Any packing ideas for photography equipment

You could pack the camera bag in your personal bag or purse. If it goes in your carryon it will take up too much space.

Kristine, I also ALWAYS travel with a DSLR and associated kit, and carry that in a separate Camera Bag, in addition to my carry-on Pack. The Camera bag I use is a LowePro Nova 4, and it's worked well for me so far. However, it is a bit more trouble to haul the extra bag around. The Camera bag always stays in the hotel room when I'm out touring for the day. While I probably could fit my Camera and one Lens into my carry-on Pack, I don't feel it would be adequately protected from "bumps & bruises", so a well padded Camera bag is a better option. Cheers!

Thanks - I'll check out the Lowepro bag! There are so many to choose from that it is difficult to know what will work well. I appreciate your insight!

Kristine, there are MANY brands of Camera bags to choose from. I just listed one that has worked for me. You might also look at * www.thinktankphoto.com/ * or * www.crumplerbags.com/flash/flash.aspx#/english/products.html * (both good brands). You'll have to cut & paste the links inside the asterisks. Although the bags are padded to some extent, it's still necessary to be a bit cautious with them. Be sure to choose a bag that will fit either in the overhead bin (which will vary depending on type of aircraft - some planes have REALLY small overhead bins) or under the seat. Some of the LowePro models (and others) have an all-weather cover, which is a nice benefit. Cheers!

Kristine, just keep in mind that if you are using any budget airlines within Europe, you are allowed a single carry-on item. You will most likely have to check your main bag and keep the camera bag on you. Of course, this may not be relevant to your trip, but I thought I'd mention it just in case.

Great to know- thanks! My main concern is flying to the Yukon Territory in Canada next month, but I am off to Europe next year. I am trying to use next month's trip as a "travel light" practice for Europe.

Kristine, I took my D90 with the 18-105 kit lens and also a Nikon 70-300 lens. I took a bag that came with my wife's small video camera and used this for my D90. Packed my tele-photo lens, extra battery, several SD cards, cleaning cloth and a couple other small items. For traveling on the plane I took off the lens from the body and was able to fit the camera body & two lens with the other stuff in the bag. Walking around I kept the camera around my neck and the extra lens and accessories in the bag. I used the 18-105 lens just about all the time. I could even put a bottle of water in this bag when the camera and the kit lens was not in there. Not as padded as a good DSLR bag but it worked for me and was easy to carry around. I did not take a tripod. Took many night photos at Mont St. Michel and used a utility looking box to sit the camera on to serve as a tripod and was able to use a slow shutter speed. Set the timer which lessened the movement for those shots. I felt as though I accomplished my goal of traveling light with a DSLR.

Great advice - thanks! I'm going to try to fit in the tripod for this trip as I am attempting to see/shoot the aurora borealis. I guess I just need to think a little more 'out of the camera bag' for my space needs and stop packing so much stuff!!

small bubble wrap works well to protect your camera and can be used for any fragile purchases. A small beanbag can be used in place of a large tripod, your can set this up on anything and then use your remote shutter.

Great idea with the bubble wrap - thanks! I have to take my tripod this trip b/c we will be up in a very remote area that is very muddy (according to the tour guide we are using). But I love the bean bag idea. You all are so creative!

Kristine & Anna, "just keep in mind that if you are using any budget airlines within Europe, you are allowed a single carry-on item". I found on my trip this year that Camera Bags ARE ALLOWED as a separate carry-on item. On a flight from Rome to Athens, I was prepared to check my normal carry-on (a Daypack) and use the Camera Bag as my "one" carry-on item. The Clerk advised that I could take the Camera bag as well, so I quickly detached my Daypack from the main Pack before checking it, and took both. When I boarded the flight, the Gate Agent said "I'm sorry sir, only one carry-on item is allowed". I said "it's a Camera bag" and she replied "have a nice flight". I'm not sure if this is true on ALL Europe budget flights, but it certainly was for the ones I used? This was the case on my flights from Rome to Athens and also on flights from Santorini-Athens-Milan. Cheers!

Have you seen the new RS Euro shoulder tote? It looks like it might make a good light weight, low key camera bag. Could probably pack it in your main bag and than use it upon arrival. Don't know for sure but I may buy one for my wife!

http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/10/28/flying-with-your-cameras-on-your-shoulders-save-the-weight/

I travel with cameras and several lenses. I recently got a really nice camera bag from LowePro, the Passport Sling Camera Bag. it's very light, has good padding doesn't look like a camera bag and comes in 3 colors. Bean bags can be nice but are heavy and bulky, I prefer a Joby Gorillapod as it is light and flexible and can be attached to tree limbs, posts etc. for height that you won't get from a bean bag.

I'm leaving for Europe in a few days and am trying to follow the packing light philosophy, but I can't stand the thought of leaving the Canon 50D at home, even though my point n shoot takes pretty good pictures. My favorite bag to use is the Lowepro Slingshot 100AW. It has room for accessories and even extra lenses while still being reasonably small, very comfortable, and allows quick deployment of the camera. But for the sake of packing light I'll pack only the 50D with its 17 55 zoom lens in an older, minimalist, padded Sundog case, similar to the Lowepro Topload Zoom1. This will go inside a RS Veloce shoulder bag (personal bag), which is getting pretty full with the netbook, GPS, and my most important essentials. I hope they allow me to carry it aboard along with the 21 inch roll aboard full of clothes. I'll check the roll aboard if I have to.

JON, I normally travel with three items of Luggage: a Backpack (always checked), a Daypack (with items like the Netbook and "travel" supplies) and a Camera Bag (LowePro Nova 4 containing my 7D, Lenses, Flash and Battery Chargers). Even for very "light" packing, having at least two Lenses is ESSENTIAL for my travels - a 24-105 zoom and 10-22 wide angle. I often take a 70-300 also, but don't use it too often. While my travel gear is a bit of a nuisance to haul around, there's NO WAY I'm leaving my dSLR at home! Cheers!

Like Ken, I also always travel with a DSLR when I travel. I also take a carry-on bag for the clothes and a small photo bag as the personal item to also take on board with me. I take the Lowepro Nova 2 AW camera bag. It is perfect or travel as it holds a DSLR with an attached lens as well as up to 2 more lenses. At the same time it is pretty compact and portable, so I am able to take it on the go with me when I am out on the streets. The Lowepro Nova series also has all-weather proof covers, so if it starts raining or something, you can just pull it right over and your camera equipment will be fine. Have fun traveling with your DSLR!

I finally got a DSLR for this upcoming trip and here are my packing questions: 1) How many filters to bring? Just a polarizing to keep on and act as a lens protector? Or do churches and museums require something different? 2) Will I definitely become VERY upset if I don't bring along a spare battery?

Also,... the charger units say 100-240v, so I don't need to bring a voltage converter, right? Sorry for being so lame. I've been under-the-weather and can't think at full capacity. Of course I'm going to buy a second battery. It's my understanding that batteries are happier when fully run down between each charging.

BILL, I normally take a spare Battery, although I've found that the Battery on my 7D easily lasts for a day, so I haven't bought a spare yet. Regarding Filters, there's always some disagreement among the "experts" on whether or not to use a UV Filter to protect the Lens. I prefer to use one and feel that it's easily removed if necessary so not a big deal. I'd pack along a Circular Polarizer as they're really useful in some situations (however, I wouldn't leave a CP on the Camera all the time). Finally, as your Charger indicates 100-240 VAC, you'll only need inexpensive Plug Adapters for the particular areas you'll be traveling. Happy travels!

I second taking a spare battery, letting one run down all the way before you use the next. I also have UV filters on the lenses (also functioning for protection) and take circular polarizers for when I need them. A ND filter could be another option to bring along if you need it.