Film-Chemicals and Airport Security Scanners

C

CanDocGuy

Mark
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Oct 19, 2006
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It has been a long time since I have had to think about such a thing. However in March heading on a two week project to Peru and am leaning towards using my BessaVs as opposed to lugging all my DSLR gear.

Since it is two weeks, I would want to take chemical and tanks to process the film while I am there.

Does anyone have an idea on how difficult it might be to get film (safely) through the scanners and have chemicals and processing tanks in my checked luggage.

Film will likely be Ilford Pan 50, Delta 400, maybe 3200 as well Fuji Provia 100.

I have a number of months to sort this out, but if anyone can give me an idea, or if there is way I can source it in Peru.

Cheers.
Mark.
 
Film at 400 and below will be fine going through carryon scanners. Every airport I know says their checked luggage scanners will scorch any and all film.

Can't speak from experience about the chemicals and the tanks. Call the airline and check the TSA site.
 
Can you post the chemicals to your hotel in advance or, ideally, find a stockist in Peru who will deliver in-country ?
 
Much as Bill says. I think you will have trouble with the chemicals. My enquiries with international carriers indicates that no liquid chemicals will be carried but you can probably take powdered solutions in your checked baggage. It seems to be a case-by-case situation so check with the airlines you'll be using. I understand there are some charter operators in Columbia who will transport powdered chemicals.
 
Why on gods earth would you bring chems, you will get pulled and earched, much safer and easier to get a leaded Domke bag and bring all the film back.
 
those Columbia airlines are a whole other project....

Yeah, may look at sourcing items locally. the chem and tanks I thought would be a problem. Why not just bring them back, well, two weeks, 3-4 rolls a day...I will have time to process there, would rather stay on top of it and be able to see how the story is coming together.

Thanks everyone...I appreciate your knowledge and comments.

Cheers.
 
To avoid most problems due to airline security (TSA's enforcement will vary from airport to airport) I would ship anything that's questionable via Fed Ex or UPS (chemistry in powder form only) to my final destination...
Your film will be all right going through the carry-on scanners...do not put your film in checked baggage...
 
I would never try to get powdered chemicals into any country, especially a south American country. You'll be "Locked Up Abroad" and we'll see your story on TV. I'd try to take care of things like that in-country.

MIke
 
CanDocGuy said:
Since it is two weeks, I would want to take chemical and tanks to process the film while I am there.
Click to expand...

You don't seriously believe that you will have any time to process film on a two week trip?

Back in film days, travelling press and travel photographers did everything they could to avoid local DIY processing even on half year trips, at least for anything above basic news print quality - there is a considerable risk of destroying films when developing under unknown water conditions in a makeshift darkroom.

Sevo
 
I've taken Microphen in checked in baggage with no problems, from SF.

You could also take powder fix, so you'd be carrying no liquids.
 
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