What's In My Bag | Landscape & Wildlife Photography

What's in my bag when I travel halfway down the world to shoot wildlife and landscapes? It all must fit on an airplane and deliver good images. I talk about what photography gear I packed, why and how I got it all to Namibia.
They Planned Our Itinerary in Namibia: www.discover-t...
My Gear blog: bit.ly/tomsgear
My E-Book: geni.us/onlocation
Website: thomasheaton.co...
Some kit used/seen in this video. These are affiliate links.
The massive 200-400 Lens - bit.ly/2B5Nqd9
100-400 Lens - geni.us/100to400
My 24-70 Lens - geni.us/24to70L
My 16-35 Lens - geni.us/16to35f4
My Main DSLR - geni.us/5oAG
Vlogging Camera - geni.us/CanG5X
Rocket Blower - geni.us/bbJz
GoPro Stabaliser - geni.us/Gimbal
GoPro Suction Mount - geni.us/Suction
My Filter Pouch - geni.us/FilterP...
Rugged Hard Drive - geni.us/Rugged
My Bag - geni.us/CamBag
Arca Swiss Manfrotto Ball Head - geni.us/c9eN
Audio Recorder - geni.us/AudioRec
My full kit list blog: bit.ly/tomsgear

[@heartlandlight6862]

Enjoyed this one a lot. I just gave myself the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 II for my 74th birthday. It's always nice to hear an expert confirm my good choice. If you want to wait (a very long time, I hope, I hope), I could leave this to you in my will. But don't send a hit squad to speed up the process.

[@KieranLehaneJ]

Nice guy :)

[@heartlandlight6862]

Thanks, Kieran.

[@shura311]

Storms Stars and Birds Happy birthday to you! Live long and prosper!

[@heartlandlight6862]

shura311 thank you for your kind remarks.

[@daanstam6697]

Congrats with your birthday. And I truly hope you will be around to buy the mk III version or even the mk IV version. Do you have a place where we can look at your work?

[@jwgfoto5419]

Always great seeing top people enjoying our part of the world. I hope you come back and spend time in South Africa. From the national parks to the coast you will not be disappointed. Keep up the great work!

[@mikemitchell3889]

Tom, I agree on the 100-400-IS, and it has become part of my landscape kit for this past year. It adds weight, but that is no sacrifice for the added capability. Good move when you can just choose to get physically stronger to bear it! Thank-You, Mike

[@mikesphotography]

One tip for getting through check-in is to make sure you have your camera straps connected, with your heaviest lenses connected. If they weigh your bags, take your cameras out before they do and have the cameras hanging from your shoulder. Technically, your bag will be within the limit! We flew 14 flights over two months and I had to do this a couple of times and got through! Keep up the great work bud!! 👍

[@mikesphotography]

Oh, and a coat with big pockets to put any spare lenses in!!

[@alphanimal]

"I don't think I could afford one of these." - puts it on the edge of wobbly table

[@petrub27]

that's what you do when its not yours and you have insurance

[@WhitefirePL]

I was just waiting for a disaster :)

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Almost, almost.

[@john3Lee]

If you left that lens in a uk carpark in the boot - I would be surprised if it was fully insured !! And I doubt how safe it would have been in the boot !!

[@timhansson3011]

to quote top gear - the fastest car, is a borrowed car. :)

[@corsogiu]

The last scene with the dune and the trees seems like from another planet, it's ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

[@ashfield001]

Great advice. Thank you, Thomas. Oh, as a Clinical Psychologist, I found your approach to risk both fascinating and entertaining. By ‘risk’ I mean, you know the risks (telephoto lens on wobbly table, double the weight of carry on baggage, and preparedness to leave a 8K lens in an airport carpark) but you just get on with it anyway. Like it. Guess that is why you are so successful at wildlife photography 👍🏻

[@frazhassan]

Loved every bit of what you shown here. Looking forward to see your images from this trip. Have a great trip.

[@Warongpustaka]

Its super super super exciting to watch a new video from you Tom.

[@abnpadilla]

I know someone has already commented on this but! In my travels, most airlines (and I travel the cheapest airlines I can....yes I'm poor lol) just about all have a 12kg carryon limit. And I do exatly what you did. I endure the pain and carry my bag on one shoulder to make it look like it's light as a fether hahaha. anyways, thank you for all the amazing footage you bring us Thomas Heaton I look forward to your videos every week.

[@bethwodephotography]

I did a photography trip to Namibia with Marsel Van Oosten and stayed at the same lodge as you in Sossusvlei. Loved it, was a wonderful experience.

[@Peter-xr5gd]

Hey Thomas, just for future reference if you get stopped for over weight hand luggage you simple pull out of the bag your heaviest item or items and carry it, so in your case you would have pulled out the camera with the largest lens, held it and reweighed the bag. The rule is carry on bag limit the weight of the bag, I have done this a few times, the check in counter give you a weird look but they still let you on.

[@EwanDunsmuirImages]

I too have that same issue Thomas with travelling with my Pentax 645Z digital and a few lenses and a laptop, and the drone, and batteries and so forth. I think my bag too, weighs in the region of 14.5 kgs with all my stuff, and like you... there is NO way that any insurance would cover the value of some of the more expensive stuff anyway. Last time to UK, I saw that the bags were all getting weighed, and i emptied lenses into my pockets of the coat i was wearing, put my Mavic bag UNDER my coat, laid the laptop on the floor at my feet and hey presto - 6.7kgs! I think that air carriers also allow for a small camera in addition (which the 645Z is not) but may get away with just holding the camera body with no lenses on (as they will be in your pockets)! Where there is a will - there is a way! Keep up the great work Thomas. I thnk this was the only vid I hadnt watch yet!. Sorrry Regards Ewan (NZ)

[@ninacleven7889]

On to landscape photos I hope. Nice to see what you take with you and hope to see some great landscape images from your trip soon.

[@robertbartelmes7623]

...wowzer ... what photos, Thomas ... "National Geographic" Quality photos ...

[@Wrecksy]

That 100-400 is amazing. Couldn't live without it.

[@gregorsnell]

T-Heat the thumbnail and the Big Gun 200-400 f4 is INSANE!!!! Also the 100-400 backup ;) too good!! Thanks for the great video!! See you in Patagonia.

[@felixbelanger2659]

I have the 100-400 mkii on my 50D and it's absolutely fantastic, I can't believe how much detail I can get from a 10yo camera when I can get close to birds. Definitely get it!

[@brian-beeler]

You're accurate about some airlines weighing one's carry-on. International flights IMO don't weigh carry-on bags but most others do. One item that I've never had weighed was my "personal item" bag where I stuff all my heavy lens like lens and batteries. After I clear immigration and security I redistribute my items as needed. For those that don't know airlines allow you a carry-on bag and a "personal item" bag which is most commonly a woman's purse. I use a Lowepro Passport Sling III which not only fits the airline's maximum size but also expands. Mine's been to Korea and Thailand three times, Laos and Hong Kong twice and followed me everywhere like a puppy dog for my two years living in Vietnam with not one failure. It was the best travel bag I ever had. My one complaint was the flimsy insert so I use a cheapo Ape Case Cubeze QB37. Thanks.

[@mickvollans9319]

Hi Thomas, I'm glad to hear you like the 100-400 lens. I bought one and would recommend it to anyone interested in wildlife photography. Mick.

[@HankChristensenPhotography]

Great that you talked about the difficulty in flying with big gear - more photographers should address this issue! I traveled to Namibia in 2016 and faced similar transport issues. My carry on included 2 canon bodies, the Canon 800mm f/5.6 (I do a lot of bird photography) as well as the 100-400 f/5.6, plus an assortment of landscape lenses. Needless to say, my bag was HEAVY. My backup plan was to take along a traditional photo vest. If my bag got weighed, I could unload everything except my 800mm into the various pockets. This brought my carry on to 9kg, which was the airline's limit. Pretty silly, but as long as your BAG isn't overweight, the airline workers will let you through, even if your "clothing" now weighs 40 lbs! Judging from your location, you'll recognize many of the Namib dDesert scenery from an article I wrote for PetaPixel: petapixel.com/2017/03/06/tell-story-landscape-photos/ Thanks for showing off your gear - hope the flight back worked out okay! BTW - here's a gallery from my trip: www.hankchristensen.com/index/G0000SnAaFSbVqBU

[@nordic5490]

Hank, I do something similar, I carry a coat we with lots of big pockets over my arm. Said coat now has many kgs of lenses, tele extendenders, batteries, filters etc, but is not weighed, as it is clothing. Depending on the airline, you may also be all over wed to carry a laptop bag, and this isn't weighed either, so, mine gets stuffed full too.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Hey Thomas! As someone who often flies with the big telephotos, it’s always something I do think about when travelling to an assignment. Often I don’t find it a problem - I think being 24 helps, but now When heading away I always try to make use of my extra “laptop” bag to squeeze gear under the seat In front, with a Peli 1510 or my lowepro pack as a main carry on over head - often being nice and explains how much the bags worth helps! Cracking videos and some great images!

[@KieranLehaneJ]

Hey Tom lad :)

[@lucasfrainer9912]

Blowed my ears off!

[@DPWarriors11]

Looking forward to see your landscape images from Namibia

[@ChrisSummers]

Air travel is really getting tougher for photographers. I did 2 trips from Houston to Walvis Bay in Namibia this year with gear for landscape and wildlife. The international wasn't too bad as we flew Lufthansa business class so they allow more and are less strict overall. The problem was from Johannesburg to Namibia and back on South African Express. I was able to split some of my gear with my wife but on one flight they insisted we put one bag that had lenses into the hold but it was right at the stairs to the plane, the bag went right into the hold and I got it back as we exited the plane. Glad I finally sold my Sigma 800mm, there is no way they would let me take it in the cabin like they used to.

[@joelmspencer]

first two seconds were so funny I had paused and went straight to the comments. That face is one we've all had at one time or another with our Camera gear I think!

[@A2thaMFK]

I have the 200-400mm on a 1DX MKII and the 100-400mm on a 5D MK IV. I basically scout with the 100-400mm until I find a subject, watch them for a while, then return over & over again with the 200-400mm set-up until I get the shot I'm after.

[@jessicahaydahlrichardson7951]

I do the same at airports! As a professional photographer who travels a lot, I would love to be able to just get a camera bag on wheels, but a lot of these small planes will make you check your bags curb side for stuff that won’t fit in the overhead compartment. So I find that using a backpack, even though it’s around 40lbs of gear on my back, never gets questioned by anyone, so I suffer in silence through airports, lugging all my stuff around! Keep up the great work and videos!

[@gordonyoung1970]

LowPro do the 450 with handle and wheels. It fits regular cabin baggage regulations for size. I carry all I can in it but take another collapsible bag with an insert for day to day usage

[@jessicahaydahlrichardson7951]

Gordon Young I appreciate the idea. Probelm is most of the planes I fly on have smaller over Head luggage requirements. To get out of montana, we have to fly out on the smallest plane. So they either do curb side check for your carry on next to the plan or you have to put it under the seat. I usually have around 45lbs of gear in my back and need to make it look light! Hahaha

[@Wildsoul62]

Great to see what you took with you. What an amazing trip it seemed to be! I absolutely love my 100-400 usm lense mk2 and I have to say it’s an incredible lense. I use it for action pics and basically any pics I can do with it I will. Don’t usually leave comments but always follow and enjoy your vids . ThAnk you! Atb vee

[@crowchild182]

I’m just getting into photography. Its been a fantastic hobby so far! I have two lens and a basic camera. Videos on equipment are really cool and interesting since I have literally no knowledge on any of these things yet

[@oddbjrnaustevikfoto]

From now on I'll be jumping like a ostrich in every airport. Great tip :) I also like all the little hints you put in there to what to expect in the coming videos. I look forward to them. And many many thanks for linking my video at the end there Thomas. Really appreciate it!

[@jmlr2011]

Hi Thomas, wow that wobbly table yikes! Looking forward to seeing your videos on your trip and the images you captured too!

[@yujinlandscapephotography.7787]

I will be have been seen, that Africa an amazing place. It will be beautiful images. Thank! Thomas.....,

[@cardiacade]

Thanks for another top video Thomas.

[@edwinwilke9249]

$15,000 of glass bouncing around on that wobbly table haha

[@davidbattensby4637]

I travel with BA three to four times per year and they allow 23kg for hand luggage. Also for travel to Namibia you can book UK airport to Windhoek utilising the Comair flight from Joburg to Windhoek. Comair are the BA arm in South Africa.

[@spl4028]

Totally awesome Thomas!, safe travels home!

[@nogroove3819]

You had me worried through that video the expensive lens was going to tumble! Less tension though than when the lioness was stalking the wilder beast. That is an award winning photo btw. Great vlogs. Thanks...

[@stevemozzie6497]

Loved this. Africa is an amazing place. Visit Lamu just to chill!

[@Al0011235813]

You could just put the 200-400 in the hold luggage. It’s fine; I’ve put my lenses in the hold baggage on multiple trips. Just make sure to keep it in its padded carrying case, or wrap it in your clothes. Honestly, lenses aren’t as fragile as people think they are. The barrel will take scrapes and bumps no problem; the front element is very hard optical glass and won’t scratch easily. Lens caps and hoods will also protect your lens.

[@宋林涛-e5q]

The blower is cute!

[@Telecraster]

Awesome walk through, great content as usual. As much as I love the gear and Canon L glass, it's looking at lenses like this that make me really appreciate the size/weight saving of traveling with a Micro-4/3 Olympus kit...

[@allansisson355]

I was laughing in the first second, impressive lenses glad you caught them. Suction cup worked great, I was wondering when I saw that clip.

[@haunchofmammoth]

Now, a drinking game: play all the videos and take a shot every time Thomas says "absolutely" or "gorgeous" or those two combined. See how long you will last. In all seriousness - I love your work!

[@mordenohare2550]

I've flown from Australia to Africa four times and the carry-on wieght is becoming more of an issue (max allowance is 7kg). The last time I got a sympathetic check-in lady who said I could hand carry my 500 F4 and attached body then put it under the seat in front of me. Of course it went straight back into my bag later. The pro tip for this situation is to use a large photographers vest with pockets big enough to take bodies and smaller lenses then if you are weighed you just pack everything you can into it. You look like a berk in one of those vests but it is a great plan B:) Also use the lightest bag possible!!

[@Serenoj69]

Well I have an Olympus Em1.2 with the 12-35 and 35-100 F2.8, 100-400 f4 to 5.6. A couple of fast primes. All combined weighs 550+315+365+1000+400 grams = ;ess than 3 Kg with extra battery. That gives you 24-800 mm equivalent in zooms. The primes are 7.5 mm f2, 14 mm f2.5, 20 mm f1.7 and 45 mm f1.7. So that is 15 mm equiv wideangle. All these lenses are very nice with very good optics. To me the lightweight is of course advatageous if you go for long trips like I do through Scotland on foot. But as I see now also if I want to keep my gear safely with me in the cabin. Otherwise: thanks for anther nice video Thomas. Always appreciate it!

[@iammifl]

Yep. Really have to be careful with the hand luggage situation. Happened to me that I was able to take all my gear to my destination. But on the flight back with the same airline, they weighed my bag an forced me to check it in. Fortunately everything survived the flight.

[@NuggetVolley]

Awesome as usual, really enjoy your content

[@Ziip47]

Huge fan Tom keep up the great work!

[@arifmukhtarhasbi7617]

that "whooooooooh" LOL nice one tom, I just love to see those expensive gears I can't afford

[@rickeycarter]

I had a Nikon ad leading into the video. That made me smile. Not smile like I had access to those lenses but a smile nonetheless.

[@jasonsemp]

OMG!! That opening Scene! GEEZE!!

[@williambakkernl]

'Errrrr.... HOW I brought it with me'. :)

[@makanimike]

comment based on anecdotal evidence: in my experience airlines will not enforce the rule for camera gear as long as you keep the volume reasonable. They understand the risk involved and don't want the liability and discussions that can be expected. YMMV.

[@twotone3070]

Yeah ..... they don't weigh people :(

[@MsPerthgirl1]

An airline mate told me that the issue with the weight is if the overhead locker opens during the flight and your bag comes hurtling out. If it falls on someone how much damage is it going to do. Secondly I believe the lockers are only rated for a certain weight tolerance - have no idea how much that is though.

[@brianbrooking496]

MsPerthgirl1 prob less damage than air Marshall’s removing a Dr from a flight.....

[@algon4450]

As I travelled around the world for a year, I recognise the weight problem. Once I had to pay an extra $500 for a relatively short flight by Malaysian Airways (the airplane was almost empty). The tip I 've got later on: put some heavy stuff in your jacket as no airline weighs you as a person.

[@retrorevival1]

agreed on the 100-400mm, have used both of these >400mm lenses I find very little use for the 200-400mm unless you REALLY need that built in 1.4x extender. The 100-400mm is one of the best lenses Canon has ever produced

[@andylane2573]

Hi Thomas, great to meet you last week at the fod cc. Keep up the good work :-)

[@usamaalshughry4967]

I hope your airline company is not watching this hehehe. Thank you for sharing what's in your bag, I hope you enjoyed your trip to Namibia.

[@photoadventures]

I travel pretty often and have never had a problem lugging a 600mm f4 L IS lens (touch wood), people are usually quite intrigued as to what its used for as I keep it out and carry it on as my personal Item.

[@milesawayjackson]

Ive regularly taken more than 20kg hand luggage Plus hand holding my Underwater camera made from cast aluminium.. Ive never had any troubles holding my UW camera (with heavy lights attached) and will do the same with normal camera. Slap the big heavy lens on and simply hang it round your neck, then load your hand luggage with as much as you can! :) Just keep the camera at your feet during flight

[@Fotozones]

We have had guests on safari with us who have brought along up to 600mm f/4 lenses before. Packing them into flight cases and checking them is the norm. Also, you can gate check flight cases as you are about to board, then pick them up on the tarmac so that the baggage handlers don't get their hands on them. I'm speaking from a Southern African point of view - not sure of the protocols in other parts of the world. Another way you can avoid the weight problem is to get one of those photographers vests with large pockets. If your bag is too heavy, put items into the pockets, let them weigh the (now lighter) bag and then when you're on the plane, just pack it all back into the bag.

[@KieranLehaneJ]

I use that 100-400mm! It's outstanding

[@markharris5771]

Great video, I found it really interesting.

[@tkfounder]

My trick - is place your bag out of their line of site. Or have your 2nd carry-on that is much lower weight handy and tell them that is the check-on.

[@paulsutton7204]

Great video, affable chap, would have liked to have seen your filter kit!!

[@FadiHage]

Great to see whats in the bag Thomas, Thanks for sharing, also you are taking mighty risks by placing the big lens on edge of table :) my heart drops everytime the table shook :)

[@chuaisaac3090]

Wow! Really great series of videos Thomas. Wished I had enough gear to make my bag heavy :(

[@Red35Photography]

Been following a while, think this is my first comment ;) Nice work and even though I am not a wildlife or landscape guy, it's fun to see other photographer's work :) Keep up and hope to meet at some point. Jimmy

[@tamlove4134]

my hearts in my mouth .....i keep waiting on that monster lens toppling off that table thomas :-0

[@mikedixonphoto]

@1.48 Ah, the elusive L-Foot Bracket! LOL $20,000 worth of gear on a table that cost $1.25. - Love your videos Thomas!

[@bcgraph2]

Finally watched this video and immediately recognized the lodge we’ve stayed at 10 years ago.

[@davebailey2296]

The only ones that say size doesn't matter are the one with small.................lenses. I will never understand why there is so much crap on TV and jet you don't have a photography travel show. I hope it happens because you're so good at what you do. Looking forward to new year and more amazing videos. Happy holidays from Santa Fe, NM

[@dunnymonster]

It's the wind that's the main problem....those baked beans really do come back to haunt us all lol 😃

[@henryjiang9664]

Yup. That entire kit cost more than my life.

[@calsela]

wrong your kidney costs more than what you think

[@kaustubha7371]

Wrong you are literally worth 20billion dollars. Yes watch vsauce's video on that.

[@anandhua.b4589]

@@kaustubha7371 but taking those out would kill you this ending your life

[@TheShakeyshane]

Using the blower on ya mic whilst I listen via headphones, frightened the crap outta me! 😞😯🙂

[@JonBryantPhotography]

Thomas, BA give you 20kgs hand luggage, Air France 12kgs and Lufthansa 8kgs. Other airlines vary and I know these three aren't the cheapest but they are the companies I use to get from Europe to Africa. The 200-400 is a luxury, the 100-400 is an outstanding lens and for Namibia would have been perfect with the 70-200 and 24-70. The other combo that works is 24-105 with 100-400, but I know the 24-70 is a must for landscapes. One other tip - cargo pants and a jacket with pockets. At check in if they weigh your hand luggage and tell you that you are over - deep pockets work and airlines cannot ask you to empty those pockets. Flying back from Kenya a few years back I had my 16-35 and 24-70 in my cargo pants to get under the weight limit and once in the plane popped them back in my bag 👍🏻

[@DrRedFox]

Are you sure about that Jon? I travel with BA most of time from the UK to China and return, economy class gives you 23kg check in luggage, eco plus give 2x 23 kg. Handbag wise, I remember one time going to China with my huge 17 inch laptop, the bag weighs around 12 kg, and I was stopped by security (I think, it was quite some time ago), he let me pass that time but definitely mentioned something about limit is 5 or 6 kg and asked me not to do it again.

[@JonBryantPhotography]

Hi D E - last time I flew to Cape Town, this is what BA stated: 1 handbag/laptop bag (max. 23kg / 51lb and up to 40 x 30 x 15cm / 16 x 12 x 6in) plus 1 additional cabin bag (max. 23kg / 51lb and up to 56 x 45 x 25cm / 22 x 18 x 10in) - it is listed here: www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/baggage-essentials/hand-baggage-allowances if you flew BA code share to China maybe this was the issue. And anyway Security aren't the ones who police the policy, it is BA staff at check in and the gate. - last night as I typed my comment I typed 20kg from memory, as I couldn't remember if it was exactly 23kgs. But in fact BA give you one laptop bag and one additional cabin bag, so two and the limit for both is 23kgs which is extremely generous. The limit weight can't be spread across the two bags. But even so, for photographers BA are about as cabin bag friendly as it gets. Sometime I travel Lufthansa to Johannesburg and with their tiny 8kgs that is a real challenge to get a photographic bag on board at Frankfurt without catching their eye (size) and them eventually weighing it. But last time I flew BA was to Cape Town with BA and I chose the specifically as I had a shoot there and my bag was easily 20kgs.

[@DrRedFox]

Jon Bryant thanks Jon. Just checked the link and you are absolutely right. It must be some inland flight not BA that I misremembered then. But it is very surprising that BA allows two 23kg hand luggage! I chose BA most of the time only because the scheduled flight time suits me best. Cheers man.

[@JonBryantPhotography]

Pleasure - and yes BA - most photographer friendly airline for hand luggage, but check those regional connections. Nothing worse than getting into a country and the onward flight changes the rules!

[@defender1961]

Hi Thomas, hopefully You get this back out of Namibia. The only time I ever paid for extra weight was at the airport of Windhoek flying back home. Nevertheless I am curious for your pictures from Namibia. Have been there 3 times - it's amazing...

[@noahcwb]

That lens is huge!

[@ei5jf]

Hi Thomas... Firstly I am a big fan, although 60 and been doing it for a while.. I just love photography as much if not more than when I started. Now working as a Pro Freelance here in Ireland.. As for the weight issues.. I have done exactly the same shooting a wedding in Barbados.. I took much more than allowed in hand luggage :-) So I am guilty as well !!! The only issues are that the airlines calculate the take off weight for take off and runway allowances etc and for for the flight duration etc... you can see the problem if they had a plane full of photographers like us !!!! Might not get off the ground or even make the destination airport.. I understand that is the reason why the Concorde crash occurred, ( or one of the reasons )... miscalculated taxying full burn... !!!!! and weight issues.. LOL Keep up the great work and look forward much to your posts. Andy Jay Ireland..

[@robertbarta4912]

Thomas, did you have a problem with dust getting inside the 100-400 (breathable zoom) in those dusty environments. I got my wife that lens on a 7D II and on just one safari she had visible dust and a couple bigger pieces inside. We kept our gear covered when not shooting and cleaned every night. When we got home we had the lens cleaned internally by Canon, sold the lens and bought a 70-200mm f/2.8 III IS and 2x III extender.

[@gusonfire]

Love these detailed videos of your gear and how you lay down the honest truth about them. If you have time to answer this, I was wondering if you ever plan on visiting the USA for some photography?

[@PMCN53]

A beautiful image Thomas! Well worth the effort and risk of SAND in the CAMERA!. PS: someone needs to develop a weather proof bag with access sleeves you can that you can put your camera and lens into while changing lenses in these conditions. Any inventors out there!?

[@rvboondocker2559]

Nice Thomas. I love my 100-400 Canon and I highly recommend it. You will not regret it but I do NOT recommend using a 1.4 or 2.0 extension for it. You probably already know that but just in case. I tried both but not great for that lens.

[@shortenjason]

Nice informative vid! 👍🙂

[@kenhenley7599]

Bet your heart skipped a beat or three when you knocked into the table and your big lenses started to shimmy and shake!

[@SasidharPamganamamula]

I can't finish this video. I'm having a nervous breakdown watching that mammoth lens wobble on that table.

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

It was fiiiine

[@SasidharPamganamamula]

Thomas Heaton my head believes you. :) My heart is just thinking that one lens is worth more than all of my gear.

[@HotPixelsPhotoVideo]

Exactlee what I was thinking. You are crazy, tom!

[@timhansson3011]

Hey, Tom! as always, thank you for a great video. I think this gear talks are really interesting. maybe not specific which kind you use, but most your thoughts around them. as an amature (will be (actually, properly) celebrating 1 year with my camera, the coming month) I'd like to know more about the planning and the travel aspects of photography. it is quite early for me, personally, for booking trips just for photography, since I'm not, by any means, either good, nor making any money from it. (for me only the "good" aspect plays a role here). I'd like to know more about what you did touch in this video. what to plan, how to plan, how to pack, what to think of when packing. more or less a "Do travel photography - for numbnuts" :). I'm incredibly concerned to make any sort of mistakes traveling with my gear, weather it is broken or lost, and to make sure I've looked up the location properly to make the most of my time spent. might be over thinking it quite a lot, but a smooth sailing is always nice. thank you! Cheers! Tim

[@rodbelasquem]

I have never had serious problems with hand luggage weight, but as you said, it's always a risk. The only time I had to do the "wear your stuff" trick was in the Philippines (Cebu I think), where the plane had a 15kg bag limit with no option of even paying for extra. Funniest thing is that they even weight the passagers, so you have to put your bag and then yourself on a scale. Personally, I always avoid staff that seems to be new or in training at check in. I always had the impression that they usually strictly follow the rules, while older employees are more capable of understanding why you have extra weight and can let you go without trouble.

[@gabmax1013]

Those bazooka looking lenses always give me a little giggle xD lol

[@ruek66]

Normally it's not a big issue to bring your camera gear on a flight, just as long as you are open about what you carry and show the check-in personell what you got. HOWEVER :) , once on a flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia I had an very tough encounter with the check-in crew from hell. After 45 min discussion 0500 AM with them I ended up having to check in my backpack with camera gear....worst 3 hrs flight in my life. The 2nd occasion was in Belgrade....finally the Lufthansa crew helped out and told the check-in crew not to to be stupid! Besides that, my standard equipment (Canon) for Africa is 16-35, 24-70, 70-200 and the 200-400 plus a x2 extender. All in all covering from 16 to 800mm with super quality. 1120mm could be reached depending on the optical waves between you and the object.

[@mariuskasteckas774]

Hi Thomas, once I was traveling with my camera bag more than 12kg when I could have 5kg with myself! In the airport they ask me to put my hand bag on the scales! At first they said to me thats to heavy! But i said them it's very expensive stuff and I want to have it with myself! And then they asked what's in bag! I said it's camera equipment! They said or camera equipment different story! And let me go with no problem! :) Regards

[@CaledonianTraveller]

I know the risk feeling of taking a camera on a plane. My D810 24-70mm and XPS Laptop are pretty much 5kg on the dot. I want to take my 70 - 200mm more but I am always worried about it getting weighed as its not cheap or light. No idea how you packed so much. Love the videos

[@ScottJWaldron]

Nice video! If you have some time, I'm curious about your audio in more detail. It looked like a rode lapel mic of some type? I've been using a Sony ECM-CS3 lapel mic (with two "deadcats" sewn together on it because of how the stereo mics are situated), but your audio seems to sound a bit higher quality (really great job on getting quality audio outdoors in all of those situations). I actually have been using a cheaper Olympus recorder over my Zoom H1 because it seems a bit better at canceling out noise, but maybe it's the mic that makes the difference in noise. Are you recording the highest quality WAV format, or 320kbps mp3 of the Zoom? It's also a pain how quickly my Zoom H1 uses AA batteries. Started looking at Tascam recorders recently to see if those are better.

[@gstandaert]

You're absolutely right, the 100-400 is a fantastic piece of kit! Also, any tips on how to make friends that let you borrow their 200-400? That single lens costs more than my entire kit combined :D

[@PaulGJohnsonphotography]

Loved it pal . Thanks . Thats a big boy ;)

[@Loopsrainforest]

The best flying tip I've heard is travel with lots of pockets. If your bag weighs too much just start taking out lenses & other bits & put them in your pockets & even the camera around your neck. Once on the plane just put them all back into the bag.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

awe pooh. you didn't link your tripod =/ i know trivial, but i'm so new I have no idea what is available. lol I have a need - level camera on uneven ground, finding the right item to fill that need when you dont understand a lot of terminology yet is a lot of time on amazon.

[@etc21228]

You can hang it around your neck so it become your "necklace",also bring a photog vest and put every heavy lens in it.It look ridiculous but it get you through the gate lol

[@seawildearth]

Horses for courses. The cheap shutter triggers are fine for one off shots. But what about timelapse for cameras without internal intervalometers? Can't trash something just because you don't use it.

[@watfordreacts93]

Nice!

[@Conero08]

You ever try the sigma or tamron 150-600 lenses? I have the sigma and it's awesome for wildlife on in a budget.

[@graysmith4732]

Excellent vid Thomas, I'm off to Iceland in February and need advice on a bag/case to take for hand luggage for two full frame bodies, a 16-35mm, 24-105mm, a 70-200mm and a set of Lee filters, everything else like the tripod, chargers, cleaning gear can go in the hold. Any advice is very much appreciated. Regards Gray.