Storm case for 300 2.8?

Seriously considering taking both the 500 and 300 to Africa in August but SAA are pretty hot on hand luggage. So was considering taking less clothes...who needs em...and putting the 300 in a peli or storm case. Just not sure which one would be best, potentially storm as they are lighter? Since SAA put their luggage limit up to 23KG I think I can do it.

Neilyb wrote in post #12075923
Seriously considering taking both the 500 and 300 to Africa in August but SAA are pretty hot on hand luggage. So was considering taking less clothes...who needs em...and putting the 300 in a peli or storm case. Just not sure which one would be best, potentially storm as they are lighter? Since SAA put their luggage limit up to 23KG I think I can do it.

Neily, I don't think I'd ever pack my big glass but the peli is always a good idea. Where in Africa are you heading?

Kruger. I want to take the 500 f4 but if we do night drives the 2.8 would be nice too. It is also better lens for the bird in flight and closer animals. I was looking at storm cases as they are lighter, despite being the same company as Peli.

Neilyb wrote in post #12081851
Kruger. I want to take the 500 f4 but if we do night drives the 2.8 would be nice too. It is also better lens for the bird in flight and closer animals. I was looking at storm cases as they are lighter, despite being the same company as Peli.

what you need is the storm case AND the new 200-400! Seriously, can you imagine a more perfect lens for that trip?

Oh believe me I cannot. Considered going Nikon for a while too, just to have that flexibility. I guess the only other option, as the 200-400 will be priced not to take business from the new teles, is the Sigma 120-300 OS....but I await reviews.

Do not pack it in your checked luggage. Especially at Jo'Burg airport. It will never grace your camera again after it.

I bought the ThinkTank Airport International Roller Bag 2.0, which held 2 bodies, 70-200, 24-70, 16-35, and the 300 2.8, hood reversed, attached to one of the bodies. Then I bought a case for a 400...carried both of them on to the airplane.

Only issue I had is that there wasn't enough space on the airplane for my bag, despite the fact it was in the international guidelines. All that meant was when i walked on to the tarmac, i placed in underneath the airplane, and when I got off, I grabbed it. This was good because it didn't go through the normal check-in screening where stuff gets stolen there.

Yeh but I have noticed that often, especially with the push-chair, you don't always get stuff back at the plane but on the baggage claim belt. I may end up taking the 300 2.8 and TCs again.....

Neilyb wrote in post #12082916
Yeh but I have noticed that often, especially with the push-chair, you don't always get stuff back at the plane but on the baggage claim belt. I may end up taking the 300 2.8 and TCs again.....

I'd strongly echo no checking anything. I haven't flown into J'Berg but have into other East African airports and there's just no way I'd leave my expensive glass in someone else's hands.

Neilyb wrote in post #12082916
Yeh but I have noticed that often, especially with the push-chair, you don't always get stuff back at the plane but on the baggage claim belt. I may end up taking the 300 2.8 and TCs again.....

yeah that'd be bad if it didn't come off the plane right away, but I was lucky

I recently viewed a video from B&H which discussed traveling with camera gear to Africa.

Go here: http://www.video.bhpho​tovideo.com …26942ad6b34b00&​rf=sitemap

And look for a video titled "Photographs from Wild Africa". It is near the end of Part 2 that he discusses packing. I thought the guy had some very good ideas. You might also enjoy both part 1 and 2.

Good luck!

Ron

Cheers!