Cameras on planes

D

damonb

Well-known member
I'm taking the D90 on a little trip tomorrow, and I was tossing up whether it should be baggage or hand luggage.

I worry that my baggage will be brutally zapped and flung around for fun before it's stowed.

I worry that if it's hand luggage the terrorist-seeking midichlorians in the check-in x-ray will
fry the little D90's heart.

In short, I've never taken a digital camera on a plane. What do you people normally do?

Just tell me I'm paranoid, and engaging in magical thinking, and that those x-rays can't do anything to a digital camera, and I'll be happy.
 
I carry most of my gear in my photo backpack. And that is a carry on. I never check in any bag with electronics. Its kind of big and heavy though it fits the size limit. Though it weighs 40lbs.

I have a little bag too, its kind of like a reporters bag but it carries the d90 and grip with an attached lens and room for 2 small lenses or a lens and a flash.

When I saw my bag going through the x-ray, I looked at the screen and there were just staring at it. I was too as I never saw so much white on the screen. Most of my filters showed as a solid circle. Though its not going to mess with any of the internals by going through the x-ray. People do it all day and I never heard of a problem. And your not using film so you dont have to worry about your pictures being destroyed.

I pulled out the camera on the plane plenty of times and even took pictures around the airport. You'll be fine. Good luck and have fun!
 
Backpacks are the way to go to get a lot of stuff carried on. When you're lined up, all they see are the straps. You don't even need a "photo" backpack, just wrap your camera in some of the clothes you're taking or a towel.

I traveled all over as a still shooter and often checked grip gear, but never my bodies and lenses. Most employees are pretty understanding - they see a big body with a motor grip and their attitude is usually, "yeah, I wouldn't check that!"

When I take vacations, I can't live without a guitar. I got an inexpensive Taylor acoustic and a soft case with backpack straps. The stew-waitresses never seem to "see" it as a guitar, just a backpack.

I still remember when I had a really bad injury to one of my hands (lost most of a finger in fact). Having your arm wrapped in a huge bandage even gets you in the "early boarding" line - guess you could consider a fake cast if you're really worried!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top