How can I protect camera equipment in checked baggage?
While I usually take my camera equipment in a carry-on when I fly (within the US), that's not always an option (small plane where no carry-on other than my purse is allowed, travelling with too much computer/camera equipment to carry it all on, etc.).
Last time I checked my camera equipment, it was put back in the case incorrectly after (I assume) being searched, causing some very serious breakage. While "that's what insurance is for" certainly applies, having to try to replace a camera on short notice during a trip is an inconvenience I'd rather avoid.
Is there any way I can check something this delicate/valuable without it being destroyed? If not, can I at least reduce the chance of major damage somehow?
Clarification:
I already have a good camera case. The problem happened when airport personnel couldn't be bothered to put the camera back properly (I assume the case was searched after I checked it) and instead ripped some of the padded dividers out, crammed them into another part of the case, and wedged the camera in the wrong way. Without any padding to keep it from moving, and wedged against the side of the case as it was, the camera broke during what may have been normal baggage handling during transportation.
Best Answer
While taking it as carry-on is really the only way to guarantee safe travels as you said, sometimes it's not possible.
If you 100% cannot take it as carry-on I would suggest investing in a case made specifically for cameras. Something like these ZERO Halliburton aluminum camera cases should help protect it against rough handling.
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Answer 2
Professionals use rugged, waterproof cases like those from Pelican cases. This is a good example of something that would be suitable for carrying camera gear. My workplace ships sensitive equipment all over the world in cases like this. They aren't cheap, but if you've got enough camera gear that you can't carry it all on with you, you can probably afford a case.
Answer 3
As pointed out by here, the way the woman is handling the luggage in the video is doing her job 100% correct:
And one last thing, you need to expect your bag to be tossed around, a 3 foot drop is no big deal. Delicate fragile items need to be shipped cargo or taken on the plane carry on. No bottle would break at all with this handling if it was wrapped. This is no big deal I expect my own bags to be thrown around so don't go all crazy that your bag is tossed around. That's why it's luggage.
This means that cameras that you cannot take as carry-on luggage, should only be shipped as cargo. While they can be packed such that they can withstand rough handling in the sense that the camera will work when turned on and at first sight the pictures will look ok., the shock waves moving through the camera may cause the very delicate alignment of the autofocus system to shift, causing back or front focus. While such problems can be fixed by recalibrating the autofocus system, you may only notice the problem when you are back home doing post processing work on your pictures, viewing them at full magnification. When taking the pictures, unsharpness at full magnification may not be apparent due to noise that you plan to eliminate using image stacking when back at home.
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