Advice on foreign assignment

You are permitted to work freely in EU, so no Visa issues. Are you flying or driving? If we fly, we go by BA, as they never give us any hassle with taking our equipment. There are limits to the number of Li batteries that you can take now, and the terminals must be taped. Deolights are good, as they are small and compact, but, make sure well packed if going in hold.

Madrid is expensive for parking, and it is a long way!
make sure that you have your business equipment insurance cover extended to include being in Europe, and that your travel insurance/motor policies cover business trips overseas.
Radio mic freqs should be fine.

Thanks Chris, that's exactly the sort of gen I was looking for. I expect to fly, and the client will pay, so BA seems like the right choice (not going near any budget flights with my kit!!!). I think I'll be looking into a Pelicase for the hold. D

Don't rely on Taxi drivers to put your equipment cases into the boot etc. do it yourself.

Keep recorded media on your person if returning to the UK with unedited footage. DO NOT put or leave them with equipment in the hold. Equipment can be replaced if lost... footage can't. :)

Saying the obvious, but take your camera, batteries and (spare) charger as cabin baggage.

I heard of someone on a "trip of a lifetime" to the Antarctic whose bags were delayed (BA as it happens) on arrival in Argentina. So had to embark on the ship with his brand new EX1 but with only one battery (spares in baggage) and no charger (also in baggage) .
Madrid isn't the Antarctic and presumably one could buy EX3 bits locally but would be inconvenient.

Ron

Thanks for the responses! I can see difficulties in getting an EX3 onboard as cabin baggage - anyone know of a compliant case?

I always make a point of travelling with big pockets to stuff with all the important things - who needs a change of clothes anyway?

D

I take a Canon XLH1 in a Tamrac Tekseries "dedicated" bag. I would think they do one for EX3 which fairly similar sizewise to an XLH1 (isn't it?).

This bag also has space for a second lens.

I have also carried the cam on just wrapped in bubble wrap but not ideal!

Ron

I would reckon Kata do something suitable. You could maybe talk to the likes of Proactive to see what they recommend. Some of the Kata gear might be too big to meet carry on dimension restrictions as well as being a bit on the heavy side, Ron

Cabin baggage rules are ok these days, I have two suitcases specifically bought as cabin-baggage size, and you'd be amazed at what I can get in them (big laptop, camera test cards, demo hardware, plus what I need for a weekend). Don't forget that cabin baggage will be well protected (i.e. you'll be handling it all the time, not anyone else) so you don't need armour-plated flight casing.

Just had a brainwave and measured my Kata bag (R106 rucksack with my EX3 and all camera kit) without the side pockets and the straps stowed and it JUST fits the BA spec. Hurrah! Still need something suitable for sticks and lights and ancillaries, but I'm sure I can get a peli for that. D

PS
Ron, it looks like Tamrac don't do the Tek series any more.

I'm in Walton on Thames and have a tripod bag (soft) for a Vision 10 which will hold your sticks and dedo stands. I also have a selection of hard flight cases. You are welcome to borrow what ever you need FOC.

I used to wrap my tripod, in its bag, in clothing, socks and the like before checking it in as hold baggage. Used a padlock of course.
I actually need a new "ready use" bag as my Tamrac actually a bit too small (was originally for my XL1) and this thread has reminded me.
Kata, probably, here I come , Ron

If space becomes a problem, you might find a monopod useful, mine (Manfrotto 560B) fits easily into a suitcase.