DVX Manual for Air Travel with Your Accessories and
Production Equipment
Part 1 of a Special 3-Part Series
by Thomas Whitman
(...continued from
previous
page)
Pack Your Carry-On Items Accordingly
I usually carry on board two small bags. One is a regular size
backpack that contains my laptop and DVX100 accessories such as
batteries and chargers. A backpack has more room than a conventional
laptop case. And the other is a simple and small padded pleather
shoulder bag that fits the DVX perfectly along with lav mics and a
shotgun mic, filters plus travel documents all in a conveniently
snug fit.
Make sure that you hand carry your most precious items on board with
you. This means your DVX100 and accessories along with your laptop.
Hand carry your DVX batteries, filters and your lavaliere or shotgun
mics, if applicable. Don’t worry about things that are easily
replaceable like your Mini-DV tapes or batteries for the mics. You
want to have the most basic essentials of your production gear with
you at all times – because without it, all the other stuff won’t
matter.
By using only a regular backpack and a small shoulder bag, you:
1. easily minimize the clutter of carrying a full size camera
bag and a laptop case PLUS you’ll have more room to spare
2. can fit a change of clothes in your backpack which can help pad
your laptop and DVX accessories.
3. can easily find space in an overhead storage bin or underneath
the seat in front of you unlike when using a rolley/pulley bag.
4. are less conspicuous
BONUS TIP #1:
Although carrying your
DVX100 and your laptop with you is most convenient in the long term,
you should prepare easy access to your DVX camera and your laptop as
you’ll have to take them out of your bags and place them on the
conveyor belts at the TSA security check line. In addition to your
camera and laptop, you’ll also have to remove jackets, belts and
shoes, so be ready to hold up the travelers waiting behind you in
line a bit. And don’t worry - their x-ray machines won’t harm your
Mini-DV tapes.
BONUS TIP #2:
For international or coast to
coast flights, the airlines usually board passengers starting from
the rear of the plane and then work their way towards the front.
This means that the overhead bins tend to get more crowded towards
the rear by the time you get to your seat. So if you MUST store your
bags in an overhead bin, use the bins a few rows before your seat on
the opposite side of the aisle. This way, you can easily monitor
your precious gear in front of you (as opposed to above you) from
the comfort of your seat. You should keep your DVX100 close to you
at all times by storing it underneath the seat in front of you.
Read Part 2 of
this Series :
DVX and HVX Manual for Air Travel - Part 2
Read Part 3 of
this Series :
DVX and HVX Manual for Air Travel - Part 3
Do
YOU have a cheap, low budget, do-it-yourself DVX100 tip or trick that
you'd like to contribute?
If so, just email it to
us and we'll post it up!
Thanks
for helping the grass roots grow!
