35mm film & baggage scans
 

My apologies if this seems like a foolish question. However, I would like to know if the baggage scans damage 35mm camera film. If so, is there a difference in the intensity of the scanning machines used for carry on luggage versus checked baggage. Is it preferable that I carry the film in my carry on bag rather than packing it in my luggage. <BR><BR>Leaving for my first trip to Paris in 2 days and want to ensure that I return with pictures of my trip.<BR><BR>Thanks<BR>RMH

YES, the baggage x-ray will damage your film. All film needs to be in your carry on luggage.

When My friend returned to Hungary late Janurary ALL 12 rolls of her film was destroyed!! 5 were in her carry on and 7 were in her checked bags. She was so upset! I had warned her, Please have them hand checked, she said no, it was no problem, the airlines told her they would be fine! I even printed out something for another friend to translate for her, as she spoke no English, and I just get by with my Hungarain. I feel so bad for her. I was not with her on all her day trips so I don't even have copies to give her. I Only took about 40 pictures on my digital. I will send her copies of them. Alice

Other threads that I have read stated that as long as they are in your carry-on there would be no problems. Has anyone else had this experience? Alice-perhaps going to Hungary she had all the film in the checked bags?

By the way- how would I say &quot;hand check&quot; in Italian? Controllo della mano??

I didn't use a roll of 200 speed film as fast as I thought I would this winter. It went through the x-ray machine for carry-on baggage seven times, 3 round-trips and on one check-in it was run through twice. The film developed just fine.

I always bring film home for developing. Now, I think I will consider developing it at the destination, even if it is more expensive. Australia and the US has cheap film developing.<BR><BR>The CT machines for checked baggage do use high doses that ruin film. The hand luggage scanner isn't suppose to be as strong but you never know.<BR><BR>I also have begun to use a lot of digital photos, especially for mundane pictures.

I recently returned from Asia. Took four separate flights. No problems with any of the 7 rolls of film in my carry-on luggage.

With all due respect to the post about ALL the film being destroyed I might guess there was an error in using the film. Need to know what the film looked like--fogged, clear, etc. That said, it has been posted on all the photography boards--do not put film in checked luggage. Theoretically they are &quot;supposed&quot; to hand check if you ask but in reality if it isn't 800 film, it's goin' through the scanner.

Thanks to all for your responses. As a result, I checked around and found that Ritz camera sells several versions of bags designed to protect film during airport scanning. Not sure if these work, but I thought I would pass along the info. The bags cost approx $15 and are large enough to hold a camera and lots of film. Hope this is helpful.<BR><BR>RMH

The film bags work great, better to be safe than sorry and just for the record you can get them for a lot less on EBAY that's where I bought mine.

I've been carrying my film in the carry-on baggage to be on the safe side. I was told that high speed films (over 800mm are more SUSCEPTIBLE to damage). Most people use 100mm, 200mm and 400mm films typically.

i've been using a lead bag to carry my film in my carry-on for years ---never a problem...in your luggage--- forget it

Hi everyone. I was curious about this myself. I happened to find a newspaper story that confirms what some of the folks here have already said.<BR><BR>The story quotes someone from Kodak, and also a professional photographer. They say that the equipment used to scan checked luggage is a lot more harmful to film than it used to be and that lead bags, unfortunately, won't always solve the problem.<BR><BR>On the plus side, they do say that the equipment used to scan carry-on bags is a lot less harmful to film, but not totally risk-free.<BR><BR>The story makes another interesting point. They say that, in the U.S., travelers have a right to ask that their film be hand-inspected. Apparently, not all European countries offer that option.<BR><BR>Fortunately, I've had no first-hand experience with this, and I'm going to keep my fingers crossed.<BR><BR>Here's the link, in case anyone wants to look at it.<BR><BR>http://www.usatoday.com/travel/vacations/destinations/2002/2002-06-28-x-rays.htm<BR><BR><BR>

In theory you are able to ask to have your film and camera hand checked. In reality when I have asked they have summarily put it on the conveyor through the scanner. With regard to the lead bag if it is in your checked bag then it will probably invite a further check. Think about it--why would the scanner allow something to go through that they cannot see inside? I have also heard that if something (like a lead bag) is encountered they turn up the scanner until they CAN see what is inside. Lead bags in carryon may also just invite a further inspection to see what is there. I have also been asked to open all opaque film canisters. Good reason to buy Fuji.