Film is Dead for Overseas Travel…

[zhanteh]

My plan is to do like I usually do and de-box the rolls but leave them in the wrappers. If they need to see a small number pulled out of the wrappers I can accommodate that too.

That is what I am afraid of. I assume there will be some officers that are less accommodating and see the wrappers as reason to chuck them at the scanners.

I think for now I will stick with unsealing the rolls for these checks then pop them in a light seal case after.

 

[rfaspen]

I think I'm done traveling on airplanes with film. This makes me sad. Half a century of film with me on my explorations -- but no more. I'm not a pro or anything that would consider the measures K25 needs. I'm just a guy who visits places with my film camera. Maybe 8-10 rolls of film if I'm serious. Usually just a few rolls for many trips (4-5). What can I do? In the US, I can risk it. Outside the US, I'm assuming the worst. Not going to bother bringing a film camera. Phone shots for me 😢 when abroad. At least the DoF will be good for getting everything in focus.

 

[leicapixie]

I am curious about the OP.
Is this trip for a pro assignment?
Few employers or agencies would be willing or could afford the costs of film, plus processing and adding to final prints..
If the "Film" to be scanned, even with an Imacon or similar drum scanner,
it is now a very good "Digital" image. Digital.
The US$6,000 is considerable.

 

[Vince Lupo]

I am curious about the OP.
Is this trip for a pro assignment?
Few employers or agencies would be willing or could afford the costs of film, plus processing and adding to final prints..
If the "Film" to be scanned, even with an Imacon or similar drum scanner,
it is now a very good "Digital" image. Digital.
The US$6,000 is considerable.

I was wondering that too as far as the scanning goes (unless the plan was to make traditional darkroom prints?) - I was also wondering if the OP considered using his CFV II 50C/907x that he recently acquired instead, which is no slouch in the image quality department and would certainly make life and logistics a lot easier (however I'm sure the OP has a good reason for choosing to jump through all the logistical and financial hoops to ship and use that much film). Interesting to think that 500 rolls of 120 would be the equivalent of about 6 (six) 120GB SD cards, assuming each RAW file is around 105-110MB each.

Guess I shouldn't talk, as I was hoping to take 4.5x6cm glass plates of all things with my Ermanox on a trip to England next year, so this thread is very helpful and thoughtful for those of us who are planning to travel with film materials in the future. I'm more than a bit jealous of your planned trip!

 

[jsrockit]

I am curious about the OP.
Is this trip for a pro assignment?
Few employers or agencies would be willing or could afford the costs of film, plus processing and adding to final prints..

Could be Art no? Not everything is commercial photography.

 

[Pál_K]

I think I'm done traveling on airplanes with film. This makes me sad. Half a century of film with me on my explorations -- but no more. ... What can I do? In the US, I can risk it. Outside the US, I'm assuming the worst. Not going to bother bringing a film camera. ...

Possibly buy film at your destination and have it processed there?

 

[robertofollia]

I've been travelling with film all my life.
Remember back in the very late 80's buying 2 X-ray proof film box from Posso (rebranded by the now extinct french "Phox" reseller) which took with me around the world, even to and from St. Petersbrug back in 1993. Never, ever had a single complaint about them or their use, but that was early to mid'90s

Later on I just stopped using them and had not any concerns apart from some fogging in one colour roll 4 years ago in which my poor camera was scanned multiple times (don't remember where it was, maybe Istambul Airport).
But the most important threat regarding my film was in Stansted Airport when the officer, besides scanning those "weird canisters" wanted to see what was inside. That became an argument until his/her superior came and told they were simply films.
To make a long story short, seems that no one cares nowadays about film. No labels are stuck on film scanners, there is an absolute lack of knowledge regarding photographic products and we are regarded as some freaks from the 20th century trying to slow the pace of security inspections. Any Security Officer below 40 might not even know what film is and nobody might have trained him because, regarding statistics,film users are represent a really really tiny amount so it's not considered necessary.
In the US, being Kodak Alaris a US Business, and producing motion picture films, the campaign and talks with TSA migh have helped to raise some concern regarding the use and effects of CT scanners. But for the rest of the world, think we are done.


As many of you, I stopped flying due to pandemic and restrictions, and fear,as most of you, what can happen.

A friend of mine works in a Spanish airport, might ask him not regarding film, but about the x ray proof film box and will report back.

Best regards

 

[wes loder]

Years ago, when X-rays in airports first started, my mother purchased a lead-sheathed bag specifically for transporting film. Made a trip to Utah last month, and with this discussion group in mind, I got out the bag and loaded my film in it. Fully expected the TSA guys to ask me to open it and let them look at the contents. Nope. Went through the machines without even a hiccup—both ways. No one asked to see what was inside. And, yes, the film was fine and the pictures came out great. WES

 

[KenR]

Wes I am really surprised that they waved you through security. I would have guessed that the lead bag would should up very prominently on the x-ray and they would have hand checked things at that point. Live and learn.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Wes I am really surprised that they waved you through security. I would have guessed that the lead bag would should up very prominently on the x-ray and they would have hand checked things at that point. Live and learn.

That is surprising..... in Austin they wanted to see my Rolleiflex when it showed up on the screeen

 

[Rob-F]

Maybe the Xray machine let them see right through the bag?

 

[KenR]

Lead bag?

Lead bag?

If the bag didn’t show up as opaque on the x-ray then it likely wasn’t lead and likely wasn’t doing it’s job to block x-rays. You could put your film in a plastic lunch bag for convenience, but it won’t save the film from x-ray exposure. Do they still make those shielding bags?

 

[Freakscene]

If the bag didn’t show up as opaque on the x-ray then it likely wasn’t lead and likely wasn’t doing it’s job to block x-rays. You could put your film in a plastic lunch bag for convenience, but it won’t save the film from x-ray exposure. Do they still make those shielding bags?

Yes.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Bag for film&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma

But if you try to take one through these days security just open it, pull everything out and scan it. That’s the international standard approach.

Marty

 

[Dralowid]

Film dead? Overseas travel is a bit moribund too...

 

[raydm6]

I have one of these but haven't tested it yet for airport scanning:

 

[wes loder]

If the bag didn’t show up as opaque on the x-ray then it likely wasn’t lead and likely wasn’t doing it’s job to block x-rays. You could put your film in a plastic lunch bag for convenience, but it won’t save the film from x-ray exposure. Do they still make those shielding bags?

The bag is heavy enough that I have no doubt it is sheathed with lead.

 

[bluesun267]

I am afraid, like many things involving consumer/product harm, there isn't anything that can/will be done until multiple photographers come forward with visibly damaged film. Unfortunate we have to be guinea pigs here; unless somebody at a high position within airport security organizations has the foresight to address the issue beforehand.
In the meantime, I wish no one would alter their greater plans (to use or not use film)

 

[leicapixie]

I wrote the OP directly and have had no reply whatsoever.
I think at this point, it was a "troll' mission.
Those who wrote it could be "ART".
Right even Michelangelo and Da Vinci had cost factors..

lead bags and containers are a no no!
Ages ago in Johannesburg my camera case was sent 5~6 times thru scanner.. Show the film.
In Amsterdam it was sent thru and damaged.
At beloved Heathrow, i was separated from the herd.
Every lens opened and tested it passed light, Nikons dismantled. meter heads off, bodies opened and film,,aiiiii! Thru scanners. Damaged.
Heathrow told me i needed New cameras..
I avoid Heathrow always.

 

[Rob-F]

I think I'm done traveling on airplanes with film. This makes me sad. Half a century of film with me on my explorations -- but no more. I'm not a pro or anything that would consider the measures K25 needs. I'm just a guy who visits places with my film camera. Maybe 8-10 rolls of film if I'm serious. Usually just a few rolls for many trips (4-5). What can I do? In the US, I can risk it.

This is how I feel. I have always liked flying, but I can do without it. My Jeep will take me anyplace I really want to go.

The country Corner in Simla Colorado is a Must Stop on any trip to southern Colorado.

 

[Canyongazer]

Looks like this thread is flickering out so I'll offer this semi-relevant tale.

Years ago, 2005 perhaps, I was returning to America via Charles de Gaulle, Paris.
I had about 300 rolls of exposed 120 along for the ride, messily re-wrapped in their original foil. They were all together in a suitcase dedicated to their comfort.

A gendarme of some type busied himself unwrapping from the foil and gazing at each one of those 300-ish rolls.

He seemed annoyed.

"I am sorry, sir", I said in my poor French, "but I am a professional photographer."

Without looking up he said to me, in English,
"I, too, am sorry sir, but I am a professional suitcase inspector."