HPX500 Camera on commercial airlines

P

Paul Kramm.net

Active member
What are you using to carry your HPX500 on the airlines now??
What cases (model number) do you use to fit HPX500 body, VF and lens.
and if you could show some pics of how you pack it that would be great also.

Thanks, Paul

P.S....cases for large 2/3 cameras only please.
 
Paul – here is a method we use when travelling you may find of interest…

We have different methods of transporting equipment depending on the nature of the job and location, using flight and pelican cases. However, when doing general work travelling with a crew of 3 or more we decant expensive equipment amongst ourselves. Unfortunately we have had some bad experiences with equipment put in the hold. Of course tripods, jibs and lighting stands must go in the hold.

Not an HPX 500, but not dissimilar in size, we travel frequently with a PDW-700 which, due to its very detailed image I do not like to remove the lens unless I have access to a large HD monitor rather than a field monitor, because I struggle to make sure the back focus is spot on, so this does make things more of a handful when flying.

The first thing I do is leave the mattebox rails (ours extend past the lens) on the body so that the lens is protected from underneath. The V/F is adjusted to be as close as possible to the camera body. In some cases it’s removed. It is also packed with sponge between lens and under the V/F.

The whole package is then wrapped in big bubble wrap (a bubble wrap jacket) with sponge at the front and rear, with the camera strap allowed to come through the wrap so it’s easily put over the shoulder.

Recently on a trip back from the Middle East I was taken aside by Israeli security and asked why I wrapped the camera in bubble wrap… they were deadly serious but you had to smile.

Now, having wrapped the camera up, where do you put it? Well most of the time I have been able to get the camera partially under the seat in front of me and stewardess’s have let it go. On the occasions they have not, I have been able to make a bed of coats/pillows and blankets in the overhead locker keeping an eye out for passengers who would try to jam their duty free onto it.

When I used an F350 (similar in size) I removed the lens / VF and packed it in an over the shoulder soft case with camera parts in bubble wrap or clothes, checking back focus on a small HD monitor on location.

I am in the process of designing a high density foam camera jacket for the 700 c/w lens that will do the same job as the bubble wrap but with less hassle.

Sorry, don’t have any pictures…

Best: Stu
www.studioscotland.com
 
Cinebags.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...L_CAMO_CB_25_Revolution_Backpack_Digital.html

The body of the HPX went in the main area along with the shotgun mic and rain cover, and the lens fit in the upper portion. I use Anton Bauer ionic 90 batteries--the slim kind, and they all went in the side pockets. P2 cards went in the smaller pockets. While I was carrying it on my back, I put my laptop computer in as well, but took it out when I put it in the overhead compartment on the flight. The bag fit snugly over the seats. Good product in my opinion. I have a picture of mine side by side with the director, who had one as well for his EX3, but I don't see an attachment tab on this page.
 
LOL.......I just got done watching this show "Locked up abroad"
Trying to get my HPX500 on board a flight is like trying to smuggle drugs!!!!.......sigh

well, like i said, i'm trying these to cases.
CineBags CB-25 Revolution Backpack
porter case

wish me luck.......
Paul
 
kind of unrelated to the original topic but it looks like the o.p. made a purchase so here goes.

i use a kata eng bag to carry on my cam. it is perfect in the overhead bin. i used to take my hpx500. nowadays it's an ex1 with a redrock m2e attached. recently i booked a flight from la to portland on alaska airlines. when i got to the airport i realized my flight was being serviced by horizon, their regional commuter line. one of the gate agents came over to me and told me i needed to check my bag as it wouldn't fit in the overhead. i told them fat chance. i explained that there was no way i was checking my camera in a soft case. after much argument and fit throwing they finally agreed to board me first so that i may try to fit it somehow. i made it work but i had to remove the camera from the bag, wrap it in a jacket and place it and the bag separately in an overhead. i shut the door and watched it like a hawk to make sure nobody tried to cram anything else in that bin. it all worked out but could have gone bad if the gate agents hadn't worked with me. i would have refused to fly and missed the gig. not worth destroying my cam, plus there was no production insurance on this show.

just a heads up for anyone flying. alaska airlines gave me no indication that i would be on a puddle jumper until i got to the airport... in the future i will have a "plan-b"
 
I ship my HPX in a Sony hard case, model LC-424-CP. I know it seems weird - Panasonic in a Sony, but the cases are about the best thing about Sony :)
 
Here is an update. If you can carry it on board. Southwest lost my HPX yesterday. They still have no idea where it is.
 
phudsontx: Contact FLYRSRIGHTS.ORG and tell Kate Hanni your story.. she is an aggressive consumer advocate for airline passengers with whom I am currently working on a film... My name is Steve Rosen.
 
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I've been to egypt recently with a HPX500 and I always took it with me in its Panasonic bag (I don't know the model, it's a grey, rectangular bag that fits the camera with lens attached, plus an additional DSLR with two lenses. It says "Panasonic" on the side)
The bag fit in the overhead compartment of every plane we took (4 alltogether).
They complained at first in Frankfurt because the bag was too heavy for carry-on luggage, but when I told them that it was a broadcast camera, it was okay. Maybe they showed sympathy because I had already paid 280 Euro for the overweight of the rest of my luggage ;)

Seriously, there was never any problem taking that huge bag with me as carry-on luggage.
Then in the first hotel the bag didn't arrive in my room at first although the guy who carried it had been right behind me (I thought...). After that I decided I would never again give this bag out of my hands, not even in the hotel, not even when they were begging to let them carry it! ;)
 
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I got a call from Southwest last week. They sent me a free round trip ticket for the hassle. They camera was returned weeks ago.
 
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