I plan to carry 2 CanonDS1 MKII bodies along with the following lenses- 500mmf/4, 400mm f/5.6, 100-400mm , 16-35 mm, 100mm along with 2 Kenko 1.4X and 1 Canon 2X. I thought of using my Kata HB207. I have never travelled on KLM and flying economy, I wonder if my bag will fit overhead?
I also looked at Moose Peterson's MP-1.
Anyone who travelled on KLM to Tanzania has suggestions for this load.
All help appreciated.

Holy camoly. Good luck. Head over to the KLM website and have a look at the restrictions. I used my daypack for my gear - two bodies, several lenses including the 100-400. I did follow the specs as per the KLM site. I can also tell you that no one looked at my bag (well, other than security of course) checking in. YMMV.

The new pelican wheeled PCS 283 will handle all that gear - the 500mm would be best in its own case. I carry everything along with a laptop in that case and it fits in the overhead compartment nicely. The 500 is another story.

Think Tank Airport International rollie bag. It should fit the overhead.

I usually take out the dividers and use Artie Morris' packing technique of watch caps. I also pack the 500 hood in the checked bags. But in the past I have been able to pack the 500 (no hood), 100-400, 70-200 f2.8 is, 24-105, 17-40, 100 macro with the 1d2 and the 40d with grip, both 1.4x and 2x teleconverters and a flash. I have a picture of it packed and will try to pm or email it to you. Of course it weighs about a million pounds so if the airline weighs it you are screwed, but it looks like a plain little wheelie bag so I have never had to weigh it. I would travel with a vest just in case you have to start lightening the load and you could reload it later.

Thanks, I would like to see a picture of your bag.
I am not familiar with Art Morris' packing technique - please enlighten me.
Thanks again.

Des - send me an email to sperraglia@aol.com since I haven't subscribed to image upload here and I will send you a picture.

Thanks Sallie Jo for your pictures. It was very helpful.

Desmond - here a link to Andy Biggs page where he talks about traveling with the 500mm.

http://andybiggs.com/whatsinthebag.html

It sure would be helpful to others if we could see the images Sallie Jo mentioned. One thing about shopping for bags is trying to figure out how to fit everything in the bag and what configurations might be available.

I'd be willing to toss an image up on my PBase site, blog or web site then link to it here if someone wanted to get the image(s) to me.

While subscribing to image upload is a great way to help Fred maintain the site, it is possible to include images in posts by pasting in the URL of where an images is hosted, and adding the ".jpg".

Scott - Here is a link to how Art Morris packs his roadrunner aw. I am not sure what the replacement bag is from Lowepro, but I am pretty sure they don't make these anymore.

http://www.birdsasart.com/roadrunneraw.htm

I pretty much use Art's method with my TT International and here is a link where you can see it - http://gritsphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/4598071_qoQDU#271133769. I took this when I was packing for Bosque and I had a 500mm, 1d2, 40d with grip, 70-200 2.8 is, 24-105, 17-40, 100-400 1.4x & 2x. I think I also had the 100 macro in the bag, but not sure.

The other thing I like about the TT is that when in the field it fits (barely) the 500mm attached to a body.

sperraglia wrote:
Think Tank Airport International rollie bag. It should fit the overhead.

But in the past I have been able to pack the 500 (no hood), 100-400, 70-200 f2.8 is, 24-105, 17-40, 100 macro with the 1d2 and the 40d with grip, both 1.4x and 2x teleconverters and a flash. Of course it weighs about a million pounds so if the airline weighs it you are screwed, but it looks like a plain little wheelie bag so I have never had to weigh it. I would travel with a vest just in case you have to start lightening the load and you could reload it later.

This is a good plan! The Think Tank Airport Addicted and TT Security are 8" deep in the lower 1/3 of the bag (same basic bag either as a backpack or roller). This bag design was TT original product as was designed as the largest possible legal airline carry on for professional event & sports shooters. The 100-400 and 70-200 f2.8 are both 8" long with the hood reversed. They will fit vertically (bag flap open) perfectly and save a huge amount of space over other bags. This 8" bag depth will also allow you to put the lens hood in the bag if you so desire.

Wearing the photo vest as a over weight backup is also a good idea also suggested by Michael Reichmann at Luminous-landscape. that much gear is really going to be heavy.
Mike K

sperraglia wrote:
Scott - Here is a link to how Art Morris packs his roadrunner aw. I am not sure what the replacement bag is from Lowepro, but I am pretty sure they don't make these anymore.

http://www.birdsasart.com/roadrunneraw.htm.

Hey, that's my bag! They don't make them anymore Weird, I love this rolling backpack monster.

Des:

If you are flying KLM to Tanzania you are most likely flying your second leg, from AMS on Kenya Airways. Even if your ticket says KLM there is a good chance it is a code-share with partner airline Kenya Airways. Kenya Airways' 772ER (used from AMS) has good overhead space with the "roll-top bins" KLM at AMS is somewhat relaxed on actual weight of carry on, as is Kenya Airways.

If you are flying to Kilimanjaro or Dar Es Salaam you'll be on the KLM MD-11 aircraft. The KLM MD-11 aircraft have the older "flat" overhead space which can be more cramped due to the configuration of the overhead, however a Think Tank Airport Security and Airport International should both be just fine for sliding in there.

If you are flying to Tanzania, via Nairobi, you'll fly the KLM 777-200 which like the Kenya Airways 772 has the larger "roll top" overhead baggage bins. From there you'll transfer to a Kenya Airways 737 to your point within Tanzania. The 737 overhead can be somewhat small and cramped. Depending on the configuration you may need to slide an Airport Security into the overhead sideways. The Airport International will slide right in anyway you put it in with no problems.

The Think Tank Airport Security and Airport International should work for your needs depending on your packing style. Moose Peterson's MP-1, while unpadded, should absolutely fit in the overheads.

Remember, no matter how heavy your bag is you pick it up like it weighs 5lbs! If you pick up your bag like it is a feather and carry it like it is a feather you have a strong chance of no one weighing your bag at the gate!

You can find detailed methods of packing on my site for flying photogs at http://www.flyingwithfish.com

If you have any questions I can help you with drop me an e-mail at fish@flyingwithfish.com

Happy Flying

-Fish

I have narrowed my choices to Moose Peterson's MP-1 with a roller -as advised by Joshua Ong or TT Airport International. Sallie Jo has given great advice the the woolen caps( as per Art Moriss).
I will check these and report back sometime in the future.
Thanks everyone,
Any new advice still appreciated.
Des

I would just add that the Roadrunner AW is not just a roller, but a full frame backpack as well. The TT rollers are just that, rollers. They have shoulder straps, but as stated on their website (at least it used to), they are not designed as backpack/rollers. Having owned both, I would agree with that.

The reason Art Morris and others like the Roadrunner was that it is (was?) both. I only bring this up because if you want to hike, the TT rollers are def not for this. Being a backpacker, albeit some years ago, I can say with experience that you need a pack first, roller second. If you use is pulling your bag around on the ground, this is not an issue.

As for overheads, all the major brands say if they fit the regs or not, this is not a mystery anymore. Just look for the symbols on the mfg'rs websites, they are common to all companies that make photo bags and luggage in general. The Roadrunner for example complies and I've put it in various overheads many times. International size reqirements are slightly different, but again, researching this takes just a quick glance at the mfg'ers websites.

Commuter planes are a whole diff ball of wax tho. There the "standards" don't seem to apply. What you can get on a 737 for the first leg of a trip may well not fit overhead in a turbo prop puddle jumper.

My personal setup if taking a lot of gear is to NOT try and stuff my 400 2.8 IS in my big bag. I take two bags, a seperate one for the long lens. It is just too heavy and too big for any of these bags if you want to take a couple of cameras and a bunch of lenses. Another alternative is to get a nice Pelican or other case you can dedicate to one lens and check your long lens. I have done this when I can carry on only one bag with the rest of the kit, which is two 1D bodies and a bunch of small lenses. This is not a big deal if you get the right case, this is standard fare for photogs that have to do a big shoot and travel by air where on can't possilbly carry on all of your equipment.

I have no experience with the Moose Peterson pack however, so cannot comment on that at all.

I will say this without reservation, one is taking a big chance packing up and traveling with a long lens (like shown on the Patterson site) with the camera attached. This can easily and seriously damage a camera's lens mount if it is bonked with any force, which often happens traveling...accidents happen, and more than one would like. I can tell you that if you work for a big newspaper or mag where you use thier equipment, you are told in no uncertain terms not to do this. Since I own my own gear, my need to keep my equipment out of the repair shop is equally important. Sorry to on like that, but I got a lesson on this some time ago from one of the best photogs in the business working for the nation's largest paper and have to say it was good advice.

I agree with Shane. I travel to either Kenya or Tanzania every year and find that I am much better off carrying two bags. I use a backpack for the 500mm and the 100-400 along with my small video camera, all my oher gear goes in a LowePro Magnum AW shoulder bag. I used the Think Tank Airport security a couple of years ago and had trouble gettng it in the overhead compartment of one of KLMs aircraft. Can't remember if this was the 737 or 767 but one has smaller overhead compartments than the other. Not only that it was extremely heavy to have to lift up to the overhead storage. If you are going on Safari. One big bag just doesn't work in the Safari Vehicle because there is just no where to put it for easy access. I never carry my 400mm f5.6 but wouldn't think of leaving the 100-400 home. This is almost always my most used lens on safari. I carry a 1.4X TC for use with the 500mm if necessary but have rarely used it as you can get so close to the wildlife.

Grant

Holy cow, that's a lot of gear for one bag. You might want to look at purchasing a steamer trunk and mule.........

A bag? If you can afford that list of gear, you can hire a person to carry it too

There is a lot to be said for using Peli cases. I've used 2 1510 cases for my last 2 African trips, and they have the advantage of the peace of mind that the gear is safe, even if you end up having to put it in the hold. Or even when in taxi's, buses etc.
And you can carry them on board. But if you end up forced to check them, at least you'll feel safer with them. Also, they are dust proof while bouncing around in a safari truck :-)

Merv.