HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
Hi all,
In a week or two I am leaving for Boca Raton, Florida on a family vacation. I am planning to bring my Camera gear (7D + 300 f/4L IS and maybe a rented lens) on the aircraft (carry-on). I am going to buy a Crumpler backpack (Whickey & Cox) to carry my gear. As I have never taken my gear on a plane, I have a few questions that I hope someone can answer for me:
1. Will my camera gear trip security at customs? Anything I should do to prevent this?
2. Is it possible for my gear to be confiscated for a specific reason?
3. What precautions should I take to make sure everything's "hunky dory"?
4. Am I just being overcautious?
thanks to all in advance for help. much appreciated [H]
brendan
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
photojournalists do it all the time your good no worries haha i have done it over ten times now as a teenager haha i sent my caera bag right through x-rays and they are aware its camera gear and nothing else if they search it its not a big deal you will be on your way shortly... no worries at all
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
You shouldn't have any problems. The TSA folk will probably want you to take a picture with your camera just to ensure it is a camera. I have never had any problems.
Larry
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheRoff
You shouldn't have any problems. The TSA folk will probably want you to take a picture with your camera just to ensure it is a camera. I have never had any problems.
*phews* Now I can take a load off. Thank goodness, I can't wait to get to those Florida birds!
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
no problem whatsoever. Just pack it right so that when it goes to overhead compartment and it moves about , it does not get smashed by someone else's bag. When I go out of the country I do get special custom forms so that I have no problems clearing customs and getting my equipment back to US without paying custom duty taxes. But that is not your problem here.
Have fun and do not forget to share your pictures here[:D]
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
Quote:
Originally Posted by BES
Have fun and do not forget to share your pictures here[img]/emoticons/emotion-2.gif[/img]
Thanks BES. I'll make sure to post some of me shots :)
OK, now, any suggestions for a lens rental from lensrentals.com?
I am looking for a lens to complement my 300 f/4 for general purpose. I was thinking maybe 70-200 f/4 IS?
thanks,
brendan
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
Quote:
Originally Posted by bburns223
1. Will my camera gear trip security at customs? Anything I should do to prevent this?
From my experience, no. All you need to do is get the bag cleared by X-ray (along with all carry-on items, watches, etc.). Just be sure of what you pack in your camera bag.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bburns223
2. Is it possible for my gear to be confiscated for a specific reason?
As long as you don't break any rules/laws, no. Just be kind to airport staff, and be considerate of others if you plan to shoot images while you are in the airport or on the plane - I recently shot some pictures out of the window of our plane on a vacation last summer without any problems.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bburns223
3. What precautions should I take to make sure everything's "hunky dory"?
All I think you should do is make sure your camera bag contains no restricted items - Be careful with camera cleaners/sprays, and pay good attention to TSA Rules and Regulations.
So in general, make sure your bag contains no cleaners or sprays that may be restricted. Be kind and considerate of others with which you travel. And most importantly, enjoy your trip! [:)]
PS:
Quote:
Originally Posted by bburns223
4. Am I just being overcautious?
Not at all - I think this advance planning will save you lots of time and unecessary frustration at the airport.
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
By the way, if your gear is extra impressive (lots of big lenses, big bodies, etc.), you may get the stare of glory from security personel. Trust me - It feels pretty good. [;)]
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
Quote:
Originally Posted by crosbyharbison
I wish! My budget unfortunately is WAAAYYY less than that. Maybe $130.
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
Quote:
Originally Posted by bburns223
Quote:
Originally Posted by BES
Have fun and do not forget to share your pictures here[img]/emoticons/emotion-2.gif[/img]
Thanks BES. I'll make sure to post some of me shots :)
OK, now, any suggestions for a lens rental from lensrentals.com?
I am looking for a lens to complement my 300 f/4 for general purpose. I was thinking maybe 70-200 f/4 IS?
thanks,
brendan
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Gosh...for me this is an easy one....depending what you are going to be shooting... last time I flew I took my 10-22mm, 50/1.4 (for low light indoor) and 70-200 L IS. It was a lot, but i did a lot of serious shooting so I felt like I needed them all (or at least at that time I thought I would). But if I went just for sight-seeing, I honestly would get something like 18-200 (I do not own this one) and 50/1.4 or 50/1.8 for low light indoor. and great portraits This would limit the weight and fuss with lens changing and would allow me to enjoy just snapping decent pictures while having fun. Life is too short for hauling too much stuff when on vacation.
Whatever lens you pick, you will not regret...sometimes I find if I am stuck with just one lens, it makes me more creative and just move more, not a biggie. frankly, sometimes I feel like I could shoot with my 50/1.4 forever [:D]
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
Hi Brendan,
Just to confirm, you should have not problems - just put the bag through the X-ray machine with everything else, and don't have any liquid lens cleaner, etc., in there. On my last trip, TSA didn't bat an eye as my Lowepro Flipside 400AW went through, with body, flash, mini-tripod, and 4 lenses.
Have a great trip!
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
bburns: since you mostly shoot birds/wildlife, I would reccomend getting something longer than your 300. If you want versatality, then get the 100-400. You will enjoy the extra length once you get down there! Have fun!!
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
Brendan, I sure hope that you're not planning on taking pictures of "snowbirds!!!" There's an awful lot of them in Florida!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowbird_%28people%29
Re: HELP! Can I bring my camera gear on a plane?
Quote:
Originally Posted by bburns223
I am looking for a lens to complement my 300 f/4 for general purpose. I was thinking maybe 70-200 f/4 IS?
Depends on what you mean by 'general purpose'. On a crop body, the best general purpose lens IMO (and Bryan's too) is theCanon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens. Also, it's on your 'wish list' - if you haven't rented it yet, why not try it out? The 17-55mm is on my camera most of the time - it's great for indoor shots, landscapes, family shots, etc. Personally, I think you'll be limited with the 70-200mm by the lack of anything wider than 70mm. You've got the long end covered with your 300mm prime. Depending on how long your trip will be, with a budget of $130 you might be able to rent both the 17-55mm and the 70-200mm f/4 IS.
