Recent changes in the Japanese airline industry and are going to affect the way photographers select and transport their equipment. On my last couple of trips up to the Japanese mainland I noticed that when checked baggage is weighed the display shows the weight along with the excess charges for baggage over 20 kilograms. Carry on baggage is restricted by both weight and size,  and these dimensions are shrinking. For flights of 100 passengers or more maximum dimensions are 55cm x 40cm x 25cm (115cm total) and 10 kilos in weight. For flights less that 100 passengers this drops to 45cm x 35cm x 20cm (100cm total).

Why is this significant? Well your present bag which came with a sticker saying suitable for carry-on may no longer be small enough.

Lowepro DryZone 200 (37 X 29 X 48.5cm) Image from LowePro.com

My Lowepro bag is 37 X 29 X 48.5 cm which comes out at a total for the 3 dimensions of 114.5cm, just under the limit. However put a few extra items in the front pocket and and you will have a bag that is too big for carry-on. This  happened to me a couple of months ago, and it was only after a bit of begging and showing them the bag was full of camera gear did they let me take it in the cabin.

Pelican 1514 Carry On Case 55.9 x 35.1 x 22.9cm

I am considering getting a Pelican 1514 Carry On Case as a way to transport the camera plus large telephoto lenses. At 55.9 x 35.1 x 22.9cm  (113.9 cm total) it again just sneaks under the 115cm limit. The advantage of this case would be that if it did have to go in the hold  the gear should be well protected. (This is useful when traveling on smaller planes, or if due to unforeseen circumstances you are not allowed cabin baggage.)

Interestingly this Pelican case also showed the bizarre price discrepancies you can get between countries. The U.S. recommended retail price for the Pelican 1514 is $289.95 and is available on Amazon.com for $159.09. In Japan the recommended price is ¥62,475 and is available from Yodobashi at ¥46,805 ($498). I know that Pelican cases are made in the U.S. but should customers in Japan have to pay more than three times the price?