From: Scott Walker (walker@sympatico.ca)
Date: 09/11/03-01:00:15 PM Z
Although it depends on the Camera that I'm carrying, I now pack all of my
equipment into my luggage. Since I do so much travelling, I have gotten fed
up with lugging. I had a plexiglass shell made for each of the bodies of my
two 35mm cameras that are uncrushable and are lined with closed cell foam
and are only slightly larger than the bodies themselves. The lenses go into
plexiglass tubes two at a time their mounts towards the centre. Foam between
each and foam under a lid on each end. Also uncrushable. These are then
centered in the case without film in them and surrounded by all my clothes.
All luggage has wheels and can be tied together so I am only pulling one
handle.
My only carry-on is film and a tiny pentax point and shoot for those once in
a lifetime shots while I'm separated from my luggage.
You may say it's risky in case of loss, but the value of my pictures far
outweighs the value of my Cameras and i always arrive relaxed because
someone else is slugging around my gear.
Scott.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jrtaylorphoto@aol.com [mailto:Jrtaylorphoto@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2003 10:55 AM
To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
Subject: RE: flying
I flew out of Seattle last month and had to insist on no-xraying of the
few (six) rolls I had along; they did the sniff test.
On previous trips (in country), especially when I have anticipated using
more than 20 rolls of film, I have had it shipped via FedEx (ordered
directly from B&H in NY, but I expect any merchant would ship it or you can
pack and ship it yourself) to the hotel; I called the hotel to let them know
a package of film would be arriving for me and to hold it for my arrival; so
far the timing has worked well, with the film arriving the same day I did.
The expense was about the same in the case of a direct order; the greater
expense of 2nd day shipment when I package the film myself is offset by a
reduced-hassle flight.
I too now pack my tripod and Arca-Swiss ballhead (darned heavy) in checked
luggage; I resurrected a 35-year-old fiberglass suitcase just for that
purpose; however I was a bit concerned that the hard suitcase still might
provide enough protection because this particular piece of luggage (just the
right size) had several patches from previous flight accidents, including
having been skewered by a ski pole. I also packed a small camera body in
the suitcase for the return trip and all arrived safely.
Since this trip, I have decided to prepare foam houses for items I intend
on putting in checked luggage as I anticipate the necessity for checking all
camera equipment in the near future. And my reason for this long email is
to pass on a tip about making these for do-it-yourself persons who have
never worked with blocks of foam: It is available from retail fabric stores
in various thicknesses and compressabilities (I'm not sure what the correct
term for that attribute is!) and can be purchased by the yard or foot (or
meter); the easiest way to cut the stuff is with an electric carving knife!
I bought one just for that purpose...and only that purpose since I am a
vegetarian. I have made similar nests for transporting my long lenses
during road trips in rough back country; they have worked well; I seal the
lens, or whatever, in a piece of cloth or plastic before putting it in the
foam nest to keep any minute bits of foam from the cuts off the equipment
(especially when the foam house is first used).
Regards, Judy
J. Rowe Taylor
jrtaylorphoto@aol.com
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