HD110 as carry on luggage
 

I am considering purchasing this camera for travel and documentary work. My usual carrier, Air Canada, has a 22 lb weight restriction, and the following maximum carry-on baggage dimensions for 1 item:

23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm
or, 9" x 15.5" x 21.5"

If the lens is removed from the camera, could the lens and body be placed into a bag whose size and weight would meet these size restrictions? I don't want to even consider placing a camera in checked luggage, although at some future time this may become an unfortunate reality for most people.

Hi George,

You could in theory, but don't get me started with airlines...

My advice is get a Peli case or similar and shove it in the hold with a big yellow and black sticker on it marked "fragile". The camera is more than robust enough to take it. That's what I do and I fly a lot. The other thing is to always have a phone number of someone at your destination where you can hire back-up equipment from should things go pair-shaped.

Just my 10p worth, I'm sure others will have a different view.

Liam,

What size pelican are you using and do you pack it with the lens on or off? Thanks.

Ben

I would NEVER check the camera!! I travel a lot, and it does not matter how many fragile notices you put on the case, they will throw it around, it is about speed not care when it comes to checked bags. I always take the camera on the plane wrap it in some blankets and put it in the above storage with my other carry-on bag.

It has been a pretty standard practise with the Betacam type cameras just to carry them on as hand baggage with a battery fitted to power them up if requested by security.

They're not in a box, although quite a few have a Portabrace cover fitted, which does offer some protection. Usually they're just placed on the floor between your feet.

If you're sending a larger camera in the hold, it's recommended that you ship with the lens removed from the camera. There's a large shearing force on the lens mount when the cases get dropped etc. by the ever so careful baggage handlers.

I don't think it's a big deal checking the case, but it needs to be the right case, lens removed, and well fitting. For a pelican it would need to be foamed out just right. I fly all the time and if you think the baggage people treat the bags rough, just watch people put their carry-ons up in the overhead bin sometime. It's no gentler up top than it is down below. It's worse if your camera is in a soft case and someone throws up their carry on luggage and it slams into your camera case.

Security is becoming more and more strict about what can go on the plane and it's easier to just buy a pelican and check the bag. Flying isn't what it used to be.

Ben

With the lens removed, the camera would fit your dimensions.

I've traveled all over with the camera checked (including S. America and even the Arctic), and it has survived. It was in a form fitted Pelican 1650. However, I once had it checked in a less form fitted box, and it arrived at the shoot with a busted tape loading mechanism. So, you do have to be careful.

But when broken down, it is a very small camera.

Hi Ben,
I use a Peli 1610, with foam cut outs. The lens stays on, though this may change. (definitely will be coming off)

Carl,
Until last year I was firmly in your camp, but since I got the Peli case I'm a changed man. I've carried on film cameras as well as video cameras of all types. I've wrapped them, snuggled them and kissed them goodnight on long-haul. Damn things get better treatment than the me. But at the end of the day it's a camera. Yes they'll throw it around. That's why I paid for a good case.

Well I don't know who you've been flying with, it may well be different in the states, but I take a lot of international flights as well as internal flights within the UK and ever since people started using planes as missiles I've only been allowed to take one bag on as hand luggage and I like to have something useful in there like a book or an ipod. I've even been stopped from carrying it on.

True, they'll usually let you carry it on, but they won't let you hold it during take off or landing, which is after all, when the damn thing rattles around the most.

Don't forget they sent it from Japan in the first place.

Now that's my 20p worth...

Please please please do not check in you camera. If the baggage guys don't bounce it off the tarmac, use it as poker table, there's still a reasonable chance it won't end up where you end up. Misplaced, stolen, mixed up somewhere. get a shoulder strap, carry it onboard and stake out your turf in an overhead and do your best to cushion it. And baby sit your baby, don't let the little old lady from Pasadena try and stuff her sewing machine in YOUR overhead!

It also helps to inflate the price, I usually tell people it's a $40,000 camera.

I hear you Brian, but I've had several instances when they simply wouldn't let me on with my camera, probably because I look a bit dodgy. At least now I know it's reasonbly safe in a peli case and if I hit some major turbalance, like I did last year - causing a six month-old baby to throw-up all over me - I'll know it's probably better off in the hold and it wont have duty-free whisky smash into it or Tobelrone stuck on it when I take it out of the overhead.

Mind you I could pose with it in the vein hope that I could do a Ralph Fiennes with one of the stewardesses. Actually anyone fancy a used Peli...

Carl,
Until last year I was firmly in your camp, but since I got the Peli case I'm a changed man. I've carried on film cameras as well as video cameras of all types. I've wrapped them, snuggled them and kissed them goodnight on long-haul. Damn things get better treatment than the me. But at the end of the day it's a camera. Yes they'll throw it around. That's why I paid for a good case.

Well it could get lost, or sent somewhere else by mistake. It is not worth the risk in my opinion.



Well I don't know who you've been flying with, it may well be different in the states, but I take a lot of international flights as well as internal flights within the UK and ever since people started using planes as missiles I've only been allowed to take one bag on as hand luggage and I like to have something useful in there like a book or an ipod. I've even been stopped from carrying it on.

True, they'll usually let you carry it on, but they won't let you hold it during take off or landing, which is after all, when the damn thing rattles around the most.

Well of course they are not going to let you hold it, that is why I said put it in the overhead bin, and wrap it up with some airline blankets. Secondly, I travel internationally as well, and never had a problem carrying the camera and a small wheeled bag, 2 total.


Don't forget they sent it from Japan in the first place.

Freight is not quite the same as checked baggage. Plus, I own the camera Now, if it gets lost, I'm F#@*ed. JVC loses freight from Japan, they ship some more. Get it?

Carl,

You might carry your camera on to a 1000 planes and never have a problem and I know, that's the preferred method of most people. Fine.

I have been f***ed by several airlines.

I choose a different route. Also fine.

Liam,

Thanks for the info. I figured I'd be going with a 16xx but I wasn't sure which would work. I like to keep it as small as possible but with adequate padding.

Carl,

Cameras get shipped on airlines all across the country and all over the world everyday and they arrive just fine. I'm a multi-year platinum frequent flyer with american airlines (that means at least 60 thousand miles a year) and never in my years of travel have they totally lost any of my luggage or cases. They've been re-routed, delivered two days later, and come on the next flight, but it always arrives.

Again, the camera is much safer in the cargo hold in a pelican or specail hard case than it is in the overhead or under your seat. Whether you trust the airlines or not you can't argue with their record. If you have a shoot the day after you land and the camera didn't make the connection, you work around it. Life goes on andclients understand that. But the camera will arrive at some point.

But no worries, everyone has a prefrence and taking care of the gear, no matter which way, is what matters.

Ben

I always carry the camera with the thought that no matter what else gets lost, broken, or stolen, as long as I have a camera and a mic, I can pull something out of the fire and salvage the gig.

Hasn't happened to me yet, but it only takes a few stories to change your mind.

Let me chime in here.

I travel all over the world with a Sony Z1. This is for my work.

I also own an HD100 with a Petrol bag that is carry on size.

I NEVER check my camera. Luggage does get lost and the places I go to, I don't count on it showing up.

I used to travel with a Sony DSR-570 2/3" camera. I would keep it out of a case and then carry it on the plane. No one ever bothered me at all. One time I flew with a Sony 700a HDCAM in a Portbrace case that was over the carry on limit. I was on a Delta flight to Peru and had no status on the airline. I went up to the counter before boarding and explained that I had a $100,000 camera in the bag that I needed to keep safe and asked to board early and find a safe place to put it. They very kindly let me on board to talk to a stewardess and find a safe place for it.

I will always carry my camera on board. Also try to board early to find a good spot to put it in. I also sit in aisle seats so I can "protect" my camera from people who want to cram their bags in my overhead bin. I am also 6'5" and 250 lbs. so no one questions me when I politely ask them to be careful around my camera. People are nice about it most of the time. I only have problems with people who never travel that often.

Long story short, keep you camera with you at all times!!!

Dan Weber

Could not agree with you more... I believe those who check their cameras, have just been lucky.

I have had luggage broken into, lost, and badly damaged (I travel a lot). It does happen.

Never - Never - Never
 

I was born in South America, raised here in US, and for my experience if I'm traveling down there NEVER - NEVER- NEVER have my camera alone.
Is always on my lap or betwen my legs.

About 10 years ago I had a Panasonic Supercam., that horse is like regular betacam in size if you remember, I was traveling then at the airpot just to be confortable with my two kids I sent my Supercam with the luggage in the original hardshell case, that was and extra piece of luggage and I had to pay extra. but guess what, the camera made it to South America, but somehow somebody took it, and the empty case was the witness of my loss hehehe, after filling complaints to airline, airport police etc...... my Supercam showed up, bagage handler found my money making machine in the Airport Basement, that's why! never never never........

William Osorio

I'm using porta brace cs-dv4 bag with my hd100, and haven't had any problems getting it into planes. The bag itself is said to be the size that it fits into overhead luggage compartments, and airline staff agrees with it. only thing I would suggest is to detach the viewfinder before (also with the PB models that have dedicated space for the viewfinder), since some planes have smaller storage spaces (once i came last into a plane, all space was gone, and had to force it in, now it has a small fracture in it. If u can, be among the first to get into a plane, and in some planes u can find bigger overhead storage boxes in the rear), and also the mic so it doesn't get bent.
For checking in the camera we've used anvil cases that rock, only negative thing is that they are heavy to carry around.

You may be right, but what are you going to do when they don't let you on with your camera?

Liam,

It seems I am not the only one that carries their camera on the plane, why don't you ask the others your questions too. I guess I will have to deal with that when it happens, but in the 20 years that I have been traveling with cameras, I have never had a problem. Been lucky I guess. What are you going to do when you go to collect your camera and it is gone or damaged, and you have a shoot soon after landing, and it's Sunday and the rental houses are closed?

Like you said, earlier, "You might carry your camera on to a 1000 planes and never have a problem and I know, that's the preferred method of most people. Fine. I have been f***ed by several airlines".
"I choose a different route. Also fine".

Carl,

I'm not singling you out for special treatment. I'm sorry if you think that's the case. My points are for everyone, anyone is free to agree or disagree.

I too have been travelling in this business for over twenty years and it's only been in the last few years that things have been a problem. The UK authorities in particular seem to get a lot of pleasure making peoples' lives a misery with their crazy rules and regs. As I said in my first post "don't get me going about airlines".

My wife thinks I'm an idiot sticking the camera in the hold, but it really has been quite liberating. Whether she would think any better of me if I carried it on is a moot point. And if it is smashed, stolen or lost when I get off the plane next week then I'll phone my insurance company, go grab a beer and laugh about how funny you'd find it if you knew.

All the best,

Liam.

I'm going on a trip soon and I'm contemplating this very issue.

Due to the nature and size of the various stuff I have to bring, I'd like to check the camera. I've got a nice Pelican so I'm really not worried about damage to the camera. I have some TSA approved padlocks that will fit on the case.

We have suitcases with TSA locks and I've never had one of those "we've been pawing through your stuff" letters.

Do you think the camera will still be in case when I arrive? On the plus side, there is no change of planes on the way down.

they will if you conduct yourself correctly and ask *THEM* the right questions.

"Hi sir, you need to check that item"

Hi.. I have a camera here worth.... $20K ( or whatever ), um tell me, can I get it insured if I do that?

No

are you going to personally guarantee full replacement value for it if something happens ?

well sir, we do have insurance for regular luggauge, but you'll have to have your own for that.

No your insurance won't cover it, and you know it. so will you personally guarnatee its safety ?

well no sir


so when I get to my destination with a broken or missing camera, you just can't replace it, so are you going to get me a rental and deliver it ? never mind replacement ?

well no we can't do that....

Ok, so what are we doing ? if you can't insure it, and can't guarantee it will be ok, what are we doing ?

ok sir... ok, um, you can take it on.

----------

you have to know what you are doing....

steve oakley

The JVC can fit into a normal weekend (carry on size) suitcase with the wheels & extending handle. Just head down to your local bag shop with the JVC brochure that has a life size photo of the camera & find a case that fits. Next remove the mic & lens. Then fit foam under, above & around the parts. I can even fit a laptop into my case!

This may seem like a daft added comment to this discussion, but i can't help but wonder if all of the security x-ray equipment might damage the camera at all? Or is that just wrong?

Either way i know it traveled from Japan in the first place, and almost definitely went through x-ray etc machines already, but i'd like the DVInfo clan to put my mind at rest!

I'll be travelling with my HD251 with EasyJet in a month as Hand Luggage, and starting to plan for all eventualities just in case.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

I travel frequently with my HD100 w/ AB battery and firestore, and I carry the whole rig by hand w/o a case. It sits nicely between my feet under the seat in front. Be careful if you get the first row - they will not let you hold it in your lap. But then again when you are in the first row you are probably in some sort of upgraded seating and they will happily put it in a safe place during takeoff/landing.

Don't worry about the X-ray machines. The CCD damage actually comes from the occasional gamma ray that you are more prone to while flying at high altitudes. Unless you've got a pelican case made of lead, I'm not sure there is anything you can do to avoid it. I don't think this happens very often though.

Small-Camerabag
 

I took my JVC ProHD111E Camcorder flying in may. I went all the way from Iceland to Pakistan. I was shooting a documentary. I took the camcorder on the airplain as handlugguage and I never got any complaints about the bag and I had a pretty big bag. I recommend that you get your self a small camerabag, that way you should be safe. Check this one out. It is very compact.
http://www.expandore.com/product/add...Bag/PCUBHD.htm

In 20 years and almost 40 countries I've only once been prevented from carrying a camera on board as cabin luggage. More recently things have tightened up.
My JVC HD101 fits into a Lowe Pro camera bag (along with a book and iPod) which meets carry on size and is well enough made to secure the camera in an overhead locker. You can always remove the camera and put it between your feet when onboard. Ask for a seat not in an emergency exit row because they don't like stuff on the floor, it's a safety hazard. Always carry a battery with the camera so you can turn it on if asked by security (I once had security look in the viewfinder and insist it was a risk because they could not see through it like with a film camera!).
These days I use a Pelican case for other kit checked through and leave space for the camera just incase it gets refused carry on. A tip here; batteries can confuse some x-ray machines so security may want to look inside your case. Pelican case latches are easy to accidently open and very easy for prying hands to quickly open and remove something from inside (a common method of theft from baggage) what I do is put a reusable cable tie through the lock holes, these are easily removed and replaced by security but difficult to remove quickly by a thief.
I've only had problems in one foriegn country, the USA, where I've had a bag disappear and 2 aluminium hard cases smashed. I've been to a lot of countries considered to be risky without a problem.
Be polite and presentable when checking in. You may also consider checking ahead with the airline and or airport (airport authorities control security not individual airlines) for their interpretation of the regulations. Carry proof you are a professional cinematographer and 99 out 100 you will be fine.
Carry all shot tapes as carry on, x-ray machines will not bother them but more powerful equipment in checked baggage security could be risky.
At the end of the day it's only a tool (a little more expensive than a carpenter's hammer though). Talking of tools, put your screwdriver, swiss army knife etc in your checked baggage.
Phil Balsdon
http://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/

Small-Camerabag
 

I took my JVC ProHD111E Camcorder flying in may. I went all the way from Iceland to Pakistan. I was shooting a documentary. I took the camcorder on the airplain as handlugguage and I never got any complaints about the bag and I had a pretty big bag. I recommend that you get your self a small camerabag, that way you should be safe. Check this one out. It is very compact.
http://www.expandore.com/product/add...Bag/PCUBHD.htm

Checking JVC cameras
 

I travel with two JVC 110s... I have taken them on eight trips overseas. Both in pelicans... I have never had a problem until three days ago!!! I was flying home from Costa Rica, and delta's people wanted to look in all my pelicans... So the guy took out both cameras and wanted to turn it on! Then he could not get it back in the pelican, so he started pushing it in! He broken off the plastic piece where the battery sits on the back of the camera!!! I complained to Delta and they totally brushed me off!! So my hypothesis, the people behind the counter are more dangerous than the people who load your luggage! I use a petrol backpack and put 1 JVC 100 in, with an aunton Bauer battery system and tape stock, and any other gagets.. I always want to be sure that one system will get to where I am going.

Andy,
I just got home from Anchorage (a 2 week family reunion in Eagle River and my brother's fishing boat in Whittier). I bought an HD-110 2 months ago with the smaller of the 2 PortaBrace bags recommended for the camera (can't remember the model number, but it's on their site- I live in Vermont so I'm loyal to Porta Brace). I brought the camera to Mexico on a shoot before Alaska (many flights on both trips with no problems as carry-on).
But when I heard the original poster say Air Canada, it brought back the only real hassles I've ever had with a carry-on camera. I fly all over the world (out of the U.S. 3-4 months of the year), and until recently carried a Sony 637A Beta-Sp in a "carry-on" Porta Brace case. Airline regs changed a while ago, and made carry-on specs smaller, but except for some small regional jets, I could carry my camera evrywhere, except Air Canada. I live a couple of hours from Montreal, and sometimes fly to Europe from there or Boston on Air Canada. Well, I should say I *used* to fly Air Canada. They gave me the biggest hassle of any airline for my camera, and I wound up taking it out of its carry-on bag and carrying it on without any protection once, and arguing very loudly with a supervisor another time. I love the 9 pounds vs. 22 pounds now that I carry a JVC HD-110!
Ed

Hi, I have taken my HD-100 to Iraq and back several times, plus several trips inside the US with no problems. I have the Petrol case for it, which fits inside the overhead bins of most planes. Always with the mic, and viewfinder removed.

I have had to fly a few times in smaller prop driven planes to get into small towns, and those overhead bins will not accomodate the Petrol case. For that, I just take the camera out of the case, gate check the case, and put the camera into the bin, wrapped up in a heavy coat. I defend my bin of course, and I detatch the viewfinder, and mic.

I have never had any objections, with the exception of the size of the case for the small planes. I have even convinced a few security screeners to not X-Ray it, by turning it on for them, and letting them see inside the tape mechanism. I know the X-Rays are not supposed to hurt the CCD's, and they haven't yet, but I still avoid it if I can.

The one thing I refuse to do though is let it out of my sight while traveling. Whatever it takes, my camera is never farther away than the bin above my head, if not in my lap, or at my feet.

Get a Press Card
 

I'm another one who travels a lot - and I live in southern Africa, and have to transit johannesburg about twice a month, where they'll steal your used underwear from a shrink-wrapped bomb proof safe.

I work all over - Iraq, afghanistan, somalia, and the rest, and I often transit through europe to hook up with a client. My passport must have an Agency trace on it a mile long.

I always carry my HD 111 (and before that my 400 AP) with me, in a protabrace, with radio mics and a spare battery. i also take a small backpack with my laptop, and a book, and my ipod... and a 6 pin firewire cable and some tapes.

y'all know how it is.

Oh, and my lucky silver Inukshuk a Canuk mate gave me.

the Portabrace is 60 x 40 x 30, by the way, so close enough.

Point is this: I can work off the plane with this lot. Doesn't matter if my toothbrush is on it's way to Bogota and won't be hear tilll next week.

If you're doing current affairs work, get a press card. National Union of Journalists is good, but frankly you can scan one up with half an hour on google and laminate it at the corner shop. These security guys at the airports are only doing their job. Give 'em a reason to be helpful (and a smile) and ninety nine times out of the century they will be. The lads at Heathrow often ask for my press card - then they let me through with the camera bag and the backpack. No probs.

Does anyone just use fedex to send there camera? I figure you can get it insured at least.