shipping cameras
 

I agree on shipping cameras. I can't believe what goes on at the airlines. I lost a laptop and a still camera out of my luggage a while ago. With all the security, how do these guys get away with walking out with all this stuff?

By the way, not to go on and on about Strut but they have a good section on traveling with a camera in their FAQ http://www.strutcases.com/FAQ/faq.html

Hi Michel,
The "security" introduces new problems too. My wife got her new watch stolen by the X-ray staff in Mombasa, Kenya, two months ago. However, we got through with a lot of video and audio gear as hand luggage without trouble.
Then they were very eager to look through everything and examine all pockets in the search for the watch.

While my wife had to go back and X-ray her clothes in search for her watch another staff was eager to examine her backpacker. He opened a zipper inside the lid and found her wallet ... I was standing three meters in front watching him. He looked suspiciously around ... suddenly noticing me watching him. He immediately pulled out his hand and looked embarrassed!

A policeman came. We thought one of the three "suspected" should "find" the watch when we searched around them and inside the X-ray machine if it had "fallen out" of the tray as they suggested.

BTW, they had their metal detectors so sensitive so you had nearly to take off everything. I had to pass three times before I was cleared. (I'm a private pilot myself so I know the procedure and what normally passes.)

The result was that a lot of things had to be taken off and pockets emptied. Then it was more easily for them to take something while we were busy with all that gear and two kids ...

So, empty your pockets in your bag in advance. Don't have any metal in your shoes, wear plastic belt, no zippers in your clothes, ...

They insist to X-ray nearly everything but if there is nobody watching the screen doesn't matter sometimes!

It is getting more and more difficult to travel these days ... /Johan

Hi Johan,
The airline industry should look at these everyday happenings and realize what a joke it makes out of the whole idea of security. When I called to make a claim for my lost goods I was treated like I was the criminal and never did get restitution. So I guess you agree that your camera belongs with you as a carry on item not shipped in the baggage hold. Like the guy at Strut says "your camera is your work". That makes it your priority piece of luggage even if you have to take it on bare and wrap it in a blanket...it stays with you.

Best Backpack Option
 

I have a Petrol PCBP-3N, and I am very satisfied with it.. As I am usually carrying lots of other stuff besides the camera, a backpack is a very good option. In this case I carry all the accessories including a shotgun, extra batteries, Canon wide angle lens, tapes, cleaners, white cards, rain jacket, and occasionally a mamoth Dell 17" laptop. I have taken this carry on in a plane hauled it through a dozen cites, in my car, even piled under other stuff.. Nothing in it has ever been damaged in the least. I think alot of people do not consider the backpack for various reasons, but one of the really good qualities about it is that it is self contained, and you can carry all your stuff with you when you are in a public shoot. There is nothing worse that having a crackhead eying your stuff when you shooting in NYC.. if its on your back, you don't have to watch it. Nuff said..

Brian

Just curious to know if you were able to get the Pelican Foam custom made. I am in the same situation and I would like the hard case.

improvised case
 

I recently picked up a 28 inch stanley FatMax tool box. It's water resistant and very sturdy. I cut some foam dividers for it and my camera fits right in fully assembled with a sony mrc1k compact flash video recorder mounted on the back. I will have some pictures up soon.

Stanley 28" FatMax part 2
 

It took a little doing . I used some scrap foam I had a around (the white foam I bought at a fabric store, will be replacing it with sturdier foam) , a hot glue gun, some velcro, and a box cutter to trim and cut spaces in the foam. I am able to fit the entire camera in the case with everything attached (except built in mic). I also picked up a small grey toolbag at home depot for batteries etc... I am going to be tweaking it a bit. The toolbox has a waterproof gasket and is sturdy enough to stand on.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1272606128

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1272606128

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1272606128

Model Jade Vixen not included with toolbox camera case.