going through the airport with film?

[kamekaze]

I'm heading out to Napa next week for a few days and wanted to shoot a couple rolls of tri-x while I'm out there. I heard the x-rays at check in can cause unprocessed film to fog up. Any ideas on how I can make sure I get the film home safe and sound?

[KJ Smith]

Yes the X-Ray machines will fog the film. It affects faster film more. Each time through adds to the fogging.

In the old days, you could put the film, not the plastic canisters, just the rolls, in a clear zip lock bag and ask for a hand inspection.

I do not know the current rules.

You could also buy bags to protect the film, if they are still available.


The best bet is to buy the film out there. Then have it developed before you come back.

Or send it to the developer from there to be delivered back home.

[Dobick]

last time I flew with film (July 2007) I handed the agent a ziplock with all of the canisters in it, and they hand inspected it and never ran it through the machine. YMMV though as I was flying out of our smaller airport and the agents are fairly friendly when not rushed with big groups of people.

[texkam]

.....and I always left a little (tail) of the film sticking out of the canister just to prove that yes, there is film in there, but I suspect now days they're more than likely to give you a hard time. So ..........

The best bet is to buy the film out there. Then have it developed before you come back. Or send it to the developer from there to be delivered back home.

If you have to try to pass it through, let us know what they end up doing.

[henrysamson]

I fly a lot with film. Often large format and always 35 mm. The 35 mm is Tri-X (400) and the large format is FP4+ (125). Since you are using 35 mm I'll tell you what I do. Large format is a totally different story since few TSA people seem to even realize that film can come in boxes that CANNOT be opened in the light.

I still have some lead filmsafe bags and I usually have about 25 rolls of film in plastic bags in the lead bag. Home rolled and in cartridges but not in any kind of individual box. I just let it go through the X-ray and have never had any fogging. About half the time, no problems at all. The other times they call someone over to hand inspect the bag and the two of us go over to a table and they pull the plastic bags out of lead bags and either just look it over or swab it. They never try to X-ray it.

I have been asked by TSA employees on two occasions if I always get "caught". I tell them about half the time and they seem pleased that they were not fooled. I have never had any indication of fogging. On occasion a few rolls have gone through not in the lead bag and one or two passes (through machines in this country) have never fogged the film. It has never been a bad experience with 35 mm at least.

Hope this helps!

Henry

[studiocygnet]

I also still use the lead bags in my carry-on luggage.
First, you must realize that checked bag x-ray is much stronger than carry-on, so never put film in checked luggage.
Second, here in the states most airports still have signs ahead of the carry-on inspection that say the carry-on machine is safe for film under 800 speed, and that you can always ask for a hand inspection for film. Some inspectors grumble about inspecting film slower than that, but they usually do it. But to avoid annoying the inspectors, I just put it in the lead bag in my camera bag that goes though the machine, and haven't had a problem.
Now once you get overseas all bets are off about hand inspection, and I've heard the carry-on machines can vary in intensity more as well, so one more reason for the lead bags.

[David_3]

I never worried about it, and never had any problems. I'm a pilot, and back before the digital days, I carried a P&S film camera in my kit bag. I kept a 400 ISO color film in the camera, and ran it through the X-ray machine every time I went to work. I would guess that I have run a single roll of film through the x-ray machine at least 40 times without any ill effects. I also used to carry 10-15 rolls of film (ISO 100-800) with me when I went on vacation. Never had any problems with them, either. You may have problems with a much higher speed film (ISO1600+).

Now, I'm talking about the x-ray machines they use for carry-on luggage. Rumor has it, that the x-ray machines used for checked luggage are much more powerful, so I'd be hesitant to check any film.

As always, YMMV.

Have fun on your trip!

[TXFZ1]

If you have an issue, then ship it home to yourself via UPS or Fedex ground. You can also have it dropped ship if you are not going to get a chance to buy it at the location.

David

[kamekaze]

Thanks for all the info guys, from here and what I've read elsewhere I think a few rolls of tri-x 400 should be fine going through once on the way there and once on the way back. I guess the real trick will be if I can still function a camera after the third wine tasting of the day...

[texkam]

I guess the real trick will be if I can still function a camera after the third wine tasting of the day...

I'm sure innocent victims would be more concerned if you could function an automobile.

Have a safe trip.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Why not just mail the film home? Better safe than sorry.

- Wil

[kamekaze]

Originally Posted by texkam

I'm sure innocent victims would be more concerned if you could function an automobile.

Have a safe trip.

I'm going with a group of fellow wine stewards from work, we will have a driver the entire time.

[kamekaze]

Originally Posted by ParkImaging

Why not just mail the film home? Better safe than sorry.

- Wil

Because I'm cheap

[texkam]

I'm going with a group of fellow wine stewards from work, we will have a driver the entire time.

Well done! Can't wait to see pics.

[studiocygnet]

"fellow wine stewards" would infer that you yourself are a wine steward? Nice job. By the way, since you're in Austin, if you want to borrow one of my lead film bags you're welcome, I'm not flying in the next few weeks, just got back from Laguna Beach CA myself.