How To Travel With Your Expensive Camera

In this article you will learn:

• How to travel with your expensive (or inexpensive) camera gear
• What camera gear you should pack
• The best way to get through TSA
• How to keep you and your gear safe

Travel season is just around the corner. For the first time in what seems like

forever, the first thing at the top of packing list is your camera. Although it

might be a little dusty from a few years of neglect your camera will once

again capture smiling faces instead of non-descript blue masks when you

see your friends and family.

The mere thought of getting up before dawn to capture blue hour photos, city
scapes or just milling around to catch breath taking landscapes at sun down is
enough to excite any photographer.

But before any of this can happen it’s critical to get your gear from where you
are to where you’re going. With a little advanced planning the process is easy.

In this article, we’ll give you tips for keep your camera equipment in one piece
while you navigate the rigors of life on the road.

Traveling with expensive camera gear

 Whether you’re a weekend photophile or an accomplished professional, the

basics of getting your camera gear from here to there is essentially the same.

Before you head out the door, it’s a good idea to make sure that all your
camera equipment is working. If you haven’t used your camera in a while
check to make that it’s easy to switch lenses, test your flash attachments, make
sure your batteries work, and check the sensor to make sure you don’t have
any dust spots. If you see some spots a gentle cleaning should do the trick.

If you don’t already have one, pick up a backpack specifically made for
carrying cameras. The backpack should have enough compartments for the
camera body, a couple of lenses, flash attachments and other miscellaneous
items. Your camera and lenses should fit snuggly. If you aren’t convinced that
your camera is being swaddled, keep looking. When it comes to camera bags,
snug is key.

What camera gear should you pack?

When you have an expensive camera you probably also have a lot of gear to
pick from so it’s tempting to overpack. As any experienced photographer will

tell you, camera stuff is heavy and you probably won’t use half of what

you tote along.

Keep it simple. Pack your favorite camera, a couple of versatile lenses, perhaps
a tripod if you plan to shoot landscapes, some batteries, memory cards and
your cleaning kit, and you’re good to go.

Getting through airport security

It’s never a good idea to check your camera equipment at the airport but
sometimes things go astray. Complicating matters is if you’re in boarding
group M you have no chance of finding space in an overhead bin nor the foot
space in front of you. Do you check your camera gear at the door and pray that
it survives?

That’s a tough call but if you explain to the flight attendant that you have some
seriously expensive camera equipment in your bag and you don’t want it
rattling around in the belly if at all possible you might win a sympathy vote.

A flight attendant might take pity on you and store it alongside the crew’s
baggage but you better come up with a new strategy before your next segment
because you’re only going to get lucky once.

Don’t wrap a camera in clothing

It’s tempting to wrap a coat around your camera, stuff your lenses in some
socks and throw everything in a duffle bag. But let’s face it, nothing good can
come from taking that approach. One oopsie by someone who comes into
accidental contact with your bag and you’ve just became the proud owner of a
pile plastic and glass. Don’t do that. Find a way to protect your camera
equipment and keep it with you inside the cabin.

Professional photographers travel with their super expensive cameras and
equipment and it’s a lot like moving house. Some pros travel with up to three
industrial strength suitcases, a half-dozen or so expensive cameras, a dozen or
more lenses, audio and video equipment, and much more. Three carrying
cases can easily weigh a combined 175 pounds.

Pros tend to send their equipment ahead and use companies like Fed Ex for
tracking purposes. Hotels are accustomed to receiving and securing bulk
items for guests who have not yet arrived. If you plan on taking more than a
backpack full of camera equipment you might consider sending your gear
ahead of arrival to avoid the stress of keeping track of your camera
equipment.

Not everyone flies

During the summer months than 55 million people (about half

of all travelers) drive to their vacation destination. It’s a sure bet

that most of your stuff will end up in the trunk and not

in the car cabin.

Trunks get hot. Inside temperatures can reach over 170 degrees when hit by
direct sunlight. That’s hot enough to damage camera sensors, tweak plastic,
and crack lenses. Keep your camera in the car when driving and take it with
you at pit stops.

How to keep you and your camera safe

You are most vulnerable when you’re shooting. You’re focused on getting the
shot, people walk in and out of your frame and the last on your mind is,
“where’s my camera bag?”

If your equipment is worth a small tranche it’s likely that someone nearby has
noticed the quality of your gear. Follow your gut. If something doesn’t feel
right pack up and leave. There will be other once-in-a-lifetime sunsets to
shoot.

If the picture you want will allow, lean against a building, a tree or a post –
anything that gives you a barrier between you and someone who wants your
camera stuff. Wrap the camera strap around your wrist and if your bag needs
to lay on the ground wrap it around your leg.

Friends or family can be your best wingman as you snap pictures. Have them
watch your back or hold the camera bag. Or if you’re flying solo pretend
you’re a koala bear and carry your camera bag around your chest.

Your best protection against thievery might be the most simple. Stick a piece
of electrical tape over the logo on your camera. This will cause doubt

about what you’re shooting in the mind of someone who has designs

on your gear.

Lastly, don’t forget to say cheese.