Travelling with a DSLR kit

[Simpo Two]

Trying to decide which bits go in the hand luggage and which bits go in the main suitcase.

If I put everything in the hand luggage it will be too heavy and possibly too big as well, so I need to offload some of it into the main suitcase. I know that 'electronic devices' must go in hand luggage and have batteries so they can be shown to work. So can I put the body plus one lens, flashgun + batteries into hand luggage, and the other lenses in the suitcase? What about spare batteries (lithium and AA rechargeable)?

Thanks!

Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 30th June 18:57

[RobDickinson]

The only thing I will check is a tripod.

Everything else gets carried on.

[sgrimshaw]

Electronic devices can go into your hold baggage, as can spare non-lithium batteries.

Spare lithiums should be carefully wrapped so it's not possible for a short to occur and should be in cabin baggage NOT hold baggage.

Details here:

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=2200&p...

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=2200&p...

[Simpo Two]

Thanks. I want to keep the camera with me (to take photos!) and can include lithium batteries, but was wondering if lenses could go in the hold.

Air Transat - who have the final say - say:

'For flights departing from Europe, Transport Canada has adopted security measures regarding electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, etc.). These may be subject to inspection, and non-functioning or uncharged devices may not be permitted on board. It is therefore highly recommended that passengers travel with fully charged electronic devices in order to accelerate the security screening process and avoid any inconvenience.'

So if the scanner shows, for example, a lens or a spare camera body, will it get thrown out?

[sgrimshaw]

Simpo Two said:

So if the scanner shows, for example, a lens or a spare camera body, will it get thrown out?

No, neither from hold or cabin baggage.

I would not consider putting either a lens or a body in the hold though ....

[sgrimshaw]

Just took a look at Air Transat, and for "carry-on" it says:

"1 bag per person. Camera bags, laptops and purses are also permitted."

Under "other" it specifically mentions "laptops" and says:

Quantity 1 per person
Size Standard laptop case
Weight Regular weight
Cost Free of charge
Details The laptop may be carried in addition to a regular-sized carry-on bag.

This would suggest that a camera bag can also be taken in addition to the carry-on bag - best to check with them though

[Simpo Two]

Spoke to Air Transat, very helpful. I can take the camera bag (30 x 24 x 25cm approx) in addition to the carry-on bag, but what I want to do is put it inside the carry-on bag and offload the surplus items. They said that anything I don't want with me can go in the hold (except lithium batteries) but batteries must be removed and wrapped separately.

I think we're there...

[sgrimshaw]

Putting any camera gear in the hold luggage puts it at very high risk of damage or theft.

[_dobbo_]

Christ, I didn't do any of that when travelling recently... But then security were too busy doing a body scan and full body search on my 5 month old son to worry about all the electronics and batteries I had with me!

[Craikeybaby]

As above, I wouldn't put my camera gear in the hold. You can fit a serious amount in a hand luggage sized bag (plus the extra camera bag you are allowed).

[ian in lancs]

Usually carry on a DLSR, and 14-24/16-35, 24-70 and 70-200 cards and all the lithium batteries (normal batts get checked).That just about maxes the weight but don't ever recal it being weighed or size checked (lowepro midsize rucksack - 200 something I think). A second body get checked in as do other lenses, Chargers cleaning stuff et al and a MacBook Air. Never had a problem with hard shell locked cases. If yours are zipped, unlocked, soft shells I wouldn't check-in any valuables!

The only time I am aware my case was opened was Washington, well smashed locks; thanks dickeads! Nothing in there of any value everything like that was in my hand baggage - a roller case....

Edited by ian in lancs on Wednesday 1st July 17:06

[ian in lancs]

What security are doing are scanning laptops, iPads and the like separately and sometimes asking for them to be turned on so they can see they are real! Last Tuesday my DLSR from my backpack referred to above got a second scan and the bag was swabbed for explosives. The swabbing happens a lot. Nerve wracking keeping an eye on everything in a crowded security hall, wallet, watch etc in one tray and the camera bag in another going in different directions and then I ended up with a pat search away from where my gear was heading.I suggest if you're traveling with some one else stagger your transit through the hall.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks all - in the end so there was so little else in my carry-on luggage that I decided to put the camera bag bag in it with all the contents!

[crmcatee]

Too late to the game but I when I travel with mine it's put in a peli case and travels like that.

Every couple of weeks for the past four years mines would make the transatlantic trip between the UK and Calgary, in the hold. It did have a fragile sticker on there but despite their best efforts Air Canada failed to damage anything inside the case.

You can always get a bigger pelicase and use that as a normal suitcase and just put your kit in amongst your clothes

[Thunderace]

I use Air Transat to Canada at least annually and get away with 2x FF bodies, 12-24, 24-70, 70-200, 400, 1.4, 580EX, compact and all memory/filters/batteries/etc. as hand luggage. Also netbook in separate case. Chargers and cleaning stuff goes in the hold.

[Gold]

In my experience weight isn't a problem (if you even get checked), if you open the bag up, show them the expensive contents, and ask if they would risk checking that. If your camera bag is as small visually as it can be it is even less likely to be checked for weight. If all else fails put your cameras with heaviest lenses around your neck.

[_dobbo_]

Gold said:

In my experience weight isn't a problem (if you even get checked), if you open the bag up, show them the expensive contents, and ask if they would risk checking that. If your camera bag is as small visually as it can be it is even less likely to be checked for weight. If all else fails put your cameras with heaviest lenses around your neck.

This completely contradicts my experience where they made me move £3000 worth of camera gear into my hold luggage because my carry on was too heavy.


Tried the "round the neck move", it didn't work, I was basically forced to put it in hold luggage.

Ignoring the fact that it was "health and safety" and 5KG was the limit, when British Airways apparently think 10KG is perfectly healthy and safe...

Suffice to say when I pulled soaking wet lenses and laptop out of my bag on arrival in Africa, I didn't have a warm happy holiday feeling.

[Gold]

Must be luck of the draw then - taken fifteen odd flights over the last three months through Australia, Asia & Europe with 2 DSLRs, MBP and lenses weighing in at 14kg and only issue was solved by pointing out my partner had no hand luggage...

[Craikeybaby]

I've had quite a few long haul flights where my camera bag was heavier than my checked luggage.

[Simpo Two]

Had some time to kill at the hotel and found a PC...!

My camera bag went through as hand luggage without a hitch - but the deodorant I forgot to declare tripped me up a bit, doh. And after all the guff about bag sizes, and me buying one the right size specially, guess what - not a bag checker in sight.

Yesterday was the Calgary Stampede - but it was such a long, blazing hot day I couldn't face taking the DSLR and made do with my tiny Lumix. Which did very well until the battery ran out. Clearly my pro days are over...!

Pleased to report Mrs Ted is safe and well and awaiting her mission