Have you had any luck flying with a tripod longer than 22" when collapsed as a carry-on item or do you typically check them? I'm looking to pick up a new tripod for landscape work and have been leaning towards a 3 section tripod that is ~ 60" tall. However, my wife and I hardly ever check any luggage when we travel so I'm concerned that I'd never be able to take it with me and would have to resort to getting a smaller travel tripod and sacrifice stability on those trips. Thanks in advance for your time.
If we checked luggage for a trip then yeah its a no brainer but on a lot of our trips we just have carry on luggage. We tend to be frugal where we can!
For me, I travel for two reasons: for enjoyment with friends and family or for solo photo trips. For the former, I never bring a tripod. For the latter, I always check in luggage and use a full sized tripod.
At this stage in my life and with my current passion for photography, I haven't been able to combine travelling with others with landscape photography.
Melancholia wrote:
For me, I travel for two reasons: for enjoyment with friends and family or for solo photo trips. For the former, I never bring a tripod. For the latter, I always check in luggage and use a full sized tripod.
At this stage in my life and with my current passion for photography, I haven't been able to combine travelling with others with landscape photography.
I totally agree with you that landscape photography and traveling with friends and family don't mix well a lot of the times. My wife can be rather patient with me but there are limits
For air travel I always take a full sized (RRS TVC-33) tripod that goes in checked luggage. If I'm taking a long lens like the 600mm/f4 I check a larger tripod that has its own case. That case can handle the larger Gitzo and the RRS oriented in opposite directions.
If I'm flying somewhere to take pictures the place must be at least a bit special. It never made sense to go someplace special to do photography and then use equipment that's worse than I'd use at home.
dmcphoto wrote:
For air travel I always take a full sized (RRS TVC-33) tripod that goes in checked luggage. If I'm taking a long lens like the 600mm/f4 I check a larger tripod that has its own case. That case can handle the larger Gitzo and the RRS oriented in opposite directions.
If I'm flying somewhere to take pictures the place must be at least a bit special. It never made sense to go someplace special to do photography and then use equipment that's worse than I'd use at home.
You have a solid point.... if its worth doing, do it right.
If I am bringing my full size tripod, I check it in one of my suitcases. usually when I fly I bring my travel tripod, though, unless the entire point of the trip is for photography (and then I might bring both in case the big one gets lost or stolen in flight).
I have two tripods, one a large Gitzo (that extends to 78") that goes underneath the plane inside an Eagle Creek Orv trunk roller bag that is stuffed with gear. The other is a carbon fiber Manfrotto that is just short enough to fit crosswise inside a carry-on roller bag. I don't give up a lot using the Manfrotto since it's not a "travel tripod" per se though it does use a centerpost unlike my Gitzo. On those trips I'm usually taking a smaller setup (i.e. not the 4x5) as well. I can bring the same head (Arca Swiss Z2+) so that increases the stability. I bring the Manfrotto on those trips where I might not do photography at all but want it there "just in case."
check it in a duffel bag. Put head into another bag or wrap to proivde protection. Tripod legs covered with pipe insulation. Thread where head screws on protected with acorn nut. Tripod on top of load. Never had a problem in 30 years.
I do not fly with my gear often. When I have, I put my 26" Induro tripod in its case and carry it on along with my camera bag. Never had a issue. I sure would like $5.00 for every question or joke about where I go fishing though.
Twells wrote:
I do not fly with my gear often. When I have, I put my 26" Induro tripod in its case and carry it on along with my camera bag. Never had a issue. I sure would like $5.00 for every question or joke about where I go fishing though.
This made me laugh. I've flown with a fly rod case strapped to my pack before and never had an issue but tripods tend to be a bit bulkier
Several times on Southwest flights with full size Gitzo. You must remove spiked feet and I did. Anything photo related that is checked has zero loss protection so would never check my tripod.
Going through Taipei security, anything longer than 19" will be confiscated. There is a trophy case of confiscated items and yes it contains tripods. When traveling internationally, remember to read all regulations of each airport and airline...they do differ.
chez wrote:
Going through Taipei security, anything longer than 19" will be confiscated. There is a trophy case of confiscated items and yes it contains tripods. When traveling internationally, remember to read all regulations of each airport and airline...they do differ.
Are you saying they won't allow that for luggage or just people trying to get something oversized onboard as a carryon?
Other than on really tiny prop planes, I've never had issues with a 30" duffel as checked luggage. Even a 3-leg 3-series fits in that with the head removed.
EB-1 wrote:
Are you saying they won't allow that for luggage or just people trying to get something oversized onboard as a carryon?
Other than on really tiny prop planes, I've never had issues with a 30" duffel as checked luggage. Even a 3-leg 3-series fits in that with the head removed.
EBH
I've been through Taipei with a 3-series tripod in checked luggage, but in a carry-on the tripod won't make it.
EB-1 wrote:
Are you saying they won't allow that for luggage or just people trying to get something oversized onboard as a carryon?
Other than on really tiny prop planes, I've never had issues with a 30" duffel as checked luggage. Even a 3-leg 3-series fits in that with the head removed.
EBH
Anything goes in your checked luggage. It's carry-on they are very strict with. Not only are there strict rules for item size for carry-on, there are also strict rules for overall carry-on weight. Many local airlines in foreign countries have a weight limit of 7kg. My carry-on has been checked in both Vietnam and India...both times just under the limit.
