Like all photographers who have to fly with their equipment I am paranoid about both losing gear when checked as luggage, and on the other hand fighting the often arbitrary and capriciously enforced size and weight restrictions of carry-on. My approach of the past few years is as follows, and it has worked on every flight that I’ve taken including Toronto – Paris – Madagascar – internally in Mada, and then return.
Shooting speed (FPS) is a given. No MF back can do 5 FPS, and none can take stabilized lenses and the like. When it comes to a combination of overall image quality, high ISO capability, shooting convenience, features, frame rates, lens selection and the like, the new 1Ds mark MKIII is going to be a hard act for any medium format back to beat.
Clothing and bulky equipment such as tripods, heads, cables, chargers and the like go in my checked bag, a large rolling duffle. If the bag weighs more than about 50 lbs I’ll pack a second smaller rolling bag as well, usually containing heavier items such as hiking boots.
