Checking in your camera

In this age when terrorists threaten to use benign-looking devices (sports drinks, cell phones, and even bottles of baby formula) as explosive devices, photographers should take steps to protect their equipment if they are forced, for security reasons, to check it in rather than carry it on a plane.

While things might eventually ease up, there also could come a time in the not too distant future when things go in the other direction and photographers in the U.S. will also will face partial or complete bans on carry-on luggage. This would mean you would have no choice but to check through your valuable camera equipment. If you travel with your camera gear, now is the time to prepare, just in case rules suddenly tighten up.

There are several problems with checked-through photo equipment:

1. Careless luggage handlers: Cameras, lenses and gear are sensitive to rough handling, and airport baggage handlers are not exactly known for gentility when handling containers holding fragile content.
2. Stuff gets lost: Lost, missing, or stolen luggage is a fact of life. If that luggage happens to have thousands of dollars worth of camera gear and/or a laptop, the potential financial loss is great. Photographers who’ve experienced this report that most airlines pay a trivial amount if anything if luggage is lost.
3. X-ray machinations: Unlike X-ray machines used to screen passengers and carry-on luggage, those used to scan luggage are strong enough to ruin even moderate-speed film. Here are several solutions to the above problems.

Replacements for carry-on camera bags: Do it yourself

If all you’re bringing is a compact camera, the best protection may be to simply pack it in the middle of your suitcase, protected by soft clothing. For added protection, consider putting the camera in a small hard plastic container along with socks or other clothes to keep it snug, then pack that in the middle of your clothing. The tighter you pack, the less likely it is that the camera will be jostled.

You could also simply take your camera bag, filled with your equipment, and stuff it as tightly as possible into your checked-in luggage. It might work. But it’s risky, since most luggage is designed to protect clothing, not sensitive optics and electronics.

Hard choices

Most seasoned pros who are used to checking in their equipment agree: a hard case with foam inserts or dividers that hold equipment snugly is essential. Many of these cases are watertight–something that’s not necessary but seems to be a part of the typical “rugged case” package. They may be made of plastic or aluminum. Ironically, for more casual photographers carrying less gear, the best of these cases may be the ones classified as “carry-on sized.”

Soft gadget bags or backpacks may be great for carrying equipment once you’ve reached your destination, they sadly won’t offer enough protection against being knocked around, dropped, or thrown by baggage handlers who are too busy and not paid enough to care about treating your gear the way you would.

While there are many other hard cases in both aluminum and plastic, here are several we like.

Doskocil Designer Case with Foam Insert, Medium(Approx. $32.95)

If you have a single SLR or EVF camera and perhaps small flash or additional lens, this 9.5×12.75×5.5-inch plastic case may be just enough for your gear. It includes a cubed foam interior; to fit your camera, simply remove enough cubes in the right shape so your gear fits snugly. The cases’s small dimensions mean you could actually pack it inside a regular suitcase for even more protection. Measure your gear carefully to make sure it will fit.

An alternative is the Pelican 1150 Watertight Hard Case. Measuring 9.75×7.75×4.5 inches, it comes in several different colors, is water resistant and can float, and is available for about $23.95 including a foam insert. However, right now availability is spotty due to high demand.

Pelican 1450 Hard Case(approx. 73.95 with foam insert)

This case is designed for photographers carrying an SLR and a handful of lenses or accessories. Made of high-impact copolymer material, and lined with high-density foam padding that can be custom-adjusted to fit the shape of your equipment, at 16x13x6.8 inches the Pelican 1450 has enough room to handle typical enthusiast rigs as well as photojournalist gear for pro photographers who travel relatively light. It’s around the size of a largish briefcase, so it’s not too bulky.

Pelican 1510 Carry-On Watertight Hard Case(Approx. $123.95 with foam insert and wheels)

Pelican 1510 is, ironically, designed as carry-on luggage–its measurements (20.2×11.4×7.5 inches) meet the FAA’s maximum carry on size–but the fact that it is so strongly built means both the case and its contents should be able to hold up to the rigors that checked-in luggage go through. It is dust- and waterproof, courtesy a neoprene o-ring seal. That may be overkill but better to be a little overprotective when it comes to your gear. Besides, we like the convenience of having the handle and wheels. All Pelican cases have a lifetime guarantee–you break it, Pelican will replace it. The case can hold a couple of cameras, several lenses and accessories, so even if you’re used to carrying a more serious rig onboard, you can feel safer about the status of your equipment in the cargo hold.

Lowepro Omni Trekker Extreme Waterproof Hard case(Approx. $292.95)

This case is designed for serious traveling pros. One of the issues with checking cameras through is: what do you do with the camera bag you intend to use to carry the camera once you land? LowePro solved this on elegantly, fitting it’s Omni Trekker backpack/shoulderpack in a waterproof Pelican case. It has plenty of segmented areas to hold serious hobbyist and pro gear but is designed specifically to be checked through. Measuring 20.5×8.5×16.75 inches, it can accommodate up to two SLRs, 6-8 lenses and accessories, or a medium- or large-format camera system. Access is easy, even when stored in the hard case. And it’s waterproof–again, something you hopefully won’t need on a plane.

Insurance

Airlines lose luggage. That’s a fact of life, and it’s one reason why most of us carry our camera equipment on the plane. If you’ve spent your hard-earned money on a new, highly talented digital camera, it would be folly not to protect your investment in every way you can. Check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance for a “scheduled coverage” option which, for an additional fee, will pay you if your camera is lost or stolen. Make sure whatever policy you choose will cover the value of your camera. If you have a lot of gear, check with your insurance company to see if you should insure your cameras separately or keep them under an existing plan. The peace of mind is worth it.

X-Rays: What about film?

Film photographers in the U.K. are being encouraged to buy and process film once they arrive at their destination (a tip of the hat to Chris Cheesman of Amateur Photographer). Ultimately, American flyers may need to consider similar steps. But if you must fly with film, there are products available that claim to protect them from the harmful effects of X-ray machines.

Hakuba’s X-Ray Safety Case 1600, for example, is claimed to protect up to 24 rolls of 35mm film up to ISO 1600. These containers are made of lead and the risk is that the X-ray machine operator will see the lead and simply turn up the X-ray power, ruining the film anyway. Other X-ray protection containers are rated for lower ISO’s.

Our advice? Use these for slow film (despite ratings for higher speeds) or if possible, order the film in advance and have it sent to your destination.

For that matter, if you know how to pack your camera equipment for shipping, you actually could ship your gear separately and meet it at your destination. Check with your hotel (if you’re staying at one) and your shipping service to see if this is possible.