If you have super big Great White tele, how do you travel with it?

[LovePhotography]

Ok, I got my 600mm beast. It came exquisitely double packed in good quality boxes, the outer box just a half inch bigger all around than the original box from Canon. And, all in all, it's about as big as a small doghouse!
So, I'm just wondering, if you have one of these monster lenses, DO you, and if you do, HOW do you travel with it? After seeing what my new luggage looks like after being checked, I can't really imagine checking it on a plane. If you do check it, you just let them bang up the $800 gray luggage, or you put that luggage in another box? Too big for carry on, and shipping it FedEx is scary also. So, I'm thinking the only way is by car or sherpa?

 

[FEBS]

I don't have the 600mm but the 200-400 1.4x. That lens is a little smaller and I did put it in a Gura buttaflae 26L. I didn't have any problem caused by the dimension of that bag. I was travelling Britisch Airways on which I was lucky to take 23kg of hand luggage in the plane.
For my visit to Uganda at the end of the year, I'm seriously doubting about getting a 600mm, cause there are a lot of birds to see (more then 450 different types). So I'm looking for the Gura buttaflae 32L but unfortunately, this bag is already for a long time in backorder, even at the site of the manufacturer.
The buttaflae is a real nice bag for along lens. The 32L can accommodate a 600 or even the 800mm. From outside dimensions, they really don't look that big. My Buttaflae 26L looks much smaller then my Lowepro 500AW in which I can not load the same quantity of gear, but who looks much more impressive and will/is outside of the acceptable range for all airlines for hand luggage.
So there are products on the market in which you can load a 600mm and take it with you inside the airplane. Take a close look to the outside dimensions before you buy. The weight is of course very dependent on the airline themselves, but most of the time, if the bag does not look to big, they don't ask to place it on the scale.

 

[Andreas]

I have a 600 mm lens and tried several options. I got this black square box case where the 600mm fits with sn attached camera. Good for a roadtrip, but not for airplane. I have put neopren protection all over the lens which helps lot to disguise it. Than I put it into a neoprene travelcoat and hang everything on my shoulder with the shoulderstrap. This double neoprene is a very good protection. This together with a backpack 400AW has never been a problem in air traveling. homeland and all these private security guys are very sympathetic with this arrangement.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I sold my 600mm L because taking it with me, along with a large tripod, head, etc. was just too much for a casual user. My 100-400mmL got most of my use because it was easy to carry around.

 

[mkihne]

Ok, I got my 600mm beast. It came exquisitely double packed in good quality boxes, the outer box just a half inch bigger all around than the original box from Canon. And, all in all, it's about as big as a small doghouse!
So, I'm just wondering, if you have one of these monster lenses, DO you, and if you do, HOW do you travel with it? After seeing what my new luggage looks like after being checked, I can't really imagine checking it on a plane. If you do check it, you just let them bang up the $800 gray luggage, or you put that luggage in another box? Too big for carry on, and shipping it FedEx is scary also. So, I'm thinking the only way is by car or sherpa?

Tamrac 5793. Holds my 200-400 with dslr attatched if you choose. Room for extra padding around the lens barrel if you choose. Carry on size for all but smaller(embraur) regional jets. Listed as suitable for 600mm.

 

[LovePhotography]

Okay, well, here's the first $11,000 photo. Taken with a lowly T5i for reach.
Not sure this pic is worth $11 grand, but it is what it is.
Had to pick a lo res to get it to fit.

 

[wtlloyd]

Lens in the carryon hood & tripod in checked bag.

 

[quod]

I carry my 500/4 in my Gura Gear Bataflae 26L and 32L bags. Both are USA domestic flight compliant as carry on luggage.

 

[anthonyd]

... I can't really imagine checking it on a plane. If you do check it, you just let them bang up the $800 gray luggage, or you put that luggage in another box?

You never check an $11K item. Ever! It's not only them braking it, but also them stealing it. Yes, that's right, you have no way to know that someone in the pipeline will not open your bag and take your lens. This might sound crazy, but I've had much much cheaper equipment stolen from my checked luggage and I'm not talking traveling to third world. I'm talking a flight from Europe to the US.

 

[takesome1]

I have an over the shoulder soft side camera bag made by Pelican. It is carry on size and the super tele, a body or two and several lenses fit nicely. The negative is no wheels and it can get heavy if your connection is on the opposite side of the airport.

Camera not mounted on lens, it would be to long.

 

[rpt]

I don't have the 600mm but the 200-400 1.4x. That lens is a little smaller and I did put it in a Gura buttaflae 26L. I didn't have any problem caused by the dimension of that bag. I was travelling Britisch Airways on which I was lucky to take 23kg of hand luggage in the plane.
For my visit to Uganda at the end of the year, I'm seriously doubting about getting a 600mm, cause there are a lot of birds to see (more then 450 different types). So I'm looking for the Gura buttaflae 32L but unfortunately, this bag is already for a long time in backorder, even at the site of the manufacturer.
The buttaflae is a real nice bag for along lens. The 32L can accommodate a 600 or even the 800mm. From outside dimensions, they really don't look that big. My Buttaflae 26L looks much smaller then my Lowepro 500AW in which I can not load the same quantity of gear, but who looks much more impressive and will/is outside of the acceptable range for all airlines for hand luggage.
So there are products on the market in which you can load a 600mm and take it with you inside the airplane. Take a close look to the outside dimensions before you buy. The weight is of course very dependent on the airline themselves, but most of the time, if the bag does not look to big, they don't ask to place it on the scale.

You da boss! 23 kg of hand luggage? Do tell us how you did that!

And if I were to be able to purchase a lens like the 600L, I would not check it in.

 

[applecider]

So has nobody ever checked a supertelephoto big white? In a Pelican or other case?

 

[privatebydesign]

Lots of people check superteles, and much more expensive video gear, and yes Pelican cases and aluminium flight cases are the normal way of doing it.

The problem is ensuring you don't get gear stolen, for international travel that is a very difficult thing to guard against, insurance will pay for the lens, but not the trip!

 

[FEBS]

I don't have the 600mm but the 200-400 1.4x. That lens is a little smaller and I did put it in a Gura buttaflae 26L. I didn't have any problem caused by the dimension of that bag. I was travelling Britisch Airways on which I was lucky to take 23kg of hand luggage in the plane.
For my visit to Uganda at the end of the year, I'm seriously doubting about getting a 600mm, cause there are a lot of birds to see (more then 450 different types). So I'm looking for the Gura buttaflae 32L but unfortunately, this bag is already for a long time in backorder, even at the site of the manufacturer.
The buttaflae is a real nice bag for along lens. The 32L can accommodate a 600 or even the 800mm. From outside dimensions, they really don't look that big. My Buttaflae 26L looks much smaller then my Lowepro 500AW in which I can not load the same quantity of gear, but who looks much more impressive and will/is outside of the acceptable range for all airlines for hand luggage.
So there are products on the market in which you can load a 600mm and take it with you inside the airplane. Take a close look to the outside dimensions before you buy. The weight is of course very dependent on the airline themselves, but most of the time, if the bag does not look to big, they don't ask to place it on the scale.

You da boss! 23 kg of hand luggage? Do tell us how you did that!

And if I were to be able to purchase a lens like the 600L, I would not check it in.

I had about 17kg loaded in a gura gear battaflae 26 (1dx, 5d3, batteries, 200-400, 70-200, 100 macro, 16-35, 50, flash, tripod head, backup-unit, ND-filters,...)

The max allowance was 23kg
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/baggage-essentials/hand-baggage-allowances

 

[rpt]

I don't have the 600mm but the 200-400 1.4x. That lens is a little smaller and I did put it in a Gura buttaflae 26L. I didn't have any problem caused by the dimension of that bag. I was travelling Britisch Airways on which I was lucky to take 23kg of hand luggage in the plane.
For my visit to Uganda at the end of the year, I'm seriously doubting about getting a 600mm, cause there are a lot of birds to see (more then 450 different types). So I'm looking for the Gura buttaflae 32L but unfortunately, this bag is already for a long time in backorder, even at the site of the manufacturer.
The buttaflae is a real nice bag for along lens. The 32L can accommodate a 600 or even the 800mm. From outside dimensions, they really don't look that big. My Buttaflae 26L looks much smaller then my Lowepro 500AW in which I can not load the same quantity of gear, but who looks much more impressive and will/is outside of the acceptable range for all airlines for hand luggage.
So there are products on the market in which you can load a 600mm and take it with you inside the airplane. Take a close look to the outside dimensions before you buy. The weight is of course very dependent on the airline themselves, but most of the time, if the bag does not look to big, they don't ask to place it on the scale.

You da boss! 23 kg of hand luggage? Do tell us how you did that!

And if I were to be able to purchase a lens like the 600L, I would not check it in.

I had about 17kg loaded in a gura gear battaflae 26 (1dx, 5d3, batteries, 200-400, 70-200, 100 macro, 16-35, 50, flash, tripod head, backup-unit, ND-filters,...)

The max allowance was 23kg
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/baggage-essentials/hand-baggage-allowances

Wow! Thanks. I thought for us in cattle class it was 8 kg... I will now have our admin look at BA.

 

[canonistic]

i drive rather than fly if at all possible, because of concerns about my gear. Up to 12 hours. after that if i HAVE to fly, i DO NOT check my gear, it must fit carry on so that it is with me at all times. I use a pelican case, it meets the carry on requirements, it fits two 1d bodies, a 400mm f2.8, a 70-200mm f2.8, and a 16-35 f2.8 lens and a few accessories like flash etc.

There are many perils to checking your gear, but the two big ones are theft and damage.
If you have to check it, you can minimize damage as best you can by how you pack and cushion it.
There is an old trick to help with theft as well. If you have a firearm, pack it in the case and be sure you DECLARE IT.
You can then put a serious lock on your case, and it gets watched very closely during the process.
No firearm? A starters pistol will qualify and is usually legal to posess even in restrictive states.

 

[anthonyd]

Wow! Thanks. I thought for us in cattle class it was 8 kg... I will now have our admin look at BA.

In the US they never check your carry on for weight, only size. Even the size is only gauged by eyeballing. If you have a small bag full of lead the people at the check-in and gate will be ok with it -- although lead is not known to be very helpful in photography, and you'll probably get the attention of the screening crew .
In Europe they are a little more strict. They quite often ask me to put my carry-on in that little metal cage that defines the maximum size (because it is the maximum size), but I've never had a carry-on checked for weight.

I don't own a 600mm, but if I did, I'd find the smallest bag it fits in, put it in and fill up the gaps in the bag with packing peanuts, or some type of foam.
The maximum carry on size (according to google, check with your airport to be sure) is 22" x 14" x 9".
Delsey Helium Sky 21' (and a bunch of other roller bags) is 21''H x 14"W x 9"D
The Canon 600/4.0 is 17.6" x 6.6''
You have plenty of room for packing peanuts, and nobody will be throwing your bag around in the first place.

 

[Loswr]

I haven't travelled with my 600 II yet, but if I were to do so, I'd put the lens in my Storm im2500 carryon hard case, and put the hood in checked luggage.

Depending on your airline and class of service, there's always a chance you'll end up boarding after the overheads are full, and be forced to gate check your carryon, which is why I put often my photo gear in a hard case and have TSA-approved locks along just in case.

 

[takesome1]

I haven't travelled with my 600 II yet, but if I were to do so, I'd put the lens in my Storm im2500 carryon hard case, and put the hood in checked luggage.

Depending on your airline and class of service, there's always a chance you'll end up boarding after the overheads are full, and be forced to gate check your carryon, which is why I put often my photo gear in a hard case and have TSA-approved locks along just in case.

I suppose one logic is as good as the other. I have never been forced to gate check my gear. The airlines have miss directed my bags though.

I have a hard case I could put mine in. The reason I usually do not and carry on is that most trips I take the super tele, photos with the super tele are the reason for the trip. I can wear the same clothes for days. I can go without a tripod.
Waiting days for a camera and lens to arrive would completely destroy the trip. A family vacation that the lens would be nice to have along, I might put it in the pelican.

 

[Canon Rumors]

I always use the smallest Gura Gear backpack for the job. I've only had to gate check once on a small regional plane, pickup was at the door when we disembarked.

.... And I never fly Ryanair with gear. ;D