Wrongway1947 Loc: York, PA.

Is there a camera case that will hold a camera (or two) plus a tripod INSIDE of the case? I have seen cases the the tripod attaches to outside of the case but I would like to find one that the tripod actually fits inside.

Sala

I pack the ball head with my carry-on luggage, but I suggest you set in in a bin (like you do your computer) as it goes through the X-ray machine. The small tick marks on the scale on the head resembles a bomb, apparently. It save you having to have you bag manually searched....

philo Loc: philo, ca

I have found that the main issue is the bigger the tripod the bigger the luggage. So if I want to take a smaller bag I take off the head.
I like to pack my pod in my suitcase because it is a pain to carry and it makes me a mark.
I'll be going by Amtrak in a couple of weeks and the tripod will be in my luggage and my camera bag will be with me.

CamObs Loc: South America (Texas)

I just returned from Hawaii and I use a luggage strap with a TSA lock on it without problems. If you use a regular lock they will cut it off. If you don't use a strap and a lock, there is a way to open your luggage and reseal it without leaving a trace. There is a U Tube Video on it.

Mark Koons Loc: Wheatland, WY

I can't make a suggestion about packing a really big, extremely expensive tripod but I've done an awful lot of po'boy travel involving knocks, abrasion, abrasive dirt and vibration over the last 45 years. Other than getting scraped up, the worst that has happened to my tripods has been to have crucial parts rattle off and get separated forever. That was how I arrived at the following suggestions:

You can't beat rubber bands for holding things together under physically harsh conditions. I'm talking stout ones like those bad boys that hold together bunches of broccoli in the grocery store.

The sort of disposable foam sheet used to insulate shipped flowers in cold seasons or to protect new automotive brightwork during transport, while tearing easily, does a tremendous job of containing loose parts, protecting against what we in the west call blow dirt, and dampening vibration. A piece of heavy but soft fabric like clean old canvas makes an good outer covering for the foam.

Beyond that, if your gear might be subjected to serious destructive forces like sliding around in the back of an open truck with scrap metal and cement blocks, get a piece of light schedule sewer or drain field plastic sewer pipe and a couple of end caps from a septic or dirt work contractor. Hold the caps in place with Gorilla brand tape and cover the outside of the sewer pipe with longitudinal stripes of it, too, so you've got some extra when you need it. Fold under an 1/8 inch at one end of each stripe so you can get ahold if it when you need it. I guarantee you'll soon find a use for the extra.

You can't stop thieves but you can make the package less interesting. This method will do that.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Three things I carry on, my medicine, my laptop and my camera gear. Carry-ons can be up to 24 inches in length so most tripods are shorter than that.

Jim D

usaellie101 Loc: Spring Hill, Florida

I have been throwing my tripod in my trunk of my car for years. Goes with me everywhere, like my camera. I need it to be easy accesss not like a delicate lady.

I find if you baby your equiptment too much, you use it less.

Of course if it's going into a baggage area of a plane or train.. then yes take care. Otherwise, just hAVE IT AVAILABLE AS EASILY AS POSSIOBLE.

Tripods are pretty sturdy creatures.

imntrt1 Loc: St. Louis

For the cost of another checked bag you could purchase a tripod at your destination and either throw it away after use, give it to goodwill, or pack it in your bags to go home.

usaellie101 Loc: Spring Hill, Florida

Yes there are cases... true.. and a good idea Smart thinking!

LWH Loc: Nebraska

By all means ...pack it in your suitcase, while some TSA's let a tripod go thru,others do not let it go as carry on luggage.Pack it with your clothes ,the clothes will prevent any damage and you will have a smooth transition thru security[/quote]

I remove the head and put it in my camera bag, which I carry on (no way would I check my cameras), and pack the legs of the tripod in my suitcase.

philo Loc: philo, ca

Also the big question I would ask myself is...........I'm I really going to use the tripod on this trip. Could I use a monopod or a bead bag instead.
Unless you are sure i wouldn't carry the tripod.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

That would work. More money in the head than the legs.

Jim D

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

Dear Jim,

Depends on the head and the legs...

Cheers,

R.

molsonice Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Go to a shipping store and get a 3/8 thick cardboard tube that it fits in, if not for sure the airlines will find a way to FIU, no matter how well you pack it unprotected.

dougbutch Loc: Gig Harbor, WA

I have taken my tripod on a number of trips and packed it both in my carry on or checked bagage w/o a problem. I do recall several years ago TSA kinda freaked over my Manfroto tripod and pistol grip ball head in my carry on. They expained they had never seen one before so they showed it to other TSA'ers so theywould know what they were looking at was not a weapon. As a side note I've been pleased over TSA not freaking out over some of the items in my camera kit that I ALWAYS carry on..(matches, lighters, liquid etc)....