DVX100B and Air Travel

K

krish

Well-known member
Hello, I am a new owner of DVX100b and plan to travel to India next month. I plan to travel with the Camera and bag as carry-on baggage. Do i have to take any special precautions for the X-ray. Is the camera safe in an X-Ray machine?

The other option would be to put the camera in the "check-in" baggage but i am pretty sure they run all the bags through x-rays. Also i wouldnt want to put my expensive camera in the "check-in" baggage.

Please Advise !

Thanks,

-Krish
 
Good plan for taking it as carry-on baggage.
That's what I do.
You shouldn't have a problem with the X-ray.

But make sure you have a battery for it, as they will surely ask you to turn it on so they now it's not a bomb.

-BillP


Woo-Hoo!...I'm a senior now!
 
Thanks, thats a great advise. I will keep the battery but do the airlines ask you not to carry the battiries ? dont they throw it away at the security?

-K
 
I carried mine on delta from Florida to Oregon after 9-11 no one asked me to turn it on. But take a battery anyway I shot some great footage from the plane. I will be using it in a up coming documentary I am producing.
 
Krish,
Been to India on a project and no problems. Gear is alwas carry on. They don't worry about the batteries. Half the time they don't even check the camera. I would be worried about someone stealing it and dirt/grit in the camera. Scratched my 4x4 filter in India. Make sure someone is watching the camera with you. If you go to the Taj Mahal, take the camera. They have places to store them on-site (with locks). You can shoot from the entrance, but not past (I left my camera behind because someone said no shooting). If you want to see some footage, go to:
www.mediaserveinternational.org password: missions

Have fun.
 
FatDaddy: I checked out your footage and...wow!
The more I surf DVXuser and check out what some of you guys are doing the more I'm impressed ... and intimidated.
 
Thanks. You can't go wrong in India. Lots of color and interesting people and places. If your fairly new to filmmaking, get a Netflix account ($9.99 single disc) and watch Doc's. We have just started a Documentary film and discussion group at our church. We are jst gettiing blog together at www.firstfridayfilms.blogspot.com

The power of the visual image and interesting story telling - Doc's rock.
 
Trip to India

Trip to India

FatDaddy, thanks for the good info. Its interesting that you mentioned documentary. I will be in india for a project (software engineer) for about 4 months and I have been thinking about some documentary ideas. I have a few ideas like Temples of South India etc.. I will definitely check out the doc website. Please feel free to share some more ideas that i might shoot in India.

-Krish
 
I would let people know you are a part-time filmmaker and see what comes together with people and the interesting things they do. I went to the large gathering (mala event - aka "Short cut to Nirvana") and was there with an Indian friend. What makes Doc's good (among many things) is the access you gain. Just going, shooting footage, adding narration, can techincally be called a doc, but will not have much power. In http://www.gangesrivertoheaven.com you get inside the people, culture, religion, etc. I have been to the same place. but only shooting from the outside looking in. Don't rush things when you are there. Make friends, enjoy and respect the culture and great stories will flow.
 
I´ve travelled a lot with my DVX100A. On some airports (especially in Europe) your camera will be checked for explosive residue. Be sure to store your camera in a way that makes it easy for you to have it unpacked quickly. You might want to bring your purchase receipt to prove that you didn´t buy the camera in the country you´re leaving (while abroad).
One important thing that may seem trivial: Whenever your camera is being xrayed, watch out for the end of the conveyor belt so your camera doesn´t drop to the floor.

When in India, watch out for sudden temperature and humidity
changes. Always let the camera adapt to the climate for at least half an hour before switching it on (especially if stored in an air-conditioned environment).
If you´re shooting in a high-humidity situation (for example
in the jungle), use a filter and have some microfibre ready to clean away the fog, raindrops or whatever 8-)
 
What about Theft Protection?

What about Theft Protection?

What precautions are available for international travel, such as insurance, theft protection, etc?
I am planning a trip to Europe and this would be helpful. Thank you for all your comments throughout this thread, they have helped.

- C


I posted a similar post elsewhere, and i apologize if you read this twice.
 
I just travelled extensively with my DVX 100B without problems. It stayed in my carry-on. No one asked for its' removal. I was asked to take a camera out last year in Europe, but just so it could be X-ray separately. Like most things there is likely some variation, but in general it passes through without any problem.
 
yeah ive never had a problem and taken the camera through customs to the UK, USA, CANADA, AFRICA, ITALY, etc. They swabbed the camera once or twice, but nothing more.
 
But the Camera is X-ray safe , right ? If they run it through the x-ray machine will it be safe?
 
yes... sorry it always goes through the xray... nothing in there to get messed up, even tapes are ok.
 
Airport

Airport

I travel all the time between NY and Chicago. Although those are domestic flights, i travel often overseas (Israel, England etc). Really depends on who's at security, either way i've had to show my camera a bunch of times...They have never asked to turn it on or anything like that. ALWAYS ALWAYS bring it as carry-on. You never know, plus they throw the check in bags around like garbage. X Ray's dont do any damage (including external harddrives). One word of advice, not entirely related. I've heard horror stories about people (in chicago) going on trains putting their laptops on the ground and their drives are fried, this goes as well with miniDV tapes (which cause total glitches). Because of the magnets/electricity on the bottom of the train. Hope this all helps.

-NS
 
Looks like I might be going to China. Anything I should know about travel to China and shooting there in general. Serial numbers on paper, etc.

Thanks
 
Speaking of carry on. I'm about to get a Pelican or Storm case and I'd like to know what size cases people are getting on as a carry on. Most airlines have a max exterior size stated as 22 x 14 x 9.

The Pelican 1510 is exactly that size and designed for that purpose. But it is heavy and has wheels and a pull out handle which means less inside space.

The 1520 is 19.25 x 15.75 x 7.75. which means is is almost 2 inches too deep. The 1550 which really has enough room for lots of stuff is 20.75 x 17.25 x 8.75 so it is about 3.25 inches too deep. Anybody ever get the 1550 or 1520 on as a carry on?
 
As for taking your DVX on a plain- you'll be fine. I just got back from Germany and there was no problem getting through security. Just make sure you allow extra time for being searched. I was searched every time, and always pulled aside for the cotton swab- checking for bomb residue. So expect to be checked.

Alway bring you camera with you, as stated before, they throw checked baggae around, and I wouldn't want my camera going thought that!

As for what size bag to bring for the carry on, I would recommend checking with whatever airlines you are using. Usually you can find that info at their web site. Even tho there are standards, some air lines are more picky then others - so it is best to check with them. Also besure that it is light enough- even if it is the right size, if it is too heavy they'll make you check it. (If you just have your camera in there you'll be fine.)

I've been using a bag made by O'gio. I think that it was made for skateboarders, but it is an awsome travel bag! It has adjustable shelves, lots of pockets, and a stap on the outside that you can attach your tripod to- all in one easy to carry backpack. (Although if traveling via plain you'll want to check your tripod.)
 
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