Film safety in film safe-x

[srtiwari]

Just flew into Toronto last night and had left 4 rolls of 800 ASA film in a "Film safe-x" case in my suitcase, instead of hand carrying it through Airports. I do know the checked-in baggage goes through stronger Xray scanners. Wonder if its still worth using- or should I just assumed it will be somewhat fogged ? :bang:

 

[bmattock]

There is no way to know without using it. Not all checked bags get the high-intensity scans, and you have no way of knowing what did and what did not. If it got the high-intensity scan, your lead bag did no good - the film is ruined completely. I guess it would not hurt to try it, but I'd hate to trust it to any shots I wanted to keep. You could test a throwaway roll from the batch - if it comes out fine, then the rest should be good as well.

For what it may be worth - for anyone reading this - I keep beating this drum but I guess no one listens. 1) No lead bag will protect film from the scanners used for checked baggage. 2) Screeners and the TSA (USA) recommend against using lead bags for carryon baggage. If they detect the lead bag, they'll require you to remove the film and they'll rescan it without the bag anyway. Go to the TSA (www.tsa.gov) website and see for yourself. 3) All film is damaged by x-rays, always. However, most film under ISO 800 can withstand at least 5 passes through typical US carryon scanners before damage becomes evident.

You can request hand inspection of film in US airports - they may or may not comply, but I am told that they mostly do these days. If you fear x-ray damage, that is the way to go. Lead bags are beyond useless and should not even be sold anymore - they are not recommended for the purpose they were made by the US government.

Anyway, end of mild rant - srtiwari - sorry that your film got accidentally checked and I hope it is ok - nothing personal intended, I'm just doing my usual grumpy PSA.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[srtiwari]

Thank you, Bill. I appreciate your rant- it certainly helps me. Last time I asked (about a year ago in New Zealand), the authorities tersely reassured me it would be ok, "unless its faster than 1000 ASA" I am less worried about the losss of film (4 rolls) and more about the quality of any more pictures I take here. Might as well buy some new film here...

 

[Nick R.]

Think of it this way. If the bag really worked, it would be illegal because it would be the perfect place to hide a bomb.

 

[srtiwari]

Of course, Nick, I've half expected them to stop and examine the opaque box on their scans when scanning hand baggage, but they never have. I just assumed they were familiar enough with the appearance to know what it was- but maybe they could see right thru them (and my films) !!
Minor detail- mine is not a bag. It is a small plasticky (but heavy) gray box for 4 rolls of film
made by Suntram (?) and called a 'film Safe-x' (Misnomer ?) box.
Subhash

 

[photogdave]

Never ever ever ever put film in your suitcase!

 

[tenebrae]

On a trip to Barcelona I put my films in my suitcase. No damage at all. The suitcase must either not have been scanned at all, or films can withstand it.

 

[bmattock]

On a trip to Barcelona I put my films in my suitcase. No damage at all. The suitcase must either not have been scanned at all, or films can withstand it.

The suitcase was not scanned. Film cannot survive the high-energy scan used on checked luggage. Heck, I don't think bacteria can survive it.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks