I don't travel much anymore but when I have I make sure to keep my body, lenses and necessary accessories in a small backpack or Think Tank urban disguise 40. You can actually cram a ton of stuff in there and it is small enough that you can take it on any plane. Other stuff I just check if I can't bring it on with my Think Tank carry-on.

When I worked at a tech corporate trainer I shipped everything in Pelican cases. 2 cases, $280,000 worth of computer type of equipment shipped 68 times (FedEx)in a year and only had a charging pack cracked (that was on the bottom and not padded). Great cases and if you take the time with the inserts they will protect everything quite well. Don't look like much but worth the lack of looks if you need to travel a bunch.

kanuck said:
Holly crap this is quite the story. Knowing my luck (especially with airports) I'd be that 10th time.

Sideways, about that 8 foot dead drop I wonder if Pelican cases would save the day? :)

I do like Pelican & Hardigg (now owned by Pelican) cases. I suspect their cases would take the fall without bursting but it's still a huge shock to the gear inside. You'd need really funky padding to absorb the shock - a soft layer, a denser layer and a crushable layer of foam polystyrene like in a motorcyle helmet. I've never seen a case or bag with anything like that. Hmm, quick, off to the patent office ...

Find a friend like Skintbrit to travel with :-)

Cheers

kanuck said:
Holly crap this is quite the story. Knowing my luck (especially with airports) I'd be that 10th time.

Sideways, about that 8 foot dead drop I wonder if Pelican cases would save the day? :)

If my Pelican fell 8 feet on to a runway, they'd have to re-surface! Seriously though, when I have been asked by gate staff to check my camera equipment, I have just explained its importance to my living and it's value, and asked what insurance against loss the airline has, and have always been able to carry it on. Maybe I've been lucky, or am just proficient in sweet talking?

Check out this thread:

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=5646

You will never want to travel with gear again :-)

Holly crap this is quite the story. Knowing my luck (especially with airports) I'd be that 10th time.

Sideways, about that 8 foot dead drop I wonder if Pelican cases would save the day? :)

Sorry @LoveThe Berry - a locking system on the roller doesn't make a blind bit of difference.

The first rule of air travel is that if someone in baggage handling wants something they'll take it.

It IS nice to be reminded that most folk are good guys though and 9 times out of 10 you'll come through OK, but it's sad when that 10th time arrives ...

In the circumstances I think I'd react just like you. If I wasn't in a position to push the point and insist or move to a later plane, I'd pull the highest value items out and decide whether I could afford to gamble the rest.

It's always worth making lots of noise ! Customer service hate a big scene that draws lots of attention and shows them up. Raise your voice and refuse to hand over your kit for as long as possible. Be an obstacle, don't let them take you off to the side. It might just make them back down.

If you're travelling standby and don't have any booking or right to expect a seat and the advertised baggage allowances then you did all that you could and at least had a strong case to protect your gear in the hold.

I'll never forget waiting for my plane one time in a small airport. I was watching suitcases taken from the hold of a plane being loaded into a baggage truck out on the airfield. They put the bags onto a powered conveyor that lifted them up into the open back of the truck. When the truck was full, the driver just hopped in and drove it away. Ten suitcases that happened to be on the conveyor carried on up and happily crashed straight back down onto the tarmac -an 8 foot dead drop :-)

You've just reminded me to get some more insurance !

You mean your D4? I thought the international version fit under the seat?

framer

Traveling out of the country. Using my ThinkTank roller (international) when all of a sudden, there is a change in planes that will not hold this carry-on and must be checked,

Mad scramble at gate ensues. What gets checked and what is loaded in my arms.
D4s and 70-200 with me, for sure. All other is checked. End result,... Nothing broken or stolen due to locking system on TT roller.

What do you do in this situation?

As somebody with no 'axe to grind' (I don't have a D4 or D800), I see the D4 as better. The ability to disregard the consequences of boosting the ISO to an extent undreamed of even 4 years ago outweighs the higher Mp of the D800. As people have been saying for a while now "I want usable Mp not more Mp". The 16Mp of the D4 do seem somehow 'finer' than the 16Mp of my D7000 - maybe I should have said 'less apparent'.

The price is crazy though so I will be super content with a D800 one day. Don't get me wrong here, the high ISO performance of the D800 is great, it is just that it looks to me like the D4 is better.

I find all this stuff so funny. And it is kinda like "How much is enough?" Well, the answer is always "a little more than you have." We cannot seem to be satisfied. I am fortunate enough to have a D4. This camera so outperforms me I doubt if I will ever be able to use all the features. I still have not taken a serious video.

The simple fact is that the D2h had 4 MP and produced phenomenal images. Yet, some just seem to think having 20 more will change things. However, this particular phenomenon is almost universal. How many drive cars which will go 170 mph, yet rarely drive them over 70 mph.

I suppose if Nikon had a 24MP camera with native ISO of 25,000, shoots 15 FPS, I would have to get one. Then maybe not. My suspicion is we will continue to see very large improvements in the sensor technology in the next few years. And it will need to be accompanied by the computer power to handle the files.

Oh well.....

Having a D4 gives me everything I need in a camera. It does what I require it to do. I’m not out buying every new camera model that hits the market. I buy what I know I’ll use and what the camera's capability gives me.

The D3, D3s and D3X are fantastic and the D4 provides a great compromise of the three.

I do understand the argument on Pixel count and 24 vs. 16 in the end, did not affect my final decision.

Get the D4 and be done with it. After all you are not going to take your cash to the next life...so live now and be happy. I will warn you however, once you get your hands on the D4...you will think you have died and gone to heaven. :P

Andromeda said:
I do prefer the D4 however would like to see the mega pixel upgrade to the 24 level. After all the consumer and advance DX models are now with that range so why wouldn't the FX Flagship.

Oh here we go - it has started.

Less than one month ago everyone was still screaming wanting "a true D700 replacement" with a 16mp sensor. Now the D4 isn't enough? I do wish people would educate themselves. I still look at getting a D3s from time to time.

Let the banging of heads on the wall begin.

The pixel count has very little to do with the final photo except in the color depth for huge enlargements. At normal sizes, up to 16" x 20" enlargements, I would suggest no one can tell the difference between a D4 and D800.

If one can afford the D4, and does not want to do 6 foot by 9 foot enlargements, I think in the final analysis, this is the one to get. Or, if one can afford a D4, then maybe also get a D800.

On the other hand, if there is a restricted budget at less than $10,000-15,000, I would suggest a D800 and use the remainder of the budget for the glass. Like a 300mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, 135mm f/2.0, 85mm f/1.8, 24mm f/1.4, 16-35mm f/4.... or whatever is your desire. Usually if one is even thinking about a D4, it means lots of money or totally insane. Or both....:-)

I will never tell....LOL

d4 is reportage style camera, and 24mpx is the last thing it needs. need more mpx get d600/d800 instead.

I always tussle with the D4 vs. D800 arguments, mega pixel vs. FPS speed and higher ISO. The D4 is a huge investment but a stunning camera and you'd want a great return on it if you're a fulltime professional.

I do prefer the D4 however would like to see the mega pixel upgrade to the 24 level. After all the consumer and advance DX models are now with that range so why wouldn't the FX Flagship.

Honestly, only if you're interested in frames/sec, would I recommend the D4. Moreover, if you look at the specs of the cameras the last few years, one will realise, that nothing has really changed that much. The best camera, is yourself !

For those in search for a new camera or a lens, here is the latest update in my Excel Chart (Major update with the old Minolta Cameras, and discontinued Canon Lenses)
http://www.photoexposition.fr/2012/05/15/update-excel-sheet/

Jerome.

I cannot see how Jyri, above, thinks the D800 is a preferable camera, as the FPS is so low. But, I have only shot a D800 once... so, what do I know?

Thanks, Jonny

What I tried to say was that I do prefer my D800 in almost every case, except when I need the FPS -> some high speed sport action or shooting concerts comes to my mind. Family or kid shots, I'd take my D800.

In my own experience only advantages D4 has over D800 are:
- Robust one piece kit, compared to using D800 with MB-D12
- Slightly better controls and usability - Ergonomics
- Faster FPS
- Marginally better in low light

IQ is almost always better on D800, it's just question if things mentioned above are limiting you to nail the shot you need, in a nutshell I think only the FPS is such a thing in some high speed occasions.

i though about it and finally ordered D4.

with kiks, sometimes to capture the right moment 6 fs feel less so 4 is a step back wards
plus i will keep D7000 so i can use it for travel.
and if i do not like D4, i can always sell it back in couple of months
plus at least that way i will have a full frame camera in summer, otherwise who knows i dont get my D800 till fall or may be later ...

adorama gave my camera to someone else as i didnt made decision in time but told me that the next D4 they will receive, they will ship it to me.
so based on the current shipments, any guesses by when can i have my D4??

Thanks ALL

Get them both, I did.

@jonnyapple....I have a D90, and the D4 is a giant jump up. But, there are a lot of DX format shots on PAD that look as good IMO. The biggest advantage is the ease with which one can take the photos. The one posted in the link above was shot at 9 FPS, and without this, I do not think I would have captured exactly the expression. I cannot see how Jyri, above, thinks the D800 is a preferable camera, as the FPS is so low. But, I have only shot a D800 once... so, what do I know?

Thanks, Jonny

I have them both, and personally I would use D800 for family or kids. I do like the D4 but the D800 is just so amazing with the details.
If you really need the FPS then go with D4, otherwise the D800 is better in almost every aspect.
Oh and ergonomics wise the D4 is better, D800 with the grip is ok, but still different in few small controls.

You'll find images in my Flickr account and see what and when I use D4 and when D800.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jyrilaitinen/

Share some of your photos with us, whatever you decide on, puclot. Good luck! Msmoto, I want a D4 every time you post a photo you took with it. ;-)

puclot you are lucky to have the D4 information shipment from Adorama.
BTW, in my own opinion, D4 is better for the kids. Your situation and reason is same as mine, so we have the same usage of the camera. I have D700 and d7000 and FF I can say is very convenient. Size of D4 doesn't matter I believe. If you put battery grip on D7000 the difference in weight is almost same. D700 with grip is heavier and I believe the D800 as well compare to D4.
go and get your D4. and if you didn't get that, my order from Adorama will arrive sooner than if you will get.

Here, click on this example of the D4 and 24-120mm on Flickr. Then you can explore my photos and see for yourself. Check the Exif data if it is not posted with the photo.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/7220669856/in/photostream/

Note, some of the photos are with a D90 or D200, so read the info.