Tip about your film when flying!!

[Lover_of_Disney]

A girlfriend and I recently visited Wash D.C. and I used the best 800 film I could buy to take pictures of various attractions. I kept my film in my carry-on bag and my pictures looked like someone had spilled ink or something all over the film. I later heard they sometimes remind you to take film out of your bag but no such reminder was made at the airport!

Just something to keep in mind!!!

AE:Pinkbounc :eek: :bounce:

[Lover_of_Disney]

You only need to remove film from your bag when going thru the x-ray machine!!

Sorry!

[ls1222]

I have never heard of this. Does that mean I should not leave the unused or used film in my carryon? What do you do w/ it then? Thanks

[bunnyfoo]

Sorry to hear about the pictures :( I've always taken my camera out of my carry-on before it goes through the x-ray machine and never had a problem. Everyone tells me that the x-ray light shouldn't be high enough to damage the film.

[Lover_of_Disney]

I heard that it wasn't enough to damage the film as well but I have heard the same thing from others about the pictures. Maybe it is something with the new equipment. My aunt said they advised her to take film out of her bag before it went thru the machine.

Anyway, it isn't worth the risk!!!

AE

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Most of the time you won't have a problem...

SOme airports won't even let you take the film out of the bag and insist it pass throught he xray machine bag (and these days, I don't mind...)

You can buy a special bag for your film that protects the rolls from xray damage (form a camera shop), but most of the time it isn't needed. The higher the speed the more likely a problem. I have never heard of damage for 100, 200 or even 4000 speed film - 800 or higher is at greater risk. Also the more times you go through the worse it can be...like if you are bringing the file from home & you have two connections on your flight, the film passes through several x ray machines, then you take pictures and pass it through several stations again....you get the idea.

So the fewer times through and the lower the speed, chances are you'll be fine (but I'm not promising anything -- just letting you know what I know).

If you are really worried, get the special film bag -- or buy your film once you arrive AND/or develop it before you leave to minimize exposure to the xrays.

Have fun...and take lots of pictures!

[Dallas_Lady]

I too am a little concerned about this. I read that 800+ speed film is at the highest risk when going through the Xray machines. Any speed of film can get damaged if you check it, but from what I read just 800+ will get damamged in the carry on Xrays. I usually like to use only 800+, but i bought 400 speed because of this. I will have to wait and see :S

[2disneywego]

This is one of the reasons we get our film developed during vacation. Plus, if any of the pictures don't turn out, we might have the chance to go back and re-do them.
We did this on our trip to Hawaii last year and then put all of the photos in an album while we were waiting at the airport.

[bunnyfoo]

That's a good idea! I have a friend who develops at least one roll of film on his trip to make sure his camera is working.

[jmminarik]

The use of pre-paid mailers would be another option that may be useful....many people do this and have some of the photo's waiting for them when they get home.

As mentioned, multiple passes through x-ray machines will eventually fog film, and the higher the speed of the film, the more susceptible it is to the damaging rays. "They" used to say 1600 + speed films were most susceptable, but that was before Kodak and Fuji started hawking 800 speed films for everyday consumers.

FAA guidelines provide for the traveler to request a hand inspection of film. Not all screeners seem to know or care about this, but maybe that will change once trained federal employees take over all of the screening functions in the US. I'm not sure how hand-checking works with International travel though.

The last time I flew (going on three years now...time flies, even when I don't), the people in Orlando actually swabbed every roll and canister looking for traces of explosives. Took an extra 10 minutes, but that was well before our 'extra security' went into effect.

What I always wondered about were the lead x-ray bags for photo film. If it's lead, it blocks the x-rays, right? So if it blocks the x-rays, how do they see into the bag to see that its film canisters in the bag? If they make you take the bag out so they can search through it, why not just hand them the film in the first place? What am I missing here?!!?!?!?!

-Joe

[Ned Land]

Just a question: Why would you take 800 speed film? Did you take a lot of night shots or fast action?

My advice for the best pictures at Disney. Buy 200 speed film if you have a point and shoot and buy 100 speed film if you have an SLR camera. For 200 speed buy Royal Gold Kodak or another premium film. My favorite 100 speed film is Fuji Reala. Avoid Kodak "Gold" if you want the best possible pictures. My advice is to not buy your film at Wal-Mark or Target and get your film developed at a specialty store for the best quality.

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by Ned Land
Just a question: Why would you take 800 speed film? Did you take a lot of night shots or fast action?

My advice for the best pictures at Disney. Buy 200 speed film if you have a point and shoot and buy 100 speed film if you have an SLR camera. For 200 speed buy Royal Gold Kodak or another premium film. My favorite 100 speed film is Fuji Reala. Avoid Kodak "Gold" if you want the best possible pictures. My advice is to not buy your film at Wal-Mark or Target and get your film developed at a specialty store for the best quality.

My best advice for pictures at Disney is to read the websites on how to take better pictures. Most lousy pictures have more to do with the photographer than the technology. :)

-Joe

[Lover_of_Disney]

I am using 800 film to get picture of fantasmic and some of the night shows. I hope this film turns out better than the last!

AE:Pinkbounc

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by Lover_of_Disney
I am using 800 film to get picture of fantasmic and some of the night shows. I hope this film turns out better than the last!

AE:Pinkbounc

You may want to look at the following site at Kodak:

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/specialSituations/photographingFireworks.shtml

Of course, they tell you to use Kodak film, but for the photos most normal people take, either Fuji or Kodak are excellent choices.

Hope this helps,
-Joe
p.s. The rest of this site's 'how to take better photos' are pretty decent tips for the typical human being with a typical point and shoot camera.

[PinMan]

queston : do not buy walmart film or do not buy your film (KODAK) at a walmart ? and why ?:confused:

[Disneydenise]

I buy my film at Walmart and haven't had a problem. Of course I am not a professianl photograher so they may be horrible. I just don't know. None the less what is the problem with the film there. I have an older point and shoot camera and it has always done a fairly good job for me but if I could get better pictures that would be great. I never have used more than 400 and usually use 200 Kodak.

[bunnyfoo]

I wonder why too PinMan. It could be that the film is older or comes from different batches :confused: But, I agree that its better to take the prints to a speciality store ... They'll spend more time on your prints ... and I've found the colour correction is better. Of course what I do sometimes is I develop my roll at Wal-Mart and then just get reprints of the ones I like at a different store. :p

[Disneydenise]

Hey Ned Land,I am waiting for the film reason. I really would like to know. If I can do something to make a better photo. My son is going to be a fencing tournament in 3 weeks and I would like to get som decent shots of him fencing. I know it will be difficult. Fencing is a fast sport with small movements, atleast foil is. I want to get a few shots of him fencing so I was going to use 400 sp film. I might take the video camera but I don't really know how to work the thing and I haven't made any effort to learn.

[WDWKim]

Just a question here, but wouldn't it be safer to leave your film in your luggage instead of bringing it with you on your carry ons? I'm not sure they x-ray all luggage, but then again that was pre 9/11..........does anyone know?

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by WDWKim
Just a question here, but wouldn't it be safer to leave your film in your luggage instead of bringing it with you on your carry ons? I'm not sure they x-ray all luggage, but then again that was pre 9/11..........does anyone know?

The cost of the machines means they've probably not installed them everywhere, but you almost have to assume your checked luggage will be x-rayed. The checked-luggage x-rays are extremely powerful and can/will screw-up all speeds of film with only one pass through.

So, the common wisdom is to carry all of your film onto the plane.

-Joe

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Jimminarik, I wondered the same thing when I was tyoing about the X Ray proof bag....could someone hide a gun in one of those things?! :eek: :eek: :eek:

[SueM in MN]

When we traveled in March, there was a sign by the check in area warning that the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport has the stronger x-ray machines which might damage film *edit* in checked baggage. The sign suggested carrying film in carry-on bags.*end of edit*
A friend who traveled recently was behind someone who used one of the lead bags in her carry-on luggage. When a dark blob (the bag) showed up on the carryon bag scanner, they made her take everything out of her bag so that they could see what was inside. That is what they are supposed to do, although I have heard news reports of lead lined bags getting thru screening without question.

[CarolA]

tip one. If you want hand inspections, take the film out of the cannisters and put it in a plastic bag.

tip two. Be nice. They DO NOT have to do this anymore


I traveled to Europe this year with 400 and 800 film. I let it go thur the carry on screener everytime (at least 4 times) and I had no problems. (My camera was also screened at several musems) I have done this for years and NEVER had a roll runied. A lot of ruined rolls are due to expired film and not the xray machine so check your expiration dates.

[speedbird0001]

Regarding the X-Ray:

Although it doesn't typically damage film, it is possible. However, there is a very simple way around this. Supposedly you have the right to remove film from your bag and have the guards hand-inspect it, bypassing the damaging X-Ray machine. If you do that, it should be OK. I can't guarantee that this is right, but that's what I've been told. Hope it helps!:D