Options
A Cry for Help - 500mm lens and Kenya Airways (UK) 20cm bag depth limit
Alans Grin
Registered Users Posts: 346 Major grins
Kenya Airways has a 20cm max depth limitation on hand luggage and this worries me, so I’m looking for a bag / rucksack which is most compatible with this and compatible with a Canon 500mm and my gear - a 100mm, 17-40L, 5DII and 7D and some bits which cannot go in the hold – iPad, backup photo storage etc. No laptop needed.
After much research I am leaning toward either ….
the new Think Tank Aieport Accelerator or …
the Guru Gear Bataflae 32L
However, both bags are 23cm deep and this is still 3cm over the Kenya Airways (UK) allowance of 55*38*20cm.
So … I have a couple of questions, and if anyone has an answer or suggestion on any of them I would appreciate it …
1. Have I missed a quality rucksack/bag which will meet my requirements and more importantly be closer to the Kenya airways 20cm depth restriction?
2. Has anyone used either of the two bags mentioned above and has been asked to squish them into a 20cm sizing frame during check in? I’m wondering if without a laptop if they will actually squish to 20cm?
Many thanks for any help or other advice.
Alan.
PS – I have been to Tanzania / Kenya twice before and never been challenged, but I’ve never taken such a big lens / bag before or quite so much gear value. The thought of being asked to check it to the hold fills me with horror! Also note that the size allowance on Kenya Airways (US) is more generous.
After much research I am leaning toward either ….
the new Think Tank Aieport Accelerator or …
the Guru Gear Bataflae 32L
However, both bags are 23cm deep and this is still 3cm over the Kenya Airways (UK) allowance of 55*38*20cm.
So … I have a couple of questions, and if anyone has an answer or suggestion on any of them I would appreciate it …
1. Have I missed a quality rucksack/bag which will meet my requirements and more importantly be closer to the Kenya airways 20cm depth restriction?
2. Has anyone used either of the two bags mentioned above and has been asked to squish them into a 20cm sizing frame during check in? I’m wondering if without a laptop if they will actually squish to 20cm?
Many thanks for any help or other advice.
Alan.
PS – I have been to Tanzania / Kenya twice before and never been challenged, but I’ve never taken such a big lens / bag before or quite so much gear value. The thought of being asked to check it to the hold fills me with horror! Also note that the size allowance on Kenya Airways (US) is more generous.
0
Comments
Personally, I normally carry my 500 (with body attached) in a bog standard rucksack -typically wrapped in a fleece / jacket / T shirt etc (local travelling on a bike for last 3yrs)
Whilst I've not flown with this setup, I have used it (body removed) when travelling on other public transport, so I suspect I'd use similar in a tight squish scenario.
pp
Flickr
I have heard a few horror stories about Kenya Airways but none were about carry-on luggage.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Thanks Paul,
I haven't got the lens yet so can't actually try it in my current "out and about" rucksack (Dakine Sequence) - I am doubtful it and my other gear would fit and my rucksack would already blow away the 20cm size. I'm also thinking I would be nice to have a neater "no straps" "in flight" option - but not essential.
I will keep it in mind and thanks for that.
Alan.
Thanks Harry,
Yes I missed that one thanks, and it is closer to my requirements at only 1.6cm too wide. I've also found a review of it which says it should squish 1 or two centimeters if required. Although I take Pauls point about the hood size - which I suppose I could possibly put in the hold bag.
I may be slightly over worrying, and overall Kenya Air allowance is very generous 2*23Kg in the hold. Its just 20cm depth for hand luggage for a photographer is very unfriendly! The web site is also very specific about other carry on personal items that are allowed - a coat, a resonable size book, a small camera etc.
Yup, Ive read some horror stories as well. Hope I'm not writing about any next year!
Thanks again
Alan.
The Canon 'black leather thingy' is a right pita in my (and other's) opinions. In the past, I've used a home made 'lens cap' from a circular pie dish / baking tray ex wilkos (or similar) - lined around the inside periphery with a couple of layers of gaffer tape for a friction fit.
This is only ok when the hood is attached in working condition, since the 'attaching end' of the hood is a slightly smaller dia + has got protruding fixing knob.
Having an alternative to the Canon 'blt' would give you a bit more packing material / wiggle room.
PM me if you want more info / think I can help (Leics, btw) - apols if already aware of this stuff.
pp
Mine's a mk1 - so ignore all above if you're getting / renting a mk2, btw
Flickr
Paul,
Thanks for the offer of a physical “hands on”, it is very kind and much appreciated and I’ll keep it in mind.
I was trying not to add extra distraction into my help request, but its not quite so simple. I’ve been holding off buying something big (a lifetime purchase) for the last year to see what happens on the yet to be announced 200-400mm 1.4x which although won’t give the IQ of the 500, it would better fit the diversity of my uses. Stacking side profile images of the 200-400 v’s the 500 they look to be about the same size, but obviously I know nothing of the “lens cap” / boot or hood arrangement. I was hoping for an announcement this month. So I may up renting or buying one of these two lenses – all a bit unknown at the moment I’m afraid.
I like your pie dish suggestions and wonder how many others have done this – interesting. I may end up following in your footsteps but not being very good at DIY I would probably try something like the Don Zeck C8 first.
Thanks
Alan.