavey

In my 7kg backpack I can get my two bodies, 4 lenses, a portable hard drive and charger units plus hat, book to read, tissues etc and also in the past even a lightweight tripod though not a great one to be sure.

Mains luggage therefore doesn't have any camera equipment in it, just clothes, toiletries.

Most I had (for a safari) was when I didn't have Pete with me which was 7kg camera backpack and 10kg main luggage.

But I needed to keep main luggage down for the cessna transfers where one's allowance is quite reduced...

bwanamitch

Now you know the disadvantages of big lenses...

...and of course I'm using the same Cessnas.

Mitch

tashak

And remember, your wife doesn't actually have to carry her carryon. I think the airlines, even the ones with strict carryon allowances, completely understand that it is the husband's job to carry everything. This is part of the global karmic balance, because in Africa it is the women who do all the work.

As long as you can convince your to forego some of her weight allowance, you have a big advantage over all of us solo travellers.
Also, within Africa you can generally carry one item like a camera (with biggest, heaviest lense) over your shoulder and out of your bag without having it weighed. Don't know if this still works on Virgin/BA to London however. Anyone?
Finally, you might be able to put some heavy but small stuff (batteries!) in pockets and a small waistpack. to avoid the weigh-in challenge. Transfer back to your pack after checkin but before security. They only weigh once, thank goodness.

bwanamitch

... that's exactly the reason why I bought a new vest with many pockets. There is even a pocket at the back where I can put my 100-400 in. If I ever encounter some check-in difficulties with my 14kg backpack, I can put most of the photo equipment in my vest...

Mitch

jasher

Hi Rocco,

On my last trip (on Virgin) I carried a (small) camera bag separately from my official carry on, and they didn't weigh it. Mind you, my camera is a prosumer model which is about the size of a DSLR body, so the bag was pretty small (I figured I could always argue that it was a fraction of the size of many women's purses).

Personally, I wouldn't push it with a 'big white' and expect it not to be weighed -- I've been flying Virgin for years, and they have become a lot stricter recently (I honestly don't think it has anything to do with the war, however, as they were pretty lax for awhile even after the UK became involved in Iraq). Be warned -- I did see some people having their stuff forcibly checked when they went over the limit. I was even told that they wouldn't let my 10kg carry-on on the plane (until I told them it had a laptop in it). If you take stuff out to lighten the load, expect them to re-weigh it.

Cheers,
Julian

wanderlust123

I would like to tag along on this thread, if I may. I have the Lowepro Orion Trekker II for my camera gear and also the Baggallini "only" bag as a "purse". Do you think there will be any issue from Virgin Atlantic from a carry-on weight standpoint, if the Lowepro bag weighs 6 kg full of camera stuff, and I also have a "purse" (the "only" bag)? I was under the impression that they don't weigh a purse, just the "hand luggage." Anyone know?

Here are links to each of these:
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Back...rekker_II.aspx

http://www.ebags.com/baggallini/only...?modelid=47334

Thanks......

wanderlust123

Anyone?

mpkp

We got the tamrac velocity 9 sling pak which is a bit lighter and smaller than the back pack -- it will hold the Canon 20D with the 70-200mm lens attached. Additionally, other lenses and items can go on the sides.

What we liked is that it carries on your back like a back pack but you do not have to take it off and lay it down to open it and get at the items in it. It will easily turn around to the front of you and the top opens so the camera can be pulled straight out. Have not taken it on safari yet but around here it has been comfortable and easy to use.

lisa

Yes, far be it from me to suggest that Rocco buy yet another item...however I do think, Rocco, that you are a prime candidate for one of the photo vests with enormous pockets that hold everything, as described by bwanamitch. Wear it on the plane and put whatever you want in it and that won't count against your weight limit, preposterous though that is.