International traveling photographers

[lyttleviet]

I just want to know everything there is to know about traveling with expensive gear.

Is there travelers insurance for this type of thing? If so, please provide a reference.

What are some safety tips that you can think of off the top of your head that aren't the obvious?

Is it okay to carry on world wide? I know in the US it is okay to travel with your camera gear but I am not sure about Tokyo and Viet Nam which is where I will be traveling.

If you guys know any answers to these questions, please let me know :).

[400dabuser]

Yup, there is insurance for your camera plus equipment which should be covered if you state you want to cover for the items that you are bringing with you

Whatever you do, don't leave the camera plus equipment unattended

[john-in-japan]

Hand carry everyting except the monopod/or tripod (might be length restrictions?)
As for Tokyo, no problem carrying or at customs. No problem on domestic flights or trains. Just keep an eye on your stuff and you will be fine here. Everyone here has cameras!
Cheers,
John (In Japan)

[fishfoto]

I just want to know everything there is to know about traveling with expensive gear. .


Ask and ye shall receive, you're one stop source on travelling with gear, travel safety, travel security, and how to deal with the issues that face photogs on the road... www.flyingwithfish.com (http://www.flyingwithfish.com)

Search around and you'll find your answers.

...and I have transited Tokyo/NRT more times than I can count with my gear both packed in carry-on and out on my shoulders. As for insurance, I need to know your country of residence to a provide an answer for that.



Oh..and folks, the June 21st 24hr Travel-Photo BootCamp, from New York/JFK only has two seats left! June 28th from San Francisco/SFO also only has limited seats, don't miss out! www.comeflywithfish.com (http://www.comeflywithfish.com)

[goldboughtrue]

I bought a backpack that opens from the back. There are still a few pockets that open from the front and I put accessories and other stuff in there. I haven't had any problems going to Korea, Japan, and Europe. My renter's insurance covers my personal property in case of theft anywhere in the world. Lots of people use State Farm to cover camera equipment for any reason (theft, dropped, etc.).

[jacuff]

You can't know everything there is to know about traveling with expensive gear.

Here's some helpful tips though.

Get a Carnet. (http://www.atacarnet.com/) It's basically like a passport of your gear. It doesn't guarantee you won't get hassled at customs, but it can help to speed up the process. Depending on what country you are going to, it may be required or not even recognized. YMMV

Travel insurance is a must. There's lots for you to learn here. You'll definitely want it to cover medical. I like it to cover the cost of having to cancel a trip as well. You may or may not need it to cover equipment as well. Since policies are so highly specialized, you'll be best to figure out what coverage you already have and what coverage you will need.

It should be obvious, but you need to check if there are any immunizations required or suggested before traveling someplace.

Now for packing.
Keep like items together. Lenses with bodies. Batteries with their bodies. Lighting cords with lights, etc. It also helps to spread your equipment out among bags if you are carrying lots of equipment. Prepare for the worst. Say you HAVE to check your equipment (too much to carry-on)... pack your camera bodies in different bags so that if one gets delayed or lost, you're not without a body to shoot with. Spread out the lenses as well. Pack a 24-70mm in one bag and the 24-105mm in another, etc. Ideally, it's best to travel as light as you can and carry everything on. I use a Think Tank Airport International. It looks like any other rolling carry-on. Nothing about it screams camera bag unless you are familiar with the think tank brand. Similar to the carnet, but keep a list of ALL your equipment and serial numbers with you.

[fishfoto]

Get a Carnet. (http://www.atacarnet.com/) It's basically like a passport of your gear. It doesn't guarantee you won't get hassled at customs, but it can help to speed up the process.


I wrote about the use of a Carnet for Popular Photography about a year ago. You can read up on Carnets here in the PopPhoto piece here:
http://flash.popphoto.com/blog/2008/02/letter-of-the-4.html

The problem is a Carnet is they are not 'flexible' you cannot add or subtract gear while using a Carnet.

[lyttleviet]

Ask and ye shall receive, you're one stop source on travelling with gear, travel safety, travel security, and how to deal with the issues that face photogs on the road... www.flyingwithfish.com (http://www.flyingwithfish.com)

Search around and you'll find your answers.

...and I have transited Tokyo/NRT more times than I can count with my gear both packed in carry-on and out on my shoulders. As for insurance, I need to know your country of residence to a provide an answer for that.



Oh..and folks, the June 21st 24hr Travel-Photo BootCamp, from New York/JFK only has two seats left! June 28th from San Francisco/SFO also only has limited seats, don't miss out! www.comeflywithfish.com (http://www.comeflywithfish.com)

I reside in the USA, Houston Texas to be specific. I will be traveling to Viet Nam for 3.5 weeks.

[yogestee]

Never put your camera gear into your check in luggage,,carry it on.. If your camera bag meets cabin luggage specs you won't have any problems..

[cdutchy]

This thread below has a lot of useful information in it pertaining to gear safety when traveling, etc..

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=313336

[GPR1]

Specifically regarding Vietnam, I have traveled there carrying expensive photo gear and had no problems in either urban or rural areas. Nobody messed with me, and I'm a rather average, overweight American male. I have traveled throughout Asia without a carnet for customs and never been stopped. My gear looks used, and customs restrictions are to keep you from importing new gear for resale without paying proper customs. I was never stopped or asked any questions in any country, even though my gear value totaled about $13,000. I do not, however, know how attentive Japanese customs are.

[yogestee]

Specifically regarding Vietnam, I have traveled there carrying expensive photo gear and had no problems in either urban or rural areas. Nobody messed with me, and I'm a rather average, overweight American male. I have traveled throughout Asia without a carnet for customs and never been stopped. My gear looks used, and customs restrictions are to keep you from importing new gear for resale without paying proper customs. I was never stopped or asked any questions in any country, even though my gear value totaled about $13,000. I do not, however, know how attentive Japanese customs are.

Likewise.. I've been tripping around SE Asia since '04,,now live in Laos.. I've taken my gear into some of the remotest areas in Asia and never had any problems..

Anyone who thinks travelling through developing countries isn't safe should do some homework.. But I advise you take the normal precautions..

[lyttleviet]

I know its safe, but I want to get insurance for accidental damage or even theft. GPR1, an average american male is less likely to get messed with than an average vietnamese american tourist sadly. I've seen it happen MANY times while visiting :(.