I will be traveling to TZ to hunt buff etc in early October. My question is: I want to take a large camera and lens, 30D and 70-200 f2.8 plus the kit lens a 17-85IS. Will I be able to take a carry on bag plus my camera equipment bag on this international flight? Thanks Dr.C

You should not have any problems at all with that on any airline.

Dr.C,

I took the same set up last October to TZ with no problems.

I found the 70-200 f2.8 very heavy to carry while hunting buffalo and ended up leaving it in the truck most of the time. Since then I have purchased a Tokino 80-400 that is about half the weight and size. I wish I had it last October.

I have found that setup(canon 70-200 f2.8) to be quite heavy,but the picture quality I think is superb. Don't have a feel yet for how much time will be available for photography. I hope the camera setup will prove to be a worthy investment, I know it will be here at home. Bought a Tamrac Velocity bag this last weekend that I feel will help w/ transport and access.Regards Dr.C

At Heathrow they would only allow one bag per person through security, so check with your travel agent to be sure you fit the restrictions whereever you are headed. I had a small soft case for my D70, extra lens, batteries, and memory, but it fit in my carry on with my smaller camera and other items.

Charles: I really appreciate your post. I would like to make one very serious recommendation however. In the picture of your bed in camp,YOUR HAT IS ON THE BED. Unbeknown to a lot of folks, that is extremely bad luck. So I just thought that I would point out this fact to the board and make a public record for the future. Rant aside, I really love your images and it inspires me to try to do as well. I will try to save enough room in my carry on bag to hold camera equipment ...just in case. We are traveling thru Amsterdam. Thanks a lot. Dr.C Texas Panhandle

BUT -- it is my lucky hat, so that cancels it out!

In reality, there is nowhere else in the tent for the hat, so...

It is one thing when you just don't know........There is always a place for a hat, even a lucky one, other than a bed. Dr. C

Wow ... didm't know about the hat! Will be more careful next time ;>

I took a camera case loaded with a Nikon D200 with 2 lenses, battery grip, strobe, and extra batteries and such as a carry-on to TZ through Amsterdam last year with no troubles. Rode in the truck all of the time during the hunt. Would get a pretty protective case as a result.

The pics have been wonderful memories of the trip.

Mike: Appreciate the reply. The case that I have is soft but well padded, one is a Canon one that came w/ the 30D. The other is a Tamrac Velocity 9 that is more portable and also well padded. Do not put a hat on a bed! Dr.C