How do you take your camera when flying?

[rosapearl]

First time to fly (Louisiana to Pennsylvania) and was wondering do y'all carry your cameras onboard with you or pack it in your luggage?

Also, do the airport x-ray machines harm CF cards?

Thanks for any info

[Glenn NK]

There is absolutely no way in the world that I would check my gear.

I carry it on - always.

Well, one small exception - I pack the tripod because it's not much use on the airplane.

Glenn

[Manfred M]

Absolutely with me on the flight. I don't put anything like cameras, lenses, laptops in my luggage. I have a small carbon-fibre tripod that I strap to my camera case and that goes on the plane with me. My large tripod is too large to go in the carry on, so if I take it, it has to be checked. In most places Li-on batteries (the ones used in your camera, cell phone and lap top) must go in your hand luggage. No, X-rays have no affect on any type of memory card.

[Scott Stephen]

Yep. I would never ever check my good camera stuff. Never ever. Never.

[Val Mansfield]

I fly tens of thousands of miles each year and my camera is always with me.

Pack nothing in your check-in luggage that will lead to tears if it is lost.

[Glenn NK]

I fly tens of thousands of miles each year and my camera is always with me.

Pack nothing in your check-in luggage that will lead to tears if it is lost.

Yes - or tears or remorse if broken.

Did you ever see luggage fall off the wagon that takes it to/from the airplane? Ugly.

[Shadowman]

First time to fly (Louisiana to Pennsylvania) and was wondering do y'all carry your cameras onboard with you or pack it in your luggage?

Also, do the airport x-ray machines harm CF cards?

Thanks for any info

Carryon or it doesn't go, and the cards will withstand the x-ray machines.

[drjuice]

I'm in the crowd with the folks who say, "If it doesn't fit in the carryon, it doesn't go!" The lone exception is the tripod because some TSA people won't allow even carbon fiber tripods in the cabin. So, I put it in the checked luggage or FedEx it to the hotel or the house/office of a friend or family member who lives in the area where I'm going. It costs about $45 to ship each direction, but for a $500 tripod, it's worth it and I generally drive so there's no issue.

I generally use a 70-200 zoomer for doing wildflower closeups and take a Zeiss wide-angle lens for the other end of things where I want to do more panoramic things. I do NOT use a macro lens for close-in photography because bees and butterflies don't like us getting too close to the wildflowers where they land.

I yesterday saw an image made by a wildflower photographer who was photographing a flower when a bee landed on it. She now has a perfectly focused picture of a bee butt. That's my next ambition! ;~)

v

[rosapearl]

Thanks everyone!! I will keep my camera with me. I don’t need a tripod so that is one less worry. Appreciate everyone's input.

[stuck]

NEVER check your camera. It takes a special kind of stupidity to ignore this advice. I know because despite never, ever, checking my camera in, for some bizarre reason I did it - once.

The camera came out the other in end in a very sorry state. :weep:

Ken

[Andrew1]

At least two Canadian government studies that I am aware of have pointed out we have more to be concerned about regarding the character of the airport staff, bagage and ground crews than we do about terrorists. Take it with you. Also learn to protect it at your destination. Sling bags in particular pose an easy target and some do come with a steel cable in the strap. Check around the web and you will find lots of suggestions from seasoned travelers.

http://pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_ro...n=detail&id=93
http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...gear-c-34.html

[rpcrowe]

Amen! to never checking equipment as luggage. The exception is a tripod or monopod. Whether or not that equipment is allowed as carry-on gear seems to depend on the discretion of the security pesonnel.