You would never consider traveling without your trusty camera and gear at your side to capture your experiences, yet how can you travel without undue risk on your expensive equipment? Here are some tips to ensure that your gear gets to your destination, and back, safely.
Things to Consider Before Traveling with Your Camera
Before you take off with your DSLR camera, take some time to consider a few things. First and foremost, make sure your camera and gear are properly insured. That investment is going to be worthless if it is damaged in transit, and traveling is one of the most common times for damage to occur to a DSLR, lenses and other gear. If you will be checking your camera as checked baggage, then make sure it is insured for both loss and damage.
Next, decide whether the trip is appropriate for your equipment. Are you going to be somewhere that puts your camera at undue risk? For instance, if you are heading on a mountain climbing expedition, you might want to leave the camera behind, unless of course your goal is to capture a special shot. Make sure you really need the camera, and that it will be safe.
Finally, use common sense. Are you traveling to a high theft area? It may be prudent to leave your valuable gear behind. If it’s safe to bring your camera and the picture opportunities will be abundant, than by all means take it with you.
Follow the Rules of Packing
If you are going to take your camera on vacation, make sure you pack it well. The most fragile items need to be padded beyond the padding offered by the bag itself. Consider wrapping them in bubble wrap as an option, or purchasing additional padding to put inside your bag.
Next, make sure you have all of your essentials. In addition to the lenses, flashes, mounts and the camera itself, make sure you have leans wipes and other cleaning supplies. You also need your camera’s charger, and an extra battery would be a good idea as well. If you are traveling internationally, then invest in a power converter that will allow you to charge your battery on international outlets.
Purchase a camera friendly bag that is solid enough to withstand the rigors of travel. Then, disassemble your gear, placing the appropriate covers on it, and pack it in the bag. Don’t over pack, as this will simply mean you have more gear to carry everywhere you go. If you have two similar lenses, take your favorite and leave the other back home to ensure that you are not over packing.
Finally, if possible, carry your photography gear on the airplane, rather than checking it in a checked bag. This will ensure that you can keep your eyes on it at all times, and also helps protect it from damage due to improper handling.
Traveling with your DSLR lets you capture the beauty of your destination for you to always remember. Just make sure that you do so safely with the right planning and packing rules. Then, you can enjoy your vacation and the photographic opportunities it brings.
Lindsey is a professional writer living in the Indianapolis area and she writes on behalf of Sears and other deserving brands. She specializes in writing guest posts on social media and education. Currently, Lindsey is completing work on her master’s degree.