sealed camera for plane travel?

[BEM]

My MX-5 manual says "When packing this product for airplane travel, release the locking latches or remove the O-ring to alleviate pressure build up due to atmospheric changes."

Only flown once with it (sealed) and it was in checked baggage.

Is this necessary? And do most of you do this with your camera equipment?

 

[Scubamedicjoe]

I do just to be safe .
most remove o rings what I have always heard

 

[sealkie]

dive equipment is intended to tolerate higher pressures on the outside and camera sealed during a flight is under internal excess pressure - not a good thing

You should only have the o-rings in when i use anyway - it will prolong their life

 

[Charlie99]

A potential problem is that the case may equalize internal pressure while at altitude, then seal when returning to sea level. That will leave the inside about 3psi pressure lower than the outside and you will have a hard time opening the housing. Other divers have reported this sort of problem with various dry boxes.

Olympus has a similar warning in their PT-016 housing manual, but there wasn't any problem the 2 times I deliberately sealed up the housing before my flight home to see what would happen. (If it did seal closed, I'd have the time to just wait for the case to slowly equalize.)

I usually take out the o-ring and store it in the same plastic baggy I use to grease it.

 

[Mike Newman]

For all the reasons already listed every manufacturer makes it clear that camera cases should not be 'flown' sealed. I've been told that the O rings can actually be deformed or physically blown if they are left in place and subjected to a build-up of internal pressure in the case.

 

[gsxr1997]

wouldnt it be easier to just leave the latch undone?