I am currently traveling in Japan and decided to travel light with gear. I wanted to be able to fit virtually all my gear into a single piece of carry-on baggage (there was no way I was going to deal with lost items). For this trip, I have some new gear I want to test, I also have a variety of shooting styles to execute including time laps and video. I decided to go Micro Four-Thirds for this trip (and what I fit into one bag amazed even me).

I’ll be shooting for the next two weeks (and will share what I find as well as opinions on new gear). But I can safely report:

  • The bag fit on the airplane and had no issues with gate staff
  • Did fit under a seat.
  • Did fit in a standard overhead compartment easily (handle facing out)
  • Got through customs with no problem

The Bag

The case I used ROADIE II HYBRID BLACK

  • Weight 10.5 lbs(4.8 kg)
  • Exterior Dimensions 14W X 20H X 8.5D in. (36 X 51 X 22 cm)
  • Meets international carry-on requirements

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Camera Bodies

  • 2 OM-D E-M5 Camera Body
  • 1 OM-D E-M1 Camera Body
  • 1 Panasonic DMC-GH3 Body
  • 2 Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras
  • 2 Olympus BCN1 Charges
  • 11 Olympus Batteries
  • 2 Blackmagic Chargers
  • 9 Blackmagic Batteries
  • 3 Multiformat Chargers
  • 5 Panasonic Batteries

Lenses

  • 1 Olympus 12MM 2
  • 1 Lumix 12.5 3-D Lens 12
  • 1 Olympus 12-50MM 3.5-6.3
  • 1 Lumix 14 MM 2.5
  • 1 Olympus 15MM 8
  • 1 Lumix 25 1.4
  • 1 Olympus 40-150 4-5.6
  • 1 Olympus 45 1.8
  • 1 Olympus 60MM MACRO 2.8
  • 1 Olympus 75 1.8
  • 1 Olympus 75-300 4.8-6.7
  • 1 FUJIAN GDS-35 1.7 Manual Lens
  • 1 Lomography MFT SET
  • 1 PINWIDE PINHOLE LENS

Audio

  • 1 ZOOM H4N
  • 1 Olympus Microphone Adapter
  • 2 XLR Audio Cables
  • 2 TRAM Lavaliere Microphones
  • 1 Wooden Camera XLR Audio adapter

Support Gear

  • 1 Olympus 600-FR Flash
  • 2 Remote Shutter Releases
  • 1 Olympus Macro Light MAL-1
  • 1 HDMI Coupler
  • 3 HDMI Cables
  • 4 Camera USB Cables
  • 1 HDMI Coupler
  • 1 Toolkit Really Right Stuff
  • 6 Allen Wrenches
  • 4 Really Right Stuff L-plates
  • 2 Really Right Stuff Base-plates
  • 2 Lenspens
  • 1 Tether Tools Rock Solid Accessory Extension Bar
  • 2 Vulture Works Straps
  • 1 Giottos Rocket Blower
  • 1 14 Photovision Calibration Target
  • 2 Pelican Hard Case Card Wallets
  • 2 Spare Camera Plates

Checked Bag Gear

Packed in my suitcase (checked baggage) were.

  • 2 Giottos Voyage Compact Tripods
  • 3 Really Right Stuff Tripod Heads
  • 1 Sirui Monopod
  • 1 Steadicam Curve
  • My GoPro Kit (more on this later)

The Verdict

I’ll be packing things smaller for going out shooting each day. I’m limiting myself to a tiny Domke shoulder bag (what Scott would call my man purse). I am still amazed that this all fit and truly excited. I have a lot of different styles of shooting to do as well as some friends joining me (who I brought gear to share with). Micro Four-Thirds is an amazing format that’s small and compact, yet still quite powerful.

In the comments below, let me know if you have questions on any items or any suggestions as a road warrior yourself.

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