which combination of lenses?

Well,

ive been thinkin about gettin some new gear. I want to spend about 4,000~6,000$ . I have my eyes on a 5D, only for FF,otherwise I am satisfied with my 20D. I also want a fast tele. Either the 300 2.8 or 400 DO. I also want a 35 L and a 85 L.

My realy concern is carrying the equipment home. There are restrictions to how much luggage you can carry on-board with you. Im afraid if I get a 5D and 300 2.8, aside from my current gear (see sig.). I wont manage to get it all to fit into a bag that "fits into the overhead compartment". I dont want to send the gear by mail , nor do I want to pack it in the cargo luggage on the plane.

The largest physical combination would be:

5D + 300 2.8 + 20D + 580EX + 50 1.8 + 17-40 + 135 L

I guess I could put the flash and 50 1.8 in the suitcase (cargo), but thats not a significant reduction.

The easiest solution would probably be my current gear + 85 L + 35 + TS-E 45 + EF 180 L


I have a 7 million dollar crumpler and a LowePro CompuTrekker AW.

Im looking for suggestions on the above mentioned gear and possible combinations.

Could you take less with you? Or have the camera store ship it home for you?

I insist on carrying it with me on board.

What do you mean less Tim? Less gear?

I assumed you're taking some gear to the US with you, I was wondering if you could cut that down. If it doesn't fit then (obviously) you have to either take less stuff, or increase the amount of stuff you can take on the plane somehow.

I ship stuff from the US all the time, i've never had a problem.

I would at least scale down some. For example, if you are buying a 5D just leave the 20D at home.

Depending on the airline you may get away with using your crumpler as a 'Personal Item' whilst the LowePro is your carry on. Check the airline website for bagage limits, or perhaps take a trip to the airport with both bags if it's nearby & ask a check in clerk.

Tim, im in the US heading to the UAE. Takign all t his gear with me.

Doc, rklepper, I debated leaving some gear here in the US,but ill be in the UAE for a while before I come back to the US.

Timm, thats what im hoping. They consider the crumpler a "personal item" and the lowepro the carry on. ill call the airline and airport to double check.

Any particular gear?


Which one? 400mm DO or 300 2.8 ?

With the 300, it will be a peice of cake to add a 1.4x or even 2x. It gets steep with the 1.4x on the 400mm DO, let alone try adding a 2X to it.

Does the 5D AF with apertures tighter than 5.6? or is it like the 20D?

i carried a backpack (with my laptop inside) and a stealth reporter 300 onto the planes when i was running around europe with no problems at all and i was flying with budget airlines within europe. stuffed everything under the seat in front of me as i am pretty weary about putting them into the overhead compartments.

you shouldnt have a problem carry two (or sometimes three) items on board as long as they are not insanely big. i was on wizzair (budget plane) for one flight and there was a couple who had 3 luggages (the kind with wheels) with them as carry on, on top of a handbag each

sprinkles wrote:
i carried a backpack (with my laptop inside) and a stealth reporter 300 onto the planes when i was running around europe with no problems at all and i was flying with budget airlines within europe. stuffed everything under the seat in front of me as i am pretty weary about putting them into the overhead compartments.

you shouldnt have a problem carry two (or sometimes three) items on board as long as they are not insanely big. i was on wizzair (budget plane) for one flight and there was a couple who had 3 luggages (the kind with wheels) with them as carry on, on top of a handbag each

not to go off topic but I had the scare of my life 2 months ago. I had my gear in my sig ( switch 135 L for bigma) in a lowepro bag in the overhead compartment. I was a little weary of it but did it because it was such a long flight (UK to midwest US). As we were leaving the plane I coulndt find my bag!! I was like O_O Turned out it was in the next bin lol

As I work for an airline I get the opportunity to fly alot and I never like to leave anything behind just in case I decide that I might want to use it.

I have a lowepro packback that I can fit my three bodies, 1 flash, 16-35, 24-70, 70-200 and a variety of accessories. This bag fits nicely in the overhead of most airliners.

I really struggled with what I should do to move my 300 2.8 and the 500 f4 around with me. At first I was thinking of something like a Pelican case but that just screams steal me. So I went with a plain hard sided samsonite suitcase which I put the 500 and 300 in. I have special soft sided cases for both of these which fit nicely into the suitcase. I can then add a variety of other items like my tripod, 100-400, 85, 135 and more accessories. To make sure that things don't move in the suitcae I pack additional clothing in there. Lock it up and away it goes. I've never had an issue, mind you I have my gear insured to the max.

Airlines are becoming more and more vigilant on carryon. I've seen it too many times where people get to the gate to start boarding and are challenged on their carryon bags. They are then given the choice of checkign the bag at the gate or taking the next flight and repacking their stuff in order to meet regulations.

thanks for the input ssim. I usually travel with Air france or BA or Lufthansa. Not too much of a hassle.