XL2 luggage carry on

[Arlie Nava]

yes i have seen the 1510 and made some measurements too, i just thought that its a little bit expensive. and it lacks in width.

breaking down the xl2 seems to give it a better fit with the 1520. but won't that make my camera more vulnerable to fungus growth in the lens and tha ccd? because im planning to store my camera in that case pemanently, not only while im traveling.

If breaking down is ok, then thats what i'll probably do. but i what i probably try to avoid doing is unpluging the viewfinder from the body. im afraid that the connector will someday loosen up.

well, what do you think?

[Pete Bauer]

"FIRST LOOKS" quick hack on Pelican 1510 w/ dividers that the UPS guy dropped off a little while ago:

By taking off the mic and viewfinder, the XL2 fits in the case, although I had to jury-rig the divider set-up a little. The thickness and lips on the hard case really leave a pretty limited internal volume for the XL2 system; it is especially inefficient because the camera body can only fit lying on its side and lengthwise (too narrow to place the camera cross-ways as Arlie pointed out).

Unfortunately for me, I also want to fit a 3x lens, Senn ENG wireless, and AT897. It MIGHT be possible with some more fiddling around that includes removing the lens from the camera, but I doubt that I'll be satisfied with it. If I get ambitious this weekend, I'll post some pics on my web site, since finding a travel case has sort of become a chronic topic for us XL2 travelers.

If I do take the lens off (completely disassemble the camera), the KATA Panda that I originally bought for my GL2 will hold ALL of my XL2 grab-n-go stuff (but completely taken apart) except, of course, the tripod. The Panda is just wide enough to place the camera body cross-ways. I suspect that'll end up being my carry-on case after all.

Arlie, I also prefer to leave the camera put together for storage...so its ready for grab-n-go opportunities. I'll be getting a separate, much larger bag for those purposes (looking strongly at the KATA Grizzly 3). This is sure a lot more difficult than it oughta be!

[Mark Sasahara]

When shipping it's a good idea to separate the camera into it's components. This pevents damage to the lens mount and viewfinder rail, which with sufficient force can be torqued.

If you are just storing the camera, keeping it assembled is fine. Just be sure to remove the batteries. If you think you'll be storing the camera for more than 30 days without using it, remove the internal battery. If that leaks, it's a real bummer and means a trip to Canon.

Pelican does make foam and cloth dividers for most of their cases. They're pretty nice and give good cushioning. Look into the reusable silica gel.

[Jeff Price]

A quick add that besides the weight (international flights) the TSA rules have changed. Videocameras are now treated the same as laptops for going through security. You will need to take the camera out of the bag and send it through x-ray in one of the bins the airport provides.

On the plus side, noone even looked twice at my shotgun mike so I guess they are getting used to video gear.

[Arlie Nava]

so are you guys saying that there's no problem in detaching the xl2 components apart even if i plan to store it for a long period of time (coz that will be great if that's the case)? Im just thinking that assembling\disassembling the xl2 often will eventually cause problems to the view finder connector and the lens mount. (or is it just my overprotective imagination?)

by the way, are the internal dimentions of pelican cases meaured with or without the eggtray foam inside?

[Richard Alvarez]

The internal dimensions of pelican cases are minus the foam.

Look, breaking down your camera has hazards... leaving it built out has hazards. Only you can decide where your risk lies.

Some argue that leaving the components connected, stress the mounting points in shipment.

Some argue that taking every time you 'open' the body and lens, you expose them to dust.

Some argue that leaving it mounted together, causes mildew to grow between the back element and the ccd. (Ever see fungus growing inside a 'sealed' lens? Sure you have). And that mounting and unmounting allows the cavity to 'breathe' and balance the humidities between inside and outside air.

Some argue that the camera mount isn't 'sealed anyway' and to leave it mounted unless absolutely necessary... the less often you change lenses, the less likely you are to 'mis-mount' and strip the tiny screws in the mounting.

Some argue "The damn' thing has INTER-CHANGEABLE LENSES, deal with it!"


Sorry, you're going to have to make your own call.

[Christian Asnieres]

<<<-- Originally posted by Dan Barnhill : I have a trip overseas coming up. Airports seems to get more jittery every time I pass through one. Has anyone had any issues carrying on their XL2? -->>>

I flew from San Francisco to Tokyo and back and no one cared in the slightest. I was using a very large Kata MCC2 which should have attracted the attention of everyone that could have stopped me. It barely fits in the overhead bin.

The only time anyone ever said anything to me flying with this setup was when leaving Honolulu. I was told I had to check it, but I told him to bite me as it wasn't going to happen, and took it on anyway.

Christian

[Bill Zens]

Christian, you're lucky. I've seen people actually escorted off airplanes for saying less.

[Jan De Wever]

Plain and simple, I use an XL2 for TV work and I need to travel a lot by plane, in the US and in the EU.

I always carry my XL2 with me, not in a case or anything. The other equipment (tripod, microphone, tapes, batteries, ...) go into a backpack which I also have withj me as carry-on.

The camera goes under the seat, or on US flights I place it in the overhead lockers. There I stow it with blankets and my backpack to keep it in place. Under the seat is easier off course.

The tripod goes in the overhead lockers too.

Never had problems, this gets accepted on every airline.

Don't spend money on expensive and overall unpractical cases! This is from 5 years of experience carrying my XL1 and now XL2 with me on all sorts of airplanes, countries and trips. From Boeing 747 to small twin prop-planes ...

[Christian Asnieres]

<<<-- Originally posted by Bill Zens : Christian, you're lucky. I've seen people actually escorted off airplanes for saying less. -->>>

I've actually had that happen once, no less than in Honolulu where the above comment was made. But, that was seven years ago.

[Mark Sasahara]

<<<-- Originally posted by Arlie Nava : so are you guys saying that there's no problem in detaching the xl2 components apart even if i plan to store it for a long period of time (coz that will be great if that's the case)? Im just thinking that assembling\disassembling the xl2 often will eventually cause problems to the view finder connector and the lens mount. (or is it just my overprotective imagination?)
-->>>
Arlie, apart or together, for storage, I don't think matters that much. My recommendation to disassemble was more for shipping.

I think that if you have the re-usable silica gel in your case you should be okay. Talk to some of the people at camera rental houses, or TV camera people and ask them what they suggest. Kodak used to have a brochure on photography in "Tropical" conditions.

[Jon Bickford]

tamrac has a bag, the 2248 that is definetely carry on legal and made to fit the XL-1, the bag looked too small but sure enough the xl2 fit inside, although i would remove the mic just to be safe, it will zip up with it attached. the bag goes for a little over $200, they also have a 2249 which is slightly extended for the bigger shoulder pad and it claims a second lense will fit, the tag says it's carry-on legal but i could see getting sweated for it. the structure of both bags is similar to portabrace with a hard plastic shell with viewfinder lump and adequate padding.

[Mark Sasahara]

Thanks Jon.

I haven't had to fly in a while, but I wonder if my giant Porta Brace HK-P3 might get me sweated. I may look into something smaller when the time comes.