Flying & tripods

doodah

doodah

doodah

Caporegime
Joined
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London
I am off to Orkney on Friday and want to try out some landscape, night and beach photography. I have a small Manfrotto tripod but bless (it was a present) it doesn't seem that good and is weird to use. It has two levers which make it awkward to adjust and the camera rarely stays still during operation.

My generous housemate has offered to lend me her Manfrotto 055xprob tripod and a 701hdv head (more suited for video/filming). Noticeably better than mine and it looks like it will stay sturdy in the Scottish winds. Only problem is.....it's just massive! I have tried Googling Easyjet's policy but I can only really find the odds internet question from a few years ago. I will ring but still a little cautious what someone on the phone tells me only for someone on the day at the airport say I can't bring on board.

So what are people's experiences with large(r) tripods and bringing them on as hand luggage? Thanks :)
 
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Depends if your tripod has spikes on its legs. Would have thought it would have to go into the hold for security reasons if it does.

Don't forget it will have to fit inside 56 x 45 x 25 cm if going as hand luggage.

Apart from that no restrictions for carrying on the plane.

http://www.easyjet.com/en/terms-and-conditions/dangerous-goods

Googling suggests folded length is 65.5cm so you could have it rejected for being over length or you might get away with it. Your risk.
 
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I've sometimes flown with small tripods in hand luggage but have been called over by security before.

I would just get a checked bag and put it in there.
 
D.P. said:
I've sometimes flown with small tripods in hand luggage but have been called over by security before.

I would just get a checked bag and put it in there.
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Yup, it's just not worth the risk, especially as it's not yours - check it into the hold and get a proper protective sleeve for it.
 
I've flown a few times with it (various airlines; I don't think Easyjet though) in a tripod case alongside my Lowepro Fastpack 250 and never had a problem. Mine's the Manfrotto 190XDB.
 
Thank you for making me see sense, not going to take the risk. I will take my larger suitcase and pack light around it so it comes under 20KG (it should fit........:o). It doesn't have spikes but it does look rather menacing :p!

I am praying for some breaks in the inevitable torrent of clouds, there is a very small chance we may see the Northern Lights :cool::D
 
When I took my carbon fibre tripod to Canada, I just wrapped a bunch of tshirts around the legs so there was no space wasted and to support any weight applied on the bag I had my stuff in (large rucksack).
 
doodah said:
I am off to Orkney on Friday and want to try out some landscape, night and beach photography. I have a small Manfrotto tripod but bless (it was a present) it doesn't seem that good and is weird to use. It has two levers which make it awkward to adjust and the camera rarely stays still during operation.

My generous housemate has offered to lend me her Manfrotto 055xprob tripod and a 701hdv head (more suited for video/filming). Noticeably better than mine and it looks like it will stay sturdy in the Scottish winds. Only problem is.....it's just massive! I have tried Googling Easyjet's policy but I can only really find the odds internet question from a few years ago. I will ring but still a little cautious what someone on the phone tells me only for someone on the day at the airport say I can't bring on board.

So what are people's experiences with large(r) tripods and bringing them on as hand luggage? Thanks :)
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Don't ..... put the tripod as check-in luggage. You probably won't be allowed to carry a large tripod as hand luggage.
 
Never had an issue. Usually on the side of my camera bag, or occasionally just in my hand as my extra item.

Try and get a paper "Approved Baggage" sticker from the check in desk, and nobody else should bother you about it.

The weight in most women's handbags make them a better weapon than a tripod anyway!
 
Clum said:
Never had an issue. Usually on the side of my camera bag, or occasionally just in my hand as my extra item.

Try and get a paper "Approved Baggage" sticker from the check in desk, and nobody else should bother you about it.

The weight in most women's handbags make them a better weapon than a tripod anyway!
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Problem is that's fine with a normal tripod without spikes. Mine is the same and straps to my camera bag but its isn't as long as the camera bag anyway. When you have large tripods longer than the maximum length allowed for hand luggage and especially if they have spikes on the legs then don't be surprised if it gets refused.
 
This is the easy part. Now I have to learn more about this lens and hopefully get some good photos :) - going for a week and will have lots of spare time.
 
Interesting, when we went to Florida last year the check-in person suggested I packed my tripod in my hold luggage as they'd just had someone refused security clearance taking theirs in their cabin luggage.
 
FFS! Turns out my housemate's tripod is too big for all but my largest suitcase :p!!

Going to have to settle for mine, guess I can weigh down with rice/rocks and string.
 
You might find a good bean-bag (with actual had beans/clay pellets, no polystyrene) is more effective and much easier to travel with. Just put your backback on the ground/rock.wall, bean-bag on-top of backpack and camera will sit nicely n bean-bag. The best thing is the bean-bag absorb vibrations form the shutter for example and you are not crating any kind of mechanical fulcrum that magnifies vibrations. Also a lot smaller and lighter, plus if you get tired you can take a nap and use it as a pillow!
 
Managed to get a little northern lights in my attempt to shoot the Milky Way's core last night :D. I don't think they've come out particularly well as I was having issues with noise and orientation (this bloody tripod). Off to a beach tonight with a ship wreck nearby in the hope I can refine a galaxy shot with the ship wreck in the foreground :).
 
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