ISO 1600 and Airline X-ray

[Flyfisher Tom]

I'm tempted to bring Neopan 1600 on my next trip abroad (europe). But given the randomness of whether individual 'officers' permit hand checking of film or not, I am anxious about assuming they will hand-check.

I know the guidelines expressly permit it in the US, but these things are largely up to the arbitrary discretion of the officer you face, whether he/she is having a good day or not etc. In other words, I don't care to argue or make a scene if he/she does not permit it.

So, I was wondering if any of you have had difficulties with 1600 ISO film being fogged AFTER going through the x-ray machine as carry-on.

I'm referring specifically to the x-ray from carry-on (not x-ray from being in checked luggage).

Thanks in advance.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

anyone ? 🙂

 

[dcsang]

I personally have never had issue Tom.

I've carried Neopan 1600 in my carry on before and never had any fogging happen. That being said, many people would suggest you ask for hand-check (but as you said.. that is a crap shoot at best).

Dave

 

[furcafe]

At airports in the U.S., Japan (Narita), & China, I haven't had any problems getting film hand-checked. However, in Europe, airline security personnel have tended to be much more strict & I've had to put ISO 3200 & 1600 film through carry-on X-ray machines. End result: no discernible fogging. X-ray damage is cumulative, but modern, properly-working, carry-on scanners (standard in Europe) are probably not much more powerful (if @ all) compared to background cosmic radiation @ flying altitudes, so it would take *many* passes through the machine for there to be any visible fogging. That said, I always try to get a hand-check if possible to cut down on the # of scans (which can happen on the ground, too, @ various museums & attractions). My understanding is that you can't really protect your film (or yourself) against the cosmic rays.

I'm tempted to bring Neopan 1600 on my next trip abroad (europe). But given the randomness of whether individual 'officers' permit hand checking of film or not, I am anxious about assuming they will hand-check.

I know the guidelines expressly permit it in the US, but these things are largely up to the arbitrary discretion of the officer you face, whether he/she is having a good day or not etc. In other words, I don't care to argue or make a scene if he/she does not permit it.

So, I was wondering if any of you have had difficulties with 1600 ISO film being fogged AFTER going through the x-ray machine as carry-on.

I'm referring specifically to the x-ray from carry-on (not x-ray from being in checked luggage).

Thanks in advance.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

My understanding is that you can't really protect your film (or yourself) against the cosmic rays.

No, not without Batman's cape 😎

Thanks Dave & Chris, I feel more confident about carrying it now.

 

[childers-jk]

Not to go the other way, but when I flew out of Milan last year, they wouldn't hand check some fuji 800 that I had. I got a couple of edge spots and some corner fogging. It could have been operator error, but all of my 400 speed stuff came out fine. The choice is your's, but I should have had my 800 processed before I left Florence. Hope this helps.

 

[varjag]

Ask them which film speed is their x-ray machine rated for as safe. They usually quote "ISO 1000", so you can show them 1600 on Neopan box and demand hand inspection.

 

[jrong]

I haven't had any problems with my Neopan 1600 going through the airline X-rays either. Just make sure it's hand baggage and not checked. Some airports just downright refuse to hand-check your film and there's little you can do.

A little personal story: someone transported some Ilford SFX 200 film for me from the US, and checked it in! I thought all my bulk rolls of film were zapped for sure, but they actually turned out alright! He was flying from Houston, TX to Heathrow here in London. Does this mean they still don't X-ray ALL the bags that go into the hold?

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Does this mean they still don't X-ray ALL the bags that go into the hold?

I have a sneaking suspicion that they are not as diligent as we would like to believe.

 

[Socke]

At the local airport in Bremen they have a sign on their X-Ray that it's safe up to ISO1000. Since they handinspected my cameras anyways, swabbing the cameras, the batteries and the lenses, they did the same with my film.

In Paris all went through with no ispection but I had to take my belt off 🙂

Back from Madrid via Paris to Bremen, nothing was checked but we all had to show our passports etc. in Bremen, wich is more than unusual on a regional flight coming from Paris.

Oh, forgot the film, I never had any problems with Delta3200.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

When you get to carry-on X-ray you need to walk through the detector arch. And you need to empty your pockets of keys and stuff into a box which they glance at. Why not drop your film into that same box?

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

When you get to carry-on X-ray you need to walk through the detector arch. And you need to empty your pockets of keys and stuff into a box which they glance at. Why not drop your film into that same box?

That is what I am asking about 🙂

The box with the keys and stuff and film still has to go through the carry-on x-ray machine right next to the metal detector arch.

In the US, you have the right to ask for a hand inspection. Whether you actually get it, is another matter entirely. It is your right, and TSA policy, but my experience is that some TSA officers have no idea about the policy, and pressed for time, get downright surly about it when you inform them. Your decision is whether you want to trigger a full-blown surly response from someone who can make your trip start most unpleasantly.

So like I said before, your luck is only as good as the breakfast your TSA officer had that morning 😉

I'm a little worried about what Childers-JK said, but I guess I'll just have to chance it.