Flying with a tripod

M

Matthew B

Well-known member
Might be taking a couple of interstate trips soon for shoots and was wondering how people go with flying and tripods. I'm really hesitant to check it as I don't want the absent minded luggage handlers damaging it.

Was thinking of keeping the fluid head in my carry-on and putting the sticks inside a PVC tube inside the tripod bag.

Thoughts?
 
helps to know what system you're talking about. these days unless i really really need a full size tripod, i go with a much smaller leg alternative from the photo world, and slap on a fluid head. fits all inside carryon. otherwise you might as well just get a flight case for your full setup. even the gorillas at the airport can't usually destroy those
 
Recently, I had a 10 day stint involving several flights. I put my Gitzo sticks with 75mm fluid head diagonally in a large suitcase with clothing and checked it. If it's too large, you could take the head off and wrap it with cheap convoluted foam from the bedding section at Wal Mart, if you like.
 
Another reason for having a decent level of kit. My Vinten kit lives in the tube and the tube itself is well worn and airline sticker covered - and the contents are as good as new, despite the baggage destroyers best efforts. I really can't believe any tripod that can fit in a suitcase is good enough to do the job! If a tripod and head cannot take drops and bumping should you really be exposing such a delicate thing to your expensive camera? All I've ever done is wrap the head in an old jumper, and stuff it in the tube?
 
paulears said:
Another reason for having a decent level of kit. My Vinten kit lives in the tube and the tube itself is well worn and airline sticker covered - and the contents are as good as new, despite the baggage destroyers best efforts. I really can't believe any tripod that can fit in a suitcase is good enough to do the job! If a tripod and head cannot take drops and bumping should you really be exposing such a delicate thing to your expensive camera? All I've ever done is wrap the head in an old jumper, and stuff it in the tube?
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My Gitzo Series 3 XLS sticks fit in my checked suitcase (diagonally) with my Vinten head taken off. Believe me when I say, it's more than a good enough set of sticks! Incredible flexibility with this set up - giving me shots as low as 15" off the ground to over 7 feet up in the air. All for about 10lbs. Got to love carbon fiber!
 
paulears said:
Another reason for having a decent level of kit. My Vinten kit lives in the tube and the tube itself is well worn and airline sticker covered - and the contents are as good as new, despite the baggage destroyers best efforts. I really can't believe any tripod that can fit in a suitcase is good enough to do the job! If a tripod and head cannot take drops and bumping should you really be exposing such a delicate thing to your expensive camera? All I've ever done is wrap the head in an old jumper, and stuff it in the tube?
Click to expand...

My comment was based on a stint I did as a one-man band. The tripod I used was quite adequate for the interviews I was recording for a new A&E series. I made no mention of it being delicate. The foam suggestion was just to keep the head from banging into the sticks if it were removed - scratch prevention. No further assumptions need to be made.

By all means, if you have a crew and/or the means, there are other ways to pack and transport gear and, for that matter, there is always bigger and better gear to use.
 
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