Airline travel to Africa - experiences? My wife and I (we're both avid photographers) are flying KLM to Tanzania the end of the month and very nervous that we have to much camera gear...

choward_ab Loc: Alberta, Canada

My wife and I (we're both avid photographers) are flying KLM to Tanzania the end of the month and very nervous that we have to much camera gear to get on board. We haveThink Tank bags that are carry - on size but they are heavier than regs allow. Would appreciate hearing others experiences before we repack.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

choward_ab wrote:

My wife and I (we're both avid photographers) are flying KLM to Tanzania the end of the month and very nervous that we have to much camera gear to get on board. We haveThink Tank bags that are carry - on size but they are heavier than regs allow. Would appreciate hearing others experiences before we repack.

I've never had an airline weigh my carry on baggage.

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

choward_ab wrote:

My wife and I (we're both avid photographers) are flying KLM to Tanzania the end of the month and very nervous that we have to much camera gear to get on board. We haveThink Tank bags that are carry - on size but they are heavier than regs allow. Would appreciate hearing others experiences before we repack.

I took two Canon bodies, extra batteries, charger, power adaptor an 18-200 and 100-400 lens plus assorted small stuff to New Zealand earlier this year. My backpack weighed about 16 lbs. - no problem. I had all of the reach I needed plus some confidence that I wouldn't have equipment failure. My backpack and a large purse were my carry ons. The main packed suitcase was checked. In it was a smaller (also packed) soft-sided carry on for a side trip. The total weight was under 50 lbs.

The times I went to Africa, I didn't have as much gear, so I can't advise on that effort.

choward_ab Loc: Alberta, Canada

Thanks for the comments - I have 2 canon bodies, Sigma 150-500mm, Canon 70-200, 2.8, my Canon 24-105, batteries, flash, chargers and cord caddy - weighs in at about 36 poiunds. Then I have my Canon 500mm, f4 all by itself in a backpack. My wifes roller bag is somewhat similar except she has the 100- 400mm. Her pesonal item is a bag with the laptop. Should we be concerned??

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

Been to Kenya 11 times in the last 5 years, going again this November. Usually, if they check your bag, it's for size and if it doesn't fit into the metal measuring caddy, it gets checked. Since I don't want to part company with my laptop or camera gear, I always make sure it meets size AND weight requirements. British Air did actually weigh carry-ons in Nairobi on one trip and a few people had to give them up. If you are pushing it, I would suggest folding up a plastic shopping bag in your carryon and keeping your most prized stuff with you if they decide to separate you from your carryon. Also, pack some silica gel in with your lenses, I learned the hard way that temp changes and resulting humidity can be quite high sometimes and fogged my 55-300 Nikon one morning on a safari and had to resort to a lesser lens. Feel free to PM me if you want to know more useful travel tips.

Somerset Lynn Loc: Somerset, NJ

Only problem we had was internal single engine flights once in Africa. Our bags were limited in weight and you would be flying with photo equip and nothing else. Weight requirements were strict. This was in Zimbabwe, Botswana. You might not have that problem. We had to leave things behind and some things were missing when we were reunited with our bags.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

choward_ab wrote:

Thanks for the comments - I have 2 canon bodies, Sigma 150-500mm, Canon 70-200, 2.8, my Canon 24-105, batteries, flash, chargers and cord caddy - weighs in at about 36 poiunds. Then I have my Canon 500mm, f4 all by itself in a backpack. My wifes roller bag is somewhat similar except she has the 100- 400mm. Her pesonal item is a bag with the laptop. Should we be concerned??

You may want to leave at home the Big Sig if you're taking the 500mm. Actually, if weight is an issue, you may want to leave at home the Big Sig AND the 500mm. You'll need a monopod with that one anyway. Several places (huts) in Tanzania have lens rental for Nikon and Canon, so if weight is an issue, you may leave your gear at home and use one of their larger lenses, if that option is available to you. :-)
Also, on the two bodies I would have mounted the 24-105 on one and the 100-400 on the other... those would be my daylight shooting staples. I'd bring the 70-200 f2.8 into play at dusk. ;-)

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Mr. PC is right about humidity - if you will be staying in air-conditioned rooms you will want to have your equipment in zip-lock bags when you go out into the heat and leave them in those bags about 10-15 minutes until they warm up - otherwise moisture can condense on the outside - and inside - your equipment. At night I like to put by equipment either into bags or an airtight case with silica gel: http://www.amazon.com/Gram-Aluminum-Indicating-Silica-Canister/dp/B00BL79JDK/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1404649016&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=silica+gel+canister

But if you are staying in air-conditioned rooms, the advantage is that the room will be pretty dry.

Make sure you visit a travel health clinic for shots and malaria preventive medicines. See this link for some short videos on travel health:
http://www.rainforesteducation.com/about2/travelhealth.htm

lazyjt1 Loc: Potter Valley, CA

I wore a photographers vest with BIG pockets. I knew my bag was over the allowed weight. Filled my pockets with lenses. They weighed the bag, good to go, I stopped and put them back in the bag.

ginamew

Virgin Atlantic DOES weigh your carry-on.

Bobbee

choward_ab wrote:

My wife and I (we're both avid photographers) are flying KLM to Tanzania the end of the month and very nervous that we have to much camera gear to get on board. We haveThink Tank bags that are carry - on size but they are heavier than regs allow. Would appreciate hearing others experiences before we repack.

In ZA right now, as someone said, they do not weigh carry ons. They do on occasion notice size. they can at that point measure it up to that size thing up front at the gate. These tend to be smaller than what you can actually get on the plane.

I have a pelican hardcase and it carries most of what I need. I actually have my sling bag with me right now and it has my D700, SB900, Fong and 2 12 pack AA battery carriers. Except for the 70-200 I would have liked to take I am fine.

Word of warning, Since I have been here I have been told by everyone to be CAREFUL. Lots of crime here. Stop at lights, windows broken and bags taken. Walking down the street they will rip the stuff right off you. I am going to Kruger next weekend and that will be the first time I will take my camera out. I am from Brooklyn, the OLD Brooklyn and am pretty alert and street savoy. I still heed their warnings.

Maryle12 Loc: Bonita Springs, Fl. & Harbor Springs, MI.

A very crafty and good idea!

philo Loc: philo, ca

I just got back from South Africa and had no problems. I had all of my equipment in a Think Tank roller bag. It was never weighted.
I found I had no need of a flash or a tripod. A monopod was only used once on a boat trip.
I purchased a Tamron 150-600 Just before I left and used it 90% of the time. I was taking images of birds at a high iso of 10,000 and had no noise.
I did wear a photo vest with the idea I could put my lens in it if necessary. Never did, but good idea.
On small airlines there were so overhead space so I just turned over my think tank bag at the loading ramp and they put it in the luggage hole. When I left the plane I claimed my bag and off I went.
have great trip and bracket when you can.
Also be ready to shoot every moment. You realy don't have a lot of time to think. So have your camera ready at the iso, high shutter speed and off you go.
You may be able to check some of my images that I posted here on this site

choward_ab Loc: Alberta, Canada

Great suggestions - Thanks everyone!

Bobbee

ginamew wrote:

Virgin Atlantic DOES weigh your carry-on.

Really, I go to UK on VA and they have not done that before. Have Sept trip coming up. Will take notice.