Tripod thru Airport...
 

Hi....

Soon, I'll be getting a new set of tripod replacing my Libec TH-650. I am leaning toward Bogen/monforto 501 head. Have not decide on the leg yet, though, the new Bogon/monforto 755B leg look interesting. Have not heard much review about it yet.

Anyway... the thing is about going thru airport. Is there any security issue with tripod being hand carry to airplane?

Does the length (leg closed) matters?.. of course it does, but probably what's the maximum length?

How about durability of the tripod?.. any good tripod that durable enough to take some hard knocks?

Or is it safe for me to check-in the tripod as cargo? what's the possiblity of it getting damage? I don't think of getting a hard case for the tripod.

Usually I have a technical company to provide me tripod, sound and light for a certain event. I just hand carry my camera, no worries. But not on this project, sigh...

Just that for most of my coming projects I be going alone and would like to have my gear as light weight as possible. I have gone for the first trip with my Libec, check it in as luggage..and check out as cripple. Maybe it's just one of those unlucky few but I would like to hear from others... Btw, my trips is around Thailand various airport if that does matter...

This is a good question that I have personal experience on... at least in the USA. VERY few pods will fit inside a carry-on and even with a compact model you may need to remove the head from the legs. I went with a set of compact Gitzo legs that collapse to 23" long and I still needed to remove the head and put the legs diagonally in my carry-on... next to the head. Then I'd carry my camera bag seperately... but that only works when you have a travelling companion that realizes the importance of keeping the gear WITH you... You see, you only get ONE carry-on bag per person... at least in the USA.

Most luggage manufacturers have a carry-on model that's guaranteed to fit... Those are generally 22" x 14" x 8" (or ABOUT that... the L + W + D must equal 45" or LESS)...

So in the likely event that you'll be travelling ALONE I'd recommend you get a Samsonite HARDSIDE bag... In the USA we have Costco who sells 'em for $99. These MUST be checked of course... but I found out the hard way that when you pack your tripod in the middle of your clothes and think it's all protected... the security check-points will unpack your bag and just put it back together any old way. When I arrived in FL I found my soft-sided bag with one of the "wings" of the Gitzo legs worn through the side. So I got a Samsonite HARD (ABS) bag... no more worries.

I'd also suggest you put your tripod inside one of the cheap Bogen soft, padded tripod bags if you can find one that just fits... and then put THAT inside the hard bag! On a recent trip my gear took a MAJOR beating...

Even if you make some good cash you can lose part of it back to early wear and tear on your gear!

As far as pods that will get small enough to get into a 22" bag? There are FEW... Gitzo makes a couple that go down to 24" and then must be packed at an angle with the head removed...

The Samsonite will last quite a while when you put a max and hard load in it. But the baggage handlers finally punched the feet into the body. But that was when 70 Lbs. was the max weight. At 50, it should last forever.

I suppose you 'could' completely disassemble the tripod and carry it as a bag of tubes.

I find that the multi-stage legged Gitzo with a normal video head is the best bet. That plus a set of dolly wheels and I can run a camera around an event all day with no problems (PD-150).

I probably will look for a luggage bag big enough for the pod. I have yet to decide which pod to get... will go shopping this weekend... thanks...

I just want to throw in my 1.5 cents worth... I have the 501 head, and really wish I had ponied up the extra cash for the 503.

Why is that so?.. it be interesting to hear ur opinion.. too 'fragile'?

While others have had no problems with the 501, I have found it to be less than fluid. In order to get a smooth pan I have to loosen it all the way. At which point, it tends to jiggle. I also have the 3001 legs, and the whole thing tends to twist at times. I end up grabbing it firmly with one hand while panning.

Still, I suppose it could be worse.

For what it's worth, I have Bogen/Manfrotto 3444D sticks which I routinely take on the plane with me. I've never had a problem, either domestically or internationally. Note, though, that if a tripod has spikes it will probably be stopped at security (mine just has rubber feet).

Point noted.. Spike... I would put that in consideration when buying a pod... It be great if I can disassemble them... thanks..

I just got an XL1s about 2 months ago... still learning about it and at the same trying to get into the market...

In these 2 months, my shopping list have just skyrocketed.. Had to go shopping for wireless mic, lapel, shotgun, beachtek... then the wide angle lens, still considering the 16x manual lens... currently a tripod and head... and moments ago got another job offer that require LIGHTS!!!.. duh, I'm broke like never before... I'm just a beginner but if anyone out there thinking of starting out... include all the accesorries you need in ur budget.. not just the $3500 camera..

Now where's the bookmark I add about Lighting 101...???

Tripod Carry-on
 

Was able to get my Miller Solo DV w/DS-10 head on as carry on, but forgot to take the wrench out of the sack that comes with the package. Understandably, they wouldn't let the wrench on... so I lost it. But, I was able to have the pod with me. However, they made it pretty clear that this was an exception because of the size.

FORE!!!!
 

An old golf bag with cover has worked fine for me. Just wrap your pod in a couple of large beach towels.

RB

In the US these days, any problems with TSA in getting tripods through security as hand held baggage?

I agree with Keith's observations about the 501 head. Just got back from a trip to Argentina, and I had so much other stuff that I didn't want to bring my big Miller tripod so I opted for my Manfrotto 3221 with 501 head. I was using it with a Sony Z1, and it provided basic functionality. It is pretty well made and has all the right adjustments. But the motion is just not nearly as good as the more expensive heads. Shooting a few minutes of a performance reminded me very quickly why I had upgraded to the Miller 3 years ago. I think the 501 is a less than ideal choice for an XL2.

Getting back on topic, I agonized over some of the same luggage issues for my trip. I went to many dept stores, sport stores, home improvement stores, and never say any kind of hard or soft case that I liked for either my Manfrotto or Miller tripod. I looked at golf club bags but they were all much bigger than needed. I saw a nice fishing rod plastic tube, but it was too small in diameter. B&H sells some nice cases, but in the end I just didn't want to spend the money and it would have been one more thing to carry.

So I got one big monster suitcase - soft sided - and put the tripod in it along with all my clothes and other stuff. The Manfrotto 3221/501 fits in about 30" length and it has its own soft case. This suitcase weighed in at about 65 pounds but they didn't charge me anything extra; the ticket agent said there was no charge up to 70 lbs even though the American Airlines website said 50 lbs.

No problems whatsoever, but maybe I was just lucky. I went through 5 airports on the complete trip. On the way there the TSA did not even open the suitcase, but on the return they did which delayed its arrival and the airlines had to deliver it to my home the next morning. Actually, I doubt that it was the tripod which aroused their suspicion. It was probably all the cables, batteries, hard drives and other junk which could have looked like an explosive device.

Interesting to hear about tripods poking through soft luggage though. That never occured to me...

I have a set of Gitzo legs that can attach to the outside of my LowePro backpack. the backpack itself is sized to fit as carryon. Do you think I can carry it on with the Gitzo legs attached to the outside? Will that get through security ok?

The only real answer to this will be on the airlines' website. For example, here are the rules for American Airlines carry-ons:

http://www.aa.com/content/travelInfo...horEvent=false

In practice they may be more lenient than this... I've seen people carry on some big things. But I've also seen the flight attendants tell them they will need to check oversize items. If you knowingly violate their guidelines then your should be prepared to check the item if needed....

The legs are small enough to fit on the bag and not violate the size requirement. But will security have a problem?

Hey Dean,

why don't you find out about rental places whereever you're staying/going to shoot. I'm sure lotsa Thai rental houses out there, will do some delivery with a small fee. I'm sure you know you can rely on FEG/cinegear locally, for rental of lights n such.

rock on!

I think TSA is the bigger worry:

http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlib...16_2005_v3.pdf

I always put my tipod in my suitcase and check it through so I don't get stuck and have to leave it behind. I pack it in the sling I use to carry it and just pack around it.

That's an interesting document, thanks.... I'm glad to know that I can pack my meat cleaver, axe and brass knuckles in my suitcase next time.

Not sure how this sheds any light on the tripod question though...

It is line in the opening that states: "Prohibited items are weapons, explosives, incendiaries, and include items that are seemingly
harmless but may be used as weapons—the so-called “dual use” items."

A decent set of sticks with a fluid head can certainly be used as effectively as a weapon as a baseball bat, which is not allowed.

That's possible, although they say you can bring knitting needles, canes and umbrellas but they will want to inspect. So I just don't know the real answer to the question. Personally I would not want to carry a tripod on however. If you decide to give it a try please report back to us with your experience.

carry what you can
 

After the mounting plate of my 501 was cracked somewhere enroute to Boise ID, and I had to unpack/repack XL2, laptop and ancilliaries at half a dozen airports I changed my tactics....

I break down the most vital kit and stash it in my jacket. I make sure the project can roll without the hold luggage.

This saved me on the next trip when my rucksack and the sticks from the 501 failed to turn up in Moscow. I got to the shoot on time, and sat at a table to rest my elbows while hand holding the camera for the interview.

(The hold luggage arrived the next day.)

I carry the XL2 split with the body in handheld wrapped in a cheap supermarket bag. The standard lens I wrap and stuff in a jacket pocket, the EF lense in its bag inthe other pocket. I put the tripod head, with the lap top in the camera bag.

This way there is no confusing nest for the scanners, and I'm not asked to unpack things.

The sticks, PAG light batttery, and spare transformers go in the hold luggage, in the middle of the rucksack. NB large batteries always arouse suspicion.

I will be upgrading to a more suitable tripod for super-telephoto panning. I definately won't leave a Schachter or Vinten head on the tripod in the hold!

Nick Hockings,

Have you been through a US airport recently? I'd be very surprised if they didn't ask you to take the camera out of the bag, regardless of what you put it in. They were constantly announcing "please remove all laptops and video cameras, place them in a tray and send them through separately".

The lines are long and as a courtesy to everyone else behind me I just complied with these requests since it was really a very minor inconvenience.

But I'm confused as to what happens to the camera in its brown paper bug during the flight. Do you hold it on your lap? I wouldn't trust it like that in the overhead compartment. People grab stuff in and out of there and it could easily get smashed or even dropped out.

I've been to the US several times in the last 12 months, but flights out of the EU and even internal flights in India & Pakistan are much the same re ultra-security. Even the scanners were the same model...

The camera bag was typically well laden and fitting laptop, 3 lenses, mics, batteries etc in so they don't harm each other tends to hold up the queue.

I do take the lap top out, but that IS quick when the camera isn't in the Kata bag.

The bags I use for the body is just any disposable plastic bag. It's just to keep dust (and Customs eyes) off it. From airport security's point of view it is 'out of the bag'. What they care about is having only a single layer of electronic goodies to scan. When camera, and lenses show up spaced out in a jacket that's good, because they can see clearly what each one is.

Ammusingly in Frankfurt when they saw the XL2 they asked if I'd been in Iraq, because somebody lied and explosives residues set off the detectors.

Nick Hockings

I travel extensively and always have to carry my own gear in suit cases/back-packs.

I don't use a proper video tripod on these trips, insead I use a Manfrotto 3011BM steel photo tripod with a 55B center column and a 701RC2 head with a 394 quick release place (because that plate is also used on my little Varizoom steadicam and on my mono-pod, so I can switch around really easily.)

The who rig is on the heavy side, 8 or 9 pounds and I have the remove the center column and head to get it in my bag but it has proved to be pretty indestructable. The legs measure 24" when fully collapsed and fit at an angle in my Samsonite garment bag.