Flying with my DSLR

[mom0299]

I am taking a trip on Friday. I haven't flown with my DSLR before. I plan to put it in my backpack carry-on. Is there anything I need to know about going through security? Is it okay to put it through the x-ray machine? Anything else?
Thanks!

 

[ssanders79]

Not a problem. Depending in the agent you may have your bagged checked.

 

[photo_chick]

The real concern isn't so much the scanners anymore, it's the giant magnets in the conveyor belt. Unless you're camping on there for hours with your laptop it's not going to hurt anything.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I flew for the first time last year with my DSLR and 2 lenses. I had it in a camera bag in a carry on. TSA didn't ask to see it or anything. It went through security with flying colors.

 

[ColleenG]

I've flown 4 times with my DSLR and have never had a problem. I use a camera backpack that hold all my gear and my laptop. The laptop has to come out, but I have always left my camera gear in the bag with no questions asked.

 

[Anewman]

Like 5-6 years ago TSA would ask to have the camera powered up and show them the LCD.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Last June, I took two bodies with 7 lenses, two external flashes with supporting equipment in two backpacks with no questions asked. I did pack my two tripods in my checked baggage. They were the only pieces of equipment where I couldn't get a straight answer beforehand. Whether or not I could carry it on the plane was not a decision I wanted to leave to a TSA agent.

 

[PrincessInOz]

As long as your bag complies with the on-board luggage requirements, there should be no issue getting through security. I've not had an issue with international x-ray machines or any of the internal American machines.

I have been picked out for a random security check and they make you open everything; but that was the exception, not the norm.

I also definitely recommend putting the tripod into checked baggage. It is the one piece of equipment that is likely to cause an issue at security.

 

[mom0299]

Thanks everyone! I'll keep the camera body and lenses in my camera backpack and put the tripod in the checked bag.

 

[markkevin123]

I have been traveling my whole life and my one and only biggest problem is my camera. I have an SLR with 2 lenses that I like to carry with me. (One lens is telephoto) My problem always comes down to carrying it. I need my telephoto becuase there are many shots that are better with it, but my shorter 28-80 lens is good for close up...I always feel I need them both. I've done a backpack, but spend more time worrying that I will get pickpocketed, but if I carry around my neck I feel like a major tourist. Anybody have any ideas on how to carry both lenses? Thanks

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

First, if you have a fear of something happening to your gear, insure it. In my backpack there may be as much as $5-6,000 in equipment at a given time. Without insurance, if this were stolen, I wouldn't be able to replace it quickly! With the insurance (after the shock of losing it), UPGRADE! Second, there are several ways to carry an extra lens. You didn't state what telephoto lens you have, so its difficult to give a precise answer, but my DW has a 55-200 (kit) that she just puts in her purse. I have carried the same lens in the cargo pocket of my pants/shorts. My 70-200 f2.8 is much larger so that goes in my backpack. Because you want to carry only one extra lens, you could get away with a small backpack. If its a small telephoto, then maybe a belt case. Third, as far carrying it around your neck and looking like a tourist, that's a mindset. I prefer to look at myself as an enthusiast with half-way decent equipment. I use my BR strap, which you don't often see the average 'tourist' use. I hope this is helpful. Have a great photo day!

 

[alloyd1170]

Check out Pac Safe products. It might work just to carry one lens. I have a waist pack, but all their bags have a cable running through the strap so it can't be cut. Some bags you can even lock the zippers to prevent pickpocketing.

I just did a photo trip to the Galapagos. I have a Think Tank roll aboard and stuffed it full of my camera gear (several lens, two bodies, pocket camera, video camera, underwater housing, filters, etc). The bag was big enough to handle it all, yet small enough to fit under some tiny seats. Had it not fit, I had a photo vest that I was prepared to stuff full of my camera gear as I refuse to check it! In 6 flights, I think I only had to open it once or twice (one mandatory hand search of all carry-on lug gage leaving Ecuador). My monopod went into the checked bag as it would be hit or miss with security.

 

[My2Girls66]

My cameras have been on many flights, domestic and international, as far as Ukraine. Only once was it swabbed for whatever residues they swab for- I think that was in Tampa. Typically it isn't in my bag, it is around my neck so I put it in one of the bins to go through the scanner.

 

[YesDear]

My camera gear has also been around the world. In the US I periodically get the bag swabbed just because of all the stuff in the bag. In China I had to empty the bag at every airport. I began to realize they just liked to see my camera stuff. I would always get oohs and ahs and nice comments.

 

[My2Girls66]

My camera gear has also been around the world. In the US I periodically get the bag swabbed just because of all the stuff in the bag. In China I had to empty the bag at every airport. I began to realize they just liked to see my camera stuff. I would always get oohs and ahs and nice comments.

The Lviv, Ukraine airport was one place I should have had my camera in my camera bag. I was hoping to take photos of the landscape while close to landing but of course no electronic devices and then when getting off the plane on the tarmac it was too tempting totake a photo of my mom and dad getting off the plane, the guard waved his finger at me and said no photo, at least he had a smile on his face though his back would have been in the photo. Then walking into the airport I was tempted again to take a photo of part of the building, it looked cool, said Lviv on it and had some statues, again as soon as I went to pick my camera up a guard came over and said no photo, again he was very friendly, told me he didn't mind but his boss would be mad. So now I finally get the hint. Put the dslr down and leave it down. Then I thought, hmmm a very small p&s would have been much less conspicuous but I wouldn't want to be stuck in a Ukrainian prison for taking photos of the airport.

 

[networktek]

ive never had a problem flying with my dslr or lens or flash they only ask to see my laptop and portable hardrive