Siemienczuk

First let me apologize, as I’m sure this has been previously discussed. I tried searching, I probably didn’t do it correctly. We are taking our grandson to the San Diego Zoo next week, and I haven’t as yet traveled through TSA with a DSLR. In this case a D7200 with a single zoom lens. Of course I plan to carry on (Lowe Pro bag), and understand the camera will need to be screened separately, as with a laptop. Any advice would be appreciated:
Should I detach the lens?
Are the memory cards safe?
Should the memory cards be removed from the body?
I usually travel with an iPad rather than laptop. Is is safer to take a laptop so images can be uploaded from memory cards prior to transit through TSA screening on return?
Thank you!

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

All TSA requires is the camera, laptop/or iPad is taken out of bag and placed into a separate bin. The lens, battery, and memory card are all safe in the camera.

If you have a spare battery, the contacts need to be covered with the manufacturers plastic cover, or simply just get some tape (electrical tape is best).

As far as laptop vs. iPad, that's more of a personal decision depending on your work flow. I use a laptop for travel with an external hard drive. They all survived the screening process with no issues. The memory cards are not affected by the x-ray systems TSA uses, so you can leave the files in place or download them, either is fine.

Sendai5355 Loc: On the banks of the Pedernales River, Texas

I have traveled a number of times through security at Houston International and have never been asked to remove my cameras from my backpack. I did have to remove my laptop and tablet and place them in separate bins. I have never had any problems with my memory cards both in and out of the cameras. However, it may be up to the discretion of the local TSA officer as to whether you remove the camera for inspection.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

First off, I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark IV. But that doesn't mean we can be friends because you shoot with a Nikon D7200. LOL.
The TSA has gotten a bad rap from many. They are doing a job, a tough job, but still a job. With that being written, here is what you and your party need to do.
Comply with all regulations and think about things that may be used as a weapon. I had an Asthma Inhaler set off the alarm because it was a pressurized canister of gas. Not a big deal but we were delayed and our bags were checked. I had a table top tripod that folded into an L shaped device. The TSA agent thought it was a weapon. When I wanted to show him what it was a reached towards the bag. Not a smart move on my part. I was detained and almost arrested. It was confiscated. You guessed it. The next trip I didn't bring a table top tripod. My daughter had her bassoon reed making paraphernalia examined because there was a knife she needed to cut the cane wood. Not a big deal but we were delayed and our bags were checked. The paraphernalia had to be sent on ahead.
My point here is get to the airport early so that if you are detained you are not severely inconvenienced. You can have an alternate plan for safe travel. Remove any object that can be misconstrued as a weapon. I have a small precision screwdriver to tighten any exterior screws on my camera in my bag. I have to take it out and leave it at home. I have seen the little sewing kit confiscated because of the little tiny barely noticable scissor. Scissors get a bad rap. LOL. The TSA should know you are a tourist and not anyone else. Don't give them a reason to suspect otherwise.
Carry your camera in a bag with your lens attached. If you want additional lens(es) that is fine. Leave a battery in the camera and turn it off. Carry additional batteries and your charger. Keep your memory card inserted and additional cards in your bag. The batteries and the memory cards are safe. As for a laptop, leave it home. Minimize your gear if possible. If you are on vacation, don't do any work. Any additional items be be examined and manipulated. Why have your laptop or iPad go through that if they don't need to? Feel bad for your poor electronic things. LOL. In all, do not carry something that may be misconstrued as a weapon. If it can be conceived as a weapon, it will be confiscated and never returned. Go on line as look at items that have been confiscated. You will be amazed!
Have a name tag on your camera bag. If it is lost or stolen your equipment will not be replaced. That is not the purpose of the name tag. It lets the TSA know you are a tourist and not someone else.
When photographing animals, do your best to make them look as if they are in the wild. Your photographs will have more appeal. If necessary carry a long zoom lens in addition to your prime lens. You want to be able to focus your photographs past the cage and bars, etc. Don't get too close as you don't want to become a snack. LOL.
Don't be afraid to manipulate your exposure triangle. You should be ready to float your ISO, aperature and f/stop. Do this for several scenes in a set. You will get to pick and choose the right photograph later when at home. Have a great vacation and a safe flight. Please post your pictures for all of us to enjoy and comment.
Happy Shooting!

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Oh one more thing! If you have a flash use it sparingly. You want your photographs to look natural and not posed. The animals' eyes don't fare very well.
Happy Shooting!

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

Both US and International flights that I have recently taken, I am required to take the laptop out of my bag, but the camera and gear stays in my bag, just put it on the conveyor like a carry on. Then you loose everything in your pockets, belt, shoes, etc.

Of course if you are pre-check, then all you have to do is place your bag(s) on the conveyor. Gary

Dannj

I traveled thru 8 major US airports in the last year: camera, lenses, batteries stayed in the bag. Laptop out of the bag in a separate tray.

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

just throw it in the tray and pick it up on the other side; no worries

ELNikkor

I took photos the day before my flight, no problem. Flew out of Portland, OR next morning, took photos out the window of Mt. Hood as we passed it. Back home, found flecks in the sky from stuff on the sensor that weren't there on the shots from the day before, though I hadn't taken the 24-120 lens off. After thinking about it awhile, I remembered TSA had taken my camera away to a back room, then brought it back to me. One of them must have coughed, sneezed, drooled, sweated on my sensor while checking it.

In-lightened Loc: Kansas City

Traveled this much as well plus international and this was my experience as well.

I have another opinion on travel with lens attached. Dont. If the bag is dropped, they are more vulnerable to damage.

david vt Loc: Vermont

I travel a lot, domestically and internationally, but not much with my DSLR, though I have.

I agree with the “pull it out” comments. While as a global entry person, I basically need to pull nothing out (not even liquids), but find that doing so, if you get a TSA inspector whom is being “super vigilant”, it isolates that piece and stops them from tearing apart my whole bag. It also demonstrates transparency. DSLR borders on “large electronics” - definitely bigger than my cell phone (even the new ones that seem to be bigger than my TV!)

due to allergies, I often travel with food so not worry about what I buy or not. Should it be fine in the X-ray yup, but it gigs the X-ray 3 times out of 4. Much easier to have it out in its own bin in a clear gallon ziplock. If they tell me I don’t need to, I reply that it trips the X-ray often and pulling it out is easier. They seem to appreciate this.

Will let more experienced DSLR travelers comment on mounted or not. I do see the risk of damage, but on the other hand I have seen some TSA pull lens cap and look through to see if they can see it as a check. (Mirrorless aside).

TSA people have a very hard job. No one remembers the millions of travelers that got through safely, they would only be remembered for the one bad guy/gal that did. Be open, transparent, ultra courteous, and early if you have any doubts. Also if you are global entry or TSA-Pre, not only do you get a shorter line, you do indeed get a bit more of the benefit of the doubt as you are pre-screened.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I travel often, including out of the country. TSA looks at your camera like they would any bag that goes through. Once I was asked to open my camera bag and they looked inside. Going through the scanner does nothing to your camera or your card. As for downloading, I always take a laptop and external hard drive and download after every shoot. But, do be careful to keep your eye on the camera bag as you go through the process and make sure that you don't take your eyes off it in case you are delayed.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

My cameras and lenses have been quickly just visually inspected a couple times. If you check TSA rules, the batteries should be removed and also never put in checked baggage. I do not leave a lens attached to a body for obvious reasons.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I have traveled overseas and domestically many times. I have never taken my cameras, sometimes as many as three, out of my camera bag. Not once has anybody said anything to me. I have never covered battery connections with tape in my life.

If I have my iPad with me I take it out unless I have been selected for the TSA Pre check. Then I leave it in my carry on bag.

I am not disputing what you have done but it certainly is not TSA required.

Dennis

GibsonGuy Loc: Danbury, CT

I have never been asked to remove my camera from the bag. YMMV