Travel question

OK, I have the Sony A1U and the Amphibico EVO Pro housing. When I travel, I have always put the camera in my wifes purse (much to her objections) and kept the housing empty. I know the instructions say not to travel with the camera in the housing, but I'm not sure why. Do any of you travel with your camera in the housing if you are carrying on the housing? I guess I could understand the concern if you were checking the housing (I've had several bags destroyed by the airline baggage handlers), but if you were carrying on the housing and putting it in the overhead, would you consider traveling with the camera in the housing?

Thanks,

Vic

I'm not sure why they say that but I guess the bumps and bangs of travel can be harsh on the camera's tripod mount.

I always travel with my Sony Z1P in my Light and Motion Bluefin housing. It's been on 12 flights so far without problems.

I remove the handles from the housing and it travels in a Lowepro Computrekker AW Plus rucksack.

I remove the plug in the back of the housing for the flight so that 1) the pressure inside doesn't push any seals outwards and 2) I can still get the back off when I land. Air can escape from inside the housing during the flights because the seals are working in reverse, which they're not supposed to do. Then when the plane descends they work as they should and you end up with a partial vacuum inside the housing. So if you haven't got a removable plug on the housing you might want to remove the main o-ring for the flight. Or wedge a handkerchief or something in the door to stop it closing fully.

I've always closed the housing during travel, and never had a problem opening it, so I don't think pressure is a problem. Typically the cabin should be pressurized to about 10,000 ft (if I recall correctly), so the "reverse" pressure to date does not appear to be enough to get past the seals. I'm glad to hear that putting the camera in the housing has worked for you, since I'm thinking about trying it on my trip this week to FL.

Vic

Amphibico included a great big notice with my Endeavour stating that it must NOT be closed during flights. Apparently the high pressure inside the housing, relative to the ambient pressure at altitude, may cause forward displacement and damage to the "o" rings, particularly on the port seals. They may look OK but will leak on the next immersion. So as already stated it is best to remove the rings or jam the housing open just a tad

They were also adamant that I should not transport the camera in the housing as it could stress the mounting tray/horse, but this must be low risk if you are carrying it yourself.

Roger

Oh bugger !!

I've been travelling with the housing closed all this time...Luckily with no probs Phew !!!

Never put the cam in the housing though, that's usually inside my carry on. Maybe you could wedge some foam or socks in the housing to keep the cam safe without having to thread it on the mount, thus packing more socks or use underpants...Clean ones though Don't want stubborn stains on your best lens...

Dive safe

DeanB

I have actually had an Ikelite housing crack due to transporting it open on the plane, I put foam in between the edges of the open housing but they must have fallen out then some fantastic baggage handler has dropped the pelican case the housing smashed together and cracked.

In all fairness Ikelite were brill and replaced it FOC but it was still a pain sending back to the states, I was glad it happened on the way home too... phew!!

I always close housings now when I fly but always take the camera in hand luggage

That's very good of Ikelite.

Is there a difference in pressure between where the cabin and the bit where the checked-in bags are stored? Twice in the past airhead here forgot to take the little plug out of Pelican cases and they came out on the carousel like a piece of thick toast. Completely warped and in the middle about 60% of the depth they should be. They were OK again after I removed the plug though.

I'll never travel with a Pelican case again after my last trip. It just attracted trouble at every step of the way. Somewhere between Phuket and Manado one of the plastic "eyes" (where the padlock goes) was broken open so someone could have a nose inside, and at every immigration/customs stop whichever of us had the Pelican case was pulled over and grilled. It's plain, cheap suitcases for me from now on, with the cam/housing/laptop on my back.