Flying with digital camera

[tmonferdini]

Someone recently told me that if I bring my digital camera through security (in my carry-on bag), it will erase all the photos that are on the memory card. Does anyone know anything about this? I know to carry undeveloped film rolls, because the scanning of the bags when you "check" them can destroy it, but the memory card things was new. Any ideas?

 

[Mousema]

I took mine through in September and didn't have any problems. Plan on doing so again Saturday.

 

[lucky1]

Someone recently told me that if I bring my digital camera through security (in my carry-on bag), it will erase all the photos that are on the memory card. Does anyone know anything about this? I know to carry undeveloped film rolls, because the scanning of the bags when you "check" them can destroy it, but the memory card things was new. Any ideas?

Never had an issue sending my memory cards through security in checked bags. Actually did not had an issue with it in a checked back (which I did by mistake once), but that might have been when they hand checked verse xrayed.

 

[bradk]

could not be further from the truth.

i have a DSLR, 3 2GB cards, a laptop (which gets photos copied onto) and have *never* lost a photo or gotten a bad card. *never*

the scanners don't really destroy unprocessed film either for what its worth. they'll create a hazy/streaking effect for film speeds 800 and above (although that actually depends on the model in use) and that does have a compounding effect and it's preferable to have it checked by hand. however, placing film into *checked* baggage WILL destroy it.

my camera goes on carryon. i have about $4000+ invested in it, i'm not trusting it to checked baggage.

 

[Tasmen]

My camera always goes in my carry on and I've yet to find anything wrong with any pictures on my memory cards.

 

[CleveRocks]

Someone recently told me that if I bring my digital camera through security (in my carry-on bag), it will erase all the photos that are on the memory card.

Well then, "someone" doesn't have any idea what he/she is talking about!

X-rays are a form of light. FILM is sensitive to light, hence the reason that film can, under certain conditions, be affected by x-rays.

Your digital camera's memory card is not film. It will not be affected by light. Your memory card uses the same type of memory as that used by computer hard drives, CDs, DVDs and iPods. If your friend knew what he/she was talking about, he'she would realize that iPods and CDs aren't wiped clean, and thus nor are camera memory cards.

It's a common misconception, thinking that any medium involved with taking photos is affected by x-rays. Common, but incorrect.

 

[keishashadow]

Haven't had any problems with digital cameras, have been asked to turn on camcorder (not always - just a few times ); of course reason may be that DH & DS always get extra attention (think their shared name is on watch list).

 

[jlovesee]

Absolutely not, you will be fine. My husband carries his Nikon D200, lenses, and compact flash cards with him as carry on on every trip we go on, and we have flown quite a bit (he has so much equipment as he is photographing for our magazine), and the only problem we have ever had is that they sometimes they will do an additional hand check, because camera's a lot of times are opaque. But you do not have to worry about your memory cards.

Jennifer

 

[dopeyfanatic]

It's not the xray that poses a problem, it's the metal detector. I do know people who had their card messed up from that, not xray. Last time I flew I called the airline and they told me it is possible. Rare, yes, completely. But I don't want that one in whatever chance to be mine!

 

[safetymom]

Why would you have the card on you to go through the metal detector?

 

[CleveRocks]

I agree with safetymom ... who carries a memory card on their person. Because that's the only way it could go through the metal detector. And anyway, you're supposed to empty your pcoskets and put the contents in a tray that goes through the x-ray machine, right?

So even if the metal detector has a tiny risk of messing up a memory card, I can't imagine a memory card going through the metal detector in the first place.

 

[nbodyhome]

I've never had a problem, nor heard of any going through the x-rays and such with a digital camera.

 

[tmonferdini]

Thank you for all the replies. I had no idea what equipment would damage the memory card, which is why I posted the question. Of course, it would be INSIDE the camera and not in my pocket. Glad I got this resolved. Once again, my DMIL was mistaken. Thanks, everybody!
Tracy