Project in 5 European Countries

[Dale West]

Mike,
Never have had problems with x-rays and tape. I alway try to carry shot tapes but have had some problems in Great Britain with that. Of course now GB has an almost total
black out of stuff you can take on the plane. No laptops or ipods so I imagine cameras might be a problem as well. I just did a trip to Aruba and packed the camera and sent as baggage.
Made me itch but I did it. Roger Macie always recomends taking the lens off the camera when shipping so plan extra protection for that if you ship. You really have to keep an eye on
comsumer grade power converters. They sometimes can’t handle the current needed for the items. Also check the items they might be universal units that allow you to just put a plug adaptor on
the cord and go. Just a note about current there…. It’s 50Hz so you will see some flicker in any pratical lights left on. If you are shooting 60 then check on your monitor and add some shutter
to see if you can eliminate it or use the syncro scan.

As for the carnet. Make sure it is opened by US customs before you leave and follow the directions closely. US cutoms agents are not as good about carnets as
the foreign agents are. If it isn’t right when you get “over there” they can be a bit snarkey about it. And it you are in the EU you only have to present it as you arrive and as your depart regardless of which country you enter or leave.
Have a good shoot

Regards

dw

[Frank Nolan]

I have heard of people being able to carry cameras on but not in bags, then of others that had to check everything. I would prepare for everything having to be checked just in case. You could always keep it with you until you get to the gate and have them place it in the cargo hold at the last minute. At least that way you retrive it in the jetway as soon as you get off the plane and it doesn’t have to go through the regular baggage throwing, ahem…handling route.

[Michael Allen]

“It’s 50Hz so you will see some flicker in any pratical lights left on.”

Will this be visible through the viewfinder as well? (May not have monitor if shooting off shoulder) Can I set my shud. to 1/100 to eliminate this issue. Just curious. Any input will be appreciated.

Mike

[Dale West]

Mike
You will see it in the VF. Using shutter works but if you have shutter set that is not a factor of 50 then you will still see the flicker sometimes more sometimes less. Try the syncro scan. That way you will be able to leave the shutter for normal use. It’s the kind of thing you can set in your hotel room before you hit the streets. I remember seeing it a bunch more when the area
was lit by fluoresent lights. The fluoresents also tended to run a touch green. Keep a white balance card handy. Have a blast.

[Robin Probyn]

I use a porabrace smuggler case,its designed for carry on,you take off the eye piece and lens ofcourse.But no good for small jets as it wont fit into the overhead lockers.But for your trip it should be ok.

The UK will be the worst country for any hassles about getting gear onto the plane,that was always the case way before recent events!But you can now drive from UK to France on the car/train under the channel.Its a very easy trip.

I would very much try to avoid your gear being not allowed on at the last minute/at the gate,this can be worse than the hold! sometimes doesnt make the flight at all! and well may get chucked about more.

I believe flicker will only be from flories/sodium lights,ie ones on a cycle,but incandescent should be ok.
Yes a 1/00 shutter will deal with flories,but sodium lights can need scan,and are often an odd color.

[John Sharaf]

I just got back from England and can report that carryon is limited to one piece that’s much smaller than anyone is used to. You’ll have to ship ENG cameras in the hold so make sure you have a proper case to do so!

JS

[Leslie August]

As I am reviewing some of the threads in these forums I am responding albeit late to s few of the issues regarding clearing customs. Since this original post went up, there has been an intensive training program of US Customs officers regarding the ATA Carnet. The national guaranteeing association for carnets in the US undertook to do in-person training with officers around the country beginning in about 2009. Hopefully this training will help alleviate some of the issues with using carnets in and out of the US.