Traveling with digital camera?

[Edmund]

Whenever I traveled with my old film camera I put my film in x-ray proof lead lined bags and carried my camera around my neck etc. Now for the first time I will be carrying my digital gear. Any thing to look out for when my camera (Nikon D-80) and extra SD cards go thru the airport security scanners?
Eddie

[sosdog]

edmund

I traveled to romania from north carolina an had my camera scanned everytime with everything in it an had no problems. so you should be ok. hope this helps.

[baycruisers]

We just completed a trip to Crete and carried a DS70 and a Canon A710 and went through security and x-rays without incident. X-rays aren't supposed to harm digital components they way they could film. We've never had a problem.

One recommendation: when my wife and I travel together we put all the valuable electronics into one bag. She goes just ahead of me in line at the x-ray machine and waits for the bag to come through. If I'm delayed/searched then she has the bag and it's not sitting out there for someone else to grab in all the chaos you always find at security.

Finally, rather than carry a regular camera bag in Greece I carried an LL Bean messenger-type bag that looks much less like a camera bag and hopefully attracted less attention from potential thieves. It's actually designed for laptops and is nicely padded and has many compartments. It was big enough for lenses and accessories and actually carried better than my Lowepro bag.

[Chuck S.]

Mario, the LL Bean bag sounds like a winner. Do you know the model designation?

[robpendragon]

According to the CompactFlash Association, x-ray scanners at airports will not damage CompactFlash cards but radiation scanning by the U.S. Postal Service may damage them. Because of this warning by the CompactFlash Association regarding mail irradiation by the U.S. Postal Service, it may be preferable to use a commercial service such as FedEx, UPS, or other private carrier as an alternative to mailing Flash storage devices by U.S. mail.:D

[Chuck S.]

Rob, thanks for that info. I wonder how I can get my regular suppliers (amazon.com, B&H Photo, etc.) to not use USPS? Guess I may have to step up in shipping mode (and charges!) to ensure USPS isn't used....

[robpendragon]

I'll search for the article but I read but some or most major post offices are changing there security devices which are safe for these types of storage devices.

[TonyW]

An alternative one that I like is the Lowepro Slingshot. I have the 200AW and it holds all my stuff including my longest (70-300mm) lens. Works really well and looks like a backpack and not a camera bag. Have taken it all over the place and it keeps everything secure but is easy to get at the camera when you want it fast. http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Sling_Bags/Designed_for_Digital/SlingShot_200_AW.aspxTony

[LeeOtsubo]

The best camera bag for theft protection is a diaper bag. It's especially effective if you have the corner of a "diaper" strategically caught in the zipper.

[Chuck S.]

Lee, I'm getting old....but not quite ready for the Depends..... yet....

:D

[Grant]

....but not quite ready for the Depends..... yet....

:D

At my age "Depends" is not something I have any confidence in, I want "ForSures".

--

[Chuck S.]

At my age "Depends" is not something I have any confidence in, I want "ForSures".

--

:D:D

Hi, Grant! How's the new home/province??

:)

[baycruisers]

Mario, the LL Bean bag sounds like a winner. Do you know the model designation?
I think the model I have is no longer made. I picked mine up at a Bean outlet store for about $25. The closest I could find on their web site is below. It looks similar. The current model is called the "Turbo Hauler" bag.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=47995&from=GM&noDept=&guideId=5953&moduleId=502215&feat=502215-dg

[Chuck S.]

I think the model I have is no longer made. I picked mine up at a Bean outlet store for about $25. The closest I could find on their web site is below. It looks similar. The current model is called the "Turbo Hauler" bag.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=47995&from=GM&noDept=&guideId=5953&moduleId=502215&feat=502215-dg

Mario, thanks. Love those Bean outlets! Unfortunately, we don't have one in this neck of the woods. Used to visit the one in Potomac Mills, Virginia quite regularly!

[Grant]

I think the decision of what camera equipment you travel with should depend on the purpose of your trip. Generally my vacations are vacations with the occasional opportunity to take pictures not photographic shoots. What I want and expect on a vacation are great memories not photographic art. That being said, in all cases less is more. So I travel with a camera that fits neatly into a pocket, well a big pocket.

--

[Grant]

:D:D

Hi, Grant! How's the new home/province??

:)


Life is good Chuck ....

--

[Jodi Frye]

Chuck, ask again come mid January ;)

[Chuck S.]

Jodi, people who live in Houston in the summer have no room to gloat....

;)

[Grant]

Chuck, ask again come mid January ;)

Compared to the tropics of Upper New York in the winter I don't think it will be all that bad.

--

[bwolford]

I just returned from a cruise in Europe. My camera and CF cards were scanned at least 2 times a day, sometimes more, usually with images on the cards and I never lost an image. The old film days a re gone.

Travel with confidence.

[Jodi Frye]

Grant, now I'm feeling even more green...just checked average weather temps for NS...you guys are just spoiled all the way around.

Did you get the moped ? :p

[deedeeO]

I'ved traveled cross country many times with my 350D, the mega 70-200 IS f/2.8 lens and others, tripod, monopod and disks, and had no problems...I use a camera backpack that is fully lined and cushy....I bring only what I can fit as a single carry on and kept it by my side the entire trip.

BTW..I do put the tripods and monopods in the checked baggage.

[Berengaria]

When I have my camera in the car I put it in a little padded insulated lunch "box" that the kids take their lunch to school in. Any thief looking in the window would only see my "lunch"....no camera.

[Grant]

Grant, now I'm feeling even more green...just checked average weather temps for NS...you guys are just spoiled all the way around.

Did you get the moped ? :p

Smile ... so you found out our well kept secret ....

I will be getting it end of the month! So when are you coming out for a ride? I will even get you a brain bucket and a derogatory t-shirt. Should be a blast!

--

[Wags374]

The best camera bag for theft protection is a diaper bag. It's especially effective if you have the corner of a "diaper" strategically caught in the zipper.


Lots of truth to that! A friend left her diaper bag with purse inside at the zoo. It was turned in and nothing inside was touched! Maybe I'll keep the diaper bag around a little longer. :)

[Chuck S.]

I think it works well for you youngsters....

However, there's something ever so suspicious about an old geezer carrying a diaper bag with no grandchildren in sight....

:rolleyes:

(Lee: re old geezer...I'm referring to someone of my vintage, not yours!

:)

[Wags374]

Of course a lot of diaper bags these days don't scream "diaper bag" so maybe that wouldn't work so well - no matter what the age, or gender of the person carrying it. :)

I think I will stick with keeping the camera in a big pocket.

[Edmund]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. So now if I got it straight......." Diaper bags are not affected by the airport scanner and theives just love old fashioned camera bags and don't forget to pack a box lunch. Got it.
Eddie

[LeeOtsubo]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. So now if I got it straight......." Diaper bags are not affected by the airport scanner and theives just love old fashioned camera bags and don't forget to pack a box lunch. Got it.
Eddie

one last pointer: Don't confuse the contents of the diaper bag with the contents of the lunch box!:D

[JulieM]

Edmund: Don't know if this will be of any help, but here (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/airport/) is a link to an article about traveling with camera equipment. Enjoy your trip!

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Have to admit that I have carried my camera all over the place ... just in the camera bag and I have never had any problems :)

Wendy

[Edmund]

Thanks again every one for all the info and the links.
Eddie