wrk1234 Loc: Russellville, Arkansas

I haven't traveled with a large lens YET, but I can see that some time in the not so distant future, travelling by plane to a location when I will want to have a large lens with me. I have a sigma 150-600 lens and I am not sure how I would pack it. I have traveled with my camera and "normal" lens by plane and just carry all my gear in my camera back pack. If/when I go up to the Grand Tetons hoping to capture photos of animals, as an example, would you try to stuff your large lens into their back pack, or do you try to take another bag onto the plane, or wrap your lens up in clothes in your checked bags?

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

That is not a large lens. A 400mm F2.8, 500mmF4 or 600mm F4 is a large lens. My Sigma Sport 150-600 fits with body attached in a LowePro Pro Trekker 450 AW which can fit in an overhead storage compartment in most airplanes. I don't stuff the bag until it is about to burst, so if I need to compress it I can. FYI, the 600mmF4 also fits, but not with the camera attached.

ldmarsh

Try and get all your camera gear on the plane as carry on. NEVER put camera gear in checked baggage as there is a good probability it could be stolen.

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

NEVER put camera gear in checked baggage as there is a good probability it could be stolen.[/quote]

I quote, NEVER put camera or lens is checked baggage...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I quote, NEVER put camera or lens is checked baggage...[/quote]

👍👍👍👍

mrussell

I travel to Europe several times per year to photograph Urban landscapes. I take NO gear with me other than tripods and memory cards, and rent equipment in Germany. You may not be able to do that in the Grand Tetons, so let me recommend the beauty of Berlin.

SS319

Consider FedEx or UPS to ship your truly large lenses to your hotel or B&B and insure it for its true value.

ldmarsh

Like I said previously don't check any camera gear. A friend of mine had gear stolen a couple of years ago from his checked bag. I take my camera gear in a Think Tank Airport Security camera bag with two cameras and a variety of lenses including a Tamron 150-600. I have travelled to Africa from Canada five times and have always carried the bag onto the plane with no problems. The Think Tank bags come in a variety of sizes and are excellent.

wrk1234 Loc: Russellville, Arkansas

Thanks to all. I didn't want to put ANY lens in my checked baggage. Good to know that there are bags large enough to carry on that will contain my camera and lenses.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Take the train or a bus.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Have done that many a times, never had an issue!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I quote, NEVER put camera or lens is checked baggage...[/quote]

blue, have you personally had gear stolen, or personally know someone that has??
I haven't, and don't know anyone.

SS

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

I pack my Alpha 850, Tamron 28-75, 70-200, 150-600, & 180 macro plus flash, extra batteries, & memory cards in a LowePro Flipside 500AW with room left over. It fits in the overhead bin on domestic airliners. Haven't had any problems. Have never tried to check my camera gear as baggage. It's insured but, I still wouldn't want to risk it having seen how some of the baggage handlers throw bags around.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I've traveled several times with longer lenses, to the Tetons/Yellowstone, Florida, Alaska, and New Mexico: I often take two longer lenses, the smaller Nikon 80-400 and the larger Nikon 200-500 or the Tamron 150-600. I take two gear packs, one is a backpack and one is a large waist pack (I always carry two camera bodies and multiple lenses). This also gives me two options for arranging gear to put in a bag on site. The two packs have never been questioned by any airline, one goes up top and one goes under the seat. I've also done this with only a back pack and then a large handle-type carry on (actually a diaper bag!) to go over my shoulder; this is because I did not think I would use the second pack since I had stuck a fanny pack large enough to carry my camera in my suitcase. There are many ways to carry gear but the one I would not recommend is putting expensive gear in your checked baggage; if you do this be sure to get insurance first. I do put some smaller gear items, not lenses or cameras or expensive filters, in my checked baggage and have never had a problem with that. Don't pack your hand warmers in your checked bag as that will cause them to open your suitcase! Do check the weight on the bags as some airlines check the weight; I've never had this happen but a friend did so she took her lenses out, they weighed the bag, and then she put the lenses back in! If you take a very small plane there is a definite weight limit and this could limit your ability to carry gear, such as an island hopper type plane in Alaska. After a few trips you'll have it figured out to suit your specific needs.

whwiden

I have traveled with a Tamron 150-600 G2. Depending on the travelling party, I pack it differently. I have a thin protective neoprene sleeve. I can use this in the outside pocket of a Domke F1X. I also have a separate padded case with a strap from Lowe Pro. I either get someone else to carry it as a personal item, or I carry it on, with my camera bag, and check my other luggage. I do not check camera equipment.