Taking a Leica M series on a commercial flight.

[markc2]

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The last time I took a camera on a commercial flight it was film. I remember the guy having to check all my roles of slide film. So that gives you my knowledge "base". Can I let the camera go thru X-ray, do I have to take the battery out or if I'm carring extra batteries what do I do with them? Thanks in advance

 

Mark

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[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Mark,

Welcome to the Forum.

You might want to look at some of the Threads in the "Film Forum" such as:

"Airport Security White List".

And, "Airport Security Black List".

As well as some others in that Section.

This is an ongoing & changing topic as rules & scanning equipment change in various parts of the Planet.

Best Regards,

Michael

[Mute-on]

Since you mentioned batteries I assume you are now travelling with a digital M. If so, no you don’t have to take anything out of your bag, including spare batteries. Just leave it all in the bag/case you are using for carry-on. 

[Sandokan]

All airports require liquids in a 1 litre bag to be taken out.

Different airports, different rules. Some airports, all electronics stays in bag. Other airports, laptops and battery packs come out and cameras stay in, whilst others, everything metal or electronic comes out. Read the signs and ask. 

[andybarton]

But some airports have upgraded to CT scanners (not X-Ray scanners) meaning you don’t have to worry about the liquids in a freezer bag. 

The industry is in a state of flux so it depends upon where you are flying to and from.

Check the airport website for their security procedures  

There is no problem taking a digital camera through scanners as there may be with film  

 

[Anbaric]

I think spare batteries must be in your carry-on bag, not in your checked luggage, and there may be limits on the number you can carry - check with your airline. You can leave a battery in your camera.

Everything else should be fine unless you shoot film - the new and increasingly common CT scanners can damage it, so ask for a hand inspection or buy and process it at your destination if possible.

Edited April 16, 2024 by Anbaric

[Graham (G4FUJ)]

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As the OP has posted photos from an M8.2 and has posed the question in the M8 &c section, I think it's pretty certain he is referring to a digital M to take on a flight.

[AndreasG]

As a frequent flyer I often carry my M10-D plus spare batteries with me in my carry-on  luggage, sometimes I am asked to take them out for inspection, but usually I can leave them in the bag for X-ray inspection. Seems, there is no firm rule, it depends on the airport and people.

[pippy]

No airport X-ray scanner (AFAIK) will harm a digi-M.

What will happen when you get to security can change from airport to airport and even from trip to trip.

Normally when I travel abroad I'll take a small shoulder bag which will contain a pair of digi-M cameras with lenses attached; two or three other lenses; two spare batteries and other little bits and bobs. On the three most recent return trips I've made from the UK to continental Europe I have had to remove everything from the bag; the 'spare' lenses and batteries from their pouches (etc.) on four of those journeys. On the other two the security team was content to pass the bag through unopened.

The odd thing was that there was no consistency even with the two airports through which I passed (Stansted and La Rochelle) because, in both cases, twice they each required the bag to be completely empty and once (each) it went through as packed.

It's hardly an issue; it only takes a minute or so to empty and repack the bag. Hopefully you will have an equally simple experience.

Philip.

[AceVentura1986]

I've flown with an M8, ME, M9M, and now will fly next month with my M10M. I've never had to take batteries out of my camera. On the contrary, I usually just pack it in my carry-on bag or a separate camera bag. On only one occasion was the camera bag searched separately. Other than that, no issues.

[lm_user]

Beware of cosmic rays high in the atmosphere causing bad pixels on the sensor!   

This was big issue with M8/M9

Modern cameras seem to also have the issue - but fewer complaints 

Do a quick search on “cosmic “.  Lots of posts….

 

Link to paper on the topic.

http://ridl.cfd.rit.edu/products/theses and senior projects/Moser_Final_Paper_May_2017_.pdf

Edited April 18, 2024 by lm_user

[earthphoto]

I always use a special film bag from Hama. Never ever had any problems. I mostly travel from Europe to Asia. The Hama film bag will pass a tiny bit of x-rays throug the bag, so the staff can control what's inside (I saw it with my own eyes on the screen). But the amount of x-rays never did any harm.

Edited April 22, 2024 by earthphoto

[farnz]

On 4/22/2024 at 2:47 PM, earthphoto said:

I always use a special film bag from Hama.

My advice is to make sure the bag is from Hama.  A bag from Hamas might produce quite a different reaction ... 😎

Pete.