Camera Labs

Next week I'm popping into Europe on work travels. Originally I wasn't expecting to take anything other than a compact, but having heard I'm likely to have a day free, I'm thinking of hitting the local zoo and taking a DSLR with me. Unfortunately the baggage allowance of the airline I'm using is tighter than I'm used to, so a single bag just isn't happening. And here is where the fun begins! For obvious reasons I don't want to put anything valuable in cargo, so that has to go carry on, and still meet size requirements.

I have a laptop shoulder bag which takes the work laptop fine, but could it take a DSLR system too? Yes! Lack of protection for the camera kit is a concern, so for possibly the first time ever, I'm using the lens pouches. They're soft and will deform enough to fit and offer protection from bumps and scrapes of other stuff in the bag.

So far I've got the 70-300L and 600D in there. Debating if I should take the 600D or 7D at moment for the small size/weight tradeoff. Should I take more lenses? Think the compact would cope with the wide angle side anyway.

Last step: need to check total weight... 5.4kg with nothing else other than camera, lens and laptop in bag (no accessories for either). 8kg limit. Think I'm about done then!

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

As I said in my "rant" about the autofocus of the 600D in my decemberfest thread: if you want to shoot action this is not the camera to go for! I dunno how much action the zoo will bring you though

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Canon DSLRs: 5D Mark III, 7D
Canon lenses: 17-40/4L, 24-105/4L, 24/1.4L II, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 100/2.8L Macro, 70-200/2.8L IS, 100-400L
Other stuff: Canon 580 EX II, Canon 430EX II, Velbon Sherpa 600R
Apple: MacBook Pro 15", iMac 27", iPad III, iPhone 4S, Apple TV

My deviantART

Hmm... I had used the 600D before as a 2nd camera for wildlife and don't think the hit rate I got with it was much different than the 7D when using single point only. Still got until tomorrow to decide anyway.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Well, in all fairness the conditions I shot in were not that great. But I've been out in such conditions with the 50D too, I believe with more success
Anyway, only you can decide

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Canon DSLRs: 5D Mark III, 7D
Canon lenses: 17-40/4L, 24-105/4L, 24/1.4L II, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 100/2.8L Macro, 70-200/2.8L IS, 100-400L
Other stuff: Canon 580 EX II, Canon 430EX II, Velbon Sherpa 600R
Apple: MacBook Pro 15", iMac 27", iPad III, iPhone 4S, Apple TV

My deviantART

Having checked the weather forecast now I'm leaning towards the 7D again, rain is expected. Topping off the batteries now.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Now back, I can confirm I took the 7D after all.

It was interesting to compare the paranoia of different airports, and I do wonder if Heathrow is one of the more relaxed on carry-on security scanning. I think only once ever have they ever stopped me, and asked me to turn on a laptop.

Bristol airport did further examine a LED torch I had on my keyring, and returning from Munich, they checked the 7D and lens out (turn on body, and they also wanted to look through the lens). In hindsight I could have been cheeky at that point and asked to take a photo of what they look like in the scanner... would be interesting.

And for no reason that I'm aware, both entering and leaving Germany I'm sure the passport examinations there picked me out for a longer look than most... is my passport photo that bad? I took it myself... but got accepted anyway

Side note: do airports no longer ask the "did you pack the bags yourself or could anyone have tampered with them" question? I did not hear it at all on this trip.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Security depends on the retention of training, unfortunately some forget after the training session. Went to Edinburgh Castle and security wanted to see inside my wife's small handbag, I was carrying a reasonable size Nikon camera bag and asked if he wanted to look inside and he said NO.

Cheers

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Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.

I had a similar experience before. The only time I went to RIAT (big air show), they had security checking people and bags on the way in. Ahead of me was a really old lady, and they checked her handbag. I had a big backpack and a camera bag, so I thought there was no chance I'd get through without inspection. They just waved me through!

Maybe security people know about a gang of killer handbag users out there?

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.