DSLR & airport security

[NELLIS FAN]

Have any of you experienced DSLR users had any technical problems with airport security?  Does the x-ray or metal detector cause any problems?  I'm making the jump to the D70 and have a trip coming, obviously I'll ask for a hand check but wanted to know if there are any specific issues to avoid.

Thanks,
Craig

[Tonyz]

None of the machines bother DSLR equipment.  I just leave all the gear in the bag and put it through the machine.  A couple of magazines have done "tests" and have had no problems.

[tvrphoto]

Nope!  Nada, nothin'...gotta love digital!  You can zap 'em as much as you want with X-rays because they're non magnetic and therefore nothing will be harmed.

To be on the safe side however, I make sure that my cards have been cleaned and all images are stored om my laptop's harddrive before travel.  Never had a problem.

[Liza]

Recently went through Minneapolis/St Paul and Vancouver airports with the Rebel 300D and no problems. Cards were blank and removed and batteries were removed just to be safe.

[Larry Grace]

No problems with airport security.  You can feel safe going thorugh airport security with your DSLR and cards.  I have gone thorugh with images on my CF cards, plus backup on my laptop and CD.  No problems with my files.

[NELLIS FAN]

Thanks everyone, I didn't think there would be a problem but wanted to bounce of some of you that had gone digital awhile ago.

Thanks,
Craig

[Pierce]

Craig,
While DSLRs are safe, the same can not be said for film. A friend recently returned from Greece and had seven rolls of film unprotected in her carry on bag. They were all ruined! She has a nice digital camera but is a technophobe and did not feel comfortable going strictly digital. Now she regrets it.

Coming back from Oceana, I was reviewing my Tomcat shots on my laptop on  the flight home and attracted a crowd of people around my seat going, "oooooo aaaah". It sounded like a fireworks display, but was a lot of fun.

--Pierce

[KevinJackson]

seven rolls of film unprotected in her carry on bag. They were all ruined!

Pierce,
I've never had, or heard of normal iso rated film being ruined by the carry-on x-ray machines. The newer powerful hold luggage x-ray will affect the film, maybe she had it in there for the trip out and it was fogged before she used it! I'm sure glad I don't have to lug 50 rolls of slide film through the airport now, instead I have to lug a laptop, but as you say, it is a lot of fun going through your shots straight away.

[tvrphoto]

Something to remember about X-rays are that they are cumulative and they do vary in power based on national or international travel.  If she took an international trip and sent the film through that x-ray twice (once going, once returning), it's almost like sending it through the X-ray 8 times here in the states.  Plus, countries like Greece, Israel, Egypt, etc. have extremely high security measures and are at times the exception to the rule in X-ray safety.

[KL]

countries like Greece, Israel, Egypt, etc. have extremely high security measures and are at times the exception to the rule in X-ray safety.

Given the terrorist activities in recent years, especially post 9/11, I'm sure the security level has been raised substaintully, but I was shocked a few years back (around 2000 I think) going through Cairo international airport that:
1. The only guard on duty was leaning against a wall reading newspaper and his MP-5 submachine gun did not have a magazine clip inserted
2. At one point, unintentionally, thinking maybe I should find some place to sit that is closer to the gate, I was able to walk right past an un-manned X-Ray check-point and right up to the surprised British Airway flight crew about to get into the airplane, they promptly told me I'd better get back to the lunge area and wait for the boarding call, which I did right away.  It wasn't until walking down the same hallway later after the boarding call was made that someonw was at the X-Ray machine

I still shake my head when I think about this experience.

[RichardVM]

While X-rays don't seem to have any ill effects on digital equipment, and little if any effect on film exposed only a couple times, Keep in mind that CF cards and other magnetic media should NOT go through a metal detector. After all, metal detectors are magnetometers using....magnets.

At airports you generally empty your pockets before going through metal detectors, so it shouldn't be a problem, but we all need to be more aware of areas/objects that create magnetic fields. When shooting from the temporary tower between the runways at Nellis, you are right next to one of the more powerful radars on base, and several photogs reported problems with their digital cameras during the last ISAP outing to Nellis.

For those that ride motorcycles, you may or may not realize the spinning wheels can create a magnetic field. A friend of mine learned that the hard way in college when the disk containing his thesis was scrambled when he carried the disk in a pannier next to the wheel.

Richard

[Roger]

A friend of mine learned that the hard way in college when the disk containing his thesis was scrambled when he carried the disk in a pannier next to the wheel.

You sure that wasn't a "the dog ate my homework" case?

 

[Larry Grace]

Richard
any information on CF cards going  through Xray's at the airport. Most reports have shown this to be ok. Did I miss something here.

[LAshooter]

Sounds like a case of Xrays vs. metal detectors.  Xrays fine, metal detectors not so fine.


Kevin

[RichardVM]

Personally I'll just not take any chances. Magnetic media and magnets don't mix well.

Richard