a potentially stupid question or two about flying with film

[Merkin]

I know you arent supposed to fly with fast film, i.e. anything over 800 speed, but if you are rating 400 speed film at 1600 is it a problem? I am a little fuzzy on how exactly the x rays and the film interact. I will be using a lead lined bag, and not checking my film (obviously).

Also, what is the maximum number of rolls of film one can take with them on a flight to mexico?

 

[uhligfd]

You are doing the right thing (lead bag, 400 ISo, carry-on). Just enjoy your trip and carry as many rolls as fit in hand luggage.

Maybe not that many, but whatever you estimate you will need, 100, 200 rolls ...

 

[bedaberger]

i always ask the security staff for a hand-check, and tell them i have high-speed film. also ISO 100 is defined as a high-speed film! ;-)

never had a problem, also not on a 8 months long trip.
some times you need to ask your question severel times...

if you let them scan, better not use a lead bag, because there are xray-machines that increase there intensity when they are not able to light through a "thing"!

and keep in mind that one scan makes the same damage on a ISO 1600 film as four scans of a ISO 400 film.
...and on a long trip you have to walk through security posts again and again...

 

[Gumby]

Also, what is the maximum number of rolls of film one can take with them on a flight to Mexico?

Being curious, I googled this for you. From a Mexico tourism site, here is one of a long list of items that are exempt from taxation:

"A photographic, cinematographic or video camera (except professional equipment) including power source and up to twelve films or video cassettes new, as well as the filmed or printed photographic material "

 

[Merkin]

If i shoot 400 speed film at 1600, is it still 400 speed for the purposes of x-ray machines? My main concern here is that I won't be able to process my film until I get back.

 

[Chuck Albertson]

if you let them scan, better not use a lead bag, because there are xray-machines that increase there intensity when they are not able to light through a "thing"!

No, no, no. There are no checkpoint scanners that pump up the dosage if they *see* a lead-lined bag. Not in the US, not anywhere else. The dosages are fixed (to protect the operators as much as anything else), and if the operator sees an opaque image, they're supposed to pull it out of line and hand-check it. Some actually do. This is an urban myth so old that it has hair on it.

Ask for a hand-check at US airports (you have a right to it), but allow extra time to clear the checkpint as they will often swab every roll of film and run it through the explosives detector. Takes time. 400 and 800 speed can take a number of scans without harm. I'm on a trip now where I've taken TMZ (EI 3200) through half a dozen scans already, and I'm not worried about it, based on a lack of problems in the past.

 

[bmattock]

The TSA says:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1035.shtm

We recommend that you do not place your film in lead-lined bags since the lead bag will have to be hand-inspected.

Here's lots of industry information about x-rays and film, happy reading.

http://www.i3a.org/advocacy/itip/

 

[WoolenMammoth]

xray damage is not typically EVER fogging, its usually static marks on the film running lengthwise down the roll.

 

[Solinar]

I carry my film - unboxed - no film containers - packed in a clear zip lock, which I keep with me in my carry on. So far, politely asking for a hand inspection has worked and I've been in some very busy airports.

When I'm able to in the US - I send the film home via UPS ground.

 

[pachuco]

Plastic ziplock bag (gallon sized) with your film out of the box and clearly visible film speed. Try and suck all the air out of the bag it compacts better and you can stack multiple layers. Include some high speed film in the bags so you have a reason for hand inspection. If it is really important that your film be hand checked (someone is paying you) then beg if you have to but generally you can say you are a photographer and if you have enough gear with you they understand. Just as a side note, I've had Tri-X scanned many times in this fashion and have never seen any ill effects. I travel to Mexico and South America this way everytime and it works like a charm. No limit on the film I bring as long as it is packed in an orderly fashion and I am nice to the airport people. As a carry on I bring my back pack and my Domke bag, both filled with some clothes (emergency clothes in my camera bag) and both with film. Good luck and have fun.