Carry-on pack for large lens
Mar 31, 2021 14:05:05 #
mrtkarlin
Loc: Ashland, Oregon
Wow. Thank you all for these suggestions, bag ideas, and articles. I have till the third week of may to make a decision. I do know the 500 with 1.4 tc on a D850 definitely goes. The picture quality is great, is handholdable and reach, even with cropping is more than satisfactory. I rented one recently and bought one last week. The 120-400 will live on a D750 and will cover that intermediate range and can be a longer lens backup if needed. I’ve been debating about bringing a wide angle lens as well either a 14mm or a 17-50. Probably see what fits. My wife and I are at least medium serious birders and I want to make sure we’re covered and backed up for these special once in a lifetime birding hotspots for three weeks on the north, west, and south coasts of Alaska.
Thanks again for all the input.
Marty
mrtk.smugmug.com
Thanks again for all the input.
Marty
mrtk.smugmug.com
Mar 31, 2021 14:12:03 #
DougS
Loc: Central Arkansas
Forget the Bear Spray, the airlines WILL NOT allow you to fly with it! Think ruptured "Bear Spray container" while in flight... Otherwise, unless you plan on trying to intentionally hug a bear, it is completely not necessary.
I do thoroughly agree with the 500mm, and a wide angle zoom! The 500mm on one, the wide angle on 2nd camera.
If you can, add Katmai National Park! It is OVER the top(!) beautiful, AND interesting!
I do thoroughly agree with the 500mm, and a wide angle zoom! The 500mm on one, the wide angle on 2nd camera.
If you can, add Katmai National Park! It is OVER the top(!) beautiful, AND interesting!
Mar 31, 2021 14:16:23 #
mrtkarlin wrote:
I'm looking for suggestions for a small-airplane carry-on bag that will accommodate 2 bodies, 1 500mm F4 lens, 1 120-400 zoom, 1 15" laptop, a hard drive and assorted accessories. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.
Marty,
I'm in Ashland also and I have a Lowepro Lens Trekker 600 AW III Backpack that I don't expect to be using since I switched to Sony a7R4 and 200-600 gear. Let me know if you are interested.
Mar 31, 2021 14:22:07 #
mrtkarlin
Loc: Ashland, Oregon
Karl thanks so much for the loan offer. Unfortunately it’s too tall by 10”. Nice to see your voice.
Mar 31, 2021 14:23:02 #
mrtkarlin wrote:
Actually it's to Alaska. Small planes from Anchorage (Ravn Air) to Dutch Harbor, Nome, Barrow, and Bethel. They have a 20 lb, 16X14X10" limit. The 500mm F4 is 15 1/4". Tight. My Thinktank Airport Commuter is 18" so no go. I spoke to Ravn Air and 16" is the size of their overhead bin they said.
Ravn air went bankrupt last year. Alaska air bought them- are they still flying as Ravn? I flew Ravn in 2019. Carryons they take at the stairs and it is stowed - waiting at stairs when land. I use a pelican that fits in OH bin - but Ravn will stow it as they do not have the bin size. Small planes and you can watch out the window if you like - not a problem even with 25K in equipment leaving your sight.
Mar 31, 2021 14:26:41 #
BTW anyone that had Ravn tickets last year (2020) - I had flight to Katmai get caught up in the BK. Advised to dispute with card company and would get a full refund "guaranteed". Call me a skeptic when told something was Guaranteed. But that is exactly what happened. Even better than all the credits all the still in business airlines gave me.
Mar 31, 2021 14:27:11 #
mrtkarlin
Loc: Ashland, Oregon
Raven is back in business under alaska air. Thanks for sharing your experience with these guys. It does make me feel better.
Mar 31, 2021 14:31:42 #
mrtkarlin
Loc: Ashland, Oregon
We had the same experience with credits and refunds due to Covid last year. Things worked out. We’re all vaccinated as is the parts of alaska we’re going to. Testing at some airports is now mandatory. One of our guides is even requiring proof of vaccination. We’re all booked and hoping that we can follow through this year.
Mar 31, 2021 14:44:32 #
RWebb76 wrote:
Id think either the 100-400 or the 500 would have ... (show quote)
You do not have to be able to outrun a bear. Just be able to outrun at least one of your companions. Seriously, in Svalbard, Norway, you are not allowed to leave the city (Longyearbyen) without a rifle that will stop a Polar Bear.
Mar 31, 2021 14:55:20 #
it seems to me you are committing the classic mistake of trying to fit 10 pounds of flour in a 5 pound sack. It won’t fit. Additionally, unless you are young and fit, that kit is going to be awfully after a few miles of walking in the bush.
Mar 31, 2021 15:09:33 #
Marty, Enjoy. I am envious. Will be back next year for sure. Kept checking and checking and gave up on NPS. Then they opened Katmai reservations and all the spots - reduced by 75% - were gone in the normal flash.
My 2019 AK trip was 17 days, all out of doors. The sixth time the Nat Hab group and I ended up in the same place the guide and I had a nice laugh together.
My 2019 AK trip was 17 days, all out of doors. The sixth time the Nat Hab group and I ended up in the same place the guide and I had a nice laugh together.
Mar 31, 2021 15:43:46 #
anotherview wrote:
Do you take out gear insurance?
Everything I have is insured. But not having your gear would be a killer. Anyway, on small airlines when you carry your gear right to the plane and you can watch it loaded, I feel pretty comfortable.
Mar 31, 2021 16:48:37 #
mrtkarlin
Loc: Ashland, Oregon
"My 2019 AK trip was 17 days, all out of doors. The sixth time the Nat Hab group and I ended up in the same place the guide and I had a nice laugh together."
Last trip we took to Alaska in 2016 was in our pickup camper - all 8 1/2 feet. We left at the end of June and came home the end of September. We drove pretty much every road you can in Alaska and the Yukon. We went north of the Arctic Circle and even got to see the northern lights for a week of clear weather and no moon. Since there are so few roads, you end up seeing the same people throughout your trip.
This trip is to all the places you can't drive so figuring our how to carry the necessary gear poses a new challenge. Since it's light all the time I don't have to worry about astrophotography. That might help eliminate the need for a 14mm lens.
Last trip we took to Alaska in 2016 was in our pickup camper - all 8 1/2 feet. We left at the end of June and came home the end of September. We drove pretty much every road you can in Alaska and the Yukon. We went north of the Arctic Circle and even got to see the northern lights for a week of clear weather and no moon. Since there are so few roads, you end up seeing the same people throughout your trip.
This trip is to all the places you can't drive so figuring our how to carry the necessary gear poses a new challenge. Since it's light all the time I don't have to worry about astrophotography. That might help eliminate the need for a 14mm lens.
Mar 31, 2021 17:05:25 #
al lehman
Loc: San jose, ca.
I typically pack my Canon 600mm lens in the original metal suitcase used to ship me the lens. It's well protected.If I'm packing my lens into a remote area I use the Ruggard Alpine 600 that will fit a 600mm lense and one camera. Sometimes, I will use the Alpine 600 to carry my lens on board an airplane. I've had no problems except when I fly the small prop commuter planes. The storage space is minimal.
Mar 31, 2021 17:16:43 #
mrtkarlin
Loc: Ashland, Oregon
Thanks Al. I do have five small plane flights which is what makes this difficult.
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