Film carrying tips

[Lauffray]

NOT another X-Ray thread 🙂

I'll be taking quite a bit of film with me on an upcoming trip. While I'll definitely unbox all of them before packing, I'm debating whether to also leave the plastic containers behind.

Do you guys see any reason to/not to ? My main concern is some damage in transport, accidentally unrolling the film etc
For info, I don't rewind my film all the way in

 

[BLKRCAT]

just ask for a hand inspection. put your film in a clear plastic bag or something they can see in to. They can swab your film to detect drugs, explosives etc. I have never had any issues.

 

[Lauffray]

haha thanks, but like I said this isn't about airport/X-Ray concerns, it's mostly about transportation/weight/practicality. I've always carried them unboxed in the containers, but never traveled with this much film before.

 

[sjauch]

Love how the above response had nothing to do with the question.

I don't see any issue other than mistaking an exposed roll for an unexposed since you leave the leaders out.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Plastic containers doesn't take any extra space, but providing best protection. Boxes are useless.
I never leave my reusable film canisters outside.
Even if it is single use film, still in containers. Travel or not.

 

[stompyq]

I had a problem carrying unexposed 120mm film outside of the protective wrappers. They were ruined bc of moisture (i think). No issues with xrays but there was a low level of fogging that ruined nearly every image. I would keep the plastic containers and put all of it in a clear plastic bag

 

[kxl]

Plastic containers doesn't take any extra space,

They actually DO take up quite a bit of space when you bring with you 60-70+ rolls of film. I assume that's the volume (if not more) the OP is asking about.

I never bring the plastic containers with me. I roll up the film in gallon zip lock bags for transport. I also pack empty (smaller) zip lock bags for the exposed rolls as well as a marker and rubber bands.

I store exposed rolls in the extra bags, secure them with rubber bands and document them (I do it by location) for easy identification later on.

 

[rfaspen]

I definitely retain the plastic containers. To control humidity primarily. Also, I can drop one in a lake and get it back unharmed....er, that's never happened though 😱

The other reason I retain the canisters is organization. I write all over those things to help remember what's the deal with the film inside. I find it more difficult to write on the film cartridge itself. The whitish/clear canisters (e.g., Fuji) take sharpie very nicely. The black Kodak canisters, not so much. I often put masking tape on those and write on that. The lid is sharpie-ready.

Also, because the canisters are good at managing humidity around the film, you would want to remember what happens when opening them in a dry or wet/humid environment. Good to let the film acclimate before using. Similar, yet different than when you take it out of the freezer or fridge, but in that case I don't dare open the canister until its at equilibrium with the ambient temperature.

As for x-rays. No need to revive that one (whew). I have my opinion, others have theirs. I like that people think about it and act on information/rationale.

 

[Gumby]

I transport my film in the plastic containers too. Always have and always will... have never had a film mishap and I believe it is due to this practice.

 

[harpofreely]

I use high-quality quart or gallon ziplocks, one per film type, plus bags as needed for exposed rolls - all well labeled with sharpies. I find there is not much wear and tear in my main luggage, as that stays put after arrival. I bring along maybe a half-dozen of the plastic cans for day trips and camera-bag duty, where there is more moving and rummaging and the extra protection is warranted.

 

[bence8810]

As I bulk load, I have no paper boxes naturally but that is already being left behind from what I read.
I normally just take plastic containers - it's very sturdy and keeps water / dust etc out if anything should happen. I also don't think it takes all that much space up. I normally stick a peace of tape on all containers and I mark the tape when the film is exposed and move the tape from the side over to the top. With this system I never even once had a double or non exposed roll developed.

Good luck with the packing and hopefully see you soon in Tokyo!
Ben

 

[Pablito]

Traveled often with 90 rolls of 35mm, always used the plastic containers. Adds very little weight or bulk, adds significant protection. Thank god, don't use film any more

 

[Bingley]

I always take the plastic containers on a trip, and discard as I shoot the film. I put the film in plastic freezer bags, usually separated into bw and color.

 

[jwicaksana]

I use film case from JCH, found that with coordinated storage, it actually takes less space than to have them scattered all over my bag. Sad story I left my case with a few unexposed TriX inside. So with cases it's a case of eggs in one basket. 🙂

 

[narsuitus]

For the 35mm film, discard the boxes but for protection from moisture, water, dust, and crushing damage; keep the film in the plastic or metal canisters.

For the 120 film, 220 film, and sheet film, discard the boxes but for protection from moisture, water, dust, and light; keep the film in the waterproof and lightproof package.

 

[rfaspen]

Ah, those cases from JCH. Those once piqued my interest. I still kinda wonder how those would work out for me. I may still yet.

BTW, I rarely ever travel with more than, say, 20 rolls of film. Usually much less. Last trip overseas it was 7, no 8 rolls. I think it was 8....😕 It's less now because I bring digital as well.

 

[Rayt]

The 135 metal canisters are pretty tough and I have never had problems traveling without the plastic cans. You should wind the leader all the way in and it will take a matter of seconds to retrieve it with a leader extractor. For 120 film I always store exposed rolls in a plastic tube. This is to protect it from light and moisture.

 

[Joao]

I use those plastic boxes used for slides. Six rolls fit perfectly in each box. They close very well and provide enough protection IMO.
But it also depends where you are travelling to and what the environment conditions will be. An excursion in cities of central Europe will demand less protection than a rafting trip or an Arctic trekking journey

 

[michaelwj]

I use the JCH cases, two 10's and a 5 giving me 25 rolls in the same volume as 3 of those ilford triple pack boxes. I take the 5 with me on day trips, leaving the others wherever I'm staying. Usually I don't take that much, mostly just one 10 and the 5. I just got back from a week in Long Island and only took the 5 pack. Off to Italy next week and will take a bit more. Both work trips, so not sightseeing.
I think the plastic canisters add significant bulk, if I didn't have the JCH cases I would probably ziplock them naked.
Happy travels!

 

[Chuck Albertson]

For large lots, I take the film out of the cans and cram 16 rolls into a square flat Tupperware container - I had a secretary a long time ago who dealt Tupperware on the side. Keeps the film dry, and it facilitated hand inspection at the security checkpoints when I bothered with that sort of thing.

Don't know what to tell you about how to tell exposed/unexposed rolls apart if you leave the leader out - I've never understood why people do that.