Rolleiflex and rolling luggage

[LKSC]

Has anyone carried a Rolleiflex in a rolling carry-on bag for air travel?

I usually use an over-the-shoulder bag, with cameras inside a Hadley Pro that is placed inside it. But I was thinking that a rolled camera bag by Lowepeo or Thinktank would make life easier. Am wary of the bumps and vibrations it would take however, and whether it might upset the Rolleiflex's mirror, and/ or a rangefinder's alignment. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Bisakok]

Yes. This summer I decided to test out my long-not-used Horseman SW612, and I packed the whole set and a Rolleiflex FW into my roll-on Peli case. I had the same concern, but had no issues at all. How far you gonna roll it?

 

[jwicaksana]

FWIW, I took my Rollei to Hong Kong last week, and one day I had to move to another hotel. I put the Rollei in my rolling suitcase, dragged it down the stairs, up and down the train stations, you know the drill, till I reach my new room. Nothing negative noticeable right away. I even accidentally left the shutter cocked, and when I unpack it, it's not released. I tuck it in surrounded by tshirts and other soft garments.

 

[Ronald M]

Padding is the key.

 

[LKSC]

Thank you all for the input!

 

[Dan Daniel]

Someone I know who has photographed from helicopters and speed boats for years, and traveled by motorcycle, recommends backpacking sleeping pad foam for protecting from vibration. Old yoga mats are a good padding layer. I tend to go for a double system for travel- one bag inside another.

A while back I sold someone an overhauled Minolta Autocord. Six months later she called to ask me to take a look at it, that the focus felt a bit loose. It sure was, as was almost every screw on the camera. Turns out she photogaphed bands, and spent hours in front of the stage next to the bass stacks. The audio had simply vibrated the camera apart. I rebuilt it using blue loctitie on every screw; six months later it was falling apart again. As to what this was doing to her, well.....

 

[leicapixie]

Much modern "music" is based on loud noise..:bang:
Indeed what is that doing to everyone..?
Vibrations..
After a number of long haul jet flights(20+ hours),
my well used Nikon-F kit showed stress..
My 105mm fell apart in my hand, a few hours after landing in Toronto, after flying around most of Africa..from Johannesburg.
The 28mm was almost in pieces, the 50mm also needed attention.
Padding helps. Loctite helps.:angel:

 

[x-ray]

High frequency vibration from jet engines can cause screws to blackout but I've never experienced it. I had a client for years that I traveled 11-13 weeks 5 days a week across the country and out of the country. I carried A broadcast TV camera and recorder, lights and fluid head/ tripod. Also a case of Nikons and lenses. This was in the day you could carry everything on you could drag down the isle. I carried the camera, recorder and Nikons on and put them in the overhead. I never experienced any problems due to vibration.

I carried my gear in rolling cases for decades with no issue. I think it's either a Temba or Lowepro and it's been all over the US and Canada. I carried film gear in it in the beginning and then Canon pro digital gear and never an issue. It had even fallen out of an suv when the back was opened. In the film package was a pair of Rollei SL66's and lenses. Never an issue with any gear.

 

[Dante_Stella]

Aside from smashing it, there is no way to break a Rolleiflex with vibration. They don't have rangefinder prisms or anything like that to drift. Two inches of foam is more than enough unless you are checking the bag.

I did have a plexiglas watch crystal blow out on an airplane (on a 1970s Eterna). I noticed it when my 2yo son was moving the hands with his fingers. Never did find the original second hand, but I got a perfect match replacement.

D