film vs. x-rays
 

Does anyone know if it safe to expose 400 speed film to airport x-ray machines? Thank you.

My 400 speed film was fine after going thru four different x-ray machines in U.S. and Europe.

There is a difference (according to our local camera/photo shop before a recent trip) between xray on carry-ons and checked luggage. The checked luggage xrays are far stronger - this shop is handing out stickers advising all travelers to leave film, exposed or unexposed, out of checked luggage and hand carry it.

Have no way of verifying, since they convinced us to carry it through security.

The security personnel in HNL/LIH (older X-ray equipment) state that film less than 800 ASA is OK, but 800 (found in underwater cameras) you should ask for a hand inspection that does not involve an Xray.
At EWR they told me the new surveilance equipment does not affect film in general.
However, some here recommend a lead lined bag if your photos are very important. I have not experienced a problem with 200/400 film, but usually develop at Walmart in one hour before flying back.
:S-

A security guy showed me one time how he could look right through the lead bag. He simply turned up the power till he could and stated that they could actually do more harm than good.

My last trip I just threw all my film into a ziplock bag and asked for hand inspection. Figured it would be safer that way than 6 or 8 exposures. Never had anybody argue with the request.

For the record, I encountered alot of resistance with a hand inspection of about 20 rolls of film, and don't recommend this option especially if a line of people are behind you. I guess the only real solution is to go digital. :S-

If you have standard 35mm print or slide film, you should have no problem. Professional film is another question. The lead lined bags are mainly sold for that type of film. If these are just your average rolls, no need to worry.

When I asked about floppy's and CD's I was told I'd find out when I get home.

This has been asked many times on this board.

It's safer/better to pack film in your carry-on. The X-Ray used for checked luggage is more intense.

Asking for hand inspections of film will be responded to in a variety of ways depending on the airport, the line behind you and the surliness of the inspector.

I am a photographer, and always pack my film in my carry-on. I gave up years ago with the hand inspection thing.

By the way, I never subject my film to more than 2 or 3 passes through X-ray, i e, I use it up quickly and never take film on more than one trip. Any film will get degraded with many zaps of the ole X-Ray

I gave up hand inspection a few years ago while leaving Rome.

When I asked for a hand inspection, a military type aimed his weapon at me and pointed to the conveyer belt.

HE was a very good negotiator....ended any discussion real fast.

LOL! Intense Message!!!

Jack, are floppy's or CD's effected by checked?

bodi,
I wish I had an answer, but I'm such a dinosaur I still only shoot with film. Floppys and CDs are way too Science Fiction for me.
But someone out there must know!!!!

me too, LoL! The Sony CD is new, and I haven't even filled one disk yet to know. Thanks for the reply. I Love photography!

I don't think that digital pics are affected.

I recently came back from a trip with several hundred pics( all on CompactFlash cards) with no problem.

I just bought a lead lined bag for my film. I will CARRY them on only, will the checker have to raise the amount of power used or should I just leave the bag open for him to look inside and drop out? Thanks.

I usually do not take film with me that is greater than ISO 400, usually ISO 200 or ISO 100. This film has gone through carry-on X-rays many times and I have never, ever had a problem. "Less than 800 OK through carryon" is the rule of thumb, but ask before you checkin next time - in case they change the rules. From a practical standpoint, remember that a great many tourists carry film with them at the airports so this is an issue airport security must accomodate.

DO NOT put your film in your checked luggage! As someone else said, the X-rays are much more intense and more likely to damage your film.

As for digital photography: I've also taken my digital camera (I use microdrives not flash media) through the carry-on X-ray machines many times and never had an issue. But flash media should be fine too. My laptop and CD's have gone through the same X-rays many times without ever an issue.

Andrew

I can verify that the checked luggage x-ray machines will ruin the film. I accidentally left one exposed roll in the bottom of my suitcase coming home from Toronto when I pulled out the film to put in my carryon. That roll came back from the developers totally washed out -- almost blank.