First time traveling with DSLR, what do I need to know?

[gorby]

A upcoming trip means it'll be the first time I pass through an airport with my SLR, anything special I should take care of? I will be bringing my backpack, camera and three lenses. Thanks for any advice!

[Doug Pardee]

What country (or countries) are involved here? There are different rules in different countries.

[gorby]

oh, sorry- just the US

LA to Seattle

[FlyingPhotog]

A upcoming trip means it'll be the first time I pass through an airport with my SLR, anything special I should take care of? I will be bringing my backpack, camera and three lenses. Thanks for any advice!

Beyond the usual TSA issues with pointed objects, you really have nothing to worry about.

I routinely travel (300+ days/yr) with my gear (20D + 3-4 lenses + Flash + Misc) and other than having to remove my laptop and put it through the machine separately, I've never even had the TSA want to look in my bag. YMMV...

[kevin2]

Get a pelican case.

http://www.all-pelican-cases-4-less.com/detail_pelican_1510.html

I have this one, and it is perfect. There are other choices, but I liked the water proofing and seal that this case offers.

Kevin

[CelticRavenVA]

I have never had an issue traveling with my SLR... I always have it in my carry on, and have never even been stopped once. Never had an issue.

[Wilt]

Pelican case adds way too much weight to your load! They are rugged, but the price to pay is weight. Within the USA, as long as it meets rules for dimensions which apply to all carry-ons, you are fine. Just pass it thru the Xray machine (no worry, no harm) and be on your way. (Remove lens cleaning fluid and put it in plastic 1qt bag with your toothpaste and shampoo!)

[canonpink]

Beyond the usual TSA issues with pointed objects, you really have nothing to worry about.

I routinely travel (300+ days/yr) with my gear (20D + 3-4 lenses + Flash + Misc) and other than having to remove my laptop and put it through the machine separately, I've never even had the TSA want to look in my bag. YMMV...

Same experience for me when I traveled from Houston to Seattle. Be sure if you take a laptop, take it out or you will be held up. The machines can see through the camera bags fine, so I would think rarely do you have to take anything out and the TSA workers should be quite used to seeing camera gear floating through their machines and know if something look suspicious.

CP

[mspringfield]

I've never even had the TSA want to look in my bag. YMMV...

Geez, Consider yourself lucky. My bag has been opened, inspected and swabbed for explosive residue so many times the TSA has about worn it out. Maybe I just look suspicious. :lol::lol::lol:

As pointed out you should be fine as long as you make sure that you don't have any sharp objects or illegal liquids also make sure you are within size limits. When I travel my camera backpack is within carry on dimensions but weighs in at 45-50lbs and I have never been busted on weight.

Also a Pelican or a Storm and a TSA approved lock and checking it is always an option.

Michael

[canonpink]

Geez, Consider yourself lucky. My bag has been opened, inspected and swabbed for explosive residue so many times the TSA has about worn it out. Maybe I just look suspicious. :lol::lol::lol:

As pointed out you should be fine as long as you make sure that you don't have any sharp objects or illegal liquids also make sure you are within size limits. When I travel my camera backpack is within carry on dimensions but weighs in at 45-50lbs and I have never been busted on weight.

Also a Pelican or a Storm and a TSA approved lock and checking it is always an option.

Michael

You know, this makes me want to possibly get a pelican next time, although losing the bag via baggage handling is not necessarily a remote possibility.

[Doug Pardee]

Remove lens cleaning fluid and put it in plastic 1qt bag with your toothpaste and shampoo!

Many lens cleaning fluids, including Eclipse and E2, are flammable. Flammable liquids are not allowed on US airliners. Not in your carry-on, not in your 1-quart bag, not in your checked luggage. Not even in small amounts. You can't take it.

[Wilt]

Many lens cleaning fluids, including Eclipse and E2, are flammable. Flammable liquids are not allowed on US airliners. Not in your carry-on, not in your 1-quart bag, not in your checked luggage. Not even in small amounts. You can't take it.

Good point...my experience is only with those cleaning fluids that will not run your diesel engine! :cool:

[mspringfield]

You know, this makes me want to possibly get a pelican next time, although losing the bag via baggage handling is not necessarily a remote possibility.

True. That is why I am thinking of buying something like this:

http://shop.talleycom.com/store/product.jsp?pdtl=_root&pdtl_pn=MIS5221500025

Although $450.00 is not cheap it would be peace of mind.

Michael

[Wilt]

True. That is why I am thinking of buying something like this:

http://shop.talleycom.com/store/product.jsp?pdtl=_root&pdtl_pn=MIS5221500025

Although $450.00 is not cheap it would be peace of mind.

Michael


And how do you propose that the thing does not operate while it is in the airplane (rules about no radios and transmitters during flight), yet it does transmit while it is at some unexpected location?

Besides, it only tracks where it is at the time, but it doensn't tell you where to find it!

[mspringfield]

And how do you propose that the thing does not operate while it is in the airplane (rules about no radios and transmitters during flight), yet it does transmit while it is at some unexpected location?

Besides, it only tracks where it is at the time, but it doensn't tell you where to find it!

Sorry. That link is a bit misleading. Here is a link to the manufacturer's web site. You can log on to their system via the web and it will tell you where the device is at any give point in time. It will even tell you where it has been.

http://www.microtrakgps.com/products.php#slimtrak

Michael

[Wilt]

Michael, your earlier post made it seem that the device was your solution to lost luggage...you could find it as a result of this being in it. Was that your idea?

It is a receiver...it cannot be on during flight. So what is the point if it cannot be 'on' during a flight, it won't be on when it arrives at its wrong destination. It records its position, but you cannot phone it to ask "where are you, lost bag?" So how is that piece of mind against lost luggage?!

[SuzyView]

If you have a lot of gear, put all the important items in the carry on. Cables, cleaning solutions, etc., can be put in the check in luggage. Make sure you have everything snug, not too tight and if you use the overhead bin, be extra careful putting it up and taking it down. The operators who are behind the x-ray machines know exactly what they are looking for. I've had bags stuffed with gadgets and get a "go ahead" every time. You'll be fine. They even let me through with all my pocket wizards and other transmitter items.

[gorby]

Thanks everyone, as always the input was valuable and put me at ease.

[SHULTSIE!!!]

My only advice is to bring your toys as a carry on, and it seems like you're doing that/ I tried stuffing my camera and 5 lenses in my checked bags, but that's just asking for trouble. Just like a few of the others, I've yet to run into trouble with TSA. This last trip to Seattle, I kept my toys in my camera bag(with tripod strapped to it) for carry on and brought my laptop in it's neoprene case. Carry on plus personal item, right?

[Dawn U]

I've traveled with my XTi twice just this month - no problems. Once they let me through without a second glance. The second they opened, swabbed for explosives, chatted - but I'm fairly sure that was due to the hatchling turtle I was carrying with me, too, not the camera.

[mspringfield]

Michael, your earlier post made it seem that the device was your solution to lost luggage...you could find it as a result of this being in it. Was that your idea?

It is a receiver...it cannot be on during flight. So what is the point if it cannot be 'on' during a flight, it won't be on when it arrives at its wrong destination. It records its position, but you cannot phone it to ask "where are you, lost bag?" So how is that piece of mind against lost luggage?!

Actually from what I have read about that device it can be on during flight. There is nothing on any device like this that actually interferes with any electronics on airplanes. If you will remember a few months ago there was a huge controversy over allowing cell phone usage during flights. The FAA was actually going to allow it but it did decided not to because passengers raised a stink because they were afraid of having to sit next to some idiot on a cell phone for hours on end.

I have a friend who works for Delta's technical department and they are experimenting with similar devices that will be incorporated into the tags that are put on all bags when you check them. Delta actually has the price of these devices down to about .25 each and will probably incorporate them if the can get it down to about .10. Delta's device has both RF and GPS and they will be able to track luggage anywhere so they will be on in flight.

Michael

[Wilt]

Michael,
Personally I have had my doubts about 'affecting the navigation', certainly about any affect of calculators and sound-cancelling headsets! But the rules are the rules, and the rules are to turn off electronic devices during take-off or landing. Period!!!!! That means that although you or I may have doubts about the technical merit of calculators or GPS receivers affecting navigation, you have to obey the rules or be thrown off the airplane!

[ScottE]

My advice would be to get to the airport early. Most of the time you can get through security early, but sometime you run into a security clerk who wants you to take out very lens so he can look through it. Even though I stuck my finger through the extension tube to show it was empty he still had to look. Then I had to turn of every electronic device to show it actually worked as claimed. I don't know what would have happened if any of the batteries were dead.

Check you airline's size and weight restrictions for carry on bags. Usually in North America they only make you put it in the rack to check size if it looks too large, but in Africa and Europe I have had them weigh the bags as well.

Be pleasant and don't argue with security people, no matter how surly or ignorant they might be. Getting them angry at you is not going to get you on the plane any quicker, if at all.

Have fun and enjoy your trip.