Airport Security with a Bronica

someguyinphilly · Aug 2, 2017

I recently got an old Bronica C that I love, and I'd really like to take it with me when I travel to Washington State next month (from Philadelphia). Has anyone had experience going through airport security with a similar camera, particularly one so heavy? I'm just envisioning a nightmare scenario where I'm turned away by TSA and forced to abandon my trip, or worse some unfamiliar TSA agent drops and shatters it. Obviously I'm not checking it, though I have considered pre-shipping it.

I'll also be traveling with a Canon, laptop, and tablet, all of which I'd prefer to carry-on. I'm an extremely light packer otherwise and would just prefer not to check anything. Since I haven't traveled with an analog camera since the '90s, I'm just curious if TSA agents are remotely familiar with them, particular ones that don't look like a camera from Target.

nsurit · Aug 2, 2017

I won't think you would have a problem other than getting your film x-rayed.

Patrick Robert James · Aug 2, 2017

I've gotten to the point where I just ask for a manual search because I know they are going to search me anyway. Just as long as you take the camera with you on the plane you should be fine. I travel with film cameras and never have a problem. I even had a TSA xray guy ask me "is that a Leica?"....

ntenny · Aug 2, 2017

I've traveled with a wide variety of cameras, all over the world, and never had a real problem. Sometimes they want to swab the camera for explosives, sometimes they want to know if it's a Leica, but nothing worse than that.

I think travellers with cameras are a pretty normal event in the life of a TSA agent. With the strange-looking cameras, "it's an old camera" seems to be explanation enough.

But perhaps best to travel with the camera empty, in case they want you to open it. It hasn't happened to me but I can see where it could.

-NT

Theo Sulphate · Aug 2, 2017

Hey, maybe you'll get the "Is that a Hasselblad?" question.

RichardJack · Aug 2, 2017

Was the inspector young? He probably never saw a camera like that. Good thing you didn't take a photo, the loud clunk of that camera would of had everyone diving for cover. It's just a sign of the times. You could fill that body and back with a lot of meth. I can't imagine what I'd go through with my 600mm. With people travelling for the 8/21 eclipse I bet there are going to be many issues with all kinds of equipment.

voceumana · Aug 2, 2017

Don't have film in the backs, that way you can break down the camera completely and have them visually inspect. The only medium format I've traveled with is a Fuji 645 folder, and that was before all the increased security. Generally with cameras they like to look through the viewfinder and see that it's clear--that let's them know it's not something else disguised as a camera.

Sirius Glass · Aug 2, 2017

No, you will not have a problem. They will x-ray it and then they may ask to take a look at it. I travel with the Hasselblad and multiple lenses all the time.

Welcome to APUG

wiltw · Aug 2, 2017

I have taken a Bronica thru Customs and Immigration. The only issue that I had (and this was in the days before DIGITAL!) was that the inspector -- after he took front and rear lens caps off to look thru the lens, and then took body cap off to look into the body -- took my clear plastic bag full of exposed rollfilm, and wanted me to break the seal on a roll so he could look inside!!! THAT request made me go cross-eyed until I told him it would ruin the exposed roll of film ("See, the paper says 'Kodak ...exposed film' on it!!!") and he finally let me move on past the inspection station.

Kevin Caulfield · Aug 2, 2017

I have travelled a lot with a Hasselblad and never had any real problems. I agree that it's best to leave the film magazines unloaded just in case. Carry the film in a clear bag.

Oldwino · Aug 2, 2017

Camera(s) unloaded. You won't have a problem. Most of the time, they don't even ask to look in my bag.
Don't put film in checked baggage!

someguyinphilly · Aug 2, 2017

Thanks, you all are the best! This completely put my mind at ease. Can't wait to see Snoqualmie Falls through these lenses!

ac12 · Aug 2, 2017

wiltw said:
I have taken a Bronica thru Customs and Immigration. The only issue that I had (and this was in the days before DIGITAL!) was that the inspector -- after he took front and rear lens caps off to look thru the lens, and then took body cap off to look into the body -- took my clear plastic bag full of exposed rollfilm, and wanted me to break the seal on a roll so he could look inside!!! THAT request made me go cross-eyed until I told him it would ruin the exposed roll of film ("See, the paper says 'Kodak ...exposed film' on it!!!") and he finally let me move on past the inspection station.

I had a TSA agent rip open my factory sealed boxes of 120 film, then rip open the factory sealed foil pack on the inside.
When I saw what she was doing, I yelled at her to STOP, because her next step was going to be to unroll the film, to make sure it was film

That was the last straw, I went digital when I traveled after that.

I don't want to imagine what she would have done with a box of 4x5 sheet film

mgb74 · Aug 2, 2017

And leave yourself a bit extra time in case they want to swab it and check it that way. Most TSA agents have seen many objects they don't recognize or understand. I have no doubt that there's the occasional inexperienced agent who has done something stupid but I don't think that's common. I've ruined far more shots of mine than the TSA has.

someguyinphilly · Aug 2, 2017

ac12 said:
I had a TSA agent rip open my factory sealed boxes of 120 film, then rip open the factory sealed foil pack on the inside.
When I saw what she was doing, I yelled at her to STOP, because her next step was going to be to unroll the film, to make sure it was film

That was the last straw, I went digital when I traveled after that.

I don't want to imagine what she would have done with a box of 4x5 sheet film

Would it be safe to ship the film back? If I buy the film when I get to Seattle, and then mail it back to Philadelphia, would it be ruined by FedEx or UPS?

Fujicaman1957 · Aug 2, 2017

When I was going to Las Vegas every year, I'd ship the film to my motel 2-3 days before I left via Priority Mail and call the motel to tell them to expect it and to hold it at the check in desk for me. On my last day in town, I'd ship all the exposed film and all but 1 roll of unexposed film home by Priority Mail.

TheRook · Aug 2, 2017

Back in June, I flew out of Philadelphia International to Europe with my Yashica Mat 124 TLR camera. After the initial x-ray screening of my carry-on bag, the TSA agent asked me if I had a camera in there, and I replied yes. She then requested that I take it out of the carry-on for a separate screening. I asked if I needed to remove the camera from the camera bag (which I had placed into the carry-on bag), and the agent said no, not necessary. The camera bag (with camera inside) was then screened and released back to me. I put the camera bag back into my carry-on and continued to my gate. Only a slight inconvenience.
My advice: Pack your carry-on bag such that you can easily take the camera out and put back in when going through security. This will save a lot of hassle and stress.

Theo Sulphate · Aug 2, 2017

All of this TSA screening wouldn't bother me a bit if they didn't have a 95% failure rate for detecting weapons and explosives:

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...s-us-airports-allowed-weapons-through-n367851

TheRook · Aug 3, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
All of this TSA screening wouldn't bother me a bit if they didn't have a 95% failure rate for detecting weapons and explosives:

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...s-us-airports-allowed-weapons-through-n367851

I remember when this story came out two years ago. I thought at the time (and still do) that the TSA-released report was a clever ploy by the agency to increase its funding from Congress. Which is exactly what happened shortly thereafter. What the true detection failure rate was one can only guess. In my opinion, probably far below 95%.

Theo Sulphate · Aug 3, 2017

How would they engineer such fakery?

TheRook · Aug 3, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
How would they engineer such fakery?

Quite easily, if they wanted to. Homeland Security conducted the investigation and released the report on their findings. (TSA is nothing more than a division of Homeland Security.) The dismal detection failure rate in the report certainly didn't hurt the agency, as it ultimately resulted in a significant increase in funding for the TSA. In my opinion, the nationwide average of a 95% failure rate stated in the report seems greatly exaggerated, even for inadequately trained security personnel.

Patrick Robert James · Aug 3, 2017

Remember you can tell them to stop and get a supervisor if they start doing something you don't like. I've never really had a problem with the TSA as much of a pain as they are (outside of the junk fondling that is). Can't do anything about it, so might as well grin and bear it. Like I said earlier, I just ask for a pat down to get it over with. They are going to do it to me anyway.

One time I had a binder with about 100 developed rolls of negs in it. I left it in the carry on to put it through the xray which of course the xray couldn't penetrate. That got me a little too much attention. Oopsie.

By the way, the TSA guy that asked about the "Leica" (which was actually a Zorki), it turned out I knew him. Lesson for you young'uns out there. If you want to be a photographer, don't have any kids or you will end up working for the TSA! Gotta pay 'dem bills.

Two23 · Aug 3, 2017

someguyinphilly said:
Thanks, you all are the best! This completely put my mind at ease. Can't wait to see Snoqualmie Falls through these lenses!

Two weeks ago I was there with an 1880 E&HT Anthony lens on a Chamonix 4x5. I've never had any problem with airport security, but leave cameras unloaded. Never put film in checked luggage.

Kent in SD

wiltw · Aug 3, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
All of this TSA screening wouldn't bother me a bit if they didn't have a 95% failure rate for detecting weapons and explosives:

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...s-us-airports-allowed-weapons-through-n367851

Yes, the government accomplished its unstated main goal: "Fool the public into feeling secure"...and i have heard the comments from people in the lines, "I feel much safer..." to know the ruse has worked.

guangong · Aug 3, 2017

Never a problem with a still camera except when an agent insist that I "turn on" my M4. Cinema cameras, with clockwork and motors, usually requires a supervisor. Much depends on the airport and the personality of a particular agent. Just take you equipment, go and enjoy yourself.

Airport Security with a Bronica

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