airports and dvx100 /equipment

E

edgareleditor

New member
just wondering if anyone know if theres anything i can do to make this easier heres how im traveling onboard:

kata hb 206
dvx100
2 laver mics and everything that includes antennas etc
2 regular mics
little tv monitor
duck tape now that im writing this maybe ducktape not a good idea?
tapes
various cables
also as a second carryon a small laptop.

i havent traveled internationally since 1997 and this time im taking all this
equipment. im going out of L.A.
I appreciate the help from you seasoned travelers thanks.
 
If everything you would like to take as carry-on can not be taken to the plane, pack it as checked baggage. If you are flying between civilized places loosing the luggage is not very likely.

As carry-on: absolutelly essential and/or expencive gear.
As checked: non-essential, replaceable, bulky, cheap, redundant gear.

It is also possible to carry small items in your pockets (mics?). One camera is also permited, at least it used to be, so maybe you can carry the DVX100 bare if the Kata is getting full?

It is possible that the new rules prohibit taking radio mics as carry on (no radio transmitters = walkie-talkies, but radio mics might be interpeted as such).
 
I dread the day I have to take my XL2 to the airport or anything like that. I'm gonna be an absolute nervous wreck and they'll probably strip search me because ill be hanging onto the bag as if it were a detonation device lol. Ah well ill have to deal when the time comes but until then, good luck with that stuff folks.

My god I hate the airport. :/

- Kyle
 
I have passed on info about travelling internationally several times and will do it one more for you my friend.
1.-Call your airline ahead and check with their regs.
2.-Don't pack anything unnecessary in your carry on ...like gaffer tape
3.-Make sure your batteries for everything are fully charged.
4.-have a plan "b" like Fedex next day or A Clydsdale or Pelican case for anything you can't carry.
5.-Arrive early and be polite and professional with everybody.
6.-If you are going to "work" in a foreign country have the documents necessary to do so and that could mean letters from production companies,visas or invitations from people. Check with both your embassy/consulate and the visiting one before going.
7.-Consider "special baggage" handling for your tripod and other large gear.
8.-Insure everything and get the names of local rental houses and send an email to a local television station letting them know you are shooting in the area. It sometimes comes in handy when you need contacts.
9.-If you are travelling with a laptop, back everything up on dvd and carry and operating system .
10.- Be low key ...carry a language book and remember your camera and gear are only worth thousands...your life is priceless

There are probably a dozen things I forgot but go safely...
 
take only what u need.... last time i just took my cam...everything the client rented, lights, mics, tripod..etc.
 
I took my dvx100a with me as a second carry on item. I gave my tripod, which had my microphone in the case as well, to my uncle who took it on as his second carry on item. We didn't have any problems with anything. I carried my digital camera in with my regular carry on bag too.

When I fly, I try to keep expensive things (i.e. cameras) with me at all times. There's no way I'm going to lose my carry on stuff.
 
I've had no problem bring my AG-DVC30 with XLR adapter, mic and all the rest of the gear through security. I highly recommend a Pelican Case which where I put everything. I packed my tripod diagonally in my large checked bag and packed all my clothes around it for protection. I didn't have any trouble. Just remember when you roll up the security point, be prepared to take your camcorder bag/case all apart and put each individual item through the x-ray machine. If you don't they will take your bag, single you out, and then let the uneducated rip a part your bag worth thousands and dealing with that whole situation.
 
Camera equipment and airports, man what a bad match...
I was flying to India last summer and we had to go through austria. I had a major problem with my monopod. First, from Amsterdam to Vienna was not a problem, could carry it with me in my hand bagage, but then, from Vienna to Dehli it suddenly was a big problem. I couldn't put it in my checked bagage anymore, since I checked that in Amsterdam. So eventually I had to give the monopod to a crew member who stored it in a 'safe' place on the airplane...
Oh, and by the way, the reason why I couldn't bring it in was: It could be just as a stick, to hit people with... Unbelievable...
Good luck anyway, and as was said before, stay nice, no matter how frustrated you are... Man, I almost used the monopod as a stick, just because of all the hassle...
 
saturnin said:
take only what u need.... last time i just took my cam...everything the client rented, lights, mics, tripod..etc.
Click to expand...
This is really good advice. There is really no need to carry on a monopod or anything else that can make people or airline staff nervous. The main concern is to get your camera and fragile equipment to the location undamaged. And often rental will be cheaper than the cost of extra baggage charges. But travelling with your camera is not such a big deal.
See the world....tell stories..help everyone understand everyone else better and travelling with your camera will not be such a hassle in the future or maybe for your kids its won't be..(end of rant)
 
In addition to insurance, which is a must, try and have recepts for your equipment and customs clearance so you don't get hassled on your return. I took 2 DVX's and 2 SLR's with lenses, mics and batteries on a HB-207 and had it all cleared through customs on my way out so they wouldn't think I was bringing equipment into the country on my return and also to prove to your visiting country that you are not introducing it to that country with the intention of selling/gift etc... I didn't get hassled but better to be safe than sorry and having to pay an illegitimate tax.

By the way I had no problems with the airlines and the HB-207. It fits nicely into the over head on any 737 and up...

hope that helps and good luck!
 
All good advice... I'll add that for goodness sakes, ditch the Duck-Tape and get some real gaffers tape! (But don't bother carying it on the plane. :) )

- Mikko
 
since it's this topic I have a question as well.

when you go through the security and all your equipment goes through that X-ray thing at airports. does that effect your equipment in anyway?
does the minidv tapes or film get any weired signals?

because I had 35mm film go throught that X-ray thing once and the film got defected.
I wasn't sure if it was because of the X-ray or just how the film was developed...
 
i haven't had any problems. i've had my camera bag with tapes scanned many times and my tapes have been fine. just remember to take out your DVX just like you would your laptop, otherwise security gets pissy!
 
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