go to content go to search box go to global site navigation

Thorn Tree Forum

Bringing Cameras to Myanmar

Replies: 14 - Last Post: Dec 5, 2012 1:55 AM Last Post By: Herbie47

jump to
← Back to topic list

hurricanehall

hurricanehall avatar

Dec 3, 2012 9:08 PM
Posts:  4

Bringing Cameras to Myanmar

Hi All,

I am leaving at the beginning of January on a 6 month trip throughout SEA. I will be in Myanmar around April, and am wondering about bringing camera gear to Myanmar. I will have my Nikon D600 with an 28-85mm, 70-300mm , and a Nikon 50mm . I am not a professional photographer, but my gear is bordering on Pro gear. Would this be a problem taking that much gear? I will also have a laptop, and 2 hard drives as well.
I searched the forum for this topic, but the last post I found was from 2008, and from what I understand Myanmar has changed quite a bit since then.

Thanks in advanced,

B

Captain_Bob

Captain_Bob avatar

Dec 3, 2012 9:26 PM
Posts:  2,465

1

I searched the forum for this topic
What topic is that? You have a few thousand bucks worth of gear, so look after it properly.

Petrus

Petrus avatar

Dec 3, 2012 10:09 PM
Posts:  1,216

2

You did not search good enough: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2278452

I have been there with more gear in 1984 and just a month ago, no problems. I did see someone at Swedagon with a photo permit* hanging from his DSLR (500 Kyats or so), so maybe you just have the camera in the bag when passing the ticket counter, to save 50 cents...

*) required for "pro gear".

hanno

hanno avatar

Dec 3, 2012 11:30 PM
Posts:  1,328

3

Just came back. Had a Canon 7D, a 70-210/f2.8, a 100-400, a 10-18, a 50, and a 24-70 plus 2 flashes and assorted other gear, nobody batted an eyelid.

As for the camera fees: I always paid; I spent considerable money on the trip and wasn't going to sweat a few Dollars. But I did notice that the local photographers made damn sure that everyone paid the fee. I had lost the sticker in Mandalay and a couple of guys were on me in a flash. As I kept the receipt I was OK though.

Petrus

Petrus avatar

Dec 4, 2012 12:27 AM
Posts:  1,216

4

I suppose they are after DSLR users, I had Fujifilm X-Pro1 and X-E1 and nobody suggested I should pay a camera fee anywhere. I suppose they look harmless and old (even though they are new and the picture quality is on par with any DSLR with 24 MPix and less).

Herbie47

Herbie47 avatar

Dec 4, 2012 2:22 AM
Posts:  3,605

5

No problem with that puny amount of gear.

hanno

hanno avatar

Dec 4, 2012 5:06 AM
Posts:  1,328

6

In my group everyone got slapped with the camera fee, except the smartphone users.

Herbie47

Herbie47 avatar

Dec 4, 2012 5:22 AM
Posts:  3,605

7

Yes I had to pay a fee once, 300kyat no big deal.

hanno

hanno avatar

Dec 4, 2012 6:19 AM
Posts:  1,328

8

Yes I had to pay a fee once, 300kyat no big deal

It's a bit more now but I still don't really care. If someone starts stressing about a few cents than staying home may be a better option.

Herbie47

Herbie47 avatar

Dec 4, 2012 6:42 AM
Posts:  3,605

9

Maybe I only had to pay at In Dein.

chongtan

chongtan avatar

Dec 4, 2012 1:37 PM
Posts:  39

10

there's no problem taking your gear in and out of the country. No problem passing through the customs.

gelfball

gelfball avatar

Dec 4, 2012 4:39 PM
Posts:  59

11

avoiding the 30 cent camera fees --- cheapskates! at pagodas all the money charged on any fees goes back to upkeep and preservation, same with historical sites. you are taking a lot out with your nice 20 megapixel photos of local culture, why not give back 30 cents...

hanno

hanno avatar

Dec 4, 2012 4:55 PM
Posts:  1,328

12

Exactly gelfball. But then there are a few cheapskates on TT. Recent post asked how to get into Angkor Wat for free and I remember the classic were a poster provided the advice of going into banks in Thailand to fill up the water bottle without paying.

hurricanehall

hurricanehall avatar

Dec 4, 2012 8:41 PM
Posts:  4

13

Thanks for all the info!! I will definitely be be paying the camera fees.

Herbie47

Herbie47 avatar

Dec 5, 2012 1:55 AM
Posts:  3,605

14

Yes pay the fees, they are only at the main tourist sites anyway.
← Back to topic list
ADVERTISEMENT

In our shop

See all shop products

Hotels & Hostels

See all hotels & hostels