Hi Guys,

Just wnt to ask sana for some pointers on how to take care of your camera esp. when you travel to cold areas like the US. What are the do's and donts. Do I have to perform some sort of maintenance to keep my camera in good shape. thanks!:)

I don't think there's any difference whether you travel to Cubao or to California... Just keep it dry, inconspicous and clean.

Travel Insurance! :p

Well here's one tip TAKE YOUR CAMERA EVERYWHERE WITH YOU!! so that you can take pics like this

http://static.flickr.com/116/302785495_60072c7c5a.jpg?v=0

JAKE VERSOZA I HATE YOU!

Dammit I should've left earlier

P.S. Sorry for the all caps, I can't help it.

I read in a book that in cold places, especially during winter months (which is starting in the U.S. in case that's where you're going), that moisture builds up inside the lens when you're coming from outdoors and going indoors to heated places.

A way to avoid this is to put the camera in a ziplock plastic bag or something similar before you go into an indoor heated place. The moisture will build up in the plastic and not inside the lens.

By the way I'm just wondering regarding airport regulations now on bringing cameras on airports, particularly in U.S. Do they allow you to handcarry one's slr gear? or do you need to check them in?

First of all thanks for all your inputs...

im not sure if something has changed in the regulations. But before I was able to hand carry my N60 together with its camera bag with no problem. Maybe we can wait for others who recently arrived from travel.

If they have rules on checking them in i might have second thoughts on bringing my camera....hehehe

I read in a book that in cold places, especially during winter months (which is starting in the U.S. in case that's where you're going), that moisture builds up inside the lens when you're coming from outdoors and going indoors to heated places.

A way to avoid this is to put the camera in a ziplock plastic bag or something similar before you go into an indoor heated place. The moisture will build up in the plastic and not inside the lens.

By the way I'm just wondering regarding airport regulations now on bringing cameras on airports, particularly in U.S. Do they allow you to handcarry one's slr gear? or do you need to check them in?

Here in Winnipeg (Canada) it gets really cold here in winter. I think the average temp in Philippines in Dec is around 20 degrees celsius, correct me if I'm wrong. Here it's -20 (minus 20 degree celsious). I have no problems with my camera in winter, but mind you I don't usually take pictures outside during winter.

As for airport regulations, check out the US Homeland Security Website regarding travel and airport.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Here's a pdf file that list what you can bring as carry-on luggage.

http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/prohibited-and-permitted-items.pdf

There's no problem bringing cameras in the Airport for handcarry. All you have to do is turn it on when the security people go through your stuff. Just to confrim that it is a camera. the same goes for a laptop. Stock up of dessicants to absorb all the water in the air. bring ziplocs..

Never had any problems hand carrying my gear. Am in Spain now and will be coming back to manila soon. I hope that regulations have not changed in 1 month. Yes, carry a ziploc with you to avoid condensation problems. I also carry a plastic bag and a towel for my camera so i can still shoot when it rains.

There's no problem bringing cameras in the Airport for handcarry. All you have to do is turn it on when the security people go through your stuff. Just to confrim that it is a camera. the same goes for a laptop. Stock up of dessicants to absorb all the water in the air. bring ziplocs..

Just make sure you don't have your card that's full of your recent nudes inside the cam. Might get that card confiscated :D . Joke, lang. Not had a problem carrying my cam set up as a carry on. Never even had to turn it on for the security guards (I only had to do that in the PI when leaving NAIA).

No problem with bringing your camera on board. You may however try to see if they will allow you to bring in all the cables and wires. In some airports, they ask you to put your cables (even for phone charges and laptop cables) inside your hand carry.

how about tripods? any problem bringing them as hand carry inside the plane?

Tripods/monopods are not allowed.

I'm in california right now and I didnt have any problems bringing my camera bag as hand carry. What i just did for good measure was that i left all my chargers and all the wires and cables and flash in my check-in luggage. The cameras and lenses didnt seem to be a problem bringing it in as hand carry.

Hope this helps

I read in a book that in cold places, especially during winter months (which is starting in the U.S. in case that's where you're going), that moisture builds up inside the lens when you're coming from outdoors and going indoors to heated places.

A way to avoid this is to put the camera in a ziplock plastic bag or something similar before you go into an indoor heated place. The moisture will build up in the plastic and not inside the lens.

By the way I'm just wondering regarding airport regulations now on bringing cameras on airports, particularly in U.S. Do they allow you to handcarry one's slr gear? or do you need to check them in?

Carlo,

Yes they do allow you hand carrying your camera, you do not need to check them in. I went back to the Philippines last month and hand carried 3 SLR camera bodies, with 4 pcs of lens (70-200, 170-500, 18-70 and 17-35) also included in the hand carry was my 2 Flashes (SB-600 & SB-800). It's quite heavy but it's worth the peace of mind. I hand carried the same stuff going back to the US, again no problem.:)

Marvin,
If you plan to shoot for extended periods in extreme cold weather (such as Canadian winter in Dec/Jan), a spare set or two of batteries would always be helpful - they run down very quick - and keep the spares in your pockets, not in the camera bag. Also, the shuttter and lens iris should be in very good condition. When not actually shooting, keeping the camera inside your jacket helps keep it in ready to shoot condition.
Cheers!

Marvin,
If you plan to shoot for extended periods in extreme cold weather (such as Canadian winter in Dec/Jan), a spare set or two of batteries would always be helpful - they run down very quick - and keep the spares in your pockets, not in the camera bag. Also, the shuttter and lens iris should be in very good condition. When not actually shooting, keeping the camera inside your jacket helps keep it in ready to shoot condition.
Cheers!

Hi Sir Marlon and Everyone,

Thanks for the Tip, will keep that in mind. Another question po. How about when you are not shooting, for example about 2-3 days, is it recommended to remove the lens and replace it with the cover or its ok if I ll keep the lens attached to the body for the duration of my stay?

hi there marvin..

well, i went to a local place here in the philippines (cebu particularly) and same as you, i wanted to know if they allow it to be handcarried.. so during check-in, i asked the lady if i can carry it and she said yes.. since i was still using a film camera then, i was worried as well, if the x-ray might affect my films.. lucky that it didn't... =)

i heard some of my friends complain that they have dirt in their camera.. so i think you should just leave your lens on your camera.. as a matter of fact, they have this box made of net where you can change your lens inside it.. to avoid dust going inside your camera.

hope this helped =)

Hi Cez,

Thanks the info...atleast I feel confident now to bring my camera....how much does a camera bag cost? Can you recommend what type and where to buy? i have one kc but its only for the body and the lens attached to it but you cant put in the flash or a spare lens to it. I own a Nikon D70 nga pala Thanks in advance!!

Yep, tuck all the cables and plugs in your checked-in luggage. I was once asked to open my back because the x-ray machine saw two pointy objects only to find out that they were the prongs of the plug.

So, in my last trip two weeks ago, I just had my computer (no cords), camera, lenses and flash in my bag... smooth sail...

Hi Cez,

Thanks the info...atleast I feel confident now to bring my camera....how much does a camera bag cost? Can you recommend what type and where to buy? i have one kc but its only for the body and the lens attached to it but you cant put in the flash or a spare lens to it. I own a Nikon D70 nga pala Thanks in advance!!

hi marvin..

well, i believe that branded bags is that not impt.. though of course i would choose the brand that everybody trusts.. like lowepro.. "crumpler" (not sure).. for "crumpler", there is a store at Mall of Asia that sells them.. just an idea.. a small bag costs about php3000+ but the durability is obvious.

but of course you can look for camera bags at hidalgo, quiapo.. there are so many camera bags there. you can literally have a shopping craze there.

you can also look for reliable shops in the DPP mag.. they give good referrals there =)

have a nice trip!

Hi Cez,

Again..thank you ....much appreciated.....

Hi Cez,

Again..thank you ....much appreciated.....

welcome welcome.. my pleasure~ we are all here to help each other~ =) feel free to ask :D

@marvin

what lens do you have and do you have a flash unit? The 5M Dollar Home of Crumpler comfortably houses a camera with lens and the flash.

Hi Guys,

Just wnt to ask sana for some pointers on how to take care of your camera esp. when you travel to cold areas like the US. What are the do's and donts. Do I have to perform some sort of maintenance to keep my camera in good shape. thanks!:)

Ziplocks and dessicants worked for my friend who brought his 30D to Everest. :D

@marvin

what lens do you have and do you have a flash unit? The 5M Dollar Home of Crumpler comfortably houses a camera with lens and the flash.

Hi Mam Dindin,

I have a Kit lens of D70 (18-70DX) and a Film lens (28-80mm) both Nikkon lenses. Tapos yung flash unit is an SB-600. Thats what I plan to bring ....I'll check the 5M Dollar Home...is it available sa mga malls? coz i think I have no more time to go to Hidalgo to scout for it. Any particular mall and shops? Thanks!

Ziplocks and dessicants worked for my friend who brought his 30D to Everest. :D

Hi Mam Ria,

Thanks for the advice... mam, are dessicants same as the silicon moisture absorber? Where can I buy one?

Crumpler bags are available at all digital walker or digital hub stores in Mall of Asia, Park Square makati, greenhills and Robinsons Ermita. I have the 5 Mil bag an it can house my camera , flash unit and an extra lens.
Hi Mam Dindin,

I have a Kit lens of D70 (18-70DX) and a Film lens (28-80mm) both Nikkon lenses. Tapos yung flash unit is an SB-600. Thats what I plan to bring ....I'll check the 5M Dollar Home...is it available sa mga malls? coz i think I have no more time to go to Hidalgo to scout for it. Any particular mall and shops? Thanks!