Cases for DSLR Setup whilst travelling

[MJJ]

With my old set up, i could get my entire camera and strobe into a pelican case which i could take as hand luggage on flights. Now I've progressed over to a DSLR and housing, i don't think that i can fit it all into one case that will go as hand luggage. What are peoples thoughts on what i should do?

a. Get a larger case, check it in and hope that it will be ok
b. Get two small cases and keep pestering the girlfriend until she agrees to carry one as hand luggage.

your thoughts are appreciated.

[KenByrne]

I bought a camera rucksack and put may camera in the housing without a lens or port and manage to get the other lenses and strobes into the rucksack. The ports go in my checked baggage. Only problem I now have is my bag is wearing out and I can't find a new one that isn't split into compartments that are too small.

It's a major headache with SLR systems.

[Cussy]

I have a really cheap snorkelling bag I bought from Decathlon that holds loads of camera kit and still is within hand luggage limits. Fragile stuff gets wrapped in bubble wrap in it, and more rugged stuff goes in the hold. My Decathlon bag would have been 10x more expensive if it had been Lowe Pro and for cameras.
Rob

PS I always keep my bag at my feet on a flight. It cuts down on leg room (I am 6 foot 2), but means some idiot wont be trying to force their over-sized hand luggage against it

[TimIngmire]

I use the old Diver rucksack that they gave away with subscriptions. It holds an enormous amount - sometimes rather too much as it gets rather heavy.

I tend to wrap everything and t-shirts and the like so neatly killing several birds with one stone.

I now need another as all the zips have corroded (you would have thought that non-corrodable zips in a Dive bag would be a good idea, no?)

I also bought a small Antler roller case which is sometimes carry-on compliant - never use bags that look like they hold something valuable.

Now, if I was doing this again, I'd go to T K Maxx and buy a good quality carry-on roller bag for a few squids - make sure it's robust so that if you can't carry it on it's ok to check.

[DDT uk]

I have a hard case for the housing, macro ports and strobes. All of which is bubble-wrapped. The camera bodies go in my pockets. I then talk Maria, my partner, into carry any excess gear in her hand luggage. She only has a compact and it tends to be a bit smaller.

[MJJ]

Thanks for all the responses. I guess the results is to go with t-shirts and bubble wrap and give the girlfriend anything i can't fit in.