miked46 Loc: Winter Springs, Florida

I travel with a backpack loaded with gear 2-bodies, 5 lenses and other items, as long as it fits in the overhead, I have had no problems, even traveling internationally.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Carry on.

repleo Loc: Boston

Most airlines allow a 'personal' item like a handbag, purse or laptop in addition to the usual 'carry-on' bag. This could be a small camera bag. The personal item is supposed to go under the seat, but once you have boarded you can usually get away with putting it in an overhead bin if you can find space. Some airlines specifiy a max size of approx 10"x8"x8" or limit weight to 4-5lbs for the personal item. European airlines tend to enforce size and eight restrictions much more strigently than US airlines.

Note that if the overhead bins are full when boarding, the airline staff may require you to ramp check the bag and place it in the hold.

It happened to me once. I had everything packed nicely in my bag ready to board, but was forced to ramp check it at the door of the plane. Then after 2 hours sitting on the tarmac, the flight was cancelled. We weren't allowed to reclaim our luggage. We were left to fend for ourselves to find accomodation for the night - unsuccesfully. It was pouring rain and my phone was almost dead. My jacket and phone charger were in the bag. I spent a miserable, cold night in Philly terminal.

bikerguy

bikerguy

wireloose

Agree just watch size/weight restrictions on carry on bags. Easyjet, Ryanair and other discount airlines often have fairly low weight limits depending on what else you are carrying, not that they have ever weighed my bag. Air Canada Rouge surprised me recently with a 6” max on the second bag which meant I had to check my rollerboard as my backpack is ~8 inches thick. But never a restriction on camera gear as such.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I seldom travel with a really (physically) long lens. But when I have and it does not fit in my camera pack, I put it in my carry on roller that goes in the overhead.

jtwind

Just returned from Spain, camera gear is in a F stop lotus which fits in overhead. Had to check bag with personal items and tripod. Cameras do have to come out of bag when going through security in Europe and they did make me turn them on in Germany.

Dossile

I travel routinely with camera gear, usually a D850, Nikon 24-70 and 70-200, sometimes a 200-500. The major airlines are fairly generous with what is considered a personal item and are very sympathetic to photography gear. So far, I have always had both my carry on and camera gear in the overhead bin on their larger planes. However, regional airlines and foreign budget airlines are a different story. On any carrier, if your camera backpack is 17-18” tall and 13” wide, you should be fine. I usually carry a Lowepro Fastpack 250 which is about 20” tall and it is just a little long for comfort under the seat but is doable. I use an older Tenba pack that is 19” tall with the 200-500 lens.

Regional airlines will often ‘curbside’ check standard carryon sized luggage (22”X14”X9”). You place the luggage on a rack before entering the plane and pick it up outside the plane on arrival. The overhead bins and under seat storage will barely tolerate a backpack. Your ticket or the airline website will tell you what kind of plane you are flying when you choose a seat. If the plane is made in Canada (not Boeing or Airbus), it is a regional plane. I have flown a regional plane (Skywest?) ticketed by Delta from Salt Lake to Detroit, so I always check.

Foreign budget airlines like Aer Lingus or Norwegian Airlines charge $80 for checked luggage and overhead bin space can be tight. The personal item (purse, small backpack, computer case) needs to weigh less than 8kg, although I haven’t been weighed. I have needed to put the personal item under the seat in front of me, so make sure that it fits if flying a foreign budget airline. The bottom line, if it isn’t a major carrier, check their luggage policy.

Have fun.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

First off, safe travel my friend.
Have a hard case on hand for the rigors of travel. Your regular camera bag can be placed in your luggage. You can also put your camera batteries and tripod in your luggage too.
As for your camera and lens I don't see it as a problem.
I always get to the airport at least 2 hours before my flight. That way if there are any issues, I can think on the fly and resolve issues before they become calamities.
Post your work when you get back.
Happy Shooting

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

Once you know your flight and airline go the the airline site and look for carry on restrictions. There is a standard size in the US but the international European lines have different dimensions and they have a weight limit. I have found the weight limit to be more restrictive as I travel with heavy prime lenses and two bodies. Once you have the limits do a test pack. Most airlines also allow one carry on bag and a personal item that is less than 6x12x16 inches. I think the CArey in is limited to 22x13x8 or 9 inches. Don’t trust my memory, look it up.

repleo Loc: Boston

On many European flights, the cost of checking a bag is way more than than than the passenger fare, so it is worth managing your luggage needs. Some airlines (eg Alitallia) don't even allow a carry-on with their cheapest fares.
Then again fares within Europe can be ridiculously cheap. I found a Ryanair o/w fare from Dublin to one of the London airports for about $11 - the same price as the commuter rail from Providence RI to Boston. We once flew from Dublin to Marseille France for a $8 o/w fare.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

None that I know of.
I carry mine and several other lenses in my backpack with no problems.

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

I have carried that camera and lens combo and more on aircraft with no problems whatsoever.

POVDOV

Thanks one and all for your helpful thoughtful answers. I really appreciate it. POVDOV