TechSupport
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Flying with my camera
QIn August I will be flying to Bangkok via Dubai with Emirates Airlines. I am trying to work out what the regulations are concerning my camera gear and laptop, which I will be using to edit and store my photos while I’m on holiday. I will be changing planes at Dubai, both ways, and I understand that although I won’t be leaving the airside section of the airport while in transit, I will have to go through security again between the arrival and departure gates. It’s seems a bit confusing as I have read that in the Middle East laptops must be put in checked baggage but I thought the regulations mean batteries have to be in your cabin carry- on bags. The battery in my laptop is not removable. What about cameras and their batteries? Are you able to shed any light on this? Leonard Johns
AThe Middle East ban on electronic devices that are larger than a smartphone was initially applied by the USA in March 2017 to flights from the Middle East to the USA. The UK applied similar restrictions soon after. However, the measures were temporary and were phased out for most flights, including those from Dubai, by July 2017. Although there may be some local differences at some airports and with certain airlines, in general, you are permitted to bring your laptop and camera in carry- on baggage. More specifically, unless installed in their devices, any batteries must be brought in your carry- on bags, which includes spare camera batteries.
If the battery is installed in your camera or your laptop then, if you wish, you can put these devices into your checked baggage – just don’t carry loose batteries. Most people elect to bring their cameras, lenses and laptops into the cabin, as they are concerned about the rough handling of hold baggage. It’s always wise to double check with your airline and even the airport for any unusual local restrictions. For example, Hungary is unusual in not permitting drones in cabin baggage.
Pre-empting challenging white-balance situations
QRecently, when I photographed some wild yellow primroses, they looked as if they were white with yellow centres, with perhaps a slight hint of cream in the white. My first thought when I looked at the images was that I’d blown the highlights. But when I checked the colour temperature, it was 4245K, much lower than required with the sun quite high behind fairly thin cloud, without taking into account the effect of the trees overhead.
I have a Nikon D800, and normally leave the white balance on Auto. I save both JPEG and raw files, so if needed, I can adjust the colour temperature to taste. I suppose that when the sensor sees only bright green and pale yellow in the frame, it can’t set a colour temperature that corresponds well to the incoming light. But I wouldn’t like to guess an appropriate colour temperature for light filtered through trees just opening their first flush of spring leaves. Is there any way of setting an appropriate colour temperature for circumstances such as these without carrying a separate meter, or metering off a white or grey card rather than the subject? Chris Newman (AP forum)
AAutomatic white balance does a remarkably good job most of the time, but you have discovered a situation with difficult lighting where some help is needed. Recording raw (NEF) files is a fail-safe method as you can adjust white balance afterwards with impunity. But if you want a perfect shot incamera, you will need to use your experience as a starting point and then fine-tune. Next time, you may want to set the temperature to 4245K as before. Review the image on the camera’s screen and adjust and reshoot as required. Over time you should begin to anticipate the best settings with improving accuracy.
Q&A compiled by Ian Burley