Dds82

Thank you, never heard of them. I had a look. They don't rent cheap, I think I will continue with the heavy camera bag and the advil for the sore knees.

GEANNIE

Consider shipping it ahead. I rented a large lens and had them ship to my hotel. When finished with the shoot I returned it the same way.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

My 150-600 fits in my carry on bag (not my camera bag) so I do carry it on.

MichaelL

I purchased a Pelican roll around carry on. Great protection for the equipment and easily fits into overhead.

I did have to check it once (Southwest Airlines - bad boarding number) - I knew it would be protected but very concerned it was going to be stolen. When it did not come on the belt I was upset but not surprised and headed toward the missing luggage claim office - this time surprised, it was waiting for me there. Some handler was nice enough to segregate it and not let the masses have a look. I now pay the $15 for early check in to avoid the issue. Well worth it especially after I totaled the value within the bag.....

dfrost01 Loc: Princeton, NJ

I recently flew with that lens. What I did was pack my lenses (only took that one and one other) and 2 camera bodies, batteries and cards in my carryon. Packed all other camera stuff in my checked luggage

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

would never put it in checked luggage; I use Nikon APS-C, and, also have the Sigma 150-600C; I have been using / testing MFT ( to see if I can eventually replace the APS-C system ), and bought a Lumix G85 and 100-300 which will really lighten my load; results seem ok for my purposes

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I have the same lens. I always travel carrying my photo gear in a hiking backpack that does not resemble a photo bag. The bag is adequate to hold: the subject lens, a Nikon D800 and mounted Nikkor 24-120 lens, a Nikon D300 with mounted Nikkor 16-36 lens. and a Nikon 28-300 lens. It also hold my Canon XS-50 bridge camera. This bag fits in the overhead or under the seat in front of me. The bag also holds a couple of days of underwear and gym socks and a couple of t-shirts. The clothes help cushion the photo gear. I usually wear jeans and a flannel shirt over a t-shirt for travel. The rest of my luggage is reduced to a carry-on bag that will fit in the overhead or under the seat in front of me. I have travelled to Alaska twice and the South Africa with this method of packing. Needless to say, no business suits, tuxedos or dress shirts are necessary when I travel for photo trips.

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

As has already been suggested several times, take the lens onboard with you. Here in North America even the smaller communter planes have sufficient space for a camera bag of resonable size to fit in the overhead bin or on the floor under the seat in front of you.

The only time I commit my camera equipment to luggage storage versus in cabin is when I fly on really small aircraft (i.e. four seater) where it is unlawful to bring any form of luggage regardless of size inside the passenger cabin, even my wife has to place her purse in the baggage compartment. I will be in South Africa in May, repeating a trip I have made three times in past years and my camera bag, a LowePro ProTactic 450AW backpack, complete with my Nikon 200-500, Nikkor 10-24, Nikkor 35mm and my Nikkor 18-200 along with my D7200 and D5100 will be stowed in the luggage compartment only because the aircraft I will be flying on does not allow, nor is there space to bring the gear into the passenger cabin. To give you an idea just how small this aircraft is; there is the pilot (who supervises the loading of baggage into the baggage compartment) and seating for four passengers! The physical loading of passenger's luggage is performed by each of the four passengers flying the aircraft on that particular flight so in my case I will be able to ensure my camera gear is treated with care and respect it deserves.
With the proper camera bag, you should have no issues protecting your camera and lenses and still be able to take the kit onboard as carry on luggage, unless as I have outlined above, you are flying on a really small aircraft where physical size and weight are severely restricted. Good luck, have a great trip and shoot lots of photos.
Garth

Bobnewnan

I took my T150-600 to South Africa, Central America, & Ecuador. Put it in your hand carry bag or back pack. You may get the idea that most of us who travel a lot NEVER check anything if you want it on the other end and in working condition. Just look out the window as they load/unload baggage and you'll see why. That is if it gets past TSA/baggage handler sticky fingers. Have a good time!

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

it's true; I have seen, from aircraft windows / passenger seat, the baggage cart head to my plane, loaded to the gills, tip over, dumping everything

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

NEVER pack a lens in checked bags. I've occasionally done that with relatively indestructible accessories such as a monopod or tripod. But a flash I put in a checked bag ended up in about a dozen pieces (and that was in years prior to today's travel restrictions).

My first choice for air travel is to pack large lenses in a backpack and carry that on. With packs (LowePro) that fit into the overhead bin, I've had no problem doing that with Canon 300mm f/4, 100-400mm and 300mm f/2.8 lenses (any ONE of them, of course... not all of them at the same time ). This DOES limit what other gear I can pack along with the big lens. It also often means extra time getting through security, getting pulled aside for hand inspections. I also often wear a photo vest with may pockets to be able to pack more small items. A coat with some big pockets can be helpful, too.

Should be doable with either of the Sigma 150-600mm. The largest of my lenses I haul around this way, my 300/2.8 is about the same weight as the bigger/heavier Sigma "Sport" and an inch or so larger diameter, though an inch or two less long than the Siggy. The "Contemporary" is lighter, smaller diameter (more comparable to my 100-400mm... though that lens is about 2.5" shorter).

My 500mm f/4 lens and the backpack that fits it are too big to carry on. For that reason, if I need that on location, I ship it ahead to meet me at my destination. This also allows me to pack it more carefully, as well as insure it. This also avoids the extra hassle of hand inspections.

I have a special case full of location lighting equipment that could be checked... But I've also shipped it ahead separately on the rare occasions when I need to travel with it. Whenever possible, that's cheaper, easier and safer than trying to schlep big bags and heavy gear in and out of airports.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I often do something similar. I have a larger backpack that I wear onto the plane with ALL my gear and an empty one filled with socks, underwear etc inside my checked luggage. Once I arrive I swap the pack out and wear the smaller one on my daily excursions.
By smaller, it normally fits two bodies(one pro), 4 lenses, speedlight, meter, trigger, and all the misc. support items like cards, batteries, filters and strap a 2.5 lb tripod to the bottom of it etc.
SS

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Then don’t take all that gear. Did it enhance your enjoyment? Take the one lens/one camera challenge. Pick up a Sony, or a Fuji, or an Olympus and a single moderate zoom. You’ll be surprised at how little you miss lugging (and securing) that gear. I’ve hiked the cliff trails of Cinque Terre and there’s a lot to enjoy there.

On a recent trip to France, I took the one lens/one camera challenge. I observed a lot of photographers lugging around a DSLR with a huge telephoto along with a monster bag which likely held a backup body and several more lenses. None of them looked like they were enjoying themselves.

dglueck Loc: Rochester, NY

I took 7D2, 24-105, & Tamron 150-600 in a Lowepro sling bag. It fit comfortably under the seat, even the puddle-jumper.

splatbass Loc: Honolulu

Why is that? Curious, I just googled it and found plenty of street photography from Berlin. Is it illegal? Too much crime? I'm genuinely curious. Thanks.