Stan Hesketh
Well-Known Member
I haven't taken film on a plane for many years, but will be doing in a couple of weeks. Are the Xray devices at airports likely to harm film, or is that a thing from the past?
Many thanks.
Many thanks.
Airport Xrays and film
- Thread starter Stan Hesketh
- Start date
Chris Dodkin
West Coast Correspondent
I asked my local lab and they said there was a potential issue and they always asked for a non-X-Ray hand search of film bag - didn't matter what ASA you were using, they said they had seen clouding on all of them from X-Rays
The official US line is anything 800 ASA and under on hand baggage is supposed to be ok
But anything in checked luggage is basically toast - much stronger machines used on checked bags
The official US line is anything 800 ASA and under on hand baggage is supposed to be ok
But anything in checked luggage is basically toast - much stronger machines used on checked bags
Brian Moore
Moderator
Took a bunch of film on holiday with me in August. Some 200 and some 400 and some 800 but also a 3200 (Ilford) and a 1600 (Fuji Natura). Asked for hand inspection at Los Angeles. No problem. Asked for hand inspection at Glasgow. No way! They adamantly refused to allow me on the plane if I did not allow them to x-ray my film. (Oh,...I wouldn't have to have it x-rayed if I let them unroll the film, the idiot told me.) So, film x-rayed. Later, hand inspection at Heathrow no problem.
All my film turned out OK except the 3200, which was fogged. The 1600 I do not know yet as I haven't finished that roll.
All my film turned out OK except the 3200, which was fogged. The 1600 I do not know yet as I haven't finished that roll.
David Jones
Well-Known Member
Even our ferry luggage is scanned these days but at least we don't have to take our shoes off!
I bought a few plastic re-usable cassettes when I used film and I was thinking you could carry those through the (electromagnetic) body scanners - but that might upset someone if you were found not to have emptied your pockets. Not such a clever idea. Travel used to be enjoyable.
I bought a few plastic re-usable cassettes when I used film and I was thinking you could carry those through the (electromagnetic) body scanners - but that might upset someone if you were found not to have emptied your pockets. Not such a clever idea. Travel used to be enjoyable.
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Pete Askew
Admin
I used an X-ray proof bag for the films that went to Venice packed in the checked-in luggage. No ill effects so far although I have a pushed roll still to develop.
It used to be that, as you say, the hand-luggaged machines were safe up to 1600 ISO. I am suspicious that may not be the case these days as so few people carry film any more. Certainly my bag is often shuffled bag and forth in the machine a few times in many cases while they try to see what's inside. I guess that would increase the dose.
It used to be that, as you say, the hand-luggaged machines were safe up to 1600 ISO. I am suspicious that may not be the case these days as so few people carry film any more. Certainly my bag is often shuffled bag and forth in the machine a few times in many cases while they try to see what's inside. I guess that would increase the dose.
Brian Moore
Moderator
Pete,...the idiot at Glasgow told me the machines were safe up to 4500 ASA or something like that. However, that person was an idiot.
Larry Bolch
Well-Known Member
When traveling, it is wise to wait until you reach your destination to buy film—give yourself time, or just bring the minimum. At the end of your trip, hit the one-hour lab and at least have the film turned into negatives—once developed, they can not be harmed. You are totally at the mercy of the inspectors.
On a forum a decade back, a travel photographer described how he asked for a hand inspection of a three-week shoot in Germany. The guys running the machine knew that he had a plane to catch, and also knew it was very difficult to sue across international borders. He and his buddy ran the shoot through the machine repeatedly—because they could. They though it was hilarious. Three weeks of work destroyed, and nothing to show his editor. Yeah, he was bitter.
On a forum a decade back, a travel photographer described how he asked for a hand inspection of a three-week shoot in Germany. The guys running the machine knew that he had a plane to catch, and also knew it was very difficult to sue across international borders. He and his buddy ran the shoot through the machine repeatedly—because they could. They though it was hilarious. Three weeks of work destroyed, and nothing to show his editor. Yeah, he was bitter.
Stan Hesketh
Well-Known Member
Thank you good people for your advice 
