Equipment case for international travel

J

JEB

Member
This topic may have been beaten like a dead horse, but here goes...

I need to bring some equipment back with me from NY to Geneva and I would prefer to fit it all in one case that I can check on the plane. The main problem is the length of the tripod and the dimension of the flags.

Here is an almost complete list:
- 2 MattSTL flo fixtures (22.5X5X5.25 inches), six bulbs (in their cardboard sheaths), barn doors, and two 20 ft thick cables. These are insanely amazing, BTW!
- 1 Lowel DP light (1000W focus flood) with barn doors.
- 3 Bogen/Manfrotto 3398b light stands (13.5 ft max height)
- 1 Lowel KS 9 foot stand
- Cartoni Focus head with T622/2 Aluminum tripod (Anyone know what the width and length dimensions of this are when folded?--- the length is 32.8 inches plus whatever the head length is.)
- 4 - 500W photo flood bulbs
- A foldable gold/silver reflector
- A variety of gels, and flags (no bigger that 2X3 feet)

In case anyone is wondering, this is not a full kit; I am just getting some extra goodies while in the US.

Also, are there any paperwork issues I need to worry about?

- jeb
 
I probably should have posted this under lighting. Oh, well. Either way, it is applicable to any crew member travelling with equipment abroad...
 
I guess I asked some impossible to answer questions... or they are just boring.

I have already checked out the Petrol, Kata, Pelican, Storm Case, and PortaBrace websites, but I could have missed something in all that information.

Someone please reply, if only to say it's a lost cause.
 
thoughts on your case dilema

thoughts on your case dilema

I would look at getting a hard case from a music store. They usually have percussion cases that are a hard molded outer shell and have straps that go around the entire case in a couple of areas. Make sure you get one that has wheels on it otherwise I hope you lift weights a lot cause that sucker is going to weigh a ton. Check out this case or something like it: SKB Freedom ATA stand case from BH Photo & Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...w=SKR4913S&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=287879)

-jon.A-
3104studios
"Visual influence in a stale world..."
 
I'll tell you, the flags are the wild card there. I'd go to a UPS Store and ship those Worldwide Service. They have a really good selection of boxes in their stores.

I had to ship two boxes back from Texas last week because I'd exceeded my carry - check allowance. American Airlines wanted an additional $95 / box for what UPS sent for about $60 in total.

Just a few cents from a guy who travels a bunch of gear all over the world.

e
 
Jonack and Overlandfilms, thanks for the information.

I will look into music cases; that's a great idea.

I am worried about the flags as well. Since I have not purchased them yet, I may go with collapsible frames.

I have to be careful about what I ship through UPS/FedEx/DSL since I will have to pay customs (20% VAT) charges on items over $50. I can list on the shipping form that everything is used and is essentially worthless, but then I will not have insurance coverage in case anything is broken or stolen. Shipping sturdy items that I could handle losing (I have had packages go missing before) is surely an option. Paying some VAT versus an extra baggage charge with the airline might be worth it.

I just read my first post again - the flo light description of "20ft thick cables" made me laugh. "20ft long, heavy gauge cables" would have been more accurate.

- JEB
 
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