Postby Mike Farley » Tue 12 May 2015, 10:29
Now that I have returned from Malta, it's time for an update about how I fared in transporting my camera gear on the plane.
First of all, was the choice of camera bag. There is, both in my experience and the accounts of others, no such thing as the perfect camera bag and they are all compromises in one way or another. In recent years I have tended to prefer the day bag style, which has separate sections for both camera gear plus other non photography bits and pieces. As previously noted, I took Rose's advice and specifically purchased a Tamrac Evolution 8, which qualifies as hand luggage, for the trip. As a camera bag, this worked as well as any I own and I particularly like the versatile access of the equipment compartment. The other section is just about big enough and in terms of the use of space is a sensible balance with gear carrying capacity. An external webbed pocket for a drinks bottle is just about the only significant omission.
So what went in it? In the end, I opted for versatility, so that meant the Canon 7D. In went 10-22, 17-55, 70-300 DO and 50 f/1.8 lenses, the latter as a small lightweight option in case I encountered a low light situation. In the event, it was the only lens which went unused. That left a bit of space, so I added my E-M10, 14-45 and 25 lenses. After packing the top section with essentials such as spare glasses, money, polarising filter, lens cleaning kit and sat-nav, there was a bit of space left over, so in went a Sigma DP3 Merrill and an Olympus 45 f/1.8 which was very much an afterthought. The Olympus lens is tiny, but it proved its worth on more than one occasion during the trip and was a sensible inclusion. Lastly, a Canon remote release and Lee filter adapters neatly fitted into a side pocket, and the computer section swallowed a compact laptop, although it could have taken a larger one had I wished. A lightweight tripod, Lee Filters and holders, and a small camera shoulder bag which did not take up much space once it was packed with squashy items such as socks went Into a suitcase for the flight.
What got used? Everything apart from the Canon 50, Lee filters and Sigma DP3. The last never made it out of the room and was kept locked away in the safe. It came down to a choice between carrying the Lee filters or the camera, but there was no occasion on which I wished I had it with me. It would also have proved awkward to shoot with it as it has no viewfinder, so I would have been relying on the rear screen in bright conditions when wearing sunglassess. The Canon gear and Lee filters remained in the Tamrac and I transferred the Olympus equipment into the small shoulder bag. As we had a hire car, both bags and tripod went into the boot and I made a choice about which to carry upon reaching the destination. The only exception was the day we went to Valetta to which we travelled by bus and I decided on the Canon, which proved to be the correct option.
