Is shipping a camera safe?

[Caveman0407]

My uncle has an old Nikon D90 from like 2008 not being used. He offered to lend it to me. However, he lives far away from me and needs to ship the camera. Also, the shipping services here are... questionable. 

 

If it cannot, I'd also like to ask if a modern mirorless camera (like the Sony ZV-E10) will survive

[porina]

How do you think they moved cameras around for sale? It'll survive shipping with suitable packing. Dismount the lens and pack separately from the body. I've bought and sold many DSLRs in the past without problem.

[Clearviper]

6 minutes ago, Caveman0407 said:

My uncle has an old Nikon D90 from like 2008 not being used. He offered to lend it to me. However, he lives far away from me and needs to ship the camera. Also, the shipping services here are... questionable. 

 

If it cannot, I'd also like to ask if a modern mirorless camera (like the Sony ZV-E10) will survive

maybe ask your uncle if he can somehow over do the bubble wrap etc in the box so it will survive, so lots of bubble wrap and protections in the box and im sure it will survive 

[WereCat]

1 minute ago, porina said:

How do you think they moved cameras around for sale? It'll survive shipping with suitable packing. Dismount the lens and pack separately from the body. I've bought and sold many DSLRs in the past without problem.

cameras are so expensive because they have to be carefully carried from place to place by a specially trained worker

[Needfuldoer]

The secret is double-boxing.

 

Remove the lens from the body, then put hard plastic caps on the lens mount and both ends of the lens.

 

Then separately wrap the body and lens in bubble wrap. Put them in a box with a little room, and fill the air space in the box with more bubble wrap. Tape the box up.

 

Put some more foam peanuts in the bottom of a second box, then put the first box in the middle of this box and fill it the rest of the way with more foam peanuts. Remember to provide cushioning on all six sides, don't just plop the little box down on the bottom of the big one.

 

Then securely tape the outer box up (using the H method on both the top and bottom) and ship it with insurance.

 

Overkill? Maybe, but shipping supplies are cheaper than cameras.  

 

https://www.paramountcamerarepair.com/blogs/news/how-to-pack-your-camera-and-lenses-for-shipping

 

10 minutes ago, WereCat said:

cameras are so expensive because they have to be carefully carried from place to place by a specially trained worker

I see you've never met the camera operators I work with.  Ever seen a banana-shaped DVCPRO camcorder with tire tracks on it?

[porina]

28 minutes ago, Needfuldoer said:

I see you've never met the camera operators I work with.  Ever seen a banana-shaped DVCPRO camcorder with tire tracks on it?

The difference between owning something yourself, and using someone else's stuff  

 

Having said that, when I'm out and about some knocks and bumps are not a problem. Hazards like cats, swans, and small children. (see below)

 

Spoiler

 

A fraction of a second before I got punched by this jaguar. She really didn't like me.

 

Cygnet tried to eat me. At another time, one of its parents pecked the front of a brand new lens and left a slight mark on the anti-reflection coating.

 

[Caveman0407]

13 hours ago, WereCat said:

cameras are so expensive because they have to be carefully carried from place to place by a specially trained worker

This was what I thought. That and that the camera shops are selling to only nearby customers

 

13 hours ago, Needfuldoer said:

The secret is double-boxing.

 

Remove the lens from the body, then put hard plastic caps on the lens mount and both ends of the lens.

 

Then separately wrap the body and lens in bubble wrap. Put them in a box with a little room, and fill the air space in the box with more bubble wrap. Tape the box up.

 

Put some more foam peanuts in the bottom of a second box, then put the first box in the middle of this box and fill it the rest of the way with more foam peanuts. Remember to provide cushioning on all six sides, don't just plop the little box down on the bottom of the big one.

 

Then securely tape the outer box up (using the H method on both the top and bottom) and ship it with insurance.

 

Overkill? Maybe, but shipping supplies are cheaper than cameras.  

 

https://www.paramountcamerarepair.com/blogs/news/how-to-pack-your-camera-and-lenses-for-shipping

 

I see you've never met the camera operators I work with.  Ever seen a banana-shaped DVCPRO camcorder with tire tracks on it?

I'll ask if he could do that. Thanks