Airport x-ray (for those traveling often)

[kennylovrin]

Hey guys

I'm a bit early on this question, but in February I'm going to Thailand for two weeks and as I've really started to enjoy film photography I want to bring my M6 and shoot film etc.

The thing is that I'm really worried about the x-ray scanners. I am not the kind of person that would ever start an argument with the security personnel at the airport, so while I can see myself asking them to hand check my film, if they say no I will not question them. 😉

Anyway, I talked briefly to another RFF member, and he didn't seem to have any issues with ISO100 film, but I'd like to bring a range of 100-400 and perhaps even 800.

I know for a fact that I will pass through security twice during the while trip (going there, and home again). I will make a stop both ways, but it will just be a transfer within the same terminal so I THINK I won't have to pass through security there. But if I do, in worst case the films will be exposed 4 times in total by x-ray scanners.

I will not have time to buy or have film developed when I'm there, or at least I cannot count on it, so I will have to bring what I need, and bring it back home exposed as well.

What do you guys think? Am I risking ruining everything if I just let it go through the x-ray scanners?

(I'm asking now, because if it turns out to be too big of a risk, I have to bring a digital, and that might lead me to buying a different digital than the one I have currently 😉).

EDIT:
I'd like to bring both b&w, color negative and slide film if possible.

Thanks,
Kenny

 

[Lss]

Make sure you have all your film in your carry-on luggage. All of it, every flight. Other than that, do not worry.

At some airports they want to make sure you don't put ISO 1600 or higher rated film though the machine. If you want your film hand-inspected, you can therefore improve your chances by adding a roll of 3200 film in your bag (or claiming so). I don't remember whether they ask that in Thailand, though.

 

[kennylovrin]

Make sure you have all your film in your carry-on luggage. All of it, every flight. Otherwise, do not worry.

At some airports they want to make sure you don't put ISO 1600 or higher rated film though the machine. If you want your film hand-inspected, you can therefore improve your chances by adding a roll of 3200 film in your bag (or claiming so). I don't remember whether they ask that in Thailand, though.

Ah yes, I am aware of so much as putting it in the carry on. I've heard about the ISO3200 trick as well, so I will try that I think.

But you think that even ISO800 is fine to go through the x-ray?

 

[Lss]

But you think that even ISO800 is fine to go through the x-ray?

Yes. I never saw any problems, and some of my film (ISO 400) has gone through the scanners about a dozen times.

 

[kennylovrin]

Yes. I never saw any problems, and some of my film (ISO 400) has gone through the scanners about a dozen times.

Thanks, that's great. Maybe I don't even need to bring a digital as backup then. Actually, backup doesn't really help much in the sense of destroyed film as I don't know that until I'm back anyway. 🙂

 

[Lss]

Here's a ISO 100 shot from Thailand that went through five security checks, IIRC.

 

[Glenn2]

As long as you keep your film in your carry on baggage you'll be OK. The stuff that goes into the hold may or may not be x-rayed, but if it is they will use a high dose that will fog film for sure.

I spent two months in India earlier this year shooting with M4 and X-100. I brought all my film from Canada and took it back home for processing. In total my 400 ISO film (Tri-X & Fuji Pro400s)got exposed to carry on scanners five times. I left control rolls at home and can't see any obvious differences between zapped and un-zapped. I avoided using the Delhi subway system as there were x-ray inspections at the train stations. On the way home my carry on got the swab test at Heathrow. Perhaps carrying a lot of film is just not the norm and triggers paranoia. My film was out of the boxes but still in containers. I kept exposed and un-exposed separated in a couple zip lock bags. I have used a lead bag on previous trips but that seems unnecessary and likely will trigger extra delays as they ask you to open things up. Yes, it has happened to me a few times.

Have a great trip, and good light...

Glenn

 

[28mm]

Flying out of the US, TSA will generally hand-check your film no-questions-asked. Abroad, I have not had too much difficulty (airport security is generally more courteous in Asia, even China).

Remember, you are still dealing with people, so your tone and demeanor go a long way.

Enjoy the trip!

 

[kennylovrin]

I'll be going Copenhagen -> Helsinki -> Bangkok and back again.

I normally have a nice tone towards people, so that should be fine. The bigger problem is I'm so scared of authority that if they we're to say it has to go through the x-ray I would never question that. 😉

 

[BardParker]

I recently went to London, Paris, Normandy, and Rome. I was granted hand inspections at all airports, including DFW leaving, and clearing customs in Chicago O'Hare on the return... the only place that refused was St Pancras Station in London for the Eurostar train to Paris. Have your film out of the boxes and in quart sized ziploc bags, when you ask for hand inspection and it helps. No problems noted with the film that went through the carry on xray scanner. I wouldn't worry too much.

Regards,

Kent

 

[Ronald_H]

Kodak Tri-X pushed to 1600. Has been trough X-ray machines (hand luggage) 11 times. There really, really, REALLY is nothing to worry about.


My trip to India in B/W by Ronald_H, on Flickr

 

[magicianhisoka]

I've had rolls of film that went through 6 scans in Europe. No problems so far. Even for 120 that had 4 doses of radiation.

Bringing a test roll to Paris to be blasted another 3 times. Will update if 9 doses will have any effects 🙂

 

[kennylovrin]

This is great news, thanks everyone for the input. It makes me genuinely happy to know that I can take my Leica, which I really wanted to do.

 

[johannielscom]

For the love of God,

http://www.google.nl/search?client=...oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&ei=owygUObGMsqu0QWisIGYBg


:bang:

Mr. mod, can we PLEASE have a sticky on this somewhere, from any of the threads in that Google search that extensively investigated the subject?

 

[Sparrow]

It never happens ... simply internet gossip

... you just have to worry about the burned shutter paranoia thing now 😀

 

[kennylovrin]

It never happens ... simply internet gossip

... you just have to worry about the burned shutter paranoia thing now 😀

Yeah, let's not start on that one. 😉

 

[andrewmore]

What about the Fuji films that clearly state 'Do not x-ray' on the box, especially where all luggage has to go through the main x-ray scanner (and hand luggage through another scanner)?

Andrew More