I routinely travel with a lot of camera gear. Most small overheads won't fit my camera bag. I usually take out my camera bodies and they go under the seat as some are too big for the small overhead compartments and sky/gate check my bag with the other equipment. Sky/Gate check rules - I wish you could do this on all flights. You pick up your bag upon deplaning the plane. Just be sure to carry all lithium batteries on you, not in the cargo hold.