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Traveling with camera gear question


10 years 1 week ago #369077 by Sara Jacobson
We are traveling to Hawaii in 6 weeks and I was wondering about checked in bags.  I'm only bringing my camera around my neck with one lens and wanted to bring another lens, but hiding the lens in my checked in bag.  We are traveling very light and I won't have room in my carry on.  Is there any screenings that the TSA does to checked in bags that might damage the lens? 
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10 years 1 week ago #369081 by garyrhook
I think your bigger concern is theft. The TSA is not going to damage anything in your case, but I think that's small consolation.

You are allowed 2 items on-board; you can't squeeze another lens into carry-on luggage, or a slightly larger purse? Or have a travel companion carry it for you?

Me, I would never travel without a camera bag to carry all the stuff one needs: cards, batteries, cleaning tools, etc. I finally figured out that this is why photographers have more than one camera bag.
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10 years 1 week ago #369213 by John Landolfi
+1. DON'T, DON'T, DON'T put your lens in your checked bag! Beside the high likelihood of theft, there's also a high probability of damage. On my last trip, my checked bag suffered an impact strong enough to shatter a plastic bottle packed inside a toiletry bag that was well inside the bag...
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10 years 1 week ago #369269 by Joves
:agree:
With the above statements. Carry on only.
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10 years 1 week ago #369271 by garyrhook

John Landolfi wrote: On my last trip, my checked bag suffered an impact strong enough to shatter a plastic bottle packed inside a toiletry bag that was well inside the bag...


Are you sure it didn't explode from a loss in pressure?
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10 years 1 week ago #369275 by Vespista
Agree with all the above.
Camera gear is precious - Don't let it out of your sight.
If you don't have room in your bag, put lenses into old sport socks and put them in your jacket pocket.
Never check them in.
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10 years 1 week ago #369365 by Stealthy Ninja
Carry it... around your neck?
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www.aevansphoto.com
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10 years 1 week ago #369389 by John Landolfi

garyrhook wrote:

John Landolfi wrote: On my last trip, my checked bag suffered an impact strong enough to shatter a plastic bottle packed inside a toiletry bag that was well inside the bag...


Are you sure it didn't explode from a loss in pressure?


Iam. That same bottle had made countless air trips without "exploding". Do you believe such impacts are a
rare? 
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10 years 1 week ago #369443 by garyrhook

John Landolfi wrote:

garyrhook wrote:

John Landolfi wrote: On my last trip, my checked bag suffered an impact strong enough to shatter a plastic bottle packed inside a toiletry bag that was well inside the bag...


Are you sure it didn't explode from a loss in pressure?


Iam. That same bottle had made countless air trips without "exploding". Do you believe such impacts are a
rare? 


I've seen baggage handlers be none too gentle with luggage. While luggage compartments are usually pressurized, they're not always. I've retrieved my luggage on occasion and it's been quite cold when it shouldn't have been. So I just had a thought and asked.
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10 years 6 days ago #369787 by Baydream
I use a carry-on sized photo backpack as my carry-on. You are usually allowed one carry-on and one personal item (purse, laptop case, etc.) Be creative.
Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-g-schickler.html?tab=artwork
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9 years 11 months ago #372296 by Jared-Weaver
You're better off doing 1 of 2 things in this situation. 

1. Drop some cash on a camera bag. Even an expensive bag is only a fraction of the cost of a stolen or damaged lens. 

2. Buy a hard case if you're insisting on checking your camera gear. You're going to drop a significant amount of cash on one but you can lock it and it's air tight. 

I DO NOT recommend that you try to wrap your gear in your bag. TSA agents have been arrested numerous times for theft numerous times and baggage handlers don't get paid enough to care what happens to your bag when they're moving it. You want to be in full control of all of your valuable gear at all times and there are tons of options when it comes to bags.  
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