>>Anyone know why recently you must remove your laptop from its case before sending it through the x-ray machine at airport security? What difference can the laptop case make?
>
>Don't know but many years ago (as early as 1988-90), before all this post 9/11 paranoia, I was often made to remove the lens from my SLR camera. What was all that about?

There's space between the lens and the shutter, usually taken by the moving mirror, where you can stick anything small enough, jewelry perhaps. Of course, you'd probably damage the shutter if you took a shot while the thing's inside. It's also a way to smuggle something, which someone once probably did. And since the body of such a camera is mostly metal, they can't see it on the Röntgen.