Tips for Traveling With a DSLR

Around 12 years ago, I asked my father to give me his point and shoot camera for traveling. He had adored it and handed me saying, “Do not lose it!”

Guess what I did?

Yes, I lost it!

I gave the leader of my traveling group to take my video when I was performing. When I came back to it, she says that she’s lost it!

Apparently, someone asked for the camera and she gave it to that person. No idea who.

I couldn’t even confront her because she was crying.

My dad doesn’t believe me with any valuables anymore and I fear traveling with an expensive camera!

I really hope you don’t and wouldn’t wish to have a horrible experience like mine. So, I present to you, tips for traveling with your camera gear.

1. Invest in a good camera bag

Your DSLR has probably cost you an arm and a leg. You would not like to damage it, will you?

Get a secure, padded camera bag with enough compartments to keep your lenses and batteries.

It is better if the DSLR travel bag doesn’t look like a camera bag. Why? You do not want to announce that you have a pricey camera in there.

2. Use filters

Filters have a dual purpose: to provide better shots and to keep your lenses safe.

They are probably the best and cheapest device to protect your lenses from dust and moisture.

You can use the skylight filter or UV filter for protection. The best option is using the round screw filter than the square ones.

3. Lens cleaning kit

While traveling, there might be dust or moisture to damage your lenses. Be sure to take a lens cleaning kit with you whenever you take your DSLR.

Regular cleaning will keep your lenses safe for a long period of time.

4. Do not show off

Yes, we cam lovers like to show off our precious possession to others. But hold it while you are traveling.

There are many cases of camera theft and robbery. (You read mine.) You do not want to be one of those victims.

Use it as much as you want but if you are not using it for some time, don’t let it dangle in your chest. Keep it in the bag.

5. Carry it with you all the time

Keep the camera in your hand luggage. You do not have to worry about the airport theft or the staffs throwing your luggage recklessly.

If you are not using the camera for that day, keep it in your hostel room. Better, in the vault that most of the hotels provide.

6. Use slash-proof strap/ bag

Some of the thieves may try to cut your bag or straps and disappear with your camera. Invest in a good slash proof strap/ bag which comes woven with stainless steel wire.

Also, some people will suggest you to hide the brand name in the camera and the strap. It’s your call if you want to do that or not.

Better be safe than sorry!

7. Get a camera insurance

Ever heard of camera insurance? What are you waiting for? Just do it!

If you lose it or break it somehow, the insurance will take care of it. You already paid for it once, you don’t want to again. Or, do you?

Take the pictures of your camera, serial numbers, purchase receipt, and insurance papers and keep those in your cloud. You can show those while claiming the insurance.

8. Do not give your camera to others

Learn from my mistake. Do not give your camera to others; it’s not their property to take care of it.

“How can I get my photo taken?”, you ask?

Ask others to use their phone and send it to you later. Simple!

9.Carry enough memory cards and back up

I tend to take massive numbers of pictures in a day. One memory card? It usually runs out on a good day!

Take enough memory cards and take an external hard drive with you. If you have a good internet connection, keep it in the could the day you click it.

Keep the backup on both hard disk and the memory card. If one gets damaged, you at least have your photos on the other.

10. Keep spare batteries and charger

If you are traveling to a cold place, the batteries will discharge rapidly. Keep the spares and charger in your bag.

The airplanes do have lithium battery size and quantity limits. So, make sure you know the rules before packing.

Keep all the batteries shield, and away from any metal particles to avoid short circuit.

Also, you are not supposed to keep the batteries in your luggage. Keep it in your carry-on baggage.

11. Rain cover, tripods, and lenses

Are you expecting the rain or clicking near water bodies? Pack in the camera rain cover.

If you didn’t pack for any reason, you can even use plastic bag sandwiches bag with rubber for a temporary use.

If you want to take the tripods with you, get the lightweight and foldable ones.

You can just take one superzoom lenses for variable focal length. Pack light.

12. Take the notes

I took a lot of photos during my travel to China. When I came back after a month, I don’t remember any of the names of monuments and temples.

I had a few names snapped but it was all in the Chinese language; not much of a help.

Jot down the names of the sites, monuments and even the names of the people you took the pictures of.

Until and unless you have a memory of an elephant, you will forget such details.

14. Go away from touristic destinations:

If you are clicking from touristic destinations, you are probably clicking what everyone has!

Go away from Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Buckingham Palace, Burj Khalifa, or The Great Wall!

Meet the locals, ask them about their favorite places. Go off the main road and catch the alleys!

Wander around, try to see the view from the places other people haven’t. You might get your masterpiece.