Traveling with Lee Filters

This holiday season I'm going to be in Spain and Italy. I want to take my Lee Big Stopper since I will be near the coast in Southern Spain. It is probably not allowed as carrying on and was wondering how would you pack it? Is it even worth bringing it with me?

cappo wrote in post #18487256
This holiday season I'm going to be in Spain and Italy. I want to take my Lee Big Stopper since I will be near the coast in Southern Spain. It is probably not allowed as carrying on and was wondering how would you pack it? Is it even worth bringing it with me?

Why wouldn't the Big Stopper be allowed as 'carry on'? I can't imagine there would be a problem with it. Even then, doesn't the Big Stopper come in a tin? Wouldn't that be enough protection if (strangely) it had to go in as hold baggage?

We buy this expensive stuff to use it. Otherwise, why bother? Take it with you.

I've travelled in and out of Spain numerous times with a Grad ND filter in my bag and never had any problems, and I'd be surprised if anything has changed recently in that regard ... unless security forces worldwide organised a collective screening of the Bourne films and decided that Bic pens, towels and basically everything man-made can now be classified as a lethal weapon. If that is the case, then as DaviSto suggests, it can probably be safely tucked away in checked baggage.

If it's something you see yourself using then I would say it's worth trying to take it, especially I don't think the risks are that high.

Where is it that you'll be travelling in Spain?

I figured its glass and you can slice someones throat with it if cracked in right angle. I probably have watched too many Jason Bourne movies lol.

Owain Shaw wrote in post #18487274
Where is it that you'll be travelling in Spain?

Will be staying in Barcelona for a few days, then going to Malaga for a week. We will have a car rental in Malaga so I plan on not staying in one spot. Do you have any places you'd recommend? My only concern is we will be there during Christmas week, does it slow down over there?

cappo wrote in post #18487287
Will be staying in Barcelona for a few days, then going to Malaga for a week. We will have a car rental in Malaga so I plan on not staying in one spot. Do you have any places you'd recommend? My only concern is we will be there during Christmas week, does it slow down over there?

Last year was my first Christmas in Spain. I've lived here for a few years but generally returned to visit family at that time, and I learned a few things last year. Christmas Eve is when you may really struggle to find anything open or serving food. That is the day that Spanish people generally spend with their family rather than the 25th as in the Anglosphere. The 6th January - the Epiphany - is another important day for families with this being the traditional day when children receive gifts from the Reyes Magos. Other than that I don't recall too many difficulties, though that was in Valencia, the third biggest city in the country. Malaga is a bit smaller, although not too much. It might be more provincial, though sadly I've never been there ... I've met a few people from there who I'd like to visit though.

Malaga isn't all that far from Granada (along the cost to Motril and then up) so that's another area to look at. If you want to visit the Alhambra you'll need to book tickets in advance. Ronda is a known spot near Malaga, and there's also the Caminito del Rey. Alas Malaga is an area I've not visited yet.

Thanks for the info on Christmas eve, I better pack a sandwich. I'll definitely try to visit the places you mentioned. The Caminito del Rey looks cool.

Go to Ronda, the road from the coast is winding and the passenger always gets a better view than the driver who is too busy concentrating! At that time of year Ronda could be quite cold and frosty.

Malaga is a nice, in the centre anyway where I have been. Nice shops and bars, photography not easy due to the number of people, unless you are into capturing urban candids of course.

If you have the time, a drive to Gibraltar (1hour from Malaga) is worthwhile. Park in La Linea and walk across the border - don’t forget your passport/ID though.

Thanks for the tip. Gibraltar is definitely is on my list to visit.

Just traveled to Hawaii with several filters in my bag, if its in a bag full of camera gear no ones going to pay any attention to it. I had my tripod with spiked points in with carry on. I think TSA knows enough about photography gear to let some things thru.

Take it for sure. Get a nice padded filer case.

This is good to know I'm planning on traveling to Puerto Rico in Feb and i do wanna take my Lee and tripods and i hope i don't have a problem with the airline or TSA?

Thanks
Steve