Photography gear protection on a trip comes down to a few risks: batteries at the airport, water and dust in the field, condensation, scanners for film, and the loss of your files. This guide keeps to documented rules and manufacturer advice from the TSA, Canon, Kodak and the data-backup literature. Where we give our own judgment instead, we say so.
The earlier version of this page was about 4,000 words of general travel prose, including advice on insurance, theft and camera choice that we could not source. Therefore, we removed it. In short, this version is smaller but easier to check.
Photography gear protection at a glance
| Risk | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Spare batteries | Carry-on only; 100 Wh or less per lithium-ion battery | TSA |
| Larger batteries | 101–160 Wh: airline approval, two spares at most, carry-on only | TSA |
| Rain and dust | Dust and drip resistance is not waterproofing | Canon EOS R1 manual |
| Condensation | Seal the camera in a plastic bag before a cold-to-warm move | Canon EOS R1 manual |
| Film | CT scanners fogged Kodak film after one pass | Kodak via DIYPhotography |
| Files | Keep three copies, on two media types, with one off-site | Barracuda glossary |
Batteries: carry-on only, and watch the watt-hours
The TSA says spare lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries must travel in carry-on baggage only. This includes power banks. Each lithium-ion battery should be rated at 100 watt-hours (Wh) or less, and each lithium metal battery should hold 2 grams of lithium or less. For batteries rated 101 to 160 Wh, the TSA requires airline approval and allows two spares per person.
Most camera batteries sit far below the limit. For example, the Sony NP-BG1 pictured above is marked 3.4 Wh. However, large video batteries and power banks can reach the higher tiers, so read the label before you pack. The TSA page we read does not cover batteries installed in devices, so check the airline and the FAA guidance for those.
Photography gear protection from rain, dust and salt
Canon’s manual for the EOS R1 calls the camera dust and drip resistant, not waterproof, and says it cannot be used underwater. Canon also says it is impossible to block dirt, dust, water or salt completely. To get the most protection, keep the terminal cover, battery compartment cap and card slot cover closed, and fit the shoe cover. Other brands and models differ, so read the manual for your own body and lenses.
An IP code is one way to compare protection. According to the Galaxus guide to IEC 60529, the first digit rates dust protection from 0 to 6, and the second rates water protection from 0 to 9. An “X” means the product was not rated for that item, so IPX4 says nothing about dust but means protection against splashes from all sides. Moreover, IP67 and IP68 cover temporary immersion under standard conditions. The Canon manual we read uses words, not an IP code, so do not assume a number for a camera that does not list one.
After exposure, Canon advises wiping off water with a dry, clean cloth. For dirt, dust or salt, it advises a clean, well-wrung wet cloth. It also recommends cleaning after use, because leftover salt or water may cause malfunctions. If the camera falls into water, Canon says to contact a service centre promptly.
Condensation when the climate changes
Canon warns that condensation can form when you carry a camera from the cold into a warm room. To prevent it, seal the camera in a plastic bag and let it adjust to the warmer temperature before you take it out. If condensation does form, do not use the camera, and do not remove the lens, card or battery. Instead, turn it off and let the moisture evaporate fully. Canon also says to keep the rear cap on when you detach a lens.
Film and airport scanners
In January 2020, Kodak Alaris reported that new CT scanners for carry-on bags fogged film. DIYPhotography says Kodak tested Portra 400 in cooperation with the TSA, running rolls through a scanner one to ten times, and found “significant film fogging” after a single pass. PetaPixel adds that the TSA advised hand inspection for film at ISO 800 or higher, for pushed or underexposed film, and for film scanned more than five times. It also says checked-baggage X-ray will likely damage undeveloped film, so keep film in your carry-on.
Because airports change equipment, treat this as a 2020 snapshot. Ask the airport for its current policy and request a hand inspection if you are in doubt.
Photography gear protection for your files: the 3-2-1 rule
Gear can be replaced, but a day of pictures cannot. The 3-2-1 backup rule asks for three copies of your data, on at least two types of storage, with one copy in a separate location. Barracuda credits the photographer Peter Krogh with popularising it in 2005 in The DAM Book, and it does not say he invented it. On the road, this can mean the card, a laptop or portable drive, and a cloud or mailed copy.
Cleaning in the field
Canon recommends a commercial blower for dust on the lens or viewfinder, and it warns against cleaners with organic solvents on the body or lens. It also advises against touching the electrical contacts, because fingers can corrode them. Stubborn dirt belongs with a service centre.
Our own habits, not rules
The following points are our judgment, drawn from the sources above:
- Pack batteries and cards in your carry-on, and check each label for watt-hours.
- Close every cover before rain, sand or spray, and wipe the camera afterwards.
- Let the camera warm up inside a sealed bag after a cold morning.
- Back up every evening, and keep one copy away from the camera bag.
- Plan for the scanner: decide before the trip how you will carry film.
For the legal side of shooting on the road, see our guide to street photography travel.
Sources and limits
- TSA: lithium batteries, 100 Wh or less
- TSA: lithium batteries, more than 100 Wh
- Canon EOS R1 online manual: Handling Precautions
- Galaxus: what each IP code means
- DIYPhotography: Kodak advisory on CT scanners (27 January 2020)
- PetaPixel: Kodak warns about CT scanners (27 January 2020)
- Barracuda: 3-2-1 backup rule
We rewrote this article on 10 November 2026. Our research tools return summaries of web pages, so check rules on the original pages before you fly. The Canon advice comes from one model’s manual, and the film advice dates from 2020. The Galaxus page and the Barracuda page are secondary sources, not the IEC standard or Krogh’s book. We did not cover insurance, theft or lens choice, because we could not source them. The four AI-generated illustrations are marked in their captions.