Before You Fly with a Digital Camera*
Digital cameras are usually high on packing lists when traveling, but if you will fly you could put your precious digital camera at risk for loss, theft or damage. Find out what you should do before flying with your digital camera, including getting the right camera case, airport regulations on flying with cameras, insurance for cameras, saving your pictures and avoiding other digital camera perils when flying.
Know the Regulations for Flying with a Digital Camera
Technically, most airlines allow camera cases as carry-on items and cameras are not prohibited from entering airports by the FAA. That sounds great on paper. In reality, any airport security or airline can force you to check your camera case. They might ask to inspect it. If you have an especially large camera case with lots of lenses, you may have to check it. Checking it is probably the worst thing you can do, and unfortunately you can't predict whether this will happen. Be prepared by having your camera as secure, protected and perhaps as insured as you need to.
Northstar Cases larger Camera Cases also offer places where you can put a lock once the case has been examined by aiport officials, so you don't have to worry while your camera case is in the hands of strangers.
Consider Insuring Your Camera
If you just have a little $200 point and shoot, this probably isn't necessary. If you have an advanced digital camera or a digital SLR camera, however, you might consider this. There are a few options. For one thing, you could check out a general travel insurance policy to see what coverage it provides for a lost, stolen or damaged camera (both in airport handling and while you're at your destination). You could also check your renters' insurance or homeowners' insurance to see what is covered. You will probably need to add scheduled coverage for your camera.
Protect Your Camera When You Get There
Even if your camera survives the flight, it isn't safe yet. While at your destination, it could get stolen from your hotel room or even from you while you're out sightseeing. It could get damaged in bad weather, or you could drop it. Be aware of these threats, and do what you can to protect your camera from accidents, thieves and the elements. You will also probably want another camera case better suited for walking around your destination, such as a soft sided case or a smaller hard case with a lanyard.
Get a Hard Case for Your Camera
Since you have to be prepared to check your camera, you should be sure you have a hard case that will best protect it from baggage handlers. A soft case really could leave your camera too vulnerable. Look for a hard case that can hold everything that is delicate, like the camera and lenses, and features dividers and foam to secure your camera and accessories as tightly as possible.
Northstar Cases offers a line of X-treme waterproof, crushproof, hard camera cases that also carry a lifetime guarantee. For smaller point and shoot cameras we offer the T4000 X-treme Camera Case and T4500 X-treme Camera Case. These camera cases are lined with 2A Volera Foam and can fit extra batteries, memory cards, etc. For advanced digital cameras and digital SLR cameras we offer the HPRC 2300B Camera Case and HPRC 2600B Camera Case which come with a soft sided case inside the hard case for carrying around when you reach your destination and foam dividers so it is customizable for any camera and accessories. The HPRC 2600 Camera Case comes with pick and pluck foam so that you may customize it to snuggly fit your camera and accessories. Also check out out entire line of waterproof, crushproof X-treme Protective Cases and HPRC Cases if you do not see the size you need on the Camera Case page, we have a variety of cases that feature pick and pluck foam or soft sided cases, we are sure to have something to fit your needs!
*Excerpts taken from Article on cameras.about.com