X-rays and fast film

[jrong]

Has anyone taken ISO 1600 speed film through X-ray machines at airports/Eurostar terminals before? Experienced any fogging?
I mean film in carry-on luggage and not checked-in baggage, of course.

A lot of places do NOT permit hand checking of film anymore.

I've taken ISO 400 film safely through but I am not sure how ISO 1600 film will fare....
I don't trust the labels on those machines.

Jin

 

[jaapv]

Yes I have -often. I took them through machines in 3-rd world airport terminals repeatedly up to 10 times per film as well and I have never experienced any problem. I do use the high-sensitivity Hama lead bags though.

 

[kaiyen]

I have taken Delta 3200 and TXT pushed to 1600 or faster through carry-on x-rays...the most was about 5 times. No lead bag. No problems. YMMV.
allan

 

[furcafe]

I've had similar experiences. I used to use lead bags but no longer bother. If I can get a hand check, I do that, but much of the time the high speed stuff (ISO 800-3200) has had to go through the X-ray scanners (in the U.S., Europe, China, Korea, Japan, & Uzbekistan) & done so without a problem.

 

[jrong]

Thanks for the info. I've had dire warnings from some people on some forums that ISO 1600 film will probably fog through X-Ray machines. I don't own a lead bag and don't intend to get one for my trip unless absolutely necessary. I hope to be using a batch of Neopan 1600.

Jin

 

[Goodyear]

I used to always ask for hand checks of fast film, but one day I couldn't be bothered, so didn't. Now I don't, and haven't had a problem yet - shooting mainly Neopan 1600 rated at 1600 and 3200.

 

[bmattock]

All radiation exposure damages film. To say otherwise is incorrect. The question is; to what extent is the damage visible? In general, in the USA, it takes up to five trips through a typical x-ray scanner (carry on, not checked baggage) to cause visible damage. Radiation exposure is unknown in most of Europe, there are no single published standards.

The TSA recommends against lead-lined bags and publishes some information on the subject.

http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1035.xml

There may be European equivalents to the TSA recommendations - I don't know about them, however.

I do wish people would stop saying "It doesn't damage film." It does. Always. You probably won't be able to see the damage at first, but eventually through repeated exposure, it does. I have never seen any of my film damaged, and I used to travel for a living, but in fact, it was to some extent.

Requesting hand-inspection of film is the best course of action for those who have that option and that concern. Not all airport security people will honor that request, but it can't hurt to ask.

Never put undeveloped film in checked bags. It can and will destroy the film utterly.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[jrong]

OK perhaps I should rephrase. i'd like to have no NOTICEABLE damage to my Neopan 1600 negs, and it will only be X-rayed twice through carry-on X-rays - on the outward and return journeys. Is it too much to ask for, or should I stick to ISO 400 and lower?

The Eurostar staff would sooner stick pins in their eyeballs than permit a hand-check of film. Tried numerous times before but they've always been brisk and firm, and occasionally even rude.

Jin

 

[bmattock]

OK perhaps I should rephrase. i'd like to have no NOTICEABLE damage to my Neopan 1600 negs, and it will only be X-rayed twice through carry-on X-rays - on the outward and return journeys. Is it too much to ask for, or should I stick to ISO 400 and lower?

The Eurostar staff would sooner stick pins in their eyeballs than permit a hand-check of film. Tried numerous times before but they've always been brisk and firm, and occasionally even rude.

Jin

I have not run into anyone who has claimed that their film was damaged by xrays, and I have never seen any damage that I could attribute to xray damage, so you can take that to mean that in my experience, you're pretty safe.

However, I hesitate to just blithely say "Sure, it will be fine, go for it!" Circumstances differ. My experience leads me to believe you won't have any trouble if you manage to avoid checking your film with your checked luggage.

Being rude is de rigeur for the TSA. Occasionally one find them being overly polite, where every utterance of the word "sir" is actually intended to mean something else, and it ryhmes with 'duck too'. I actually quit my traveling job partially due to the added stresses since 9/11 and now avoid air travel whenever I can. Trains are nice, and I'm in no hurry. And there is no TSA and no xray machine.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks