Heading to Cuba....

[Dubsta]

And I will be taking a tour of Havana City....

My question is...should I take my camera gear? Will I have any problems with it at the airports, I plan to carry all my gear with me as my carry on. Any help?

Also, I won't have the cam with me the entire time, it's about a vacation, getting drunk, partying, clubs, excursions...that's sort of thing, chilling on the beach...should I get a safe for it, or just use a nice lock on my suitcase? I do not want to have my stuff stolen, or have it kept in the Cuban airport for some silly reason.

I am really worried about this, but don't want to miss the sweet opportunities to take some amazing pictures that I would not normally have the chance to.

Thanks in advance...also, I won't be taking the flash...

[freddycr]

I've never been to Cuba, but living in Costa Rica I'm somewhat accustomed to the airports ...
I don't think you'll have any problems, but might as well take copies of the original invoices with you.
About leaving the cam in the hotel room...well that all depends what kind of lodgings you're gonna get...in any case a safe would be a good idea.

Regards

[Dubsta]

You mean I should have the receipts? I won the Rebel...so I don't have one! lol

[freddycr]

Better get one. ;)

[Dubsta]

Really? You are scaring me now...I'm not sure I can get one...

[freddycr]

Don't want to scare you. You probably won't need them.
It's always a safe thing to carry copy of the invoices, though.
If you can't get the original invoice, write an ownership transfer from a friend of yours to yourself.
Specify make, model and serial number, his name and your name, a price, a date, and sign it both.

[new2photo]

My understanding is that you can "check it in" at the airport (at least in the US) and they give you documentation that states that you brought it with you. I will be traveling to India for business and I will be taking a laptop. I was advised to get a letter from my boss stating that the laptop was company property even though it is personal. And I will definitely be taking something that proves that the camera is mine.

Good Luck!

[Kees Terberg]

I guess that by now you have returned and may have a few tips. I recently visited the place myself and wrote a bit about it in the following journal on Photosig... anyone who might be interested, just click on the link below:

http://www.photosig.com/go/journals/read?id=863&forward=userjournalentries

You dont need receipts. You will need a list with the reg numbers of your equipment which you will only need if you encounter problems with it. Avoid taking a laptop as this may cause a lot of registration and administrative paperworks and the inconvenience will not measure up to the benefits of taking one along. I had a 1D with a series of lenses with me as well as a happy snappy Ixus 700. The latter was one of the best buys ever and I had it with me at all times. The image quality is good and you dont look like a target for muggers in the "off the track" area's. Most posers will ask you for a peso if you carry a big beast around your neck. With an Ixus they generally dont ask you that as you just look like a happy snappy holiday maker rather than a serious amateur or professional.