Transporting Film & Cameras While Flying

[jbf]

Hi all,

As some may have read earlier I am taking a trip to SF, Cali in about three weeks or so. I plan on taking some film with me (since I dont know where any film or camera shops are in SF) and was wondering if you guys/gals had any tips on transporting film while I fly.


If I carry it with me on the plane, from what I understand I have to be careful to make sure they do not x-ray the film when I go through the security, right?

I've never flown with film before so I dont know exaclty what i should do.


Also, any suggestions for transporting my camera(s)? I plan on taking my TLR, digital camera and a film RF with me. Should I just put them in my carry on? I kinda dont trust putting my cameras in a suitcase... I have a feeling they might get destroyed from the hustle and bustle of minimum/low wage flight baggage clerks loading my stuff into the plane.

Any suggestions/ideas?


Thanks!

Jonathan

 

[rich815]

We have lots of film here in San Francisco.

 

[matt fury]

Carry-on, for sure!

 

[breathstealer]

All modern airport scanners should be film safe these days. I've never had a problem, even flying in and out of India.

 

[markinlondon]

Carry on. Airport machines are film-safe unless you're carrying something like Delta 3200.

 

[EmilGil]

There are numerous threads on this subject and the conclusion is to always carry film aboard the plane, never check it in. You can always ask for hand inspection but be prepared for a negative answer (although I think TSA regulations give you the right to have it).

 

[jbf]

Hehe. I know there is film in SF... but i was just curious as to what everyone thought i should do... I just didnt know how much of a hassle it would be for me to finda camera shop when i got to SF. Especially since I'll be staying outside of the city by about 45 minutes or so. (maybe 25-30)

 

[RML]

If I carry it with me on the plane, from what I understand I have to be careful to make sure they do not x-ray the film when I go through the security, right?

Wrong. You should have no trouble with film from iso800 or slower, even after multiple passes through x-ray machines. iso1600 film and faster might show effects, but you can ask the personel to check your film by hand.

I've never flown with film before so I dont know exaclty what i should do.

Just stick it all in your carry-on. But I've been known to stick 30-40 rolls of iso400 film in my suitcase and never saw any effects.

Also, any suggestions for transporting my camera(s)? I plan on taking my TLR, digital camera and a film RF with me. Should I just put them in my carry on? I kinda dont trust putting my cameras in a suitcase... I have a feeling they might get destroyed from the hustle and bustle of minimum/low wage flight baggage clerks loading my stuff into the plane.

NEVER EVER put your (expensive) gear in your suitcase. Apart from the rough treatment, theft is a serious risk. Bring your gear on as carry-on. There are carry-on restrictions but often you can bring an extra bag for cameras, laptops and such expensive items.

Oh, don't forget to have your gear properly insured. But you already have that, right? 😛

 

[rich815]

Hehe. I know there is film in SF... but i was just curious as to what everyone thought i should do... I just didnt know how much of a hassle it would be for me to finda camera shop when i got to SF. Especially since I'll be staying outside of the city by about 45 minutes or so. (maybe 25-30)

What city? What film do you use?

 

[vrgard]

One other tip unrelated to the film itself is to not place the camera bag on the floor under the seat in front of you. That, to me, is the most logical place to put it in order to keep it safely in hand and in sight. However, I've been told by at least one experienced camera technician that the high frequency vibrations transmitted throughout the plane during flight will be transmitted to your camera and lenses thus accelerating loosening of the various screws therein. His advice was to instead place your camera bag in the overhead compartment where it will slightly more insulated from the vibrations. By the way, this was told to me by the technician while tightening the M-mount on one of my Leica lenses which had become slightly loose. As he was tightening it he casually asked me, "you been flying lately?"

-Randy

 

[JNewell]

Carry on film or buy locally, your choice. Hand inspect 800 or higher (my pref, YMMV). Cameras/lenses carry on, of course.

Watch out for monopods/tripods. I have had them prohibited by some screeners on the theory that they were deadly weapons (I am not kidding). Leave time to get out of the line, go back to the airline baggage counter and check the thing, then restart the security process, or (in the alternative) be prepared to "donate" the thing to the TSA. Again, I am no kidding: this has happened to me.

Vibration: I had an M6 stop working after a flight. For travel, I always use bags that have both open and closed cell foam in the bottom. If they don't, I either modify the bag by putting some in, or I take a piece of either/both to put under the bag. Call me paranoid, but having this happen once is enough to make me very cautious. (Consider carrying multiple bodies, too.)

 

[dmr]

Lately it seems like some inspectors are intentionally doing one iteration of push-back when asked to do a hand inspection. Until a few months ago they would seldom question it. On the past few trips they have been pushing back with the 800 or greater thing. I did have one balk at doing it (LAS here in the States) but did not flat out refuse.

 

[JNewell]

If you worry about pushback, you could always take a couple of 1600 rolls and say truthfully that the film includes 1600 film. I always take the film out of the cardboard boxes anyway and use colored dots to ID type/speed for me, but it would be hard for another person to sort without going through the lot anyway. The other thing I have found that softens the attitude is to mention (as is usually the case) that some of the rolls have been zapped repeatedly before and I wish to be cautious with them at this point.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

You will have no problem buying film in San Francisco. If you don't process your own film why not mail it to whomever does it for you. Notify them first, though. No problem with ASA 800 or under. Carry your cameras on the plane. (It was explained to me by the Xray guys that the newer machines are safer for film.) I haven't had any problem.

 

[Rhoyle]

I just took a trip overseas and had mixed reactions from TSA. In Hartford, they hand inspected when I said I had different speed films. In Amsterdam, there was a long line and they said no. In Milano, they said no and I said that I had to go through security several times. They still said no. Despite that, I had no problems with film fogging. I had Portra 160VC and 400VC. I still will make the attempt to have them hand inspect in the future, but I don't bet the rent that they'll humor me. I keep the rolls in translucent plastic containers and put them in a ziploc bag. Under no circumstances check your cameras or film. Chances are good that your bags will be opened and things tend to "spill" out. Also, the Xrays that your bags go through are much stronger than the walkthru and conveyer belt machine at security. In fact, on this last trip they said "NO film in checked bags".

Bob