When you spend hundreds or even thousands on your photography gear, you want to do all you can to make sure that after your next flight, it’s going to arrive where you are in one piece. Even if you only have a cheap digital cameras for travel videos, how upset will you be when you find the lens is broken or the zoom is bent? You want to be able to record your vacation in some way and if it ends up breaking, you’re out of luck.
You may be tempted to check in your camera and optics gear when you get to the airport, but don’t if you have the option to bring it on the plane (and it isn’t too much to carry). Often when baggage is handled, it isn’t made clear to those putting it on the plane whether it is fragile or not. Baggage handlers tend to toss bags on to planes, assuming most of them are full of clothing. If you absolutely must check your equipment in because it is just too much stuff to carry with you, there are a few things you can do to ensure it gets to your destination safe and sound.
First, use bubble wrap excessively. DON’T get stingy with the bubble wrap. It’ll work wonders in protecting your camera lenses and other gear from getting broken. There’s a reason why people ship so much with it! Also, look into gear bags that are made specifically for protection. They often have a very soft and protective inside a good sturdy case on the outside. Make sure all your lenses are well covered, so tape those covers on if you have to because they often slip off on their own, especially when jostled around.
If you can load all your camera and optics gear into a carry-on bag, that’s even better. When packing a backpack full of stuff, keep the lenses at the very top. This will keep the weight from the other items present from crushing them. It also just gives you easy access to them if you want to take some impromptu pictures on the flight itself. You should always check your bag’s straps to make sure they are in good condition and not worn. Once a strap breaks, that could mean a broken camera when it falls to the floor. So always be on top of the condition of your bag.