X-rays and new film ?
 

We'll be leaving for Scandinavia in 10 days. I plan on taking enough film from home, but wondered how it should be handled going through security ? Will X-rays harm unused, unexposed film or should I use those foil bags ? What is the best way to protect exposed film ? Should I have the film developed as we go along ?
We'll make most connections by plane betw. capitals and I expect security at each airport. Thanks.

this has been duscussed here extensively. Do some search, find a lot of info.

Generally, Don't leave any films in your luggage, since they usually use stronger screeing devices for those large luggages. Keep them all in your hand bag. It's a good idea, however, to ask the security person before screening your hand bags.

Film is generally safe as long as it's not too high ASA, namely, 100, 200 ASA ia safer than the more sensitive film, like the 800 ASA.

Hi Jenny, I've just returned from Europe to Australia, and I took ASA 400 film with me, labelled each cannister with a number and used it accordingly. Took it through hand luggage x-rays (although you can show it to them in their cannisters and not have it x-rayed I'm sure). When we returned to Australia they were x-raying every piece of luggage AFTER baggage collection and I forgot about the film. My 7 rolls turned out fine! The camera was x-rayed too every time and there were no bad effects! Probably best to keep it in your hand luggage - you don't want to lose those memories with lost luggage! Have fun!

I never travel with unused film. Instead, I buy film when I arrive in Europe. There are places selling film wherever you go in Europe, and prices are approximately the same as in the USA. This also makes packing easier, because not having to pack film leaves more luggagge space for other things.

Everything under 1000 can go in the x-ray machine that your carry-on goes through. I have tried to have then hand inspect them but they don't do that anymore. Don't put anything in luggage. I have had film go through 4 times, two round trips, and when I get it developed it comes out as crisp as if it had never gone through. People think my pictures are professional.

I use only 800 speed APS film. Last month I forgot to ask for a hand search at PIT and was refused a hand search at Paris, Munich and Budapest as they claimed there was no danger. My film went through X-ray several times and the photos were completely unaffected. No problem dispite the general opinion that 800 and above is damaged by X-ray.

Larry J

We just returned from Germany with a layover in the States for a few days. We went through no less then 10 security checks and had our unexposed and exposed ASA 400 film hand checked at every airport and we were never refused. (ATL, Frankfurt, Cincinnati, JFK) Every agent told us it wasn't necessary but told us it was our choice.

Rome and JFK/Delta have refused to hand check my film since 9/11.

On June 10 JFK/Delta hand checked 14 rolls of film. We had them in a plastic zip lock bag out of the containers.