Airport scanners and digital SLRs

[epp_b]

I'll be making a short trip soon and I want to bring my D40 + lens[es] (soon to be the proud new owner of a Nikkor 55-200mm DX VR/IS/ED ).

Does anyone have experience with bringing their DSLRs + Lenses through airport security theatre? Particularly, with the x-ray machines? Do they ask you to take your camera out of the bag? Should I leave a lens attached to the body or just leave them both detached?

[Hidden_Hunter]

my dad's never had any trouble with his in years and years of travvelling with it. Occasionally you maybe asked the open the bag but not usually. Doesn't really matter if you leave the lense on or not (personally I recommend travvelling with the lens and body seperate)

[watto]

I've never had any problem with my DSLR in any country in any airport.

But I do separate the lens from the body...

[epp_b]

Thanks, guys.

[matt2000]

I took my D40 through in my bag as hand luggage, went through the scanner here and in Palma without any problems. So did my PSP, which surprised me because they're supposed to be cracking down on MP3 players and the likes.

[Speedtouch]

Originally Posted by matt2000

So did my PSP, which surprised me because they're supposed to be cracking down on MP3 players and the likes.

Why would they be 'cracking down' on MP3 players?

[matt2000]

Originally Posted by Speedtouch

Why would they be 'cracking down' on MP3 players?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected...airport110.xml

[epp_b]

That is bad and incorrect reporting (though, apparently, that's to be expected of UK media). It has nothing to do with the airport security [theatre], it's customs that is doing this. It will have no effect if you not traveling internationally.

[Cosworth]

Often bring my two steel cases onboard with me and never had a problem. Have heard horror stories about memory cards and metal detectors though, so make sure you keep them seperate from you if your passing through one.

[nomix]

I always keep the bag out. Getting it out if they want to have a look at it takes a looot of time, and taking the camera bag out of your backpack/suitcase before security is always less stressful than doing it AT security, which on the other hand almost always is a blody irritating prospect. If you keep it in the suitcase/whatnot, be sure to have it easily available.

[Jmiller]

Originally Posted by Cosworth

Often bring my two steel cases onboard with me and never had a problem. Have heard horror stories about memory cards and metal detectors though, so make sure you keep them seperate from you if your passing through one.

Proof of these horror stories? Xrays are not strong enough to affect SOLID STATE media. They are not magnetic at all, read how solid state media works. It is a good idea though when your coming back from a trip to keep your cards that have your photos on them on your person because you never know what could be stolen at an airport

Back to the original post. I have never had a problem caring my DSLR through an airport. I have only had to remove it once from the bag when going through Canada. They took it an looked the glass in the lens to make sure there was nothing in there. I would suspect people had been putting drugs in dummy lenses or something. It pissed me off because the person had no respect for my gear and treated it poorly. Other than that no problems.

[vikiradTG2007]

I've just come back from the UK and put my bag, with my camera and memory card in it, through the X-ray control machine, at the departure. All the photos are still there.

[epp_b]

I have only had to remove it once from the bag when going through Canada. They took it an looked the glass in the lens to make sure there was nothing in there. I would suspect people had been putting drugs in dummy lenses or something. It pissed me off because the person had no respect for my gear and treated it poorly. Other than that no problems.

I think it was probably customs that did this to you, not airline "security" and customs is even worse because they don't even know what rights are, let alone how to treat your personal property with respect.

[otispunkmeyer]

i recently got pulled up with my camera in berlins schonefeld airport.

i think it was mostly because i had it in a bag, inside my hand luggage along with my flash and im guessing it didnt quite look right when it went through the x-ray machine because everything was so bunched up.

they had a peek inside, but nothing more. they didnt ask me to get everything out.

[Cosworth]

Originally Posted by Jmiller

Proof of these horror stories? Xrays are not strong enough to affect SOLID STATE media. They are not magnetic at all, read how solid state media works.

Before jumping down my throat, try reading my post again, I said memory cards and METAL DETECTORS