Need Advice

[turnerjd]

Last summer was at a conference in Paris, took camera bag with me as hand baggage, I removed the film, passed the camera etc.. through the X-ray machine, but the security guard wouldn't let me bypass the X ray machine with the film. He Insisted it was X rayed, and that that particular machine didn't damage the film. I have always been able to put the film on one of the little trays and have one of the security people look at it rather than X ray it in the past.

I wasn't happy when the film came back fogged. Either my camera back lets in light (suprisingly NOT, since all the non x-rayed film since then has come out OK), or the non damaging X-Rays did damage my film.

Theoretically, as most X-ray machines use a Cobalt source, the film cannister isn't enough to protect the film. I think that in future I will 'borrow' a lead lined radiation container from work (obviously I will have to decontaminate it first) to protect the films from the X-Ray machines

Just beware, there are always problems taking film abroad. If possible, buy your film and get it developed whilst on holiday. It's not worth the hassle IMO.

Oh yes, I forgot to say, this was at Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) that this happened.

Jon T

 

[joewr]

Photo shops used to offer lead-shielded containers for film--in my area they have stopped and no one can explain why. Usually, if the folks at the security station see such a gadget in your bag, they check it visually after it has passed the machine.

I usually buy my film at home and have it developed on-site. Most places where I dive offer 1 hour service for print film and E6 processing for transparancies. Most live-aboards offer E6 service. I have never had a problem with quality in Cozumel, the Lesser Antillies, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Micronesia, the Agressors, etc. By developing on-site, at least, half of the pbs are avoided.

If anyone has had pbs doing development on-site any location, I would like to hear about it so I can avoid whatever the offending outfit was.

Joewr

 

[Watercat]

Lead lined film protectors are still available. Go to http://www.mycamera.com or http://www.adorama.com. Both carry the lead envelopes. I bought one for aout $10 which can hold up to 20 rolls of unexposed film. I put the film in the lead envelope and still carry it in my carry-on. Some of the security gate x-ray machines are strong enough to damage film.....better safe than sorry.

Processing your film or having prints made from slides....Dale Labs in Hollywood, FL. http://www.dalelabs.com . I'm told they are the lab which does the new Sea and Sea u/w photo processing. I sent them a slide from which they made a print sans the internegative. It's great! Exactly like the original slide.

 

[ages]

I have a Sea&SEa MM2 Ex.....My preference in film is Kodak Elite. It is a slide film....very rich color saturation. I use 100 ASA. Have great results from diving in the tropics with it....although most of my experience is in the cold Alaskan waters.

ages