Posted by Zack Clothier on February 21, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Does anyone know if the x-ray machines at airports are safe for DSLRs. I am travelling to California in a couple of months and I am worried about my DSLR that will be in my carry-on backpack. The last time I travelled by plane I had a 35mm SLR, so I wasn't concerned about it.
I know there are also restrictions on travelling with lithium. I have 3 lithium batteries for my DSLR, has anybody ran into this problem? Do they have to be stored in checked luggage?
Posted by Guy Tal on February 21, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Files stored on memory cards in (or out of) a DSLRs are not affected by X-Ray machines. You will be perfectly safe.
Guy
Posted by David Bostedo on February 21, 2010 at 12:11 PM
As far as the batteries go, I don't think there's a restriction other than keeping batteries in your carry-on, and not in any checked baggage. You should also have them in cases or otherwise taped or separated. The TSA battery page doesn't mention a limit and there's no other listing for lithium batteries on the site.
I recently traveled to Florida, from Pennsylvania--Took a lot of gear in a photo bag and one DSLR with lens in another carry on bag--- All is safe with the x-rays
including the lap top I was carrying--
But--watch out for this: The personal rushing people thru security were shoving, pushing---etc---etc, so much so that the bag holding the Dslr was forced off the chute--bounced on the floor---
Fortunately the happy ending is happy--- I did report it immediately and they had me inspect the camera on the spot--- Just keep an eye on this cluttered and stressful experience!
Jennifer
Posted by Jim DeWitt on February 21, 2010 at 1:26 PM
I have just returned from a trip Fairbanks - Boulder - Houston - Panama City, Panama - Houston - Seattle - Fairbanks, with an embarrassingly large amount of DSLR equipment. A dozen or more lithium batteries, two DSLR cameras, a wide selection of storage media and a laptop. Apart from a lot of TSA personnel pawing through my camera pack, no problems at all.
Apart from a lot of TSA personnel pawing through my camera pack, not problems at all.
That's been our experience on recent trips. We went a couple of years without hand inspection of our camera bags, and now they get opened, examined, and even rescanned on every departure. Appears to be SOP now, whether large or small gear collections for eight trips since Dec 1.
Oh yeah. Never any problems from scanning that we have found.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on February 22, 2010 at 11:13 AM
No scan problems here either. Funny, my 5D2 with a 70-200mm is easily 6 pounds... I could konk somebody on the head with it and do serious damage. But that went through no problem. Guess what TSA confiscated on me?? My tiny jewelers screwdriver. I completely understand.
(DISCLAIMER: I shoot landscapes with my gear, not hit anyone with it!)
Posted by Dave Flaig on February 23, 2010 at 1:40 AM
Paul,
Don't put things in their heads... A joke like this at an airport will put you in the slammer!
I've seen it happen several times in the last few years.
Ignorance is bliss... Let's keep it that way!
Dave
Posted by Larry Puckett on February 23, 2010 at 12:50 PM
While it is not a problem in US airports since they use relatively low levels, you do have the right to request a hand inspection of any bags and equipment that you do not want to pass through the x-ray machine. Just allow plenty of time for them to do this manually--Larry
Discussion
8 repliesI know there are also restrictions on travelling with lithium. I have 3 lithium batteries for my DSLR, has anybody ran into this problem? Do they have to be stored in checked luggage?
Guy
including the lap top I was carrying--
But--watch out for this: The personal rushing people thru security were shoving, pushing---etc---etc, so much so that the bag holding the Dslr was forced off the chute--bounced on the floor---
Fortunately the happy ending is happy--- I did report it immediately and they had me inspect the camera on the spot--- Just keep an eye on this cluttered and stressful experience!
Jennifer
That's been our experience on recent trips. We went a couple of years without hand inspection of our camera bags, and now they get opened, examined, and even rescanned on every departure. Appears to be SOP now, whether large or small gear collections for eight trips since Dec 1.
Oh yeah. Never any problems from scanning that we have found.
(DISCLAIMER: I shoot landscapes with my gear, not hit anyone with it!)
Don't put things in their heads... A joke like this at an airport will put you in the slammer!
I've seen it happen several times in the last few years.
Ignorance is bliss... Let's keep it that way!
Dave