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  • Air travel with large lenses

    Posted by Apurv Singh Manki on February 10, 2024 at 11:06 am

    Hello everyone,
    I recently got a nikkor 400mm f2.8 lens.
    Issue is how do i travel with this beast of a lens by flight. I’m not comfortable putting it in the check-in luggage and if i want to carry it along then i have to pieces of hand baggage. One bag for my camera and lenses and other is the 400mm carry case. I’m pretty sure the air lines would not allow that. Please share how do you carry you lenses when traveling by air. Also if anyone could point me towards a camera bag which meets the airlines carry on standard and can fit my 400mm and camera gear.
    Thanks.

    Apurv Singh Manki replied 8 months ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • SUNIL RAO

    Member
    February 10, 2024 at 11:21 am

    Hi All,

    I travel frequently, so please let me know how to address this. I have the same question how to carry big Lens. We know that for Cabin baggage there is Weight Limitations in all Airlines.

    I used to have a little lens that I could take in cabin baggage, but lately I’ve brought a 500mm lens. I haven’t carried any flights yet, too.

    Would someone kindly share their experience with you?

    Thanks in Advance,

    Regards,

    Sunil.R.Rao

    😀

  • CS P

    Member
    February 11, 2024 at 9:17 am

    Most airlines will allow you to carry two bags in the cabin (one duffel and one backpack). One can be stowed away in the overhead bin and one under the seat as long as you are not in the emergency exit rows. I have always carried my Laptop / Nikon D500 / Nikkor 500mm F/5.6, 300MM F/4 and a 50mm /F1.8 along with all batteries and chargers in my backpack and have just about a weeks clothes in the duffel and never had a problem. you can carry camera gear in your cabin luggage as long as the length limitations are okay. The worst that can possibly happen in this case is when Airlines are flying full. They will automatically allow you to check in the duffel at no cost while allowing the camera bag to be carried with you. Peak design carry on duffel is large enough for 400-500mm lens and is small enough to fit the definitions of a carry on luggage. Any 22 Inch (H) X 14 Inch (W) X 9 Inc (breadth) back pack fits the bill.

    • This reply was modified 8 months ago by  CS P.
    • SUNIL RAO

      Member
      February 11, 2024 at 7:58 pm

      Hi thanks for sharing your experience.🤝

    • Apurv Singh Manki

      Member
      February 12, 2024 at 10:49 am

      Thank you for sharing your experience….

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