X-rays and film

[mark s]

We're going to Cozumel in June and I was wondering about my film passing through the X-ray machines. We leave out of Austin straight to Cozumel. will I need to buy those lead lined packages? Thanks

 

[ages]

Your film should be fine. It is usually the very high speed film that is damaged by the xrays. However, if it gives you peace of mind, I would buy the lead lined bags. I have traveled with as many as 50 rolls of film in my case, and not had any problems. Still I have looked at those bags and one of these days will pick up a couple of them. ages

 

[DivingGal]

You might check out a previous thread (http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?threadid=662) where we had a discussion about the lead bags. I agree you "should" be safe, but the question becomes "will you?"

I regularly use a bag, I used to only worry about the unexposed stuff and not the exposed film -- I don't know where my brain cells were -- now use a bag for all my film, and it goes with me on my carry on.

The bags are very inexpensive, and worth the peace of mind. The one I have only cost about $9 US and can hold (I think) 18-20 rolls of film.

 

[bdombrowski]

I don't think normal speed film has a problem with X-rays. I'm not so sure about magnetic video tape however. I always put the recorded tape in the basket and have the agent walk it around. The metal detector arch you walk through may not be so good for magnetic tape either.

 

[Black Halo]

Hi there,

I used to work at an airport as a pre-board passenger screener (security guard ). Most of the 'lead' lined bags that have gone through the machine don't do much. I've seen right through them. The best one was a little plastic box that, when empty, was pretty heavy so I'm guessing the lead was pretty thick. We couldn't see anything so we had to check it out.

Do not put the film in checked luggage. The machines they use down there are much more powerful.

 

[Dee]

I've been told the x-rays checking carry-ons is safe. It may or may not be so I don't take the chance. I put all my film canisters in a gal. size Zip-loc bag, in my carry-on, and have them hand inspect it. I make sure I use clear canisters, like Fuji uses, and so far they have looked at the bag and handed it right back to me.

I spend alot of money for good film and it's just not worth the chance.

 

[darkwing]

Use a carry on. Tell the people what you have and show them. Less hassal and peace of mind.

GOOD DIVING

 

[DivingGal]

was reading articles over on Rodale's site and came across a nice little note on this subject

Will film in my carry-on luggage be damaged by airport X-ray machines?
The National Association of Photographic Manufacturers recently tested nearly 500 rolls of Agfa, Kodak, Fuji and other films by passing them through airport X-ray machines. They discovered that repeated exposure, even up to 100 times, is virtually harmless in airports regulated by the U.S. Federal Aviation Agency. This includes all films, including high-speed emulsions of ISO 1600. In foreign countries there could conceivably be greater radiation output. You can ask for a hand check if it makes you feel better, but don't obsess if security forces you to pass your film through an X-ray.

Big But: This applies only to film that you carry on board. Film in checked baggage may be examined by high-intensity scanners now in place for bomb detection. These machines will definitely damage your film. Even more frightening, the FAA has just certified a new baggage scanner called the L3 Communications Examiner, which causes even more damage than the infamous InVision CTX5000 scanners currently in use. Bottom line: Don't pack film in checked baggage.

 

[joewr]

We went to Cozumel last Fall and carried our film in our carry-ons (We usually carry our cameras, regs and film in our carry-ons) and we did not use a lead lined bag: all came out well!

However, I did buy a lead-lined bag and will use it in future--just like the guy snapping his fingers to keep the elephants away: his companion says, "There are no elephants around here."

"See," says the finger-snapper, "it's working!"

Have a blast in Cozumel--which is easy to do!

Joewr

 

[hybrid8]

Simple solution for people with exposed or unexposed film:

Place film rolls in a large clear zip-lock bag. Do NOT use the small plastic containers they are sold in, not even clear ones.

Carry with you in your carry on and open your carry-on and remove this bag as soon as you get to the x-ray area. Tell security you'd prefer they look at it by hand.

Don't make any jokes about bombs or small explosives. Just tell them you pass through a lot of x-rays and the pictures are quite valuable and irreplaceable.

I do most of my traveling internationally and have never let film go through an x-ray.

Now, if you want to be super-safe? Get the film processed BEFORE heading for home. An X-ray will not do any harm to processed film.

Or, shoot digital. A decent digicam will produce better results than a low quality 35mm, even for printing. Digicams are not up to reproducing the resolution of high quality 35mm lenses and film stock (that would need resolutions beyond 6k x 4k, but doesn't take into account perceptual optimizations and other imaging and printing algorithms)