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Posted by mv on 08/07/06 12:18
In message <tMYAg.272$l95.238@trnddc08>, Bill Farnsworth
<bill.farnsworth@verizon.net> writes
>
><mv@movingvision.co.uk> wrote
>>
>> I fly to various parts of the World and have sometimes weighed over
>>half a ton with my kit and a colleague. The last few projects to
>>places like Saudi, Sudan, West Africa and the Gulf were shot on HDV.
>>It was handy to have two cameras as hand luggage, a Z1 and an A1. The
>>rest of the gear travelled in the hold in 'FLIGHT CASES'. Wonderful
>>things they are. The only risk to any kit in a flight case is if they
>>packed (everything inside should be able to withstand a degree of
>>violent handling and being stowed upside down or any which way) or if
>>they get lost or misdirected. Theft from a large heavy flight case
>>with strong locks has not happened to me yet, touch wood. Clearly
>>other than compact types, most professional cameras are too big for
>>hand luggage with the tighter rules these days and must travel in the
>>hold, so properly designed and fitted flight cases are essential.
>>Excess baggage negotiations have become a standard art for film makers!
>> -- John Lubran
>
>Hey John. How's life on the right side of the pond?
>Good advice.
>
>To add my two cents.................
>You know, in the thirty years I have been in production, I've logged
>enough miles to circle the world four or five time times and all the
>while carrying broadcast cameras.
>And in all that time I have never, ever shipped a camera.
>I alway carry 'em on. As a matter of fact, I don't KNOW anyone that
>ships their camera.
>
>As Dave mentioned, camera, one tape and two batteries are the standard
>carry on. I also keep my camera in a Porta Brace body bag. And I bring
>my rear lens cap and camera lens mount cap.
>If it don't fit in the overhead, then take off the lens and viewfinder.
>THEN it will fit. Put the other parts in your smaller carry on bag.
>If you must travel with a laptop, then put the laptop in a bag that is
>big enough to hold the lens and viewfinder also.
>Be prepared is the key.
>If you don't have a body bag for your camera then a blanket from the
>overhead and wrap it around the camera.
>All of the above is the SOP for network news and broadcast video
>documentary shooters.
>
>There was a time that the networks allowed us to buy a seat on the
>plane for the camera (they were half price), so we didn't have to put
>up with that overhead compartment or under the seat crap.
>But those days have been gone for about 25 years.
>
>Bill F.
>www.billfarnsworthvideo.com
>
Hello Bill
Thanks for kindly referring to the right side of the pond ;-)) Though
right now it's pretty hard to find a part of the planet that's not being
screwed up by gobsmackingly incompetent politicians and their cap
doffing sycophantic supporters !!!
Yes I agree with you that carrying cameras as cabin luggage is the best
option. It's been a good two years now since I took a Beta type on a
plane. Last year I was with a crew covering the ex Serbian presidents
funeral. I was using two HDV cameras which I carried as cabin luggage.
There were several news crews flying out from Heathrow including CNN and
BBC. They flight cased their cameras (Digi Beta 790's) which went into
the hold. There is an increased risk but properly constructed flight
cases, with specific camera tailored shock resistant foam inners, reduce
that to a significant degree. I've not heard of camera damage in that
mode, though we did once have to wait 24 hours for our equipment to
catch up with us. If you're an owner operator cameraman though, breaking
it down to fit the new reduced cabin allowance's makes a lot of sense.
--
John Lubran
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