Film and x-rays

3in5 · 03-14-2015, 02:03 PM

I just took a trip to Vegas, my first with film in years, spaced out and twice went through airport security with about 10 rolls of film, only one of which was loaded in a camera. Is the film automatically ruined or do I just have to take my chances, expose it then send it in for processing? Thanks for any info.

redrockcoulee · 03-14-2015, 02:14 PM

According to Kodak I SO 200 or less can handle up to 16 passes through the carry on x ray device. 400 speed film 4 passes, 1600 you are out of luck. Checked baggage and it's garbage.

6BQ5 · 03-14-2015, 03:15 PM

I bought a roll of Fujifilm Superia 1600 during a trip to London. It went through the carry-on X-ray machine once and it came out fine.

I've taken ISO 200 and 400 film through carry-on X-ray machines four times it was fine as well.

3in5 · 03-14-2015, 06:13 PM

Thanks guys.

carpents · 03-14-2015, 07:25 PM

For future reference though, just ask for a hand check of any film. They should accommodate you no matter the film speed.

3in5 · 03-14-2015, 07:33 PM

Originally posted by carpents

For future reference though, just ask for a hand check of any film. They should accommodate you no matter the film speed.

Yeah, I won't forget again. Thanks.

**gofour3** · 03-14-2015, 07:41 PM

You should get a x-ray film bag:

Domke Film Guard Bag, Large 711-15B B&H Photo Video

I always carry two, one for film and a second one for the camera body if there is film in it.

Security screening almost never notices them and it avoids delays with hand screening if you are in a rush. Of course hand checking is preferred, but not always possible.

Never leave film in your checked luggage!

Phil.

Not a Number · 03-14-2015, 08:14 PM

My advice is if you are having your film hand inspected is to take the rolls out of the plastic cannisters and put the rolls in a separate clear plastic bag. The cannisters can remain in your luggage to be x-rayed. Just hand the bag of film to the inspector and (normally) you are good to go. Once in a great while you'll get somebody that has to assert their authority and insists you put the film through the x-ray machine. Usually it is best not to argue or else you may have to walk through the scanner a couple times, be wanded and patted down and wait while they hand inspect your carry-ons.

**Eagle94VT** · 03-28-2015, 06:37 PM

I had 100-400 speed film go through a scanner - twice - and everything came out fine. I never read the Kodak info about how many times it could be scanned. I actually asked the security guy to hand inspect my film and he basically declined, told me to send it thru the scanner because nowadays it wouldn't effect film. (Not sure if I believed him or not).

Cuthbert · 04-03-2015, 06:45 AM

Same thing here, I mostly shoot 400 and never had a problem.

03-14-2015, 02:03 PM	#1
3in5 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Seattle Posts: 39	Film and x-rays I just took a trip to Vegas, my first with film in years, spaced out and twice went through airport security with about 10 rolls of film, only one of which was loaded in a camera. Is the film automatically ruined or do I just have to take my chances, expose it then send it in for processing? Thanks for any info.

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03-14-2015, 02:14 PM	#2
redrockcoulee Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Medicine Hat Posts: 2,306	According to Kodak I SO 200 or less can handle up to 16 passes through the carry on x ray device. 400 speed film 4 passes, 1600 you are out of luck. Checked baggage and it's garbage.

03-14-2015, 03:15 PM	#3
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	I bought a roll of Fujifilm Superia 1600 during a trip to London. It went through the carry-on X-ray machine once and it came out fine. I've taken ISO 200 and 400 film through carry-on X-ray machines four times it was fine as well.

03-14-2015, 06:13 PM	#4
3in5 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Seattle Posts: 39 Original Poster	Thanks guys.

03-14-2015, 07:25 PM	#5
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	For future reference though, just ask for a hand check of any film. They should accommodate you no matter the film speed.

03-14-2015, 07:33 PM	#6
3in5 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Seattle Posts: 39 Original Poster	Originally posted by carpents For future reference though, just ask for a hand check of any film. They should accommodate you no matter the film speed. Yeah, I won't forget again. Thanks.

03-14-2015, 07:41 PM	#7
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	You should get a x-ray film bag: Domke Film Guard Bag, Large 711-15B B&H Photo Video I always carry two, one for film and a second one for the camera body if there is film in it. Security screening almost never notices them and it avoids delays with hand screening if you are in a rush. Of course hand checking is preferred, but not always possible. Never leave film in your checked luggage! Phil.

03-14-2015, 08:14 PM	#8
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	My advice is if you are having your film hand inspected is to take the rolls out of the plastic cannisters and put the rolls in a separate clear plastic bag. The cannisters can remain in your luggage to be x-rayed. Just hand the bag of film to the inspector and (normally) you are good to go. Once in a great while you'll get somebody that has to assert their authority and insists you put the film through the x-ray machine. Usually it is best not to argue or else you may have to walk through the scanner a couple times, be wanded and patted down and wait while they hand inspect your carry-ons.

03-28-2015, 06:37 PM	#9
Eagle94VT Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 291	I had 100-400 speed film go through a scanner - twice - and everything came out fine. I never read the Kodak info about how many times it could be scanned. I actually asked the security guy to hand inspect my film and he basically declined, told me to send it thru the scanner because nowadays it wouldn't effect film. (Not sure if I believed him or not).

04-03-2015, 06:45 AM	#10
Cuthbert Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,740	Same thing here, I mostly shoot 400 and never had a problem.