Any trouble with M leicas on long flights

[aad]

Interesting thread-it never crossed my mind that there would be a problem. My Pentax SLR has literally been around the world, and has the dents to prove it. I got into rangefnders so I could carry a camera while working and driving, and my IIIf is usually floating around in my coat pocket.

If it becomes an issue, I'll sell it and use the pancake lens on the Pentax!

 

[zanydave]

I don't think Sebastion Salgado had any problems...

 

[Jason_K]

Mine have have been in 2 seater prop planes, jets, dropped, bounced around in jeeps, and NYC cabs for 25+ years. Never had a problem.

To second Keith — I've known plenty of photojournalists who've taken their Leicas to strange and exotic places via strange and exotic forms of transportation and not had any problems.

I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Nice to hear all the good news on Leicas and air travel. As I said the FM2n never gave me any trouble and the M is an unknown, to me anyway, quantity. I wonder about changing horses. I have had security take the lens off a camera and open the back and ask me to wind and fire it. As for photos in airports, I still think you may be asking for some kindly soul to investigate you. I would really like to see them open the back on a LTM camera.

Bob

 

[Frank Granovski]

Always carry-on, and don't get your film X-ray'd. 😉

 

[peter_n]

Have taken an M6TTL to Europe 2 or 3 times and locally in the US and to places like Bermuda and never had a problem. I use Domke bags and wrap the cam in bubble wrap for the flights.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Always carry-on, and don't get your film X-ray'd. 😉

I agree with the carry-on but I don't think I'll get away with not having the film x-rayed. I might be able to get it hand checked some of the time but I am not counting on it.

Bob

 

[peter_n]

Here in the US, no problem with hand checking. Europe is a different story.

 

[ywenz]

Took my M6 from Chicago to NY and back. No problem.. I took it with my as a carry on though and I was took tons of pictures with my cameras inside the cabin. Had no problems whatsoever.

 

[egpj]

My first MP body has 2,000 flight hours in a Cessna 208 Caravan, 500 hours in the Boeing 737, 15 hours in a Lear 23 and 24 and 30 hours in a Cessna 401. Plus various hops in an assortment of helos. I always carry on and have used Pelican Cases and Billingham bags. Relax and enjoy your trip. 🙂

 

[Nikon Bob]

Here in the US, no problem with hand checking. Europe is a different story.

It is also a different story in Canada where I have had difficulty getting it done.

Bob

 

[Nikon Bob]

From all the replies I guess the M is at least as good as the FM2n that I have so Maybe I can relax.

Bob

 

[johnmshaw]

I have hauled mine all over the globe , and never had any problems, even had an x-ray gal, coo over it "wow is that a Leica" 🙂

 

[JohnL]

From all the replies I guess the M is at least as good as the FM2n that I have so Maybe I can relax.

Bob

Don't worry ... Be happy!
Film up to 800 ISO is supposed to be safe from scanning for carry-on, but that only holds for a single scan and assumes the scanner is on spec. I never had any problem having film inspected by hand in the US, or even in Europe so far. Ask them nicely. Carry it in transparent plastic bags to make it easier to see. Remove the boxes and plastic cans. Plan trips so that film doesn't have to go through too many security checks -- i.e. buy film and have it processed as you go if possible.

 

[Graybeard]

Don't worry ... Be happy!
Film up to 800 ISO is supposed to be safe from scanning for carry-on, but that only holds for a single scan and assumes the scanner is on spec. I never had any problem having film inspected by hand in the US, or even in Europe so far. Ask them nicely. Carry it in transparent plastic bags to make it easier to see. Remove the boxes and plastic cans. Plan trips so that film doesn't have to go through too many security checks -- i.e. buy film and have it processed as you go if possible.

I flew through the Albany (NY) airport recently and had fifty rolls of film with me, 35mm and 120; the 35mm was in the plastic cans and the 120 out of the box in the foil packaging. I had the film in a large transparent freezer bag.

I requested a hand search and the fellow brought the film bag to a nearby desk, took each roll out of the bag and examined it carefully, making a growing pile of inspected film. He then replaced the film carefully in the bag and handed it me - I had received my hand search without comment or complaint. My camera bag sailed through the x-ray inspection without being opened.

On the return trip, I again requested a hand search at the airport in California. This again was done without complaint or comment. In the this case, the woman removed about a quarter of the rolls in the bag and gave them the test for nitrates - wiping the cassettes with a square of cloth then making an instrumental measurement on the cloth.

It would appear the the TSA people in the US have become familiar with photographers and the option for hand search of film.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Long flights...does this mean as far as you can throw it, or projecting it from a catapault or similar device? 😉 (just kidding -- I was thinking of the "When Leica Fans Attack..." thread).

 

[CZeni]

My ol' black M6 has made dozens of airplane rides with no ill effects. I took an M4 to the UK in 2001 and had no issues with it; a different M6 to Germany and the UK a couple of times in '03 and '04, again with no issues. But for the love of God don't even THINK of putting it in check luggage. Aside from the Xrays turning your film in TV dinner trays the inspection gorillas are oafish enough to break cinderblocks and steel I beams so an M would be fodder to them.

 

[peter_n]

My experience is the same as Graybeard's, out and back into the US, no problems with hand checking a large volume of film cassettes. And nice inspectors too! 🙂

JohnL, try getting a hand inspection at Barajas Airport in Madrid... 🙁

 

[FrankS]

If you place your Leica on your lap and have several alcoholic beverages, it and you, will be just fine. 🙂

 

[kuvvy]

I fly out to the US this Sunday from the UK and I'm weighing up what to take. Last trip to the US I left the films in their see-through plastic (Fuji) cases and had no x-ray problem. All 200 ISO print.
Took my gear in a small rucksack last time but this time I am travelling with my gear in a Billingham Hadley. Just wondered whether it will fit under the seat, anyone know? Is the gear safe as the Hadley doesn't have a zipper? Hopefully there will be room overhead for it.

Paul