John

To avoid losing my good camera, I intend to take those inexpensive cardboard cameras to Italy.

I have never had to run them through the x-ray machine at customs. Will they pass through without damaging the pictures?

Thanks John

tom

the general consensus being reported in the photography magazines (it's a hot topic) is this:

* xray damage is cumulative; running thru a machine 10 times is more damaging than just twice. Fast ISO400-800 film (as used in disposable cameras) is more sensitive to damage than slower ISO100-200 film

* if at all possible, "hand inspect" so it doesn't go thru the xray machine (if the guards let you; europe is suuposedly more strict than US).

* xray machines that inspect checked-in baggage are VASTLY more powerful than those used for carry-on.

* on checked baggage xray, using lead lined film bags is of no use, the xray machine automatically turns up higher & penetrates any lead bag. (not true of cary-on xrays machines)

The general conclusions were, OK to run film thru the carry-on xray machine 2 or 3 times.

The checked baggage xray will almost CERTAINLY RUIN your film & is never to be used.

Lowest risk is to request "hand inspect/ no xray", but Security may refuse.

scigirl

Coming back from Europe I could not get my film hand inspected. A total of 7 rolls went through 6 carry-on xray machines just fine. However, I asked everytime for hand inspection and was turned down. (On a trip to the Bahamas a roll was damaged by xray for carry on....). The rolls were all in the plastic containers that the film comes in (which I imagine is pretty much like being inside a disposable camera). It was APS film 400 speed.

howard

First of all, don't be that afraid of taking your camera to Europe. Millions of us do it every year and return home camera intact! Just be careful, as you would be in any major U.S. city.
Either way, you can be safest if you buy a lead bag or two at a camera store to store the film and camera. (Or don't bother loading the camera and you won't have to take any precautions with it.)

Joanna

I would also recommend taking your good camera. I took mine and no problems whatsoever. I also brought a little snappy camera just in case the good one clagged out or broke. Taking a small extra one is also good if you pop out for dinner and want a photo (I love food shots!). The smaller ones have built-in flash and its less to lug along. I used it for all my flash photos instead of dragging along the flash component of my SLR.

Diane

I have never had a problem with film. I frequently store it in my checked bag in a lead bag, or in my carry-on, even when going thru x-ray multiple times on a trip. Take your camera and take the chance. You can always have film developed there if you're concerned. I've done that in Amsterdam and Mykonos and the photos came out just fine although the processing was rather expensive.

dan woodlief

Tom gave a pretty thorough explanation. That is the same thing I have been reading. Your film can probably take several passes through the carry-on x-rays without noticeable damage. Do take the good camera though. Italy is one of the most photogenic countries in Europe. I can't imagine any better reason to have a good camera in the first place, except for taking photos of your family. If you are that worried about it, contact your insurance company to see about insuring it. I have all my camera equipment insured for a small fee. I am actually more concerned about damage more than theft though.

Paul

I'd recommend you look at this web site: "http://www.f-stop.org" They have good information about the damage which can be done to film by the xray machines, particularly the new breed (CTX-5000). There is a new lead-lined bag out on the market which is specifically meant to protect film from the CTX-5000.

In the US, they must hand inspect your file if you ask for it. Overseas, I've had to physically take the film out of my camera bag and wave it in front of the inspectors in order for them not to pass it through. What seemed to work best is when I demonstrated that my objection is to passing the film through the machine, not the inspection. I open everything and show all in my camera bag for them. I will note that the Germans & French always give me the hardest time.

I have to disagree with Tom - I would not expose my film to ANY xrays at all.

As to cameras, just take proper care of them, travel with them in padded bags, and they should be just fine. I always take my good camera & a lens with me, and have had no problems.

Larry Lain

All three major film manufacturers - Kodak, Agfa, & Fuji - recommend against letting film be x-rayed. Check their web pages. As others have said, the effect is cumulative and also depends on the type of film. I always travel with a mixture - some slow speed like ISO 25 or 100, but also some high-speed print film, ISO1600, for use in galleries & cathedrals. The fast film can be ruined in one pass.

For $20 you can get a lead-lined bag to put your film in. It will show as opaque on the x-ray and they'll then hand-inspect it. I usually take it out of my carryon even before it's scanned and have never been turned down for a visual check that way, except once at Gatwick, during a time of greater-than-usual security.

Never never put your film in checked bags - it will be subject to **much** higher-power scanning. And do take your good camera. Results will be much better than with disposable cameras, which are very limited in film speed and bulky to carry home for processing.

I'm a travel writer and photographer; I take a lot of photos when I travel.

Cindy

Asking for hand inspection did not work for us. We were denied every time. Once, my husband asked for it at Heathrow, and instead of a hand inspection of our film, we got a "retaliatory frisk" of my carry-on. The inspector took everything out of my carry-on and even squeezed my lotion and toothpaste. I guess they get tired of being asked about film.

Dave

I take a $300 zoom camera with 200 film and a disposable panoramic. They have been through many x-ray machines without a lead bag and have never had any problem with the camera or film.