Bag/Roller Options for 300 2.8 and 4 other lenses

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bildo

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Bill
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I've normally been lugging around my Lowepro Pro Runner 350 AW and taking the Nikon 300mm 2.8 seperately in it's own case, but I've got a bit bored of doing so now. I find myself travelling with all my gear around 2-3 times a month at the moment and I could do without the weight on my back when it's not necessary.

Here's what I'm looking to fit in the bag. It's often used on lots of different airlines, so it needs to be cabin-friendly.

Nikon D800E + Grip
Nikon D750 + Grip
Nikon 300mm 2.8
Nikon 24-70mm 2.8
Nikon 70-200mm 2.8
Sigma 35mm 1.4 ART
Nikon 50mm 1.4

So far the most tempting bag has been the Think Tank Airport International V2.0 or a Peli case with wheels is also tempting. I also like the idea of the Lowepro Pro Runner RL 450 AW II Rolling Backpack having both a roller and also a backpack option (for when the cabin starts to get full, shove it on your back for a better chance of getting through!)

I'm open to looking at other options that I might have missed.

Thanks in advance!
 
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all of that will fit in a thinktank airport international v2. Won't fit in a carry on compatible peli case 1510 - the bulk of the peli takes up too much room.

This is a 200 f2 but otherwise basically all the same kit - there's more hidden underneath the 70-200 - actually more, I also have 2 teleconverters, two speedlights and a sigma 85 1.4, nikon 16-35 and some triggers in here. It eats a LOT of kit, hah

I've had this bag for five years now, and it gets busy professional use - it's the best thing I've ever bought...

hope that helps!

ETTJtoK.jpg
 
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@itsdavedotnet - Really useful reply, thanks.

Appreciate the advice on the Peli, I'll steer away from that then.

Do you travel on budget airlines much? I spend a lot of time travelling Europe with Easyjet/Ryanair and the like. My concern is that so many times I've seen then taking bags off of passengers to put in the hold. With having a packpack they just walk past me and go to the next person. This is where the main appeal of the Lowepro bag came in!

You have begun to sway me though, I've heard so many good things about the ThinkTank.
 
re-reading your kit list you could *possibly* stuff it all into a peli but it won't be as easy or well laid out as the thinktank - and the weight of the case makes it pretty heavy overall too.


yeah I do...budget airlines are tough tbh.

I normally try to fly easyjet or BA wherever possible, as there's no weight limit and the standard regulation size, you just have to not be too far back in the queue boarding on ezy - or get extra legroom and you're guaranteed your bag goes in the cabin.

Ryanair are a nightmare and this bag is technically too deep for their reduced size, it's infuriating, I avoid them whenever possible.

Other airlines especially those with weight limits, scales seem to be fortunately rare but appearing slowly - I'm sure that a rucksack would get less attention, I've also got fairly good at swinging my thinktank to make it look like it doesn't weigh 25kg ;P

My most common tactic is just to wherever possible try to be in the first half of the queue at the gate. It's been close before but I've fortunately never been asked to gate check it (*touch wood*)
 
bildo said:
This has just thrown it all up in the air, I wasn't aware that ThinkTank had their own roller with straps!
https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/airport-series/products/airport-takeoff

Ever looked at this one? Maybe used it by any chance?
Click to expand...
my flatmate just bought that one actually.... it's cool, the back side of it with the straps sticks out a bit making it slightly deeper than the airport international, so I'd be slightly wary of it not fitting quite into the gauges - haven't tried yet and he's not flying with it for a few weeks yet. I far prefer the business style of the airport international, though quite like that that one's got a tiny bit more security for the laptop...
 
itsdavedotnet said:
my flatmate just bought that one actually.... it's cool, the back side of it with the straps sticks out a bit making it slightly deeper than the airport international, so I'd be slightly wary of it not fitting quite into the gauges - haven't tried yet and he's not flying with it for a few weeks yet. I far prefer the business style of the airport international, though quite like that that one's got a tiny bit more security for the laptop...
Click to expand...

Haha, you guys must spend quite a bit on camera gear!

Could do without the hassle, but I might research it a little more. I have personally been in the queue on 2-3 occasions when they've asked everyone around me (even when near the front of the queue) to put their bags in the hold. I guess I could try and blag it/pay the speedy boarding or whatever, but I'd rather avoid the hassle if possible.

Have you heard of this one by any chance? Similar style, with straps and seems to have good reviews. Only weird thing is that the dimensions seem a little different to the others, but the website does quote "The Roadie Hybrid meets the strictest international airline carry-on standards."
http://www.tenba.com/products/roadie-hybrid.aspx
 
bildo said:
Haha, you guys must spend quite a bit on camera gear!

Could do without the hassle, but I might research it a little more. I have personally been in the queue on 2-3 occasions when they've asked everyone around me (even when near the front of the queue) to put their bags in the hold. I guess I could try and blag it/pay the speedy boarding or whatever, but I'd rather avoid the hassle if possible.

Have you heard of this one by any chance? Similar style, with straps and seems to have good reviews. Only weird thing is that the dimensions seem a little different to the others, but the website does quote "The Roadie Hybrid meets the strictest international airline carry-on standards."
http://www.tenba.com/products/roadie-hybrid.aspx
Click to expand...
hah, between us we've got a fair bit...

I'm just never sure that a large square rucksack with wheels will ever look any different to a rolling bag to a gate agent. I have found that hiking rucksacks almost always instantly pass scrutiny however hah.

Not seen the tenba, sure it's good as they make good kit, but again, won't help if they're moaning at everyone to gate check... Personally my first plea would be describing the contents, the next step asking if they can insure the bag and the glass contained within's safety....
 
itsdavedotnet said:
hah, between us we've got a fair bit...

I'm just never sure that a large square rucksack with wheels will ever look any different to a rolling bag to a gate agent. I have found that hiking rucksacks almost always instantly pass scrutiny however hah.

Not seen the tenba, sure it's good as they make good kit, but again, won't help if they're moaning at everyone to gate check... Personally my first plea would be describing the contents, the next step asking if they can insure the bag and the glass contained within's safety....
Click to expand...

From my experience, they literally just look at the ground and anyone who has something that looks like it's safe to go in the hold will go in. When I had stuff on my back they just looked at me and smiled/nodded. Face away from them and as far as they're concerned, you have a backpack.

I'm guessing that backpacks are an exception to the rule in some way, since 99% of them wouldn't really be suitable for the hold, unlike most roller cases which are pretty much small suitcases.
 
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